Friday 23 December 2016

23rd December

Merry Christmas every one.
What a pleasure to see colour in the garden at this time of the year.
The Primroses are so colourful but outstanding, as ever, the Mahonia, just outside my kitchen window, it is in full flower and such a  joy.
The spring bulbs are all poking through looks like it is going to be a good display. Some of the bulbs are new to me so here's hoping they are as promosing as the advert.

Sunday 4 December 2016

Sunday 4th December

Well They predicted a long cold winter and so far they seem to be correct.
Must admit after cleaning the Greenhouse some weeks ago forgot to bubble wrap until 2 weeks ago, thank goodness I remembered, better late than never.
My husband Jack dying put everything out of my head for some weeks.
The bulbs I planted in pots are showing now, hope they will survive, I love Spring flowers here's hoping.
Once the weather improves I shall replant a couple of borders, might be a while from the looks and feel of things.


Thursday 3 November 2016

Nov. 3rd

Well I have found the answer to the death of my Bramley Apple tree.
The tree man knew at once the problem, it has also got to my neighbours tree, it's Honey Fungus.  Saw something  like tall white Mushrooms at the base. Would appear I cannot put another fruit  there for some years as there is not a cure, just my luck.
Have had to clear all the other perennial plants from the area so will wash all the roots etc before replanting and hope!! Who would be a gardener.
Must admit the height of the Dahlias this year still amazes me, such a shame to have to remove them, hopefully they will be okay as I replant them.

Sunday 16 October 2016

16 October

Everything that is still standing is still in full flower but sadly the gales a couple of weeks ago did so much damage.
The lovely triple rotating baskets at the end of the garden  were smashed down and the whole stand  is now unrepairable. The only good thing the baskets full of Begonia Sensation are still intact so have stood  them inside some of the large tubs on the Patio until they finish, they have been amazing and will plant again next year into the new tiered stand my son has ordered for me for Christmas.

All the Dahlias that I though I had staked so well are lying flat down though still in full bloom. Oh well thats gardening never a dull moment.

Must admit I am surprised that the garden is still in full flower, so can't lift all the perennials by the dead Bramley Apple, only then can I book the Paul Crabtree to remove it and trim all the shrubs.  Oh dear that really makes me think winter.

I have planted the spring  bulbs I bought should have a great show. Have done the same as last year when I planted the Hyacinths in tubs to place onto the Patio then to put at the end of the garden by the greenhouse for the summer, saves lifting and replanting, again saves work.

Sunday 28 August 2016

This has turned out to be a very different summer for so may plants. I thought the warm wet winter weather would be just what everything liked, but no, somethings have not done as well as usual.

The Dancing Flame Fuschias usually so prolific, haven't after the first flush continued to flower, just made a lot of growth, so disappointing its never happened before in all the years I have been growing them.

The Begonias at the end in the 3 basket stand which looks like one plant, are still giving a great show.

The wine coloured Dahlias have grown so tall, whilst they look great need lots of extra staking.
The greenhouse, well the tomatoes which started so well have all but finished and I have cleared ready to clean ready for the cuttings.

A friend was telling me she is experiencing similar things, two of her fruit trees have died one a Plum, is it the weather,  maybe plants really do prefer a cold winter.

The John Downey crab Apple is just about ready to harvest, a really great crop this season.
The Rhubarb has been prolific and still going strong.
Amazingly I did not have success with the Courgettes, they are I know usually easy to grow.
I guess thats gardening nothing ever the same, which is what keeps us going, I think!!



Monday 25 July 2016

25th July

Every where is looking so colourful really makes it all worth while.
As ever things pop up that I have never planted, just have to wait until they flower to know what they are.
One thing is another Stargazer has found its way into a Hydrangea cutting pot. As with the one last year it is not variegated like my others, seedlings seem to revert, still a nice change.
In the greenhouse the tomatoes are cropping well, we do not seem to eating as many so next year will grow less.
The Rhubarb has loved the rain and the freezer is looking healthy.
At one end of the garden the Crocosmia Lucifer and Marguerites really light up the corner.
All the Fuschia are in full flower, it amazes me that what seem to be  rather delicate plants are in fact very sturdy.
The begonia that are in the triple basket stand  are a splendid.
I am still mourning my dead Bramley.

Tuesday 14 June 2016

For the past 3 weeks we have not had any rain, the water barrels were empty, as ever it started to rain 2 days ago and never stopped since, so all my worries about the garden are now over, just glad we do not have the excess others are getting.
Everywhere is now so colourful and all the Fuschia cuttings along with the Begonia I planted out are jumping up.
Had a good laugh, the first time i have grown Courgettes and I have had to cut one as it looks well on the way to becoming a Marrow.
The dwarf Alstroemeria in the front garden are magnificent. Luckily they flower throughout the summer, must get some other colours, said that last year and then forgot.!!
In the back garden the Peonies as ever are a joy, this year I  them staked good and early, likewise the Lupins and  the tall Alstroemeria, it surely has paid off. Must admit I am at times a  bit slow to stake properly, must do better.

Saturday 21 May 2016

Well at last I have bee able to access the site, for some reason I haven't ben able to write a post, hopefully all now well.
The garden is looking well again , I love it when everything starts coming to life again.

Must say the new coloured Hellebore have been splendid.

Sadly my beloved Bramley Apple tree appears to have died, no idea why, its only twenty odd years old so a big shock. The family will miss the apples,  it was so prolific I gave loads away. Ah Well.
I don't thinks I will plant a new one as by the time it bears enough fruit iI will be long gone.!!

The John Downey Crab Apple tree is in full flower and appears to have made a lot of growth, a warm wet winter being the answer I guess. The family will have to make do with Crab Apple Jelly.

Strangely the Quince bush I have had for years, that I nearly dug , is in full flower for the first time ever and really looks lovely and when I looked closely the fruit is forming, jus when I do not have a Bramley, just my luck. I believe that quince grated into apple is very good.!!!

Scott and I have moved the Dahlias from the left corner to make space later for the lovely yellow Rhododendron called either sunset or sunrise, which really describes it  well. I has however grown so large that it will have to move from its planter to the garden.

The Dahlias that we transplanted are in fact now showing growth, unlike the ones that have been in for years, heres hoping they are okay and not like the Bramley.

The deep purple  Rhododendron doesn't seem to be as large but just as eye catching.



21st May 2016

Well at last I have bee able to access the site, for some reason I haven't ben able to write a post, hopefully all now well.
The garden is looking well again , I love it when everything starts coming to life again.

Must say the new coloured Hellebore have been splendid.

Sadly my beloved Bramley Apple tree appears to have died, no idea why, its only twenty odd years old so a big shock. The family will miss the apples,  it was so prolific I gave loads away. Ah Well.
I don't thinks I will plant a new one as by the time it bears enough fruit I will be long gone.!!

The John Downey Crab Apple tree is in full flower and appears to have made a lot of growth, a warm wet winter being the answer I guess. The family will have to make do with Crab Apple Jelly.

Strangely the Quince bush I have had for years, that I nearly dug , is in full flower for the first time ever and really looks lovely and when I looked closely the fruit is forming, just when I do not have a Bramley, just my luck. I believe that quince grated into apple is very good.!!!

Scott and I have moved the Dahlias from the left corner to make space later for the lovely yellow Rhododendron called either sunset or sunrise, which really describes it  well. I has however grown so large that it will have to move from its planter to the garden.

The Dahlias that we transplanted are in fact now showing growth, unlike the ones that have been in for years, heres hoping they are okay and not like the Bramley.
The deep purple  Rhododendron doesn't seem to be as large but just as eye catching.



Sunday 20 March 2016

Sunday 20th March


Spring has sprung, what a delight to see all the Spring bulbs and flowers.
The Bowling season is almost here so getting all the jobs done whilst the weather is good.

The seedlings are now transplanted  in the greenhouse, looks like I shall be giving away tomato plants again this year.

Very pleased with the young  Camellia plants can't wait to see what they are like, as ever my son bought and lost the label!!! Whats new.

I am changing the planting of the baskets this year, just to add interest except for the triple that I have for the Dancing Flame (Fuschia).

Like most folks this is the time to move plants that do not appear happy, like the Pieris in the front garden, it really isn't a happy plant, can't think why, so moving to the back Garden and keeping my fingers crossed.
Really delighted with the Hellebores, all three colours are really splendid.

The Rhubarb is now growing strongly, I will be glad when the 'Muck' Man comes , now everywhere is weeded I like to put on a good amount to mulch everywhere.