tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72495871769337682982024-03-19T01:48:17.097-07:00Hoe hoe growTales of a wayward English garden and its weary guardian ...Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-4897717870504820762017-04-26T03:23:00.002-07:002017-04-26T03:23:58.396-07:00All that glitters ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Precious things don't have to be valuable things - a shell from the beach or a fossil from the garden can be treasured just as much as objects which have monetary worth. Whilst all plants in the garden are to be nurtured and enjoyed, there are some which are more special than others. Over the last couple of weeks I seem to have picked up more special ones than usual - ones I have been looking for for a long time, or unusual ones which I have been reading about. Sometimes, it is seeing the right plant for a certain place which seems to give it additional value. I bought mine over two trips - one to Harrogate Spring Flower Show, and a second to Stillingfleet Nursery, near York.<br />
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Stillingfleet is essentially a nursery growing unusual perennials and well worth a visit if that is what you are interested in, but as they sell little else, it is a little niche. I absolutely loved it, as I was able to buy plants I have been searching for for a long time. There is a comprehensive online plant catalogue so that you can browse it before your visit. I was impressed by the quality of the plants and by the way they are kept. All are watered and weed free - seems pretty basic stuff, but it is surprising how many of the large garden centres can't seem to get that right.<br />
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There is an acclaimed garden at Stillingfleet too, but I didn't have time to visit , so will go back later in the season.<br />
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One of the main plants I wanted was Podophillum 'Spotty Dotty', a woodland plant with most unusual foliage. I thought my existing plant had failed to survive the winter, as there had been no sign of it coming through - and it is hard to miss! Of course, the day after I bought my new one, I spotted my initial one steadfastly making an appearance. Oh well, you can never have too may!<br />
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I once read an entry in a plant catalogue where it was described as having "something of the toad" about it, and that is a perfect summary for both colour and texture, and has stayed with me.<br />
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As a woodlander it prefers some shade and also moisture, growing to about 60 cm, with large, mottled leaves.<br />
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I also fell for the charms of sibling Podophillum Pefltatum, which is a bit of an unknown quantity for me, but a very handsome chap. Another woodland plant, enjoying partial shade and moist soil. It is described as 'vigorous'.</div>
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My next little gem is Euphorbia 'Tiny Tim' growing to a lovely compact 30cm. Euphorbias are some of my favourite plants, and, if they do have a fault, it is that they can be large and rangey. 'Tiny Tim' seems like the perfect solution, and I intend to place my two at the front of a border. Euphorbias will grow in quite difficult conditions, and will tolerate dry shade which would defeat many other plants.</div>
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The plant above is new to me, but I fell for the dramatic patterning on the leaves. It is Lunaria 'Chedglow' and leaves start off with this chocolate spotting and gradually become darker and darker until it is a dark purple all over, and nearly black just before it flowers. It is, of course, a variety of the old cottage garden favourite Honesty, but certainly much more interesting than any I have grown before. The flowers appear larger than the norm and are a bright lilac colour. It is a biennial and - joy of joys - it self seeds. The stems are a pleasing dark red, in contrast to the leaves.</div>
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Brunnera are just the best plants in the world - they make an appearance early in the year with forget - me - not blue, frothy flowers, and are still there at the end of the season. They give a constant display of the most wonderful, dramatic foliage, whilst the plant itself stays reasonably compact and tidy. I have tried to get some every year to build up my collection, as they are so useful in every area of the garden. Most of mine are 'Jack Frost', 'Hadspen Cream' and 'Seaheart' , and I welcomed the chance to try some new -to -me varieties. The photo above is 'Jack's Gold', with a green gold edging to the leaves, which fades to silver.</div>
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'Looking Glass' is a new introduction, and the leaves grow to be totally silver.</div>
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The leaves on brunneras start off really small at the beginning of the season, and grow larger and larger as it progresses. They like cool shade/ partial shade and I have found that they will cope with dry shade, and full sun. They are very easy to please actually, and I have yet to lose one.</div>
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I also found an interesting Lobelia 'Tania', with variegated, pink flushed foliage and deep crimson flowers, growing to about 3' tall. It is reported to be hardy in it's situation just south of York. Lobelias are another lovely group of plants worthy of further investigation. I have read that it needs damp soil in summer, much like L. Cardinalis, but is prone to rotting over winter. That sounds like a bit of a conundrum, so it may be easier just to overwinter it in a cool greenhouse, ensuring that it is kept drier than in summer.</div>
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Last treasure is a giant I have been searching for for a while - Cardiocrinum Gigantium. I have tried growing it from seed with zero success! I snapped this up at the Harrogate Flower show, on the stand of a bulb specialist.</div>
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It can grow up to 2.5 m tall and takes around years to flower. It grows in the Himalayas, so can cope with cool temperatures. It is monocarpic, so dies after flowering. Another interesting plant to grow, although the grower assured me that it is easy to look after and very undemanding.</div>
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Harrogate Spring Flower Show is held on the Great Yorkshire show ground, which is set in lovely countryside, just off the A1. The show itself is a bit underwhelming as far as the show gardens go, and is more of a showcase for a variety of nurseries and growers, both specialist and main stream. Very enjoyable however, particularly when the sun shines.</div>
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New plants are always a learning experience, and one which doesn't always end well! Hopefully I can provide the conditions needed to keep my new additions happy and healthy.</div>
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com80tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-40404289569142595042017-03-21T03:41:00.001-07:002017-03-21T06:06:31.124-07:00More in hope than in expectation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It was cold, windy and growing dark. Was I by a warm fire eating chocolate and toasting my toes ? No, I was bent double at the back of a border wresting with a bramble resembling a giant, spiky python! I paused mid - chop to wonder what actually drives me to carry on working outside in the gloom, and came to the conclusion that it is, succinctly, hope that propels me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tender plants in the heated greenhouse</td></tr>
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Hope that bulbs planted in the cold soil of autumn will give pleasure in the spring, hope that the seeds sown now will be flowering beautifully in the warmer days of summer and hope that the garden will be, well, just better next time round.<br />
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There is a simple experiment to test someone's attitude to deferred gratification. You offer them a pound immediately, or two pounds in a month. I guess every true gardener will wait patiently for the two pounds, as we don't really do instant gratification. We are in it for the long game. We have to be, as we lovingly plant a sapling, knowing we will have to wait ten years to, literally, see the fruits of our labour.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Succulents in the cold greenhouse</td></tr>
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So this period of early spring sometimes seems to me like a test of endurance and patience, with the bonus of growing rewards as the season progresses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cd0QP3tf0cqS8Mv8nbAQ0sKDm9iSd3uQiyF_Wv9ZsrvcHjuSXTOeYwgvNOmLPjJwWbNepd-AGol-Ha5cng1aK19LGfP-lfOQN46532JwXeSth0TRBpJIN0DDVXFwzHaO3ifAY5kfMog/s1600/IMG_8871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cd0QP3tf0cqS8Mv8nbAQ0sKDm9iSd3uQiyF_Wv9ZsrvcHjuSXTOeYwgvNOmLPjJwWbNepd-AGol-Ha5cng1aK19LGfP-lfOQN46532JwXeSth0TRBpJIN0DDVXFwzHaO3ifAY5kfMog/s640/IMG_8871.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuchsia Boliviana</td></tr>
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Although activities in the garden change character throughout the growing season, these few weeks always seems to be the hardest . I don't do much digging now, only the cutting garden and veg beds, but this is the time of year for doing what digging has to be done ; getting in to the back of the borders and dealing with any brambles or self seeded saplings; cutting some shrubs hard back and reshaping them; clearing beds of winter debris and hoeing every last one of them. It is hard physical work often in unpleasant cold weather.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk95hgtZ6QxWC6QfDZxYKUk2BLr0DPN70P2t1tW-gix84b430fnesEk9zBk0Ve_zS6WASMYsRaMM7ra4PnoSB8bkg1sps6KEV4LZV-M5giuynHYos9kG5dKybnp3A67PgNboHnHjVjwRc/s1600/IMG_8869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk95hgtZ6QxWC6QfDZxYKUk2BLr0DPN70P2t1tW-gix84b430fnesEk9zBk0Ve_zS6WASMYsRaMM7ra4PnoSB8bkg1sps6KEV4LZV-M5giuynHYos9kG5dKybnp3A67PgNboHnHjVjwRc/s640/IMG_8869.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abutilon</td></tr>
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But it only takes a few rays of spring sunshine on your back to bring back those happy fuzzy feelings!<br />
And there are growing pleasures too, as old friends start to pop up around the garden.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coleus 'King Kong'</td></tr>
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It does feel good to connect with the garden again, though, and to shake off the slothfulness of winter in honest graft.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IzU1CS3knUt15wQPuxEvQOZAJVseiVAUd9gvubUUrnP7ZmqFZx7L2NDq1ZcWdANR237o5W9CanpZGOXORJ0WZ_Kv0OK64KzP-KMBh_CvLDLyD4wMLcaBOCZlQNuGnTe4Ti7DQ5Hp8DU/s1600/IMG_8877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IzU1CS3knUt15wQPuxEvQOZAJVseiVAUd9gvubUUrnP7ZmqFZx7L2NDq1ZcWdANR237o5W9CanpZGOXORJ0WZ_Kv0OK64KzP-KMBh_CvLDLyD4wMLcaBOCZlQNuGnTe4Ti7DQ5Hp8DU/s640/IMG_8877.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dahlia 'Extreme Double'</td></tr>
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Work in the greenhouses remains pretty constant throughout the growing season, as it does not change in essence . The work is easy and very pleasant, especially on a cold day, when the warmth of is very welcoming. I have already sown lots of different seeds, and indeed the sweet peas and cerinthe are quite well grown now. Most are doing well, and Coleus 'King Kong' seedlings (pictured above) have developed their red colouration over the last few days. having a greenhouse means that there is always an alternative depending on the weather. Good days out in the garden, and rainy ones snug in the greenhouse.<br />
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In the heated greenhouse the tender plants are waking up and have had their first drink of water since last autumn. Salvias and fuchsias are putting out new leaves and hedychium , which have kept their leaves over winter, are putting out new spikes. In the unheated greenhouse the succulents have had their first drink too - but a very sparing one as they are kept exceptionally dry until they are in active growth.<br />
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Poised on the brink of a whole new season, I guess I garden more in hope than expectation ...<br />
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-33993231468158970362017-03-01T09:07:00.000-08:002017-03-01T09:09:44.254-08:00Them bones, them bones ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is the time of year when I am eternally grateful for box, photinia, euonymous and everything else which retains its colour, shape and form over winter. The dry bones of the garden are indeed evident now, and standing alone in the spotlight. As the season progresses they will fade gently into the background, as we focus on the new upstarts taking centre stage. When the delphiniums are in full flower, no one will notice the leaves on the holly tree. But for now, I am enjoying them in the stripped down beauty of the late winter garden.<br />
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At least, at the moment, it is easy to see the skeleton of the garden, laid bare as it is, and not masked by other plants. It is a good time to take stock of the basic design, to plan and imagine changes and to try and make improvements.<br />
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Gardens are kind and forgiving things, they give us a fresh start every spring, so that we can try to improve on the previous years, to enjoy successes and to make new mistakes - or even the same old mistakes over again!<br />
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I look at the patches of bare earth, and promise that this year I will get it right. Plants will not become overgrown, fall over, fail to thrive, survive without being fed, limp on without staking or pruning ...<br />
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The garden is so much more simple when it is seen at this time of year, before the succession of plants begins to appear, and then, just as naturally, to disappear. How simple would the conifer and heather gardens of the 1970's be to look after, as they never changed in any way, but remained the same month after month. No gaps left by early perennials dying back, or by bulbs finishing. The contemporary garden, however, is a tapestry which changes day by day, and what looks fantastic one week can become a travesty very rapidly.<br />
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Planning that succession of form, colour and texture is an easier task at this time of year when there is little else to distract the eye.<br />
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There are changes afoot in our garden this season, and one development is that the area shown in the photo below, will be planted up as an extension to the sub tropical garden. It has only taken us 35 years to cultivate this bit for the first time! It has been made a lot easier by the purchase of a chain saw - which I have finally agreed to after 35 years, as my partner is the most accident prone person I know, and shouldn't be let loose with a spoon, never mind a chainsaw. However, he has promised to have proper safety training and to wear all safety aids, including full chainmail!<br />
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He and a friend have felled a silver birch, leaving us with a nice new chunk of garden to plant up!<br />
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Spring must be springing as I spotted frogspawn in the wildlife pond for the first time yesterday. Lots of it ! No evidence of the proud parents yet, but I expect they will be cavorting in the water very soon.<br />
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The garden has suffered little damage so far this winter, and our lowest temperature has been minus five degrees. We have invested in a max/ min thermometer which has been really useful for charting variations in temperature. I will whisper this bit ... "we haven't lost anything yet" ... in fear of waking the slumbering garden gods and incurring their wrath. Tender stuff has been affected superficially, but will recover quickly once dormancy ends, and real growth begins. The Melianthus Major in the photo above has barely been checked and is now putting out new growth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0xJBiWrSM6W7kPamGo3NiVQu9T-La1NoiyJjDnrICPtEcTamquLzES1wjbEtu1fSFa06hE_mfG3W5uKSljGcaS3l9nnTeezX7DoHVMxSIoOfWwZ-zkfq70XeZdJL1eVbQGZDrrsSCMY/s1600/IMG_8797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0xJBiWrSM6W7kPamGo3NiVQu9T-La1NoiyJjDnrICPtEcTamquLzES1wjbEtu1fSFa06hE_mfG3W5uKSljGcaS3l9nnTeezX7DoHVMxSIoOfWwZ-zkfq70XeZdJL1eVbQGZDrrsSCMY/s640/IMG_8797.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We have four different Tetrapanax throughout the garden, and this is the most exposed one, which has suffered the most. It has lost leaves but the plant itself is fine. Abutilons have made it through so far without any protection other than that offered by neighbouring plants. All the tree ferns have kept their fronds with no evidence of browning yet.</div>
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Ours is not a spring garden, and we don't go big on bulbs, but just add a few every year, to what is already there. There are some splashes of colour evident from daffodils, crocuses, hellebores and pulmonaria, but nothing very exciting. My favourite is Iris Reticulata, which is late to bloom this year, for some reason, and has only opened fully over the last couple of days.</div>
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There are also three different varieties of Hamamelis by the back door, so that they give maximum enjoyment. They are nearly over now, but H. Intermedia 'Pallida' is still radiant.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4ojycAqR5FiKf73kOYcsgI5jVjYh0SLALU8kq0J7XzmUk-zQfqAX4OfaIOj-nzS9r42gp_WxfDYeF-o0ud7nNP0OZCkFMH_y8_-jn4XS-raxUL1R8AxWAer-_DMsZWWLkSim1cqVNmg/s1600/IMG_8846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4ojycAqR5FiKf73kOYcsgI5jVjYh0SLALU8kq0J7XzmUk-zQfqAX4OfaIOj-nzS9r42gp_WxfDYeF-o0ud7nNP0OZCkFMH_y8_-jn4XS-raxUL1R8AxWAer-_DMsZWWLkSim1cqVNmg/s640/IMG_8846.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Viburnam Bodnantense 'Dawn' is just making a welcome appearance too.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijoNKxkgpqybvm9TVaQUHNK6kYUGBWYD6v_pylCemRcXU97dZlp4HuvFW-ueeGodIEgo_HCJCinik6l8IABbXq9Psumu095AP8RbVS0soPTgcgoFzU5NE-idJBjEaPFQ6cS05kLKKHNE/s1600/IMG_8849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijoNKxkgpqybvm9TVaQUHNK6kYUGBWYD6v_pylCemRcXU97dZlp4HuvFW-ueeGodIEgo_HCJCinik6l8IABbXq9Psumu095AP8RbVS0soPTgcgoFzU5NE-idJBjEaPFQ6cS05kLKKHNE/s640/IMG_8849.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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To see other gardens around the globe, please visit Helen at <a href="https://patientgardener.wordpress.com/2017/02/28/end-of-month-view-february-2017/">'The Patient Gardener'</a> and join her for 'End of the month view'. Thank you to Helen for hosting this meme every month, and giving those tantalising glimpses into some wonderful gardens.</div>
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-5359781730871755022017-02-11T06:45:00.001-08:002017-02-11T06:52:28.802-08:00A pox on those pesky garden makeover shows ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBHoFenlLD5NIii41hkxRCsBGU83vzxWM8jee4JAX4YWsNBohi9BkLoFEVfUYucpNq6eSxLrFRQwnaFaFxiMb3W2TBKsdVhv7BMP5fv8VpbVshSr7sw_a7sbORQDtUPgDhQek3sfc-cE/s1600/IMG_7341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBHoFenlLD5NIii41hkxRCsBGU83vzxWM8jee4JAX4YWsNBohi9BkLoFEVfUYucpNq6eSxLrFRQwnaFaFxiMb3W2TBKsdVhv7BMP5fv8VpbVshSr7sw_a7sbORQDtUPgDhQek3sfc-cE/s640/IMG_7341.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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"Let's have an easy year in the garden", we said at the start of 2017, "no new projects - just consolidation of what we have already done".<br />
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So why is it that it only takes one bottle of red and two glasses before one of us utters those words which fill the other with such dread - "I've just had an idea ..." And when those words are followed by " ... you may not like it", then that dread is intensified.<br />
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Every garden must have those areas which never really worked, where form or function is unclear, or where they have evolved into something which is, as my grandfather used to say "Neither nowt nor summat".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMAxNbuYDKfjIq7VKjksr2dCECBd-rLmnJw1vaDOq4_hZ9E9WD9OZSmxA8j3t_FtxaU91fg43sM35HQDw2O3vLiZsjm67riZQUUP_ueQ8qci8lyfI5e6Qr-2qccxsQfz77vMJqNOjYUs/s1600/IMG_7364+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMAxNbuYDKfjIq7VKjksr2dCECBd-rLmnJw1vaDOq4_hZ9E9WD9OZSmxA8j3t_FtxaU91fg43sM35HQDw2O3vLiZsjm67riZQUUP_ueQ8qci8lyfI5e6Qr-2qccxsQfz77vMJqNOjYUs/s640/IMG_7364+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our garden, to be fair, has many of these areas, and we bumble along with them from season to season, always meaning to do something about them, but never quite getting round to it. Small scale attempts to improve them can be a bit like rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic, as problems are ignored and not solved.<br />
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I blame 'The Idea' which birthed last last, on those pesky garden makeover shows. We were watching a programme where Monty Don advised rookie garden owners on how to have Kew outside their own back doors, and then they worked 24/7 to get everything completed before he came back to inspect it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Yy10QobhVzkg3hoZmDFub8EvvEg7Q7oRITszEo4SPWEGPGeWfJmueC-NL4WIINyfYjU982Q5ILGTHnIKKO-7jzpIBGNcBNdn7w_q9vptLSfKvBkmJO_9li8fLHvRjZX7SA2Tm0Ymz2Y/s1600/IMG_7442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Yy10QobhVzkg3hoZmDFub8EvvEg7Q7oRITszEo4SPWEGPGeWfJmueC-NL4WIINyfYjU982Q5ILGTHnIKKO-7jzpIBGNcBNdn7w_q9vptLSfKvBkmJO_9li8fLHvRjZX7SA2Tm0Ymz2Y/s640/IMG_7442.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There was something so pristine about these shiny new gardens that was instantly appealing. There were no broken pots behind the shed, or sickly roses receiving intensive care, no wonky benches or half eaten dog toys. No gates held shut with string, or rusty obelisks. Everything was new, clean and sleek, and there were no corners of shame.<br />
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In one garden there was something which we both instantly coveted, shameless consumers that we are .... an outside sofa. A great big beast of a thing that two people could lie down on and read their books and drink their Pimms or have a joint snooze in the heat of the day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7DkfIig7XsXDLdvisJ75U6cSC3bB0vTmAUL0vVBEZprK7eFjYkSe65w3AcywIaFZwwe7z_P3l0sYJVglgBPQMh4tjmNN4D-5tVZXfMMoBrK5bNSQ2KGnUK6VoPBEbk5oWpZXrqCxz9c/s1600/IMG_7445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7DkfIig7XsXDLdvisJ75U6cSC3bB0vTmAUL0vVBEZprK7eFjYkSe65w3AcywIaFZwwe7z_P3l0sYJVglgBPQMh4tjmNN4D-5tVZXfMMoBrK5bNSQ2KGnUK6VoPBEbk5oWpZXrqCxz9c/s640/IMG_7445.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We completely overlooked the fact that in all these years the number of summer afternoons spent reading/ snoozing in the garden can be counted on one hand, as we are always weeding/ mowing/ deadheading. Suddenly it seemed possible that if we only had this wonderful sofa then life would be different.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOtgWYU5sW4UIwxSc91ZKRbr11vOUGCjxy0R4-wQh6ey0X5thKKSuW-2AA4vrucvNuOezIG04TmkOy9bXH-mCfLCRtaMQaamsa7w0Ruf0uUgyuxhHV6JlZ7OccEYlfrinY-LOhtgldnI/s1600/IMG_7363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOtgWYU5sW4UIwxSc91ZKRbr11vOUGCjxy0R4-wQh6ey0X5thKKSuW-2AA4vrucvNuOezIG04TmkOy9bXH-mCfLCRtaMQaamsa7w0Ruf0uUgyuxhHV6JlZ7OccEYlfrinY-LOhtgldnI/s640/IMG_7363.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Further down said bottle of red, we had already metaphorically bought the sofa and now needed a suitable place to put it. That was when 'The Idea' was born, and the suggestion was made by one of us (not me!!) to totally remodel an area of the garden - involving a shedload of hard work, new planting, trellis, arch, gravel, pots and, of course, the sofa.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YvmZgW3WvbY1M6m9wWxVb8D2D5PpDRfDhZ6SdLEcM07Qr0QLBuo0zjF56-WPvX44Nn3UhkxUgkRpHEP2Gk4xkPgStN5UwKsKs5zYhNY927T1TtfBzjg5PzBR0raI3uIcqImNiQdcvCQ/s1600/IMG_7441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YvmZgW3WvbY1M6m9wWxVb8D2D5PpDRfDhZ6SdLEcM07Qr0QLBuo0zjF56-WPvX44Nn3UhkxUgkRpHEP2Gk4xkPgStN5UwKsKs5zYhNY927T1TtfBzjg5PzBR0raI3uIcqImNiQdcvCQ/s640/IMG_7441.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We decided to enclose an existing gravelled area of the garden (shown in all the photos), using bamboo and trellis as a screen, so that it is an entity on its own, entered through an arch and left via a gate. This area is defined already to some extent, so it wouldn't need much to complete it, and it is a real south facing sun trap, totally underused at the moment. It is bordered on one side by the greenhouses, and already has mature planting on another side. There are three small, shaped bay trees and a trellis covered in Clematic Armandii and Rosa 'Alberic Barbier'. Although a little, let's say, exuberant at the moment, this could be brought back into line fairly quickly with a sharp pair of secateurs. At the moment, this area is my go-to place for depositing sickly plants, pots that are past their best and bags of compost.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg439Lwx6x4moH5uHjmKo48V1ZG7qd3wIjUE_StWdnxb7jnpXbDCEQavYJQUK9PBk2_LiiZW8kF4Gjkm0I0iM7akrNRsIGsr4oQsoRha6txIVaixy2OSC7Qf5bp6Rzk4dbc2gq1rjPQAwo/s1600/IMG_7397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg439Lwx6x4moH5uHjmKo48V1ZG7qd3wIjUE_StWdnxb7jnpXbDCEQavYJQUK9PBk2_LiiZW8kF4Gjkm0I0iM7akrNRsIGsr4oQsoRha6txIVaixy2OSC7Qf5bp6Rzk4dbc2gq1rjPQAwo/s640/IMG_7397.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The area has never been quite right, and has never really worked. We have had a little table and chairs there, which have been used only rarely and I'm not quite sure why. There are some pots there, but these include lots of small pots, full of finished bulbs, or cuttings I am growing on, so are not really worthy of display. Our new project is to cut down on the number of pots and just have a few large ones, with 'hot' planting of dahlias, cannas, coleus and Ensete bananas, for example. We want the plants to be large and bold, so that they really make a statement, and to be grouped close together, and tiered to give height. The sofa would be positioned in a very private corner of this area, and a table would turn it into our main sitting and eating area. The area would lend itself well to being made more defined, and enclosed, turning it from somewhere we just go through, to somewhere we would enjoy spending time in.</div>
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In the cold light of day, and two aspirins later, we are both keen to go ahead and do it, albeit on a more limited budget. Half of me loves a new project to plan, and the other half is wondering what happened to the 'easy' year we originally planned.<br />
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-72647530256368059552017-01-27T08:47:00.001-08:002017-01-27T08:47:38.492-08:00Reasons to be cheerful ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SGs4pCZJo06rpANtLZT7NvfdPYlyhcHgvdX0LF0pNq4hD0ezZH_bFoXk2SzTr0M8UYGqftgZYEzHgCld3u4_DnFYCEhRVD21VRvCB1FDSXSBlmyOgpCm2wpRMgpJAiUzij_T8To34VA/s1600/IMG_8678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SGs4pCZJo06rpANtLZT7NvfdPYlyhcHgvdX0LF0pNq4hD0ezZH_bFoXk2SzTr0M8UYGqftgZYEzHgCld3u4_DnFYCEhRVD21VRvCB1FDSXSBlmyOgpCm2wpRMgpJAiUzij_T8To34VA/s640/IMG_8678.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are many reasons to be cheerful right now! Cautiously cheerful, perhaps, but still cheerful. There are signs and portents afoot which indicate that spring is on the horizon. The days are beginning to lengthen, the birds have started singing again, and the bulbs are beginning to appear.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9T87cD2mKkjkS7XXPmGHvQsshBTwdPhYJt2Zb4WKmGp9DfrBaIPjqTunHyJ8nBzV_sRbCYCpKSby3XwOqYcZppP_KhvJXVq9Krhe3flQBFUDtJZu8PHVpKs3DZZTan8Wp0_PYUS_b-E/s1600/IMG_8674+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9T87cD2mKkjkS7XXPmGHvQsshBTwdPhYJt2Zb4WKmGp9DfrBaIPjqTunHyJ8nBzV_sRbCYCpKSby3XwOqYcZppP_KhvJXVq9Krhe3flQBFUDtJZu8PHVpKs3DZZTan8Wp0_PYUS_b-E/s640/IMG_8674+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the conservatory, nobody has told the plants that it is actually winter. We keep the temperature reasonably low, so I was expecting the overwintering tender plants to remain dormant. I thought I would keep them ticking over, but that there would be little active growth. What a joy! They have not only kept growing, but they have kept flowering too, giving many reasons to be continually cheerful!</div>
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Begonia 'Garden Angels' are putting out lots of new leaves, and the leaves have kept all their wonderful metallic colouring. They will, apparently, stand a couple of degrees of frost, but, as they are quite expensive, I didn't want to chance leaving them in the greenhouse this year. Also, they are every bit as decorative as Begonia Rex, the house plants, and they have given lots of pleasure over the winter.</div>
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This plant, which is flowering its little socks off, is Impatiens Niamniamensis, the 'Parrot plant'. It is easy to see how it got its name, as the flowers certainly resemble brightly coloured parrots, swinging on the stems. The plant itself can get quite leggy, so I try to ensure that it gets as much light as possible, and will be pinching out the growing tips shortly, to encourage a bushier plant.</div>
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The plants which are the undisputed Queens of the Winter, are the Abutilons. They have flowered non stop all summer, autumn and now winter. The flowers are quite lovely, and the red pictured below is very rich and dark. They are hard to beat for flower power!</div>
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I grew lots from seed in early summer and have put several in the greenhouse to overwinter, and these are thriving but not flowering. The temperature in the greenhouse has fallen to 3 degrees and they have been fine.</div>
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I have left sacrificial Abutilons in the garden, to see what temperatures they can actually cope with, and so far we have had down to minus 3, and they are still fine, and have even kept their leaves.</div>
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However, last night the temperature dropped to minus 4.8 degrees , so I have yet to see whether they have survived , or succumbed to the frost.</div>
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Yet another reason to be cheerful is that the red, Abyssinian bananas are all continuing to thrive and to actively grow, and produce new rollers. They look amazing when viewed against the rays of a winter sun.</div>
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And the best reason of all to be cheerful is that the seeds have been chosen and bought, and the propagator has been switched on. There are already results, with seedlings popping up every day.</div>
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-46754202894190522532016-12-23T11:02:00.001-08:002016-12-23T11:02:04.857-08:00Hoe hoe hoe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Much as I love Christmas, I am excited for it to be all packed away, because then, and only then, can the new growing season truly begin. I am savouring the thought of compiling my seed order, but I refuse to give in to such a delight, until the last remnants of the turkey is eaten, and the last cracker is pulled.<br />
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Outside the window all is dank and decaying, but in my head everything is young and fresh and green. I know that there is lots to love about winter, from the beautiful bare skeletons of the trees, to the mist rolling gently in across the fields. I am a huge fan of log fires, cosy nights and good books and enjoy respite from the garden which enable me to enjoy those pleasures. But, once Christmas is out of the way, we are heading towards spring. From the Winter Solstice we are heading out of, and not into, winter. The days begin to lengthen, imperceptibly at first, but lengthen they do. It won't be long before there are the first heralds of the season, and then, before you know it we'll be knee deep in roses and wisteria.<br />
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My increasing excitement for the new growing season is due, in part, to a new and cunning plan ... to start a cutting garden to supply the house with flowers through the whole year, if possible. I currently spend between £7 and £10 per week on cut flowers which costs approximately £400 per year. It makes sense on an economic level as well as unmanly other levels too.<br />
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Although I grow a garden full of flowers, it turns out I can't bring myself to cut more than an occasional stem for the house. Surely this way, with a designated patch just for cut flowers, I will be able to wield the scissors without guilt.<br />
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I need to learn about how to set up a new cutting garden, and need some advice on what to grow, how to sow successionally and how to provide flowers for as much of the year as possible. There is a wealth of information out there, in the form of blogs, vlogs, podcasts and books. Father Christmas has his instructions and will hopefully be dropping 'The cut flower patch' by Louise Curley down the chimney very soon. I have also put in a request for florist's scissors and snips.<br />
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I am already deciding which favourites will be guaranteed a place in this new cutting garden. It is not huge, so everything will have to earn its place. I want to have flowers available all year round, so my planning will have to take this into account. Flowers in mid summer will be easy, but having something to cut in November is a different matter. Steep learning curve here, I think ...<br />
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Definites will be cosmos, dahlias and sweet peas, so all I need to do with these three, is to decide which variety I fancy. Hopefully the books etc will supply countless ideas for other flowers/ foliage to grow. I will be growing everything from seed, so the cost will be minimal.<br />
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I have allowed myself to start a teeny bit of research, and have been onto the Sarah Raven website, and looked at her 'cutting garden pack' of seeds containing her best-loved varieties. I may take that as my starting point and develop it from there, using my personal preferences. I grow lots of different flowers for the garden already, but because I never cut them, I have no idea about their properties as cut flowers. I suppose I will be growing for longevity in the vase, but have little idea which varieties will be best.<br />
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I love Rudbeckias, and they would give reliable colour late in the season, but will have to research whether they are good as cut flowers. 'Cherokee Sunset' and 'Cherry Brandy' are lovely in the garden.</div>
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As for foliage, no cut flower vase is complete without some, and I can actually use foliage from shrubs in the garden, as I consider cutting it as a form of pruning, so can bring myself to do it !</div>
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I would like to grow some foliage plants in the cutting garden, but again, will have to learn what is most suitable for the purpose. Melianthus Major is a glorious plant with wonderful serrated leaves, of a cool glaucus grey. It is easy to grow from seed, and the young plants grow very quickly. But is it suited to life in a vase ? I need to find out !</div>
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I try to save as many seeds as I can every year, for many different reason. Obviously there is a cost implication as self collected seed is totally free, and it is also organic. There are no seed miles' involved, as the longest journey these seeds make is up the garden path! Self collection usually equates to more plants, as seed is usually produces in large quantities, and with many plants it can be collected over several weeks, so there is more to turn into lovely plants! I think I have enough sweet pea seed saved from this season, including 'Midnight', shown in the photo above. It is such a dark, rich colour, ad goes beautifully with cream and lilac varieties.</div>
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So, I wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and peaceful 2017 !</div>
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-53797284518533531762016-11-16T06:40:00.000-08:002016-11-16T06:40:25.301-08:00Fifty ways to lose your begonias<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqREJ0ZI9XWCD_TiHEdsY7NbmQSmrTZnD0tv8LNo168_Zt5QFhEa9S7IY7RXYfEYsjt_hvzZK668HdcX-r7b6JbPQuBYksE7zPBJfMz_h283yvaSz7_mSS-OuekQKMXdBM33iOa4GZRg/s1600/IMG_8542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqREJ0ZI9XWCD_TiHEdsY7NbmQSmrTZnD0tv8LNo168_Zt5QFhEa9S7IY7RXYfEYsjt_hvzZK668HdcX-r7b6JbPQuBYksE7zPBJfMz_h283yvaSz7_mSS-OuekQKMXdBM33iOa4GZRg/s640/IMG_8542.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Buying tender plants at the height of summer is so easy, when the ice and snow of winter are but a dim and distant memory. It is easy to get carried away and buy far too many, far too large plants. I know. I am that person. However, once the temperature drops, they all need to be kept snug and frost free, if they are to survive until spring. I have been struggling to find the best way to do this for years, and, believe me, there have been many casualties along the way!<br />
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As an inexperienced gardener I tried the 'ostrich' approach, which meant that I stuck my head firmly in the sand and ignored all dire warnings on plant labels. I basically just left tender plants outside throughout the winter, and they died in their droves. I then progressed to wrapping them in fleece, which, although better than nothing, only gave minimal protection of a couple of degrees at most. Real divas just disregarded it and still died, although it really did help the borderline frost hardy plants. Wrapping most palms gets them through cold weather, and stuffing tree fern crowns with straw seems to do the trick, but it is finding the solution for the really tender stuff which causes the problems.<br />
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Getting a greenhouse was the first real step towards raising the survival rate of the delicate plants, but an unheated space is not necessarily frost free, as I found to my cost. Initially, I tried a paraffin heater but found it to be totally ineffective in the space, and impractical to use, as it is dependent upon you being there to light it.<br />
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The conservatory (which is heated) has been my saviour for the last ten years or so, and plants usually jostle together for space in there. It is a great solution for the plants, but not for the humans, as it virtually decommissions the conservatory from any other purpose other than that of a greenhouse for almost half of each year.<br />
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This year I decided to get the job done properly and to get electricity out to the greenhouse, so that I could have effective heating installed. Once that was in place I looked around for a good greenhouse heater, and researched online for recommendations.<br />
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They say you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince, and, although not as enjoyable, I think the same may be true of greenhouse heaters ! I tried a 2 kw electric fan heater, first, as sold by 'Two Wests and Elliot'. Rightly or wrongly I trust them as a company, and so felt confident in buying a heater from their website. The heater, itself, was actually fine, but I hadn't done enough homework, and had bought a heater which was just too small to heat the area of the greenhouse. Big fail.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi847KcesPgYHnpcDl19qLHaCSRFazUXm7NCnOQi_zZsYjg58SVyOEvPc1Phape_FMZcJNiGSelyghg-3lfeafHDms4mR80IILSBALmD9KjX5WjROOuBTOywr6IU5Z7cA8qhxw-YaZuSU4/s1600/IMG_8526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi847KcesPgYHnpcDl19qLHaCSRFazUXm7NCnOQi_zZsYjg58SVyOEvPc1Phape_FMZcJNiGSelyghg-3lfeafHDms4mR80IILSBALmD9KjX5WjROOuBTOywr6IU5Z7cA8qhxw-YaZuSU4/s640/IMG_8526.jpg" width="534" /></a></div>
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Back to the internet, and I found a beast of a thing which would do the job - a powerful electric heater capable of heating the Albert Hall. Trouble was, when I asked the advice of Jim, our electrician, he just burst out laughing - never a good sign! To run it, he pointed out, would need a whole new armoured cable, as it was so powerful - and it would also cost a fortune to use.<br />
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Jim suggested heating tubes, which are cheap to buy and to run and could be installed on the current system. He duly installed three tube heaters, to heat the entire space, and cleverly linked them to a thermostat, so that they come on automatically when the inside temperature drops below about 6 degrees. So far they have been very effective and the temperature has not dropped below 5. 2 degrees, even though there have been some cold nights. I have a max/ min thermometer, so that I can check the range every day, and monitor it carefully.<br />
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Although I know, in theory, that insulating a greenhouse makes a huge difference, it has taken several years for this fact to goad me into taking action! This year we have put up horticultural grade bubble wrap across windows and glass roof, and it makes a noticeable difference. It has to be horticultural grade to allow uv light in, I believe.<br />
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Ventilation is always an issue in a heated greenhouse, and it seems contra-intuitive to heat a space, then open a window, but moisture is the biggest danger, as it can cause mould, rot and all manner of unpleasant things. Insulation serves to hinder the free circulation of air even further, and can compound problems with moisture.<br />
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I try to open the doors when the weather is mild, to get as much air circulating as possible. Plants are checked regularly and dying flowers and foliage removed. Everything is kept as dry as possible, as this makes a huge difference to survival rates. I barely water at all, and only give plants a little drink when they are starting to droop.<br />
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Precious things have joined us in the conservatory, and I have brought in young seedling, like Tetrapanax, and put them on the windowsill, along with cuttings of favourites such as Abutilons and salvias. In this way I hope to ensure I still keep some for next season, even if it all goes pear - shaped in the greenhouse. The big Ensete Ventricosum Maureliis are all snuggled up inside, as are some abutilons, which are still flowering. The Begonia 'Angels' have retained their foliage and still appear to be growing.<br />
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All succulents and cacti have been put into the smaller unheated greenhouse, which is kept ridiculously dry. There is an Astelia in there which has actually survived for two mild winters outside, but I don't want to chance it again. Also sheltering from the winter are agaves, aeoniums, aloes and yuccas. The theory is that they will be able to withstand the cold, as long as they are dry. If allowed to suffer the dreaded combination of wet and cold then their roots will rot, and death will surely follow. In spells of exceptionally cold weather they can be covered with horticultural fleece.<br />
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I will have to wait and see what this winter has in store for us, before I can measure the success of our new arrangements. We have already had some frosts and everything is still looking healthy.<br />
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-37856447674549643432016-09-24T11:54:00.000-07:002016-09-24T11:54:11.965-07:00Parting gifts from the Garden Gods ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As a parting gift from summer, the Garden Gods have given us some clear, golden days so that we can squeeze out the last rays of hot sun. And so we have. From breakfast outside to cold beers in the summerhouse at sunset, we have wrung out those rays and soaked them right up, so that the memory will help to see us through the leaden grey of November, and the gales of March.<br />
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This September light has a mellow quality all of its own, gentle and golden, suffusing the garden and making the plants radiant and glowing.<br />
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These glorious days were the ideal time to wander round the garden, to assess the success and otherwise, of this season. I think it probably looks better at this current point than in most other years, due to the long spell of good weather, which has provided ideal growing conditions. The plants have loved it and kept flowering and growing although some of the bedding has already been despatched as it has grown too leggy. Most of the pots are still doing well, however, and providing lots of colour still.<br />
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The new decking area planting has really filled out now, and the plants are very happy there. The dahlias and cannas have enjoyed the warmth of this protected area, warmed by the thick stone walls.</div>
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There is a ligularia and an astilbe right at the back which are not so happy, as the bed is very well drained, and so a little dry for their liking.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Although many of the garden stars have already played their part and disappeared until next year, many remain, meaning that the garden still has colour and vigour.</span></div>
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This is our first year with Canna 'Cleopatra' and what a showstopper it is ! The flowers are a mixture of red and yellow, some being composed of a single coloured flower and some being a random mix of both.</div>
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The foliage is a thing of beauty and has elegant stripes of dark chocolate. If you want muted and tasteful, this exuberant plant is not for you. Ours is over six feet tall, and is no shrinking violet!</div>
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The photo above shows Canna 'Cleopatra', alongside banana 'Ensete Maurelli' and Ricinus (grown this spring from seed).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw43GoQmqw-nX-qOq-1gxmjwlhieXZDug8AitQF4t558Ud-39K_UohpU-pVrRDjkMgEm3DR6-kt2GPUULcPXNVTf3y3ySzJkRbVPdTsbnumsEFaR8acDShMhs480-olhEuntEXgwlKuG0/s1600/IMG_7247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw43GoQmqw-nX-qOq-1gxmjwlhieXZDug8AitQF4t558Ud-39K_UohpU-pVrRDjkMgEm3DR6-kt2GPUULcPXNVTf3y3ySzJkRbVPdTsbnumsEFaR8acDShMhs480-olhEuntEXgwlKuG0/s640/IMG_7247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The garden is full of a number of varieties of dahlia, some named and others unknown, as they are our number one garden plant, giving non stop flower power until the first frosts. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1Ap6H_xd66wJeqmqCuurV6r7xKp077ja5a-7X_ESMp8-KYGRUxxwBK9MV7TiJNZ6Gh4aHg2ZPwgaB-v-ufJx8I23fegUrDiyqi5f9WpeE4zJHpzDYD59ehPB22H-Lj-gaD_5uXvSVUM/s1600/IMG_7266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1Ap6H_xd66wJeqmqCuurV6r7xKp077ja5a-7X_ESMp8-KYGRUxxwBK9MV7TiJNZ6Gh4aHg2ZPwgaB-v-ufJx8I23fegUrDiyqi5f9WpeE4zJHpzDYD59ehPB22H-Lj-gaD_5uXvSVUM/s640/IMG_7266.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Below is one of the cactus dahlias , grown from seed this season. I love the slightly tousled, wildness of the petals. They grow absolutely massive, and are worth the additional efforts needed to stake them securely.</div>
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For me, this season has been my wake up call to Salvias - a wide ranging genus, ranging from hardy to definitely tender, but all bursting with colour. I am very drawn to the tender ones, and have been lucky enough to pick up a few on our visits to other gardens. </div>
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This is Salvia Involucrata 'Boutin', which flowers reliably and heavily from July to November. I assumed it was tender, but Dysons Salvia nursery report that it is hardy to -11 degrees with them. It has an AGM and I have found it to be an exceptional plant. It roots very easily from cuttings, and I have taken lots, all of which have taken.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeq1JpvGl3UG5gZECsjYc18uDOCnpPyBKhcUYBHOeI_MpU_E7irq7nfqDyuGPo_bmcdH0ObrdgVPyEcQQdccA5xHGMjPEfObwtrZaSZV4jLedJW7ELc1znnkq7oygdYkyFBBLvfLJao0/s1600/IMG_7190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeq1JpvGl3UG5gZECsjYc18uDOCnpPyBKhcUYBHOeI_MpU_E7irq7nfqDyuGPo_bmcdH0ObrdgVPyEcQQdccA5xHGMjPEfObwtrZaSZV4jLedJW7ELc1znnkq7oygdYkyFBBLvfLJao0/s640/IMG_7190.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Below are photos of the most gorgeous Salvias going - the 'Wishes' series. These are tender and need to be overwintered in a greenhouse. They may survive in an unheated one, but I plan to heat ours to a relatively high temperature to protect all our tender plants.</div>
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Above is Salvia 'Black Knight', a vigorous grower, and prolific flowerer, with quite a loose habit, common to all the 'Wishes' series.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYoc9XYhhhZY3FRF3QZnTzflK7_bYxtSDtAv8SN4u5ackyYSsBmZ27YcfVNV5ZueJq0SEz7ONL4EAr1Ss-4ovMk5aDYQBdndTWm6w_ehu02Rwi791KoK0-xKkxND6hnYYsDH2GJNv-L8/s1600/IMG_7288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYoc9XYhhhZY3FRF3QZnTzflK7_bYxtSDtAv8SN4u5ackyYSsBmZ27YcfVNV5ZueJq0SEz7ONL4EAr1Ss-4ovMk5aDYQBdndTWm6w_ehu02Rwi791KoK0-xKkxND6hnYYsDH2GJNv-L8/s640/IMG_7288.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is 'Embers Wishes', again a prolific flowerer, not quite as vigorous for me, as 'Black Knight', but still a great plant, and easy to take cuttings from.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqDx83_cu5QxW1nK3qWu9RuoCW3bBTp0Ghxelavo8UMomKcsHjXPtOx71G99Qaozu3D0cKVm0e-UPii94Qj8s6YW_2pUYe4GB1qNYlDXOnwRESiin9XS-jTC3iLHTD8kb0LWDj1ZJMEo/s1600/IMG_8068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqDx83_cu5QxW1nK3qWu9RuoCW3bBTp0Ghxelavo8UMomKcsHjXPtOx71G99Qaozu3D0cKVm0e-UPii94Qj8s6YW_2pUYe4GB1qNYlDXOnwRESiin9XS-jTC3iLHTD8kb0LWDj1ZJMEo/s640/IMG_8068.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is 'Love and wishes', showing how it likes to spread itself out in a mixed border.</div>
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My personal favourite is 'Black and Blue', which has the same intense shade of blue as Salvia Patens, which contrasts so well with the black stems. Not pictured is 'Wendy's Wish', which I believe was one of the first in the series.</div>
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The Abutilons have also been a delight, and, as with the salvias, they are so easy to propagate by cuttings, with a very high strike rate. I guess the real disadvantage with Abutilons, for some people, is that the flowers are not as readily visible as many other plants, as the bell shaped blooms hang down, and are often half hidden by foliage. I quite like this quiet modesty, and I will grow them every year from now on.</div>
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This glossy, strong red flower is probably my favourite, although there are pinks as well as the reds and yellows, all of varying intensity of shades.</div>
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Abutilon 'Milleri Variegatum' has survived, but not thrived, in the garden this season.</div>
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I was initially puzzled by this plant, which came into flower a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't identify it, and thought that the nearest match to the flowers was something akin to a hyacinth. However, I came across it by accident on a website, and it is Clematis 'New Love'. Not a climber, this is a shrubby perennial with large leaves, and these lovely scented blue flowers.</div>
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The Garden Gods are still smiling and sending some golden days, and each one seems like a gift.</div>
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-56530467571064640002016-08-14T11:07:00.000-07:002016-08-14T11:07:00.801-07:00Exoticising the garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I think I may have inadvertently invented a new verb - 'to exoticise', meaning to change part of a traditional garden to one with densely packed planting giving a sub-tropical feel. Anyway, that is mostly how I have been spending my time over this season, and it has been a massive learning curve. I know I have not got it right yet, but it has been enjoyable learning about new methods and new plants. My partner has been gardening in this way for about fifteen years, so I have my very own maister to guide me. </span></div>
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In some ways it is easier than traditional gardening, as mistakes can be rectified more easily. Most of the tender stuff is wheeled out every year, after the threat of frost has passed, and placed in position before planting. In a way it feels more like flower arranging, as you can move the pots around to get maximum effect, before planting them, so you can try arrangements out and improve them very easily.</div>
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I find the difficult bit about traditional gardening is that it just seems right and then a week later it CHANGES, due to plants dying back after flowering ! So many perennial plants look superb at the back of the border for a few weeks, then they inevitable finish flowering and fall into a rapid downward spiral of decay before finishing with a vanishing act. Then there is a hole in the border, and something else is needed to take over. A bit like spinning plates, it is an art to keep them all going. </div>
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The majority of plants in this brave new world of exotic planting stay the same. You plant them. They get bigger. They may flower. They get bigger. You protect them at the end of the season. There is little staking, cutting back or bringing in replacements. They just stay the same. Bananas, palms, hedychiums, calocasias, cannas, dahlias, yuccas and lots of others, need little attention once they are planted.</div>
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The bit of garden we have exoticised was o.k. before we did it ... nothing special , but it was o.k. It had forgiving shade tolerant planting like ferns and hostas, but I never felt I had got it right. I grew things that survived easily there, like hellebores and castor oil. Once we took the decision to exoticise, we realised that a lot of the current planting would complement an exotic look, giving a hardy backbone, which could remain permanently in position.</div>
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In March we drew up a long shopping list for big plants - palms and tree ferns which we took to 'The Urban Jungle' near Norwich, and 'Evergreens' in Beccles. We needed a van to deliver everything we bought. Getting the big chaps planted was hard, miserable work in the cold days of March, and when we finished, it was incredibly disappointing as it didn't look sub tropical or exotic at all - it just looked like a suburban garden with a few palms dotted about in the mud.</div>
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Once the threat of frosts had passed we started planted out all the tender stuff. I grew lots of it from seed, so plants were plentiful and cheap. I grew 5 different varieties of Ricinus, Tithonia 'Torch', nasturtium 'Empress of India', Amaranthus 'Velvet Curtain' and 'caudatus', cactus dahlias and dahlia 'Redskin', swiss chard 'Bright Lights', and Begonia 'Illumination'.</div>
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Again, the annuals looked nothing when they were first planted out, as per usual. Despite all the nurturing and care needed to produce these young plants, they are so small they get lost in the garden until they start to put on growth. It is a real act of faith to plant them out as they look absolutely nothing initially, and it is hard to believe how much they will grow in a few short weeks. They are really filling out now, as they have established themselves.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Some of the annuals have been more successful than others and the Tithonias and Ricinus are now just about the same height as me. The nasturtiums have scrambled and climbed through the planting so that there are flowers, like little beacons, in unexpected places.</span></div>
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I am told that the key to successful exotic gardening is a good balance between tender and hardy so that a solid backbone remains in the garden throughout the year, while gaps are filled with colour and exotic foliage supplied by the tender plants. </div>
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Some good hardy plants which add to a tropical feel are Euphorbia, Castor Oil, bamboo, ligularia, tall grasses like Miscanthus, Inula, gunners, rheum, ferns, hosts, cotinus, crocosmia, crambe cordifolia, cardoon, aucuba, some yuccas ... the list is endless, and is mainly dependent on foliage which complements an exotic look. Trachycarpus Fortunii is a very hardy palm and can cope with temperatures as low as minus 17. Ours got through the terrible winter of 2010 unscathed.</div>
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Hardy exotic looking flowers include lilies, hemerocallis, clematis, anenomes, bergenia, irises, crinum, ligularia, Inula and Phlox.</div>
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The next group is plants which will be hardy through most english winters, but may need protection in really severe weather, and include, cordylines, hebes, brunnera, Tetrapanax Rex, Musa Basjoo (banana), some eucomis and phormiums. They remain in the ground and will be fine unless the temperature drops very low (below around minus 8). Some may lose their leaves but are root hardy. </div>
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This is knowledge we have gleaned from our own little micro-climate, and so will not necessarily be true elsewhere. We also learned very quickly that young plants need more protection and care than established, more mature ones.</div>
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The next major group is the tender group, which need to be kept frostfree all winter, and can only be planted out once all risk of frost is over. It includes dahlias, calocasias, alocasias, hedychium (gingers), Ensete ( more tender banana), abutilon, salvia, agave (will stand low temperatures but hate to be wet), aeoniums, some eucomis, begonias and persicaria. Some of these will need a heated greenhouse in the coldest weather.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Persicaria 'Painter's Palette'</td></tr>
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There is another group which includes plants which stay in the ground but need protection to ensure their survival. Some are left mainly because their size makes it impractical to overwinter them inside. They include tree ferns ( ours wear a jaunty cap made of chicken wire and stuffed with straw), some palms and some bananas.</div>
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Annuals make up another group, and the choice is fantastic ... coleus, nasturtium, tithonia, begonia, amaranthas, ricinus, cosmos, salvia, and zinnias for starters.</div>
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While the majority of planting can be accomplished using plants which are both easy to acquire and propagate, it is always enjoyable to have some which are more unusual. The tree ferns come into this category and lend a special atmosphere to the garden. We have also acquired a couple of Astelia (silvery, spear shapes leaves), Daisilirion (spikey, very spikey!), Yucca Rostrata, Podophyllum Versipelle 'Spotty Dotty', Tetrapanax Rex, Catalpa, Pawlonia, Agave Montana and Begonia 'Angels' (like Begonia Rex but will take lower temperatures).</div>
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Two bamboos have been added - a lovely golden caned Phyllostachys Viva Aureoulis and the black 'Nigra' too.</div>
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An additional benefit of a sub tropical garden is that it reaches its peak late in the season, when a traditional english garden is beginning to wane. It really seems to extend the gardening season, as it is still improving at this time of year, and looking extremely fresh and lush.</div>
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I am definitely NOT looking forward to autumn, however, as there is the hard work involved in dismantling the exotic bits, and lugging all the tender stuff under cover! </div>
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-48111345657172376062016-07-18T13:42:00.000-07:002016-07-18T13:44:33.247-07:00 Just like the Inflatable boy ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Just like the Inflatable boy with a pin, some plants have let themselves down badly this year! Every year there are the star performers and then there are those which have disappointed beyond belief. The alchemy of each summer's heady brew of temperature, moisture and sunshine produces different over- achievers every year and, sadly, under achievers too.<br />
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I don't want to dwell on the under- achievers, but you know who you are ... hang your heads in shame all those of you in the Amaranthus family, and all of you in the Celosia family too. You have failed to thrive and grow despite being lavished with care and attention. Although you showed early promise, it has never been realised, and if I want to find you in the garden, I need a magnifying glass. Most of you, however, are no longer with us, having been devoured by any number of bugs, and, to be honest, you deserved your fate. You've let yourselves and the the garden down.<br />
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Hang your head in shame, too, Pennesetum 'Purple Majesty' ( maize) which looked so great in the seed catalogue, you zinnias with your microscopic flowers and the pathetic Thompson & Morgan Cosmos 'Xanthos'. I always thought Cosmos couldn't go wrong, as it has been so reliable over the years, but I have been proved wrong. This year I have one plant left from all my healthy seedlings in April, and it has grown into a sickly, stunted plant with nondescript, no - colour flowers the size of a button.<br />
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But enough of the failures! I want to celebrate those plants which are putting on a death - defying extravaganza of colour, despite what the weather has thrown at them this summer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZrqRsYI2g2PHVCl9CwTk9BhqwG4GISSW00cf_WiWlWYByUow3MRCjgw70uXHNoFtVCXEyB3ebYSisB3qtijBYgHlAlv1I875ArbeVca75X4x2BMvYEqNPfpzmv_zKKSEMEeb_ohzg7w/s1600/IMG_6793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZrqRsYI2g2PHVCl9CwTk9BhqwG4GISSW00cf_WiWlWYByUow3MRCjgw70uXHNoFtVCXEyB3ebYSisB3qtijBYgHlAlv1I875ArbeVca75X4x2BMvYEqNPfpzmv_zKKSEMEeb_ohzg7w/s640/IMG_6793.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosa Wollerton Old Hall<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The roses got off to a late start after a cold spring, and just as they were getting into their stride, along came frequent heavy downpours, causing many blooms to ball and rot. Whilst some could be saved by gently peeling off the dried outer petals, many could not. However, they have overcome all, and are finally in gorgeous, billowy bloom.</span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eqEbPFgdK7F_nW_X_eIFr-NTgJOFjo6ud1KPMO0FDkCEq_mDRm4MIsSQHHAFBnAMkFkFefPfWakUId95-TZLgFfq2bB3sT5aX3jwUHMXZgyje5FE16mFyb36gyPSePimmD-EwDrXmVs/s1600/IMG_6799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eqEbPFgdK7F_nW_X_eIFr-NTgJOFjo6ud1KPMO0FDkCEq_mDRm4MIsSQHHAFBnAMkFkFefPfWakUId95-TZLgFfq2bB3sT5aX3jwUHMXZgyje5FE16mFyb36gyPSePimmD-EwDrXmVs/s640/IMG_6799.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My current favourite is a new rose to me, 'Pomponella', with unusual, almost spherical flowers, of a strong pink. As it is a repeat flowerer, I hope there will be a succession throughout the summer. It looks very healthy so far, and is showing resistance to blackspot and insect infestation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOGarRFoGZD2glgNUvX9dQ-ITrvSfPfxWL8yAcHxytGlgz5riD2pSnsZQ0sozIcsVrOBNmnHW293uED9v17FiSKEC10557g9_qIZKDMs4Xd8QpgnJdZ3OCAv-WBNtBOW9Z8foQ0OKw2o/s1600/IMG_6806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOGarRFoGZD2glgNUvX9dQ-ITrvSfPfxWL8yAcHxytGlgz5riD2pSnsZQ0sozIcsVrOBNmnHW293uED9v17FiSKEC10557g9_qIZKDMs4Xd8QpgnJdZ3OCAv-WBNtBOW9Z8foQ0OKw2o/s640/IMG_6806.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Always reliable are the dahlias, and I am growing both old favourites and new varieties this year. I grew 'Victoriana', 'Redskin' and also some Cactus dahlias from seed, but have not seen them flower yet, so they may join the Invisible boy, in his class, if they fail to live up to expectations. I do tend to prefer the dark, rich colours, so the one pictured below is a bit of a disappointment, as it looks very washed out, particularly when the sun is on it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylg04PGt-_5WsNWalduOhRS3LQi3RyKGpE-L0_JYWsUuZNGmDFcCni1c6qdznUcTDzpKf3d879weiBf3Da0qzfYo-eygWzUAnzQtKAAVQJjI2xmHvDH3ZTPAam-PC9DZ6HvrEkDWSa-M/s1600/IMG_6822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylg04PGt-_5WsNWalduOhRS3LQi3RyKGpE-L0_JYWsUuZNGmDFcCni1c6qdznUcTDzpKf3d879weiBf3Da0qzfYo-eygWzUAnzQtKAAVQJjI2xmHvDH3ZTPAam-PC9DZ6HvrEkDWSa-M/s640/IMG_6822.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This new bi-colour certainly smacks you in the face, and brings colour to the new sub-tropical area, as does the un - named dark red one too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChUwciV6QwKobfNrldmEKgpUNy3IBcb_aBVE5iMfsQRLZGHqveJM19V-o-GIkFOkDe-0dHWV-eXrSP1JXptwRBaj7IlPWYv8n6gAzWJTZGBjch2ZrGZADPbIIsBiO4g8jdmx6_QYGnq4/s1600/IMG_6836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChUwciV6QwKobfNrldmEKgpUNy3IBcb_aBVE5iMfsQRLZGHqveJM19V-o-GIkFOkDe-0dHWV-eXrSP1JXptwRBaj7IlPWYv8n6gAzWJTZGBjch2ZrGZADPbIIsBiO4g8jdmx6_QYGnq4/s640/IMG_6836.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLebDRgYbumQR5v6Vg18pZxjEiYqsPE18sPMquec0XgfgYkIJpEZM11bX5hagdVJR2ww5oujEXRSWJbScd7oV2lW-ja_OCiAxWrJowE0sq1VIMjz0t307ZAKicHdve1Bm3r3Svj2zWI-c/s1600/IMG_6843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLebDRgYbumQR5v6Vg18pZxjEiYqsPE18sPMquec0XgfgYkIJpEZM11bX5hagdVJR2ww5oujEXRSWJbScd7oV2lW-ja_OCiAxWrJowE0sq1VIMjz0t307ZAKicHdve1Bm3r3Svj2zWI-c/s640/IMG_6843.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I went to Chelsea earlier in the year, I bought some Abutilon plug plants, and also found out more about these lovely shrubs. In the intervening weeks they have put a lot of growth on, and have started to flower. The photo below shows Abutilon 'Mayan Magi', which is a lovely soft apricot colour, shot through with red veins. I am hoping to take cuttings a little later in the season, as I would like to try growing some in a sheltered position outside, but don't want to risk losing them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmouRHEy_1Db-acqkuYdH-mLVeFK_FD1alLoHT3vLVieXBdpbq7VVgmsedjYVmTX3dZzDXQUAoaMAha3red1OvgTmgz_gneKX7XHRWhHl2NCXBJXBplT7vN_nQ3C-lhyps6UjclQpLME/s1600/IMG_6961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmouRHEy_1Db-acqkuYdH-mLVeFK_FD1alLoHT3vLVieXBdpbq7VVgmsedjYVmTX3dZzDXQUAoaMAha3red1OvgTmgz_gneKX7XHRWhHl2NCXBJXBplT7vN_nQ3C-lhyps6UjclQpLME/s640/IMG_6961.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not quite as spectacular in flower is Abutilon 'Milleri Variegatum', but it more than makes up for it with fantastic variegated leaves.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAe-i3yjufbfFDUJxvlziJIXheMYwgtEmoJRIPfoPl5PDL9KdkIqOAZAbvjxnXAVNM8BSmsyFvrlHLh_wpxFzVa-6qooNRrMi5_pvXtJoOwXArugjSoPxO7s4z-6USBdtF0oOgUZRLTvk/s1600/IMG_6953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAe-i3yjufbfFDUJxvlziJIXheMYwgtEmoJRIPfoPl5PDL9KdkIqOAZAbvjxnXAVNM8BSmsyFvrlHLh_wpxFzVa-6qooNRrMi5_pvXtJoOwXArugjSoPxO7s4z-6USBdtF0oOgUZRLTvk/s640/IMG_6953.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeyLsyJraX5iNUxs8NF5m4NTrbS1AQPFeVykI63mLH_97YWYAom9BzBKKg9JhF-VBlKgcKoJKkUuRlEC2cKR1dOimOsxY0PKYLExf7GTpQLNEwyMr6ukMXhtT7_seLvvxWOz-hl3qYQc/s1600/IMG_6955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeyLsyJraX5iNUxs8NF5m4NTrbS1AQPFeVykI63mLH_97YWYAom9BzBKKg9JhF-VBlKgcKoJKkUuRlEC2cKR1dOimOsxY0PKYLExf7GTpQLNEwyMr6ukMXhtT7_seLvvxWOz-hl3qYQc/s640/IMG_6955.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The flowers on all three varieties are not large, but are a very graceful bell shape. Below is Abutilon 'Kentish Belle'. The variegated form is the most tender, but the others can stand a few degrees of frost, and will survive mild winters in a sheltered spot, so I am reliably informed by the nursery owner I bought them from ('T3 Wall End Nursery').</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGeU_DIdxDyHC8GULII4CxBgxM1mib8dbmZXOvKnFwi52uyO1bU6l6z93sIKBYgVWpx0-qHYXzLBijpC3BEdIXtdN9CgSpmvUN15QvdAv2og5nIOGn2seQY_Y6yN3yLMeYkQqMzLZYX0/s1600/IMG_6957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGeU_DIdxDyHC8GULII4CxBgxM1mib8dbmZXOvKnFwi52uyO1bU6l6z93sIKBYgVWpx0-qHYXzLBijpC3BEdIXtdN9CgSpmvUN15QvdAv2og5nIOGn2seQY_Y6yN3yLMeYkQqMzLZYX0/s640/IMG_6957.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLLI-9XYv7Lz0axx94dAGk2_LHUhlkQQTqeEZ66YXJeGxtLjI3p8ABq-MmIWmUDKIA8sfkmhaYRBXxBMY6fIUTxu_VKWnv6Jln4VD1ql6eMfgLOb-u2_0V8Bi26WuBS23rSGTJHhEDhg/s1600/IMG_6832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLLI-9XYv7Lz0axx94dAGk2_LHUhlkQQTqeEZ66YXJeGxtLjI3p8ABq-MmIWmUDKIA8sfkmhaYRBXxBMY6fIUTxu_VKWnv6Jln4VD1ql6eMfgLOb-u2_0V8Bi26WuBS23rSGTJHhEDhg/s640/IMG_6832.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Above is an un-named variety I bought from a nursery, and it has been covered with glossy, almost waxy flowers continually. It is a lovely plant, which I am also hoping to propagate.</div>
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Abutilon 'Megapotamicum' looks like little hot air balloons, and it flowers very freely. The shrub is in the greenhouse and is clearly enjoying the temperatures in there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHusIcg7FqZZYD2TlRIU5N33RbY12xun4gLAInEaM_Otehi9G99vnGv-ncL0ajguvz56ENzbx1MPJXYsJz901rX8xZ89b9T8yi326PlyWJ0_CRUMMUClUt674NmOR0vfJy0Xzs_J6Ttc/s1600/IMG_6874+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHusIcg7FqZZYD2TlRIU5N33RbY12xun4gLAInEaM_Otehi9G99vnGv-ncL0ajguvz56ENzbx1MPJXYsJz901rX8xZ89b9T8yi326PlyWJ0_CRUMMUClUt674NmOR0vfJy0Xzs_J6Ttc/s640/IMG_6874+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last summer we went to Easton Walled Garden, which specialises in sweet peas, and gives the opportunity to see many different varieties growing, and also to purchase the seed. We chose six varieties, and all are doing well, and the flowers are spectacular. The varieties pictured below are 'Our Harry' (lilac), and 'Black Knight' (deep maroon) .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9F0R8f13JUn7UkdmN9CsyJivqbLdsLL7PfbuiVkQyjdqfeJ9BXKe6fAwXJtn8PBluMzJCUx7HIqJiEcuC7k_WS865GgIg5RDGzcs7oE1wajs2ZdPZ9HKYcqXY_x9TmRmDOxfjfFKpbaw/s1600/IMG_6936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9F0R8f13JUn7UkdmN9CsyJivqbLdsLL7PfbuiVkQyjdqfeJ9BXKe6fAwXJtn8PBluMzJCUx7HIqJiEcuC7k_WS865GgIg5RDGzcs7oE1wajs2ZdPZ9HKYcqXY_x9TmRmDOxfjfFKpbaw/s640/IMG_6936.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The pink sweet pea below came from seed which I seem to remember, came free with a garden magazine.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBK0-ahZrP-7O0ku6conBuBBso-G4_ghZlE2oIAFAMq5WM3N-I3lYBCJMJ4E9f_8I5gfUbyEP2ouUB48oNxdMSBjRYo44rhAZhmx07lsifO64fYyIRc4K0TQrrqQkoGPx_UywN9aXURw/s1600/IMG_6826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBK0-ahZrP-7O0ku6conBuBBso-G4_ghZlE2oIAFAMq5WM3N-I3lYBCJMJ4E9f_8I5gfUbyEP2ouUB48oNxdMSBjRYo44rhAZhmx07lsifO64fYyIRc4K0TQrrqQkoGPx_UywN9aXURw/s640/IMG_6826.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now, we come to the biggest star in the garden this season, Salvia 'Love and wishes', dark and luscious, with fairly loose, lax growth. It's pink and plum colouration make it a good foil for many garden plants, and works well in the border with Acer Palmatum, a dark foliaged Dahlia 'Bishop's Children', and a dark heuchera.</div>
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Salvia 'Love and wishes' is in the centre of the photo above. It prefers a sunny position and will grow to about 32 inches in height. It has a long flowering season, if dead headed regularly, and it is hardy to about minus five, so needs protection in very cold weather.</div>
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I grew Lychnis (pink and white) from seed a couple of years ago, and it is really fantastic this year. The hot pink flowers and silver grey foliage contrast well with the dark red of Cotinus Coggyggria and the pink of the Sweet Williams (also grown from seed).</div>
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So, perhaps it is too early in the season to be evaluating individual performances, but I think I already know the winners and the losers!</div>
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-25632952096412935162016-06-18T11:46:00.000-07:002016-06-19T01:48:51.931-07:00It's all a bit Gertrude Jekyll<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeFVM84hQkefk9BevpGOWfi23dPfMEh7oCOemKfi5-lsnJmzSozTI0JEGE2jUz-7LJbMy7QQpGW4vE8Hv_cpz659NT9p2YPuQdxbvId7zlh3nBjeu-JEWTBEKyq8GFDXu8Z056L6RsrM/s1600/IMG_6311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeFVM84hQkefk9BevpGOWfi23dPfMEh7oCOemKfi5-lsnJmzSozTI0JEGE2jUz-7LJbMy7QQpGW4vE8Hv_cpz659NT9p2YPuQdxbvId7zlh3nBjeu-JEWTBEKyq8GFDXu8Z056L6RsrM/s640/IMG_6311.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A friend leaned over my garden gate and gazed down the garden, then shook his head slightly and said "Oh dear, it's all getting a bit Gertrude Jekyll isn't it..."<br />
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I don't think he meant 'It's all wonderfully planned, planted and managed, isn't it ?', as, of course, Gertrude Jekyll's gardens all are. Sadly I think he meant, 'It's all a bit out of control and wild as the wind, isn't it?'<br />
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Taking my friend's interpretation of a Gertrude Jekyll garden, I can say, with my hand on my heart that I am glad it is 'a bit Gertrude Jekyll', as, if a garden can't be wild, rambling and overflowing in June, then when can it ! It isn't well manicured, but it does celebrate all the many plants which are accelerating towards their zenith, outgrowing their allotted spaces as they do so.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37pENVCO1pIgnOJ1G3CxQadzbs0NzJ-vrsV_P_f5Axx7c1pcXVt7BY1Fs_isPqypRSd69ZKT7U6q0U3kgMieWbHv6fkcSw7WISmW703LBb1Wyp1De0MP7EPT2TgyGM02GXdmC4oYcHpo/s1600/IMG_6328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37pENVCO1pIgnOJ1G3CxQadzbs0NzJ-vrsV_P_f5Axx7c1pcXVt7BY1Fs_isPqypRSd69ZKT7U6q0U3kgMieWbHv6fkcSw7WISmW703LBb1Wyp1De0MP7EPT2TgyGM02GXdmC4oYcHpo/s640/IMG_6328.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There is so much work to do out there, trying to keep them staked, tied in, cut back, cut down, that I did wonder today if I am a weeny bit crazy, and really I should be lying in a hammock on a square of artificial grass with not a leaf or flower in sight. I could smell the BBQ's firing up in other gardens, and hear people starting to relax and to enjoy the evening, but I just couldn't justify stopping. Whilst the process of gardening is infinitely enjoyable and rewarding ... so is just sitting sometimes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRkG3s5SzI0fyPlnCTKpQfSauYqcgfDjTqm6gEJ-zeoF3NiJJAd1gkxYpz2FxpGmMCbG-blzDyI7qEXyXBJHws2F4karPbYodrC4AUmhwkjwVrxVBKkM9kUlEXVwassxteuPGsijIxLA/s1600/IMG_6370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRkG3s5SzI0fyPlnCTKpQfSauYqcgfDjTqm6gEJ-zeoF3NiJJAd1gkxYpz2FxpGmMCbG-blzDyI7qEXyXBJHws2F4karPbYodrC4AUmhwkjwVrxVBKkM9kUlEXVwassxteuPGsijIxLA/s640/IMG_6370.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, I have resolved to let it become even more 'Gertrude Jekyll' and take time to smell the roses, as well as weed around them. I will sit on the deck chair which has served only as a resting place for my gardening gloves ! I will take the time to enjoy the days of summer which are slipping by so quickly.<br />
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We have been busy with new projects, that there has been little time for relaxing. We have developed three new areas in the garden since March, and they have all needed digging, hard landscaping and planting but are now well on the way to completion. </div>
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The fourth new area is shown below, and still has a long way to go.</div>
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We didn't do the decking ourselves, as we know 'a man who can', but we are beginning work on the raised bed. Topsoil is on order, and then we can start planting hostas and ferns, as it is an area of partial shade. The whole bed will be lined with heavy duty plastic sheeting to keep adjoining walls free from damp. I am in the process of selecting a couple of climbers too.The area is very sheltered so I could try something reasonably tender - perhaps a couple of the Abutilons which I bought at Chelsea.</div>
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Above is one of the new areas we have made this season. It is using land which we have never cultivated in 30 + years, so was very hard to dig initially. It is an extension of the exotic garden, and very much in its infancy. Skeleton planting of palms and small tree ferns has been completed and underplanting, such as hostas and brunnera is in place. I have grown loads of annuals to fill gaps, and am waiting impatiently for these to get moving.</div>
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I have grown Amaranthus Caudatus, Amaranthus 'China Town' and Amaranthus 'Velvet Curtain', all for the first time. I will not be growing 'China Town' as you need a magnifying glass to see them, even though I sowed the seed very early! Although you can't see them in the photo there are also Tithonia 'Torch', coleus and zinnias 'Candy Cane. You can just see, bottom right, Ricinus and nasturtiums, starting to put on some growth.</div>
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As well as making new areas in the garden, we have been planting up annuals, in pots and tubs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4VgHdK7JVTiTzO-oJAAleirVEOD0357NZsG9kVAr85myYIPx11wUNqulwIpSF7F0FN7Uq2_esP-ndljqcjm96mYNC4cuMh-VyatYCB9W_GvEq_Z1tVMsWtdkftsNTcDTSN4-qPWXNn0/s1600/IMG_6382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4VgHdK7JVTiTzO-oJAAleirVEOD0357NZsG9kVAr85myYIPx11wUNqulwIpSF7F0FN7Uq2_esP-ndljqcjm96mYNC4cuMh-VyatYCB9W_GvEq_Z1tVMsWtdkftsNTcDTSN4-qPWXNn0/s640/IMG_6382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Again, they need time to fill out, but at least the hard work is done - just watering and dead heading from now on ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUToJW_7Fvg0AmDj2Hyz-NVHJQwutRltfflzKbCo5rrmgts1fg4AAjdIUE6LNKwm6CJFISaNuiCGDOnUESr41zh4_7R1RIEnbPiY4rTwFcG2uhs6RmT98xKXl2trLNwSZ6AJc_QxCmQY/s1600/IMG_6345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUToJW_7Fvg0AmDj2Hyz-NVHJQwutRltfflzKbCo5rrmgts1fg4AAjdIUE6LNKwm6CJFISaNuiCGDOnUESr41zh4_7R1RIEnbPiY4rTwFcG2uhs6RmT98xKXl2trLNwSZ6AJc_QxCmQY/s640/IMG_6345.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We have also made a purchase from our new, local reclamation yard - a Victorian/ Edwardian garden gate. It has seen better days and needs some tlc, but there is something very quintessentially English - garden about it, and I love opening it, and thinking of the other hands, down across the generations, which have done the same. Cost is not important, but it was actually only £30, which is the equivalent of a few basics in the trolley at Tesco, which seems slightly ridiculous, for all that history.</div>
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Underneath the gate as a sort of ornamental threshold, we have put another piece of salvage. This is a panel from an Indian railing, and shows a depiction of the young Queen Victoria.</div>
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What a strange journey indeed, from India to deepest Lincolnshire...</div>
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-20541873266566492602016-05-30T13:12:00.001-07:002016-05-30T13:12:23.795-07:00Woke up it was a Chelsea morning ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A visit to the Chelsea Flower show is probably on the bucket list of most passionate gardeners, and has been on mine for years, but work has always prevented me from attending. Not this year though, so I bought my partner tickets for Christmas - a very cunning plan, as I had to buy one for myself as well!<br />
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Our show day was Thursday, and it dawned warm and sunny, and it stayed like that all day, making the weather as perfect as you imagine it will be.<br />
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We headed to the Show Gardens first, and they were absolutely amazing. We were not disappointed!<br />
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The BBC were out in force, filming, in the show gardens and it was an interesting process to watch . We also saw the presenters around the site too - Monty Don, Joe Sharp, Toby Buckland and Nicky Chapman. Carol Klein would have completed the set, but it was not to be !<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toby Buckland being filmed for BBC Chelsea coverage</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicky Chapman in the David Austin stand</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">The garden designers were also much in evidence, and many were in their gardens, chatting to the public, or giving interviews. Diarmuid Gavin exited from the little gothic tower in his bonkers garden, along with many friends ! How did they all fit in?</span></div>
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The highlights for me were the Japanese designer Kazuyuki Ishihara's garden which was suitably quirky and, although small, was perfectly formed. We happened along at just the right moment when he was showing the crowd his awards.<br />
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The garden pictured below was designed by Charlie Albone, sponsored by Husqvarna and was my favourite. I loved the rich, dark palette of the planting, featuring lots of purples and dark pinks. Exotics such as Acacia and Protea were planted alongside more traditional european perennials and all were offset by tiered formal hedging, and flashes of white. </div>
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The garden above was designed by Chris Beardshaw and is the Morgan Stanley garden for Great Ormond Street. Once the show has finished it will be moved to its permanent home there, serving as a place of "privacy and reflection" for parents and families. Considering the terrifying amount of waste </div>
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which Chelsea must create, it is good to know that this garden, at least, is here to stay.</div>
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The garden above was designed by Hay Joung Hwang and sponsored by L G Electronics. It represents a Scandinavian lifestyle garden. I loved the way the cool, pale hard landscaping contrasted with the dense informal planting.</div>
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On the whole the planting was very similar in many of the gardens, and using a palette of pastel colours, it utilised cottage garden perennials, packed densely to create a rich, relaxed and informal effect. All the trusty favourites were there - roses, foxgloves,verbascum and poppies, to name but a few!<br />
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The Great Pavilion was all I had hoped for - an extravagance of gorgeous flowers and foliage all at their very peak. There were fantastic displays all around, from the New Covent Garden Flower market's all white extravaganza...</div>
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... to the stunning colours of begonia Rex and streptocarpus ...</div>
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... and the over the top exuberance of the gladioli.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">We have been to several other of the 'big' RHS shows over the years, and thoroughly enjoyed them, but Chelsea is clearly the King of them all . The Show Gardens are in a league of their own, and are the heart of the whole event. The quality of the planting and the build is fabulous, and there is so much to learn from them. </span></div>
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One of the highlights of Chelsea for me was one of the exhibitors, 'Wall End Nursery' featuring abutilons, with a gorgeous stand, showcasing the range of varieties and colours available. Leila Jackson and Eric Turner hold the National Collection, and are very happy to give oodles of really good advice . Now I have always loved Abutilons, and have grown them over the years, but have always assumed that they are unable to tolerate low temperatures. Not so! They are much tougher than they look, and some are tougher than others.<br />
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After talking with Leila, I bought 2 collections of plug plants, priced, very reasonably, at £10 for 3 plants, and she advised me which of the collection contained the most hardy varieties .</div>
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I will post in more detail next time about these beautiful plants, and how they have fared. Needless to say I am excited to start growing them, and get them into the greenhouse and garden.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">We had a great day and Chelsea really lived up to expectations. I had envisaged it being uncomfortably crowded, but that was not the case, and in fact it was easy to move around and see the gardens. We left around 3.30 p.m. as the 'late ticket' visitors were coming in, and for a short while it was ridiculously busy.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">So, go if you get the chance and immerse yourself in all things planty for a few sublime hours ... </span></div>
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-25122124697492416822016-05-15T11:43:00.003-07:002016-05-15T11:43:42.817-07:00The stalwarts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The lazy old grasses are only just beginning to stir, and the roses are weeks away from flowering, but there are some unassuming, hardworking plants out there, doing their diligent duty day after day after day.<br />
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At this time of the year, there are certain stalwarts in the garden, filling it with colour, scent and foliage, and I just couldn't imagine the garden without them. They are not the divas of the garden, and would only ever play a supporting role, but they underpin the garden structure at the moment, as we wait for the stars of the show.<br />
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Erysimums - both biennial and perennial wallflowers - are giving me more pleasure than just about anything else at the moment. I am growing more and more every year, and trying to get diversity of flower colour, as well as scent.<br />
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The ones pictured on the header of this post were sown last summer, and are biennials 'Scarlet Bedder'. The photos do not do the true colours of the flowers justice, as the rich, fiery reds really glow in the late spring garden. They grow to about 30 cm high, and are becoming quite bushy plants now. I grew them in the greenhouse and planted some out last autumn, then ran out of steam and time, and planted the rest in early spring. There are also some 'Persian Carpet' wall flowers, a variety which contains a mix of colours from yellow through to russets and reds.<br />
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It is a variety I will be growing again. They were very easy to germinate and grow on, and are such an economical way to fill the garden with scent and colour.<br />
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The perennial Erysimums are still an absolute joy, and there is a wide variety of colours in some young plants I bought last year. Some of the older plants are getting leggy and woody now, as they are very short lived, so I will be propagating them later in the year, to ensure continuation.<br />
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Another of my favourites at this time of year are the Brunneras, and they are of interest throughout their long growing season. At the moment, they are still small - leaved but are wreathed in clouds of forget - me - not flowers in a clear, mid blue. As the flowers fade, the leaves begin to take over, as they grow larger and larger.<br />
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I'm sure there must be lots of different - and excellent - varieties, but I tend to stick to two know and loved ones, which are 'Jack Frost' and 'Sea Heart'. The silver variegations on both of these is superb.<br />
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Cheap to buy, and quick to grow and bulk up, Brunneras are a superb choice. they cope with many different situations but are especially useful in deep, dry shade. The are at home in a traditional cottage garden , or as part of a sub tropical scheme.<br />
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-28896919142519911072016-04-30T13:05:00.001-07:002016-04-30T13:19:09.947-07:00End of the month view<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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And what a month April has been! We have had everything from warm spring days, with blue cloudless skies, to icy sleet and driving rain. The last few days have seen miserable, unseasonably low temperatures, which felt more like winter than winter itself.<br />
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All this cold grey weather has affected growth and checked it very noticeably. However, plants are still filling out, albeit more slowly, and there is less bare earth to be seen every day.<br />
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There are lots of reasons to be cheerful at the moment, and the notable joy bringers are the tulips (except for the rogue red one in a pot of pink!), magnolia Stellata, Auriculas, primroses and Fritillaries.<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">The pond has woken up and is full of small but determined tadpoles, striking out across open water, instead of hugging the banks. Although we have pond skaters, water beetles and snails, there is no sign whatsoever of any sticklebacks, which is very disappointing. They must have died off over the winter. Pond plants are starting to grow and the yellow Marsh Marigolds are in full flower.</span></div>
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Buds are forming on the apple trees and it is to be hoped that the weather has warmed up by the time the blossom opens, otherwise it will be frosted.<br />
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The beech hedge is just beginning to unfurl, with certain plants ahead of the others, and showing green.<br />
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The veg patch is creaking slowly into life and Early Potatoes are now in, and onions are partially in. Courgettes, pumpkins and tomatoes are growing apace in the greenhouse, ready to be planted out when things warm up.<br />
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The new exotic garden now has all large key plants in position. The are lots of perennials already planted, which will come into their own over the next few months, and hundreds of waiting annuals to fill all the inevitable gaps.<br />
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There is always a feeling of disappointment at this point in a new garden, as although most of the hard work has been done, it still looks unfinished and raw. It is, however, still just a skeleton, and will only take on its true character when the other elements are there too. It is now just a question of waiting for the plants to grow and put some flesh onto those bones!<br />
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I have loved all the Erysimums and they have flowered throughout the winter. 'Bowles Mauve' is a trusty favourite, and the mauve flowers look fantastic offset by the glaucous foliage, but the real star is ... if I recall correctly ...'Winter Spice'. The flowers are a rich dark raspberry pink, and were a very welcome sight in late winter and early spring. Sadly the plants are very short-lived, and mine are going very leggy and starting to fall over after only a couple of years.<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Magnolia Stellata has been stunning but is now just past its best.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">The greenhouse is stuffed to the gunnels with plants ready to go outside when all frosts are over. Dahlias, cannas and melianthus are all growing strongly, enjoying the heat we have in there when it is really cold. The Abutilon Megapotamicum is covered in flowers, as is the white Datura. The lemony scent from the datura, released in the late afternoon/ early evening is superb.</span></div>
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It has been such as odd start to the season, due to the extremes of weather the poor plants have had to cope with, but, due to the mildness of the winter itself, everything has made it through unscathed, ready to start growing again.<br />
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I am joining in Helen's 'End of the month view' meme, and you can read posts from all over the globe , over at her blogsite<br />
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<a href="https://patientgardener.wordpress.com/2016/04/30/end-of-month-view-april-2016-hughs-border/#comment-29394">'The Patient Gardener'</a><br />
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-55646044363824373812016-04-09T10:20:00.000-07:002016-04-11T00:50:05.833-07:00In deepest, darkest East Anglia ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Down in deepest, darkest East Anglia, plant hunting can reach a whole new dimension! We have just come back from an expedition to two gorgeous nurseries which certainly hit the spot. Put it this way - it was touch and go whether I had to buy a train ticket to get home, as there was scarcely room for me inside the car!<br />
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As we are developing the sub tropical part of the garden, and expanding it into an adjacent area, we needed lots and lots of lovely plants to put in. This plant expedition was not a whim, but carefully planned, and budgeted for, and we went armed with a list, albeit a long list!<br />
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Local nurseries are fantastic but just do not carry the special stuff we were looking for, so, based on recommendation, we organised a visit to both ' Urban Jungle' (Old Costessey, Norwich, Norfolk) and 'Evergreens' (Beccles, Suffolk). These two excellent nurseries are about 40 minutes apart, so easy to do on the same day.<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">We stayed in beautiful Norwich, next to the cathedral, and visited the nearest nursery first - ' Urban Jungle'. Actually, we couldn't have chosen a worse day to visit as it was cold, grey and pouring with almost torrential rain.The wind was gusting so hard it had knocked down lots of large - leaved plants. It was raining so hard, that, hardy as we are, we could not even visit the outside plant sales area initially. I have no photos of this area, as they would not do it justice.</span></div>
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'Urban Jungle' is an intelligent nursery, with very helpful, knowledgeable staff, a fantastic array of plants and a commitment to environmental issues. The layout is interesting and exciting but still manages to be logical, so that things are easy to find.<br />
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There are welcome sofas amongst the plants, so that the visit becomes more relaxed, and you can take stock amongst the palms! It was so cold when we were there that the sofas did not seem anything like as welcoming as I am sure they would be, on a sunny day, when the glasshouse would be bathed in sunshine.<br />
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We managed to warm up in the upcycled cafe with warming hot chocolate.<br />
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Such is the breadth of plants stocked that we were able to find everything on our list and more. There is a complete stock list on the website, so that you could always check availability before a visit, if necessary.<br />
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As we were visiting very early in the season, we knew that a lot of plants would be barely in evidence at this stage. A lot of the perennials were just starting into growth, and the cannas and gingers etc were still sleeping. Luckily, we knew what we wanted and so that was no problem, but a visit later in the season would be very different, as the nursery borders would be full of colour, and there would be an even wider choice of plants to buy.<br />
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We were so impressed by the whole place that we left, vowing to return in late summer, when everything would be at its glorious best.<br />
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The second nursery which we visited was 'Evergreens' which has a strong online presence, and is clearly trusted and recommended by knowledgeable online groups of exotic plant lovers.<br />
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We visited later the same day, when the rain had stopped and the day had brightened considerably. The wind was still blowing a gale, however, and, again, it had knocked over many large plants. As they were safer in a prone position, they would not be righted until the wind dropped.<br />
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Again we were so impressed by the depth of knowledge of the people there. Carl and Nick were friendly and so helpful, sharing a huge amount of knowledge, particularly about hardiness of certain plants, which they had personal knowledge of.<br />
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'Evergreens' sells a lot of the plants and sundries which you would expect from any garden centre, but then has a whole other dimension of wonderful exotic plants. They have several tunnels packed with a large variety of choice plants. We had a long wish list of Calocasias and Alocasias, and we came away with every one ... and more. Lovely big chunky plants clearly just itching to start growing away!<br />
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I also got the plant which was top of my personal wish list - 'Dasilirion Longissimum' (pictured below), and I was extremely pleased with the quality of the plant.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg799u-K5H7V0C4xsuQfsdZ8AnCC19gmmJGrAnUUVRFx4CjpJgSL3DLM0BC4v8s5yybShsFvUrMGoPmvqA3JKYTCCIMvtP_fof0nrRhmpOmuWYOrkfPxKt37VMhUAEF0Rz84kTTp6SYn1A/s1600/IMG_6006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg799u-K5H7V0C4xsuQfsdZ8AnCC19gmmJGrAnUUVRFx4CjpJgSL3DLM0BC4v8s5yybShsFvUrMGoPmvqA3JKYTCCIMvtP_fof0nrRhmpOmuWYOrkfPxKt37VMhUAEF0Rz84kTTp6SYn1A/s640/IMG_6006.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">There was an excellent cafe at Evergreens, and although we only tried coffee and cake, the meals sounded pretty good!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As, with 'Urban Jungle', we resolved to return later in the season, to see an even more extensive range of available plants.</span><br />
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Above and below are some of the plants we chose. I won't bore you with a complete list, but the main ones were Yucca Rostrata, Dasilirion Longissimum, Agave Montana, Agave Striata, Nolina, Yucca Gloriosa Variegata and Podophyllum Versipelle 'Spotty Dotty'.</div>
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There is an interesting impulse buy in there, which is the red - stemmed shrub ' Drimys Winteri, which is totally hardy, grows to 6m (!!) and has fragrant ivory coloured flowers. What is not to love about that ?</div>
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'The Urban Jungle' has excellent labels ! Each plant is colour - coded for hardiness, so you can see at a glance how much protection they need. I guess that answers the most - asked question in Exotic nurseries, in a very straightforward way!</div>
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I also loved the descriptions of the plants, given on the labels. Podophyllum Versipelle 'Spotty Dotty' (pictured below) was described as having 'something of the toad' about it ! Perfect! I can see just what they mean!</div>
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So, once home with our precious cargo, we had to set about planting them, but before we did so, we were extremely ( and uncharacteristically) organised, and photographed each plant, plus their care label, so that we had a full record. When we planted each plant, we carefully matched its needs to its planting position and requirements.</div>
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So now the skeleton is in place, in the new bit of the garden, and, as the season progresses, we will be able to flesh it out, using perennials and annuals. For all our hard work, it still looks very empty, and will do until the perennials already planted put in an appearance, and the annuals we have grown can be planted out.</div>
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-7299405483103363392016-03-26T13:00:00.000-07:002016-03-26T13:00:02.359-07:00What's your poison ?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Spring is finally with us, with all its excitement and pleasures - and one of the greatest is seed sowing.</div>
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This season we will concentrating on our new subtropical area in the garden, and I am thoroughly enjoying propagating new plants to fill it with.<br />
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We have bought some 'big boys' - tree ferns, hardy palms and a phormium, but I am growing lots of 'infill', both flowers and foliage, to give the area a feeling of lush, abundant growth which is fundamental to exotic gardening.<br />
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One of the best annual fillers for exotic foliage is Ricinus, and I have grown some every year for a very long time. Not only are the leaves dramatic, but the seedpods are unusual too, almost like colourful sweet chestnuts!<br />
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I usually just sow and grow one single packet every spring, but because there is plenty of bare earth to fill, in the new garden, I am growing a bumper packet of 5 varieties from Jungle Seeds.<br />
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The varieties included in this packet are :<br />
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Ricinus Carmencita Red - a measly 5' tall !<br />
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Ricinus Carmencita Pink - same measly 5' !<br />
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Ricinus New Zealand Purple - a new one on me, but it sounds fantastic as it grows to 7' and has dark, shiny foliage.<br />
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Ricinus Blue Giant - lives up to its name and reaches up to 10', with large glaucous leaves<br />
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Ricinus Zanzibarensis - can reach up to 10' in a season!<br />
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Although I have never had any problems with germination of Ricinus seeds in the past, I decided to sow one packet early (Carmencita Pink), to compare with height and health of later grown plants. In the past germination rates have been high - so they should be, as the seeds are quite expensive. I was extremely disappointed with the germination rate of the Carmencita seeds, which I sowed in early February, as up to date there has only been one seed which germinated.<br />
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Now, this could be due to my bad guardianship, or to a rogue batch of seeds, or to a million other reasons, but one thing is for sure - I want to give the other Ricinus seeds the very best chance of germination.</div>
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So, I went online and did my research, and, yes, someone has conducted trials regarding the optimum conditions for germination! In the trial 4 ways to treat the Ricinus seeds were used. One group were not soaked at all, one group was soaked for 12 hours, one group for 24 hours and one group for 36 hours. A significantly higher percentage germinated after 24 hours soaked in water. Q.E.D.</div>
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I must stress at this point that Ricinus seeds are extremely poisonous and should be handled with great care. I make sure that mine are stored in a safe place, and that they are never left lying around at any stage. I wash my hands well after handling them, and I even threw the tubs away that these seeds were soaked in.</div>
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After my failure with 'Carmencita Pink', I made sure I followed sowing instructions closely,and, once the other seeds were sown, I put them all in the propagator to cook. </div>
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In the photo below, the plant you can see on the far left is the only 'Carmencita Pink' to germinate. It is growing strongly, and enjoying the light and warmth. I will be interested to see how it compares to the others throughout the season. Will the others catch up in height, or will its early start be a benefit?</div>
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-87250881307001453212016-02-29T09:09:00.000-08:002016-03-02T02:46:39.294-08:00New kids on the block<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Just look at them, all young, upright and full of energy! The potential stars of the new season are full of promise and undiscovered joys. Nurtured to perform at their very best and to achieve their potential, meet the new kids on the block ...<br />
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They wait in the wings before they take their turn in the spotlight, soaking up the light and the warmth they need for optimum growth.<br />
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Our new greenhouse ... erm ... conservatory is proving to be an absolute blessing for plant rearing. I used to struggle in the old one as it was not as well heated, or lit, and so seedlings sulked and grew leggy. The new one has a glass roof which lets in oodles more light, and has a thermostatically controlled panel heater which keeps the temperature constant.<br />
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Germination has never been a problem, as a heated propagator will give good results and get the seeds to germinate. The problem came when the seeds were then moved from the propagator and into the old conservatory which had huge fluctuations in temperature, and got very cold at night. The only way to raise seedlings successfully was to leave sowing as late as possible so that both light levels and the average temperature had both risen considerably. Fine for fast growing annuals like cosmos, and veg like courgettes, but not so good for chilies and peppers, which need a long growing season to be successful.<br />
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Another problem which I have resolved this season is that of lack of space. Every year previously has seen seed trays of growing seedlings on every available surface, and, indeed, lack of space has curtailed my growing activity. Not so this year ...<br />
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Thank you 'Two Wests and Elliot' for this seed tray shelving unit which we bought a few weeks ago. It is not without fault - it is self assembly but you need the patience of Mother Theresa and the dexterity of Dynamo to be able to put it together. I asked the Exotic Gardener if he had a spare half hour to assemble it, and it turns out he did... three hours later he was still cursing and losing screws and nuts . Very fiddly ... but SO worth it !<br />
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It is exactly the same depth as a regular seed tray, and each shelf has a waterproof plastic tray for seed trays to fit into, so they can be watered without fear of floods!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QvpHVtGJ3dscaN5W8vdiEAbkpq-0s_oPgnt90mSxN_GYeCQRQIdfr3BVduIDSSpKrAtlCk9OtVF2Pp4BlumJELIilRTWEF8fNVKZJ2XPOoJDtpZEHdi3f8JbrLQdxP4Bu7ZMmGLlm4w/s1600/IMG_5740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QvpHVtGJ3dscaN5W8vdiEAbkpq-0s_oPgnt90mSxN_GYeCQRQIdfr3BVduIDSSpKrAtlCk9OtVF2Pp4BlumJELIilRTWEF8fNVKZJ2XPOoJDtpZEHdi3f8JbrLQdxP4Bu7ZMmGLlm4w/s640/IMG_5740.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was concerned that , although the top shelf plants would be fine, that those on lower shelves would have restricted light, and would be leggy and grow towards the light. Not so! All plants are sturdy and straight, although I do turn and move them around anyway.<br />
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Once the frosts are over the unit can be moved to the greenhouse, where it can continue to do a good job. It has castors on it, and is very light, so it will be easy to move.<br />
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So, why have I grown 3 different dahlias ? I must have got about 90 babies, and I will not be able to find a home for most of them in the garden! Luckily my friend is running a plant sale for charity, in April, so I will be able to donate the surplus to her stall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP69igrN-lQ_B93S927XCnLN9qD7dt02itVpp2LBe7ZnqEyPoSSXD1JbnDTLxLuOcTy7yAmQlclKydQ7UcU3vIDirz3mpItuKi4nh6-KOMi1sHSuMRIz3XAVitpr7TclS6l-3tOeQ0YBo/s1600/IMG_5729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP69igrN-lQ_B93S927XCnLN9qD7dt02itVpp2LBe7ZnqEyPoSSXD1JbnDTLxLuOcTy7yAmQlclKydQ7UcU3vIDirz3mpItuKi4nh6-KOMi1sHSuMRIz3XAVitpr7TclS6l-3tOeQ0YBo/s640/IMG_5729.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am trying 3 new Dahlia varieties this year - 'Redskin', Cactus Hybrids and 'Victoriana'. All are growing strongly and look very healthy. I sowed them early in February as I want them to flower well this year, so they need an early start to be able to do that.<br />
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As an experiment, I have some 'Begonia Rex' seeds currently sitting in the propagator, and I have a feeling they may be there some time as they are described as 'slow to germinate' and can be erratic. If they do show their faces, I intend to use them as bedding in the new sub tropical area. However, they are very tender, and usually grown as house/ conservatory plants, so the great outdoors may be just too cold for them, even during an English summer. Thompson & Morgan now sell a Begonia Rex which is borderline frost hardy (well 3 degrees!) called Begonia 'Angels'. They may be more suitable for a summer outside but they are nearly £20 for 4 plug plants ! I will experiment with the Begonia Rex seeds for this season, and see what happens.<br />
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Other begonias in the propagator are 'Illumination' white and 'Non stop' rose pink. I have never grown these before, or used them as part of a bedding scheme, so , again, an experiment to see how they perform.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjAc-7dFl43H9QfHFf1E6-4VxAhC8zGiaNGC6IqmCtYyUVHv42EWX5Qa0T3wqoisZSfykvOZO04uy9myTBVG2ixqJYq2AgfdZHqfwv_JCA457A36H3jg4K3jqB9p3bDnpD49MraXn2tI/s1600/IMG_5745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjAc-7dFl43H9QfHFf1E6-4VxAhC8zGiaNGC6IqmCtYyUVHv42EWX5Qa0T3wqoisZSfykvOZO04uy9myTBVG2ixqJYq2AgfdZHqfwv_JCA457A36H3jg4K3jqB9p3bDnpD49MraXn2tI/s640/IMG_5745.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am growing five different types of tomatoes, again, planted early to optimise fruiting, and they are all just growing their first set of true leaves. I am growing 'Sweet Aperitif' - small cherry fruits which are the sweetest imaginable; 'Marmande' (beef tomato), 'Romello' ( good outdoor plum, bush tomato), ' Mountain Magic', 'Losetto' , 'Akron' and 'Fandango (jury is out on these four, I was given free seed, so I am giving them all a try!).<br />
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Other experiments for this season are Amaranthas ( two varieties , 'Caudatus' and 'Velvet Curtains'), and Celocia ('Flamingo Feathers' and 'China Town') which are all being grown as annuals for the new sub tropical area. Also, two varieties of Hibiscus, 'Simply Love' and 'manihot', again, for the new sub trop. Pictured further up this post are the new shoots of Oryza 'Black Madras' - a dark rice grass, which has just begun to germinate over the last couple of days.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNGItZIR_kQUgWiwyBUp3pLm0wyIbGPbvYE1trh4N0mlCDzYOeU22l3Fki5kWgWn_KCneWkUqrG0_MK3zJDq12xwuAhNXMNvam766AAk6k8pvpmdsJH3Ah_41S5gi_7kDeCba3rT82Zg/s1600/IMG_5725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNGItZIR_kQUgWiwyBUp3pLm0wyIbGPbvYE1trh4N0mlCDzYOeU22l3Fki5kWgWn_KCneWkUqrG0_MK3zJDq12xwuAhNXMNvam766AAk6k8pvpmdsJH3Ah_41S5gi_7kDeCba3rT82Zg/s640/IMG_5725.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Old faves already cooking in the propagator are Ricinus, although these are proving unusually slow to germinate. I also have 6 young Canna Indica growing strongly from a January sowing (pictured at the head of this post).<br />
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There are lots more packets of seeds forming an orderly queue next to the propagator, and I will be sowing right through to late April. This coupled with being able to get out into the garden and start clearing all the beds is serving to lift the spirits considerable. Spring is springing ! A whole new growing season is beckoning ...<br />
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-27075647446124054332016-02-06T08:54:00.002-08:002017-02-04T01:04:55.036-08:00Planning for that cold, rainy day <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On a hot Sunday last August, I just happened to be browsing around a Garden Centre in Exeter, many miles from home. It was in the middle of a cloudburst, and the rain was drumming so loudly on the glass roof of the greenhouse that it drowned out all other sounds. I was surrounded by the lush late summer colour of Cannas and dahlias, and the season still held promise. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEger9VP3bx1bRYeyFN6-3rRkPkLv2x74IILJN1Ol_lLl6Vu3rH2qyyNxtztmQtHFMmzy9zOJjIyGLbmyAzhCbqzB9aFB7GIXq8raaLLRWQ8DL_s2l1oPJtn-RINPxUd5PVZXvSe1_qxhh0/s1600/IMG_6582+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEger9VP3bx1bRYeyFN6-3rRkPkLv2x74IILJN1Ol_lLl6Vu3rH2qyyNxtztmQtHFMmzy9zOJjIyGLbmyAzhCbqzB9aFB7GIXq8raaLLRWQ8DL_s2l1oPJtn-RINPxUd5PVZXvSe1_qxhh0/s640/IMG_6582+%25281%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I noticed the racks of spring bulbs, and it seemed almost impossible that all the foliage and the flowers of summer would shrink back to bare earth, and that winter would leach away all the colour.</div>
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Even though it seemed almost counter - intuitive to buy dry, brown bulbs when I was surrounded by such plenty, I chose three varieties of Iris Reticulata, and then took them all the way home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Yqslme5VTSgs6xSo6UBIdeGDbzZyemyvmoFgbZOLKig0z4SHc3hpDWYkqe6aCN8bFs_60nzCTbHfqvp3DMvRUGO9FIHVN3v5qRSTdI_e5bizYBWKqNueXrbi_4VTphVC0JLK4kZ4Odg/s1600/IMG_6558+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Yqslme5VTSgs6xSo6UBIdeGDbzZyemyvmoFgbZOLKig0z4SHc3hpDWYkqe6aCN8bFs_60nzCTbHfqvp3DMvRUGO9FIHVN3v5qRSTdI_e5bizYBWKqNueXrbi_4VTphVC0JLK4kZ4Odg/s640/IMG_6558+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I knew I wouldn't regret it, and that one day, in the depths of winter, I would be so glad that I had thought to choose them, and plant them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3Jg5WA5pIu71cYxeRmbbkcfxw-JPyHJX5SY4Zc3v-a5xpXFgMalPFLGXcWk2nEbFsymweIRR1jXG1D0pK6bvON9rdAEaG9sc5kYikSgIwXCpf300KoeGr4YB9ZnJNqSJYwWaWiWqQZ8/s1600/IMG_6560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3Jg5WA5pIu71cYxeRmbbkcfxw-JPyHJX5SY4Zc3v-a5xpXFgMalPFLGXcWk2nEbFsymweIRR1jXG1D0pK6bvON9rdAEaG9sc5kYikSgIwXCpf300KoeGr4YB9ZnJNqSJYwWaWiWqQZ8/s640/IMG_6560.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fast forward to the bleakest part of the year - grey, cold and rainy. This was the time I was planning for ... and I was so glad to see them.</div>
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They were the promise of spring, shining through the gloom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg092zl0rcKe-U_tCWHZo45WRyo9_ht0Oq6oGkMhnSP5vaJfoYCWK-OxXH3UEAXidmS2oO6CSElgsq-WijtbCE1yDqOvZNyvfViUbpoDzUkNXzoFc140NkJvOSQD7pyDGdF-zS6AQ6OKW8/s1600/IMG_6583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg092zl0rcKe-U_tCWHZo45WRyo9_ht0Oq6oGkMhnSP5vaJfoYCWK-OxXH3UEAXidmS2oO6CSElgsq-WijtbCE1yDqOvZNyvfViUbpoDzUkNXzoFc140NkJvOSQD7pyDGdF-zS6AQ6OKW8/s640/IMG_6583.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Delicate, beautiful, intricate flowers, standing resolute in the cold, with heads unbowed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirguP4KRwftJ5Wfm8yBqMwrFIp8m3OmUDQo5xPbj56buWOx0b34Pfw4k0_-IuJE1pBSsXob7BvcW-PsaswBQIKIxSpDOIN2YfxFmO_j1DJGK_yFqEqlBKhRUCIGr84x8wY8U_KRM2nGE/s1600/IMG_6623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirguP4KRwftJ5Wfm8yBqMwrFIp8m3OmUDQo5xPbj56buWOx0b34Pfw4k0_-IuJE1pBSsXob7BvcW-PsaswBQIKIxSpDOIN2YfxFmO_j1DJGK_yFqEqlBKhRUCIGr84x8wY8U_KRM2nGE/s640/IMG_6623.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Apologies for photos, which despite three attempts and a tripod are not what I had in mind !</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqeLm1dFVxIEc3DV0Q2dCAzHc8d8HPxodajR4IMdWqG6moNXsuT6enZdUtI8og12_iqvPo9FwzeYoExgODg4Kn9R2uVqAbumpoY6jrrW3LVB3N-dyd5nCRtiNynML4xrmtqbVpNSyGhs/s1600/IMG_6616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqeLm1dFVxIEc3DV0Q2dCAzHc8d8HPxodajR4IMdWqG6moNXsuT6enZdUtI8og12_iqvPo9FwzeYoExgODg4Kn9R2uVqAbumpoY6jrrW3LVB3N-dyd5nCRtiNynML4xrmtqbVpNSyGhs/s640/IMG_6616.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I can't seem to do justice to the depth of colour, the silkiness of the petals or the intricacies of the markings. </div>
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'Katherine Hodgekins' is the pale, cream iris, striped and mottled with blue and dotted with patches of yellow, looking almost like a Clarice Cliffe design from the Art Deco period in the 1930's. There is something pansy-like about it's markings.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-5X_g-e1gghkkr4wsaSg9OZHAwzcduL1uBWiv2n-p_XHY3Mum2Wt0afTtKyTx4WiLieH4WwXHhVsBkxFFA1k17dF0ZRLMokc0r0Tu-AtHCeaxz7ZPlE1cy1_4PR-OrfcEF27MOi2e88/s1600/IMG_6610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-5X_g-e1gghkkr4wsaSg9OZHAwzcduL1uBWiv2n-p_XHY3Mum2Wt0afTtKyTx4WiLieH4WwXHhVsBkxFFA1k17dF0ZRLMokc0r0Tu-AtHCeaxz7ZPlE1cy1_4PR-OrfcEF27MOi2e88/s640/IMG_6610.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The dark, velvety iris, in the photo above, is 'George', with its mottled purple and cream petals . The colour is rich and a dark contrast to the pastel hues of 'Katherine Hodgekins'. It seems more robust than the delicate 'Katharine'.</div>
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The lilac iris with darker purple tips to the leaves is 'Gordon'. </div>
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All three have good solid names for such little powerhouses of beauty!</div>
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They are so easy to grow, that they can be forgotten about for most of the year. Although they can be grown in beds, borders and rockeries, I prefer to grow all mine in pots, so that I can get close up personal, and enjoy them! I like to move the pots next to the front door when the irises are in bud, so that I can appreciate every moment.</div>
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-39431609258985325002016-01-17T12:53:00.000-08:002016-01-17T12:53:16.118-08:00Well wrapped up...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">September 2015</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today, 17th January </td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Although my interest in sub tropical gardening has always been there, it has loitered in the background, dragging its feet a little, but now all that is changing and I feel an almost Evangelical fire building up inside me as a brand new growing season approaches. The area shown above is the already - established sub tropical garden, first, in full flow in September, and second, as it is today, a shadow of its former self, denuded and bare! This area has always been the domain of my partner, and although I have enjoyed spending time in it, I have had no hand in its planning, planting or maintenance . </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">In autumn this year, we extended the existing subtropical garden into an additional area of the garden, and, instead of it being my partner's responsibility, we are sharing the work on this baby ! We are full of ideas for exotic annuals to grow, as well as plans for a skeleton of hardy planting too.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New sub tropical garden</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">This season I will be growing lots of annuals/ fast growing perennials with an exotic feel - Nasturtium 'Empress of India', Amaranthus Caudatus Red, Amaranthus 'Velvet Curtain', five types of Ricinus, (including the giant 'Zanzibar'), Hibiscus Hanihot, Celosia 'China Town', Cosmos 'Xanthos' (pale lemon yellow), Cactus flowered dahlias, Cerinthe, Zinnias, Canna Indica and Rudbeckia 'Cherokee'. Hopefully, these annuals/ fast growing perennials will lend a tropical feel to the new area of the garden, and we intend to plant very densely, with tall things next to a narrow path, to give the feeling , hopefully, of pushing through dense jungle. We have three tree ferns on order, which will be delivered in spring, and have already planted out some palms and grasses. There are already bamboos, Fatsia Japonicas and ferns growing there. The area of the garden is already enclosed by hedging, which makes it both sheltered and private.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cerinthe, Canna Indica and sweet peas in the propagator</td></tr>
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The propagator is out, and after the inaugural speech and cutting of the ceremonial ribbon, it is brewing its first seeds - Cerinthe, sweet peas and Canna Indica. I have always idly wondered why Cannas are referred to as 'Indian shot', and know I know ! Those babies are made of cast iron! Internet wisdom is to chit them with nail clippers, but when I tried it, they shot off in all directions and ricocheted around the kitchen, finally coming to rest in dark little crevices, hidden from view. I tried stabbing them, sand papering them, slicing them and swearing at them. Without success. In the end I soaked them for 48 hours and they were reasonably easy to chit after that. I hope that they are easy to germinate and grow on.<br />
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Like many other parts of the UK and USA, we have experienced an unusually mild autumn and winter so far, with only a couple of light frosts, but this changed yesterday, with the onset of much colder weather. The downside of sub tropical gardening is that there are usually some large but tender plants which need to be protected from cold temperatures. This being so, ours suddenly needed attention, with the change of the weather.<br />
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The ideal, with this style of gardening is to use plants which are totally hardy, but have an exotic look, and there are lots to choose from. Fatsia Japonica is a good example as it has large, glossy evergreen leaves, and the plants can achieve a good height after a few years. However, the real deal plants are soon tempting, and it can easy to build up a hard core of delicate plants which will curl up their toes at a few degrees of frost.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUx9OiIX2qJmkLZ7jk3nvyM4i3z59wt54bjTxLXlwl3cPbg2oQVtiSsO2UnLm1sPsMXq23GDniedLh87zbPmAHgyJ9rTKW0k0HL9IzxEWGQJ8wwsONalz2HGbCQyg34xFlIbNRC8yBzk/s1600/IMG_5615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUx9OiIX2qJmkLZ7jk3nvyM4i3z59wt54bjTxLXlwl3cPbg2oQVtiSsO2UnLm1sPsMXq23GDniedLh87zbPmAHgyJ9rTKW0k0HL9IzxEWGQJ8wwsONalz2HGbCQyg34xFlIbNRC8yBzk/s640/IMG_5615.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Our most tender plants live in the heated conservatory through the winter, so there are Abyssinian bananas, Agaves (which hate wet more than cold!), Begonia Luxurians and Strelizia (Bird of Paradise).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-t4GgFYvO6cnZJxO_Dt55tqP2xa69g150phXtQ6H1nVwkRzhrKC0jU5LVvS7QG8dAtedJ28_yX3Ezaggn7YpsT__ljWJuE0PPGC7oCMrprs8arg1TdeY0treoPhabIra0NKzcSue4Hns/s1600/IMG_5616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-t4GgFYvO6cnZJxO_Dt55tqP2xa69g150phXtQ6H1nVwkRzhrKC0jU5LVvS7QG8dAtedJ28_yX3Ezaggn7YpsT__ljWJuE0PPGC7oCMrprs8arg1TdeY0treoPhabIra0NKzcSue4Hns/s640/IMG_5616.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The greenhouse houses the plants which can cope with a little more cold, but still need some protection, so smaller tree ferns, Aeoniums, Musa Basjoo (the hardiest banana) and Abutilon Megapotamicum are in there. Last night they had a fleece duvet to keep them warm, and they look to have fared well, with no obvious casualties.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YvHL-V7Jki0nImfyo9U-Exr3edTn1uV3y4HhhuXJL1V9zmQGnSnhE-RhIkcS7JVhMtEJke1LvEIyKyrEAcCRRyiGlwG1lROqcBlbzd3_sQEgdPEtApfxTDIiyog1FZox6hb4pCvGeFI/s1600/IMG_5641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YvHL-V7Jki0nImfyo9U-Exr3edTn1uV3y4HhhuXJL1V9zmQGnSnhE-RhIkcS7JVhMtEJke1LvEIyKyrEAcCRRyiGlwG1lROqcBlbzd3_sQEgdPEtApfxTDIiyog1FZox6hb4pCvGeFI/s640/IMG_5641.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The large, tender plants in the garden have been covered with fleece jackets, particularly palms like Phoenix Canariensis, which can take up to minus 8, when mature, without a problem. We tied up the fronds to offer more protection and slipped a fleece jacket over its head. Despite what the books say, we have lost them at much higher temperatures than minus 8.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEylhaJ3S5BbYEyCXs8-X7Q-IO85aq8CEDxeh8TIKHy7_vOR04ATVuoNp6YCgYFdoq5UegUBiMJv8ugFcC0LFGawkpqZl5uqcYdU6zyLmw4wYsp2dMTjBRuGHuigq2dYd02GmykV0tAvI/s1600/IMG_5661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEylhaJ3S5BbYEyCXs8-X7Q-IO85aq8CEDxeh8TIKHy7_vOR04ATVuoNp6YCgYFdoq5UegUBiMJv8ugFcC0LFGawkpqZl5uqcYdU6zyLmw4wYsp2dMTjBRuGHuigq2dYd02GmykV0tAvI/s640/IMG_5661.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The tree ferns are sporting a jaunty cap of straw stuffed into their crowns, kept in place by aviary wire.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLL2DR7BOL0PAD1bJ186Vms3j1anwdD7G1jfv8YuamaLfYyyVago1J2cPFUmv-EmSpCPY2J-3Y1HbTKBlrxjn_RmiJtk0cvOuSjJYnzT87rsynPvDUqdT2PFNTvr7LEUhoOg2MU1hpfOc/s1600/IMG_5662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLL2DR7BOL0PAD1bJ186Vms3j1anwdD7G1jfv8YuamaLfYyyVago1J2cPFUmv-EmSpCPY2J-3Y1HbTKBlrxjn_RmiJtk0cvOuSjJYnzT87rsynPvDUqdT2PFNTvr7LEUhoOg2MU1hpfOc/s640/IMG_5662.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Other plants have received protection, such as the Tetrapanax, which is continuing to push out new leaves, and the gunnera crowns. These have been protected up until now by their own leaves piled on top of the crown, but they have now been replaced by fleece held down by stones.</div>
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At tis time of year, the perennials, roses and shrubs are all sleeping deeply, and require no attention, so exotic gardening (for want of a better term) can be more labour intensive. Hopefully, it is all worth it, and all the tender plants will make it unscathed through the cold temperatures.</div>
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-12767172856767864772016-01-04T11:00:00.001-08:002016-01-04T11:00:22.295-08:00Start at the very beginning ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In the words of Julie Andrews, 'Let's start at the very beginning, it's a very good place to start', and although poets may have said the same thing more eloquently, I like the sentiments of 'The Sound of music', in this case, and this case only!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-IRlNaqvQjla8o4T9G5UfDfAqPs7XQjvl4nHiOUVFESInGAepHgkSMP9io8TAQVxTROKsjz1SEE-cN6YXU7p2xmnti91UIXGp1qI-LM1SwOxNxU9JI7FNEGyYbx-2ZZ3oj8DRx6Tllc/s1600/IMG_5578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-IRlNaqvQjla8o4T9G5UfDfAqPs7XQjvl4nHiOUVFESInGAepHgkSMP9io8TAQVxTROKsjz1SEE-cN6YXU7p2xmnti91UIXGp1qI-LM1SwOxNxU9JI7FNEGyYbx-2ZZ3oj8DRx6Tllc/s640/IMG_5578.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Because we <b>are </b>at the start again, and it is a very good place to be. The whole of the gardening year is laid out in front of us now, fresh and untouched. The seeds are chosen but not yet sown, the first snowdrops are in bud here, but not yet out. The daffodil buds are fattening and stems are lengthening. Everything should be waiting to flower in its usual time.<br />
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Except that, this year, there are plants revolting against the old regime ...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ceanothus in the garden today</td></tr>
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There are some mavericks around, some rebel plants who have not read the rule book, and do not know that they must only flower in March or May, and so are blooming now, out of synch with the patterns of the seasons.<br />
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Ceanothus ! Only a few blooms, I admit, but usually never seen in January.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosa 'Bonica' in the garden today<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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Roses ! Lots of buds and open blooms.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Rx8XcFSXvt2L5VVndA-BsmngABSxRAT0UE9pWwCJZU_0197OAbIt3GGFOgjLW_NscPE_cXf-XYUsQZvBmX8LYY1t72CiBBkBYfkEdYaIzaNsZTkIPjIzMWMxqr-07e7oaY7lNKbDbx4/s1600/IMG_5568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Rx8XcFSXvt2L5VVndA-BsmngABSxRAT0UE9pWwCJZU_0197OAbIt3GGFOgjLW_NscPE_cXf-XYUsQZvBmX8LYY1t72CiBBkBYfkEdYaIzaNsZTkIPjIzMWMxqr-07e7oaY7lNKbDbx4/s640/IMG_5568.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Sweet Rocket' today</td></tr>
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Sweet rocket ! Still hanging on in there from last spring.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K_dz_InXuLg81RZPAGMSOrIEBOfy0CFXdDZj4CQEN6uYNB7LvhudZNiOKgdJgz9uSDcUkhVTRpIDOXhFm9i9jDPw9jQLyudG0BX-Fk0-fjYlFZ4WUze8JmfuLevq4UYlmJhbo0Ay0Hs/s1600/IMG_5560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K_dz_InXuLg81RZPAGMSOrIEBOfy0CFXdDZj4CQEN6uYNB7LvhudZNiOKgdJgz9uSDcUkhVTRpIDOXhFm9i9jDPw9jQLyudG0BX-Fk0-fjYlFZ4WUze8JmfuLevq4UYlmJhbo0Ay0Hs/s640/IMG_5560.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The old sticklers for traditional are still blooming in the garden too, thank goodness. The primroses are starting to come out, but there has been so much rain that their petals are sodden, and not lasting anything like as long as usual.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I would have said that these Erysimums were out early, but as every single one of them is in full bloom at the moment, maybe they do start flowering this early. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BdJVLvVM_cvYVYXALLolbRyCpsWIyoX5ahcmgk3h26ZWYl_E4afR_dgaScy8p_m5kb3TRAxl0keU1AdVMpRfQfVcbcvK5BPNxvN70DXgSYMoxgh6FV2f0P81QsyIvpGd1Ekev83-ki4/s1600/IMG_5581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BdJVLvVM_cvYVYXALLolbRyCpsWIyoX5ahcmgk3h26ZWYl_E4afR_dgaScy8p_m5kb3TRAxl0keU1AdVMpRfQfVcbcvK5BPNxvN70DXgSYMoxgh6FV2f0P81QsyIvpGd1Ekev83-ki4/s640/IMG_5581.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mahonia 'Charity' is covered in beautiful pale yellow flowers and the perfume is intoxicating, and fills the air. The weather is still so ridiculously mild that there are still occasional bees on it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYWngbGnPYuTXc1vfeGVNh_4xcDCJa-vUNtx-2bVyPK7O9W92KTBjHCgzOIwlGpz0XA96Yct3vIzERxlQ6EsPqJ2cRYSSp3RL63kWVEUnGm0dMsmQysUfqL8UPHEBoSOq8d1ENMRmzQQ/s1600/IMG_5583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYWngbGnPYuTXc1vfeGVNh_4xcDCJa-vUNtx-2bVyPK7O9W92KTBjHCgzOIwlGpz0XA96Yct3vIzERxlQ6EsPqJ2cRYSSp3RL63kWVEUnGm0dMsmQysUfqL8UPHEBoSOq8d1ENMRmzQQ/s640/IMG_5583.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lots of hellebores are now in full flow - all unamed varieties, which have self seeded over the years. Most are washed out pinks and mauves but this one is a good strong dark pink.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzTpCae5imhLaM8lLUQ3rMffKhjAyvSAq_eeNax0OaMVX9qOp3EzCQh1IqZihiWay1Oe9xuc4oY4JyMgXsTyGArciJb9jZJgKMalGtV647Op8Nip9zqU3krfsX0f_nLNMJADBj60gTWw/s1600/IMG_5586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzTpCae5imhLaM8lLUQ3rMffKhjAyvSAq_eeNax0OaMVX9qOp3EzCQh1IqZihiWay1Oe9xuc4oY4JyMgXsTyGArciJb9jZJgKMalGtV647Op8Nip9zqU3krfsX0f_nLNMJADBj60gTWw/s640/IMG_5586.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The greenhouse is doing exceptionally well due to the relatively high temperatures and these geraniums just have not stopped flowering since June.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ31goimBls1wipGcrimp-shGgOZtn6qttwkEvQySowymkr_EHKEEGphCNAMLGFpb9LKS7RsON5ZKTQqmzCjDLUmZmEwgm4gyW32u9ivmitp5wPC2EmBY5LypRbsGHl4Qs8TX7VhNaio/s1600/IMG_5595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ31goimBls1wipGcrimp-shGgOZtn6qttwkEvQySowymkr_EHKEEGphCNAMLGFpb9LKS7RsON5ZKTQqmzCjDLUmZmEwgm4gyW32u9ivmitp5wPC2EmBY5LypRbsGHl4Qs8TX7VhNaio/s640/IMG_5595.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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In every season there are plants which you look at and fervently wish you had grown more of. The hardy Cyclamen is a case in point, as it is a real pop of bright colour in a dismal winter garden. Both flowers and foliage are things of beauty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKjmpoI9mEwt89gqnDZlFF1kOtQVt1CZVFG57QOuIYL3sT8-o2Z36Tyn9tywNbBTNPCXL-2FSpfKTMLRIXwQoaWFrGKft4ouugUS-k_f4MX0eP-EJkIjN9qBSSK9qXlCeGEp4YPlxR_Q/s1600/IMG_5594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKjmpoI9mEwt89gqnDZlFF1kOtQVt1CZVFG57QOuIYL3sT8-o2Z36Tyn9tywNbBTNPCXL-2FSpfKTMLRIXwQoaWFrGKft4ouugUS-k_f4MX0eP-EJkIjN9qBSSK9qXlCeGEp4YPlxR_Q/s640/IMG_5594.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I love double primroses and this is a very delicate, subtle one , called 'Pink Ice'. It is very pale at the moment and blooms will darken as the season progresses I think. The flowers are held on dark stems which contrast so well with the pale heads.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdcZmyI2m9WzF-CIIxzdETH3x_9T9zBILacT7jRnKq-scarrbh2xJo4qn46f9GZLNRyXqmSbbQ17N0GY3nQdRnmLF9DLBklfgZqihGeyLCytfhfjl6ABow4dmJPHQyhiDTvEQzmQBYRg/s1600/IMG_5602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdcZmyI2m9WzF-CIIxzdETH3x_9T9zBILacT7jRnKq-scarrbh2xJo4qn46f9GZLNRyXqmSbbQ17N0GY3nQdRnmLF9DLBklfgZqihGeyLCytfhfjl6ABow4dmJPHQyhiDTvEQzmQBYRg/s640/IMG_5602.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another reliable source of winter colour is Viburnum Bodnantense 'Dawn', standing by the back door for maximum effect. It is in a pot next to a young Acer Palmatum, which has not dropped its leaves. </div>
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Even on a rainy, dismal January day there is still some colour and interest, if you look hard enough.</div>
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And, becoming visible through the soil, are signs that the giants are beginning to wake from their slumbers...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywz_3vIIO4NotGxEQBhdeAHBKU0-uk19c8d8QFLmz85Kl3rW6SJl0nRfyIrt5cQGnkpaPNk6LVCJrMqYzg6kEJgiPHq8ZNkHv_iUnswfRdf4O_WZPvlEp2s5QpPV5sd82jtDkx3a9Ls8/s1600/IMG_5582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywz_3vIIO4NotGxEQBhdeAHBKU0-uk19c8d8QFLmz85Kl3rW6SJl0nRfyIrt5cQGnkpaPNk6LVCJrMqYzg6kEJgiPHq8ZNkHv_iUnswfRdf4O_WZPvlEp2s5QpPV5sd82jtDkx3a9Ls8/s640/IMG_5582.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gunnera </td></tr>
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-37118336758058963292015-12-24T13:23:00.001-08:002015-12-24T13:23:17.674-08:00Ding dong ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here's wishing you a very happy Christmas ! With some of this ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPQK2DFvmYWUdsFz5iOI1LJ3Y-FVtw-Wq2ZWCl49E447mn_OZ8txsA5gthD1X60eRpTWCKlmkw8IWJCKt-UbeXfWw8mcBlYwic4l-BHE4v0-pFObAm_EQmio5KNTta7YnBgUv7lMXpHw/s1600/IMG_5465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPQK2DFvmYWUdsFz5iOI1LJ3Y-FVtw-Wq2ZWCl49E447mn_OZ8txsA5gthD1X60eRpTWCKlmkw8IWJCKt-UbeXfWw8mcBlYwic4l-BHE4v0-pFObAm_EQmio5KNTta7YnBgUv7lMXpHw/s640/IMG_5465.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And this ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SLXmf04FowO1wPGPIBnKLLST7UsZ_1qd8k6JNKby7Y8CXZsdJFDpboYRTxPR82rWaqhuEGeFmEmlJHCjQbu0GfnTdO4Fc8SPgdhY9EAxaR68h6b9dp9T_josSoAPcQ8avGoxPvJ2yeY/s1600/IMG_5427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SLXmf04FowO1wPGPIBnKLLST7UsZ_1qd8k6JNKby7Y8CXZsdJFDpboYRTxPR82rWaqhuEGeFmEmlJHCjQbu0GfnTdO4Fc8SPgdhY9EAxaR68h6b9dp9T_josSoAPcQ8avGoxPvJ2yeY/s640/IMG_5427.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And this ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOZEGLvjCvCE8KuR7_0ErgK6PIMRRicdY64mrK4ztUlxQHjH9HSE8F8H1fwfcaepWiZf5KE0xYZLMYyJBEqDox-bATDOwJtKxIQvQa9wlobFut2vfjZV0yHNf8Ys55xKZXfTjlxMf4iE/s1600/IMG_5507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOZEGLvjCvCE8KuR7_0ErgK6PIMRRicdY64mrK4ztUlxQHjH9HSE8F8H1fwfcaepWiZf5KE0xYZLMYyJBEqDox-bATDOwJtKxIQvQa9wlobFut2vfjZV0yHNf8Ys55xKZXfTjlxMf4iE/s640/IMG_5507.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And maybe even some of this ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3Owj8pSrD1noGCxMxR4ESoAlMxYWMAMweJy3qS81HKHaIFmiuPLaILeN_G9YbA8U5oe53fj4zfdZ2ijiZWQqrw8HbS8F03DIMngwk5NvEdH8qUvESFX1GfJe4MT83LYloSMLj2UO24g/s1600/IMG_5406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3Owj8pSrD1noGCxMxR4ESoAlMxYWMAMweJy3qS81HKHaIFmiuPLaILeN_G9YbA8U5oe53fj4zfdZ2ijiZWQqrw8HbS8F03DIMngwk5NvEdH8qUvESFX1GfJe4MT83LYloSMLj2UO24g/s640/IMG_5406.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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It doesn't really feel like Christmas, however, due to the weather being as warm as some of the days we experienced during the summer ! It is very odd and totally unseasonal! Things are flowering way out of their allocated season ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnYR6Fmw8gqYmcdxqQxS50_9pxf17p68ktU1iQx1lt5Mnqkdhi3cwCp3b7MujvwvS3ZaQfGC77nYATo-jTuRpxp5SuQcAvLZqIH8CPCqYYSm6-AbYEA7w-DikNYYKOz3p81pfY4SBKEI/s1600/IMG_5504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnYR6Fmw8gqYmcdxqQxS50_9pxf17p68ktU1iQx1lt5Mnqkdhi3cwCp3b7MujvwvS3ZaQfGC77nYATo-jTuRpxp5SuQcAvLZqIH8CPCqYYSm6-AbYEA7w-DikNYYKOz3p81pfY4SBKEI/s640/IMG_5504.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bergenia - today</td></tr>
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Usually at this time of year I am happy if the weather is warmer than the fridge, and wouldn't dream of leaving the house without gloves and scarf but so far, this season, they have remained in the drawer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiDgTLWtwpRQYpTxev5jJ7TRbVYfdtDnqUSyxFHdDuxgJ7x7oWqrzRQb0DYAF84ekLoZo3QxongndCMNVXWyhvdUNznbkEA3TNn1RtytoEPrUlsbzVYYsm_23IWfWfm4lai2uo_G3dHQ/s1600/IMG_5486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiDgTLWtwpRQYpTxev5jJ7TRbVYfdtDnqUSyxFHdDuxgJ7x7oWqrzRQb0DYAF84ekLoZo3QxongndCMNVXWyhvdUNznbkEA3TNn1RtytoEPrUlsbzVYYsm_23IWfWfm4lai2uo_G3dHQ/s640/IMG_5486.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brunnera 'Jack Frost'- today</td></tr>
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There have been many reports in the media, of things blooming when they certainly should not be blooming, and the daffodils, for example, seem to have taken a unilateral decision that it is officially now spring! Bergenia is flowering now, whereas it should start flowering in early spring, as should Brunnera.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lIeVNRUsEqbJfJifwIBVdwbDx4SGqFn5_REuRcPV1jxrHaMUIWTZRZgJYwR9UffyB11sLpWsweCMPlCDNw-7eDhQSF2zsvhXIOcboHue1ScIq7MeRqgcSsCB6fYgnncwnAAc0r424Tc/s1600/IMG_5488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lIeVNRUsEqbJfJifwIBVdwbDx4SGqFn5_REuRcPV1jxrHaMUIWTZRZgJYwR9UffyB11sLpWsweCMPlCDNw-7eDhQSF2zsvhXIOcboHue1ScIq7MeRqgcSsCB6fYgnncwnAAc0r424Tc/s640/IMG_5488.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tetrapanax - today</td></tr>
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Tetrapanax is usually battling with the frost at this time of year, not blithely pushing out new leaves, like there's no tomorrow ! Clematis Armandii usually blooms in late winter/ early spring in its present position, but there are several flowers now, and it has been producing them sporadically throughout the summer. Plain weird!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxzP7jL4pp3d6bX4HlZPwQ60CGztl1_W-U8ECyuda5exp4qghGnPQWhAz7b865esVbbmphNDbvTi9ihqKKu2z5VN-vqlXwZfw7Dr8xEWumDfIX6drSjGO3ag9hH3vdohyqh3LGlNN5js/s1600/IMG_5525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxzP7jL4pp3d6bX4HlZPwQ60CGztl1_W-U8ECyuda5exp4qghGnPQWhAz7b865esVbbmphNDbvTi9ihqKKu2z5VN-vqlXwZfw7Dr8xEWumDfIX6drSjGO3ag9hH3vdohyqh3LGlNN5js/s640/IMG_5525.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clematis 'Armandii'- today</td></tr>
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We have had a couple of frosts here, in Lincolnshire, so far - not very much, but enough to kill off the nasturtiums (Hurrah ! Don't know why I grew the horrible things in the first place!) and a few leggy geraniums I had left outside to their fate.<br />
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There are still lots of roses in bloom in the garden, and not just the odd raggedy bloom, but full , fresh blooms just like in June..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAacGLLgXTT-9j_a0G8FvsZID0h0SV6nd-JD5QafqqFiWekhYIFFdLG5wK3z_KgxxTyEPv86lWnd-QtYxov0ERxzL_OiRgWfbewRSzeID5NJijUFIk2Wnp-o46OTTLOIwsgeS2kNZHkw/s1600/IMG_5513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAacGLLgXTT-9j_a0G8FvsZID0h0SV6nd-JD5QafqqFiWekhYIFFdLG5wK3z_KgxxTyEPv86lWnd-QtYxov0ERxzL_OiRgWfbewRSzeID5NJijUFIk2Wnp-o46OTTLOIwsgeS2kNZHkw/s640/IMG_5513.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Tess of the D'Urbervilles ' today</td></tr>
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Tess is unsullied and dewily beautiful, and there are lots of buds to follow.<br />
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All the tree ferns still have their foliage untouched by frosts, and to be honest, they are usually wrapped up tight by this time, with fronds cut off, and straw protecting their crowns.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6dueiO5jQFcRgH0yEwskbnb_FPcm9_lFyA_VrB0GP1JuBB8YSa7Yo0BdUJVH34cH4YtQOous8vuBUaZ5KhfKeK35FBV3fzrlUL1LXV8YOOrdwWWuCIy4-8n1YIvio_SM65FFC3GSaTg/s1600/IMG_5495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6dueiO5jQFcRgH0yEwskbnb_FPcm9_lFyA_VrB0GP1JuBB8YSa7Yo0BdUJVH34cH4YtQOous8vuBUaZ5KhfKeK35FBV3fzrlUL1LXV8YOOrdwWWuCIy4-8n1YIvio_SM65FFC3GSaTg/s640/IMG_5495.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree Fern today<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Agapanthus is a late summer flowerer, and ,yes, the one pictured below DID flower then. It has been in the greenhouse since mid autumn, and has clearly decided it is late summer, and time to bloom again! A weird but wonderful sight on a December day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTIHHcuJeax-Yc5UYj_d5VUCKcl3gFdIv2aCfJDyM1fYwaKXCoqnLRojTVpSF_PLD2L-2i0t9ctSuvKcQ_I3GFg5gSuXgaJessQVi7x0siXNppx4SPsF8L5nOsYXG1iYT8IPhear4Lbg/s1600/IMG_5523+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTIHHcuJeax-Yc5UYj_d5VUCKcl3gFdIv2aCfJDyM1fYwaKXCoqnLRojTVpSF_PLD2L-2i0t9ctSuvKcQ_I3GFg5gSuXgaJessQVi7x0siXNppx4SPsF8L5nOsYXG1iYT8IPhear4Lbg/s640/IMG_5523+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agapanthus today</td></tr>
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This year I grew Melianthus Major, and am testing the water to see how hardy they are. I have dug up all but two from beds in the garden, and put them in the greenhouse to overwinter, but the two remaining outside are untouched by the frost and still have foliage intact. They were ridiculously easy to germinate and grow on, and have put on a lot of growth in a season. I am looking forward to seeing how they all perform next year.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0AedGycK0SAe48JnV1E_ytHQ2ZRhVMHwbGQb3uuipdV7iZNxvAZ-rCZQI9PeXu_quHOtlJDkvNgoduJA7JI1iLmET35E8az_yc5AWXbcvDFWV-38PN2w8BQ8_GPS3513Ci4-2jV_dvY/s1600/IMG_4736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0AedGycK0SAe48JnV1E_ytHQ2ZRhVMHwbGQb3uuipdV7iZNxvAZ-rCZQI9PeXu_quHOtlJDkvNgoduJA7JI1iLmET35E8az_yc5AWXbcvDFWV-38PN2w8BQ8_GPS3513Ci4-2jV_dvY/s640/IMG_4736.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melianthus Major back in June</td></tr>
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Once the deliciousness of Christmas is behind us for another year, I have the 'job' of making my seed list . This is one of my favourite bits of the whole gardening year as it is so full of promise. In the depths of a dreary winter, there is the certainty of the return of flowers, fruit, veg and light. What a joy to invest in it.<br />
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Next season I will, of course, be growing old favourites, but also trying out lots of new annuals for our new sub tropical 'extension' garden. I have done some research already, getting suggestions from books written by those late, greats, Christopher Lloyd and Will Giles but need to do much, much more.<br />
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I have started to compile a list and so far it consists of stuff I have grown for years ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79_wTHX1W_s8brJztwCIwypL8HDLNbqJsdnf0XxEPiQ-HvvNG4LjTPl-uVQLQ6FvMKgufiaicq7zhdk6qcxx2RopNBcFqvOn83KXOm0NP9oYP28Lkm3U71sD4oilYzMPdggrNMFGiCjY/s1600/IMG_4678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79_wTHX1W_s8brJztwCIwypL8HDLNbqJsdnf0XxEPiQ-HvvNG4LjTPl-uVQLQ6FvMKgufiaicq7zhdk6qcxx2RopNBcFqvOn83KXOm0NP9oYP28Lkm3U71sD4oilYzMPdggrNMFGiCjY/s640/IMG_4678.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dahlias in August</td></tr>
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Dahlias (loads and loads!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBm37PxVdDi3LUN1VtZLT1V96jv5JYDpkRIco4SFvjhA2kyc0sZhLMjMRu__zUuSNSrlmjUAovnSZgC3ukJ25GljePvNGhOENQS9lcwK2IoWxYrJrKpAhIYTUBnFqsg6_hkf_ebUD3us8/s1600/IMG_4663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBm37PxVdDi3LUN1VtZLT1V96jv5JYDpkRIco4SFvjhA2kyc0sZhLMjMRu__zUuSNSrlmjUAovnSZgC3ukJ25GljePvNGhOENQS9lcwK2IoWxYrJrKpAhIYTUBnFqsg6_hkf_ebUD3us8/s640/IMG_4663.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ricinus in August</td></tr>
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Ricinus<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFAhlUchvpXHGCwbREgWKB95J2jad0jXkOSo46zFhViNh3-IVgiPllCyBJriftyDPWW2RoC-0MHL-EFPgre4uSn4Uklopz2Plup_C1MQcNQBX7Xk9t3CmWprKQ4ttfmQvwT_Zgu0sDbw/s1600/IMG_4672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFAhlUchvpXHGCwbREgWKB95J2jad0jXkOSo46zFhViNh3-IVgiPllCyBJriftyDPWW2RoC-0MHL-EFPgre4uSn4Uklopz2Plup_C1MQcNQBX7Xk9t3CmWprKQ4ttfmQvwT_Zgu0sDbw/s640/IMG_4672.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tithonia 'Torchlight' in August</td></tr>
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Tithonia<br />
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I will have to begin the enjoyable job of choosing varieties and colours etc, so any suggestions are most welcome.<br />
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I doubt very much whether there will be time for any more blogging before Christmas, in between the mince pies and the turkey and the sherry, so I wish you a very Happy Christmas, and a peaceful and healthy New Year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Y0mEntnzzgCMLf_YnxZXk6GYbWRkr_onBoCZxXIkzRNE7VxkVrciYj1hogkxCJjZzQzwBCyHS8XwpMXkFJZGppxcFTXTsJl4ng4FQg02I-tklpZzMN1Vs309FGos3q455H2f6kZFWCk/s1600/IMG_5453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Y0mEntnzzgCMLf_YnxZXk6GYbWRkr_onBoCZxXIkzRNE7VxkVrciYj1hogkxCJjZzQzwBCyHS8XwpMXkFJZGppxcFTXTsJl4ng4FQg02I-tklpZzMN1Vs309FGos3q455H2f6kZFWCk/s640/IMG_5453.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-37291688770925430782015-12-03T11:48:00.003-08:002015-12-03T11:48:28.704-08:00The last hurrah ... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkdiSxQC3_yd6Z9UwGDdXFF2Be4gdymsWzVzRZWgjtNws0fVFwx53EJaAhaDxx93V-ZArIwHiinxdWkZAbvSzod-R2_d9N2XLRI7NozAaC6KG1jY3rmzEUki9sSgMj7u9-swcoohkwmw/s1600/IMG_5382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkdiSxQC3_yd6Z9UwGDdXFF2Be4gdymsWzVzRZWgjtNws0fVFwx53EJaAhaDxx93V-ZArIwHiinxdWkZAbvSzod-R2_d9N2XLRI7NozAaC6KG1jY3rmzEUki9sSgMj7u9-swcoohkwmw/s640/IMG_5382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When all else is dismal, dank and increasingly slimy, the garden produces its last hurrah, with a conjuror's flourish. Every year I forget that this is going to happen, and so deny myself the pleasure of anticipation, like I do with the first rose bloom of the season.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBZ2NCCC9XSkd2_9FXv9L5MHseqdoYg-KTJjrPBLz5CblHIqNqbEepm0ATi7gCOVOnYiMF4mEIsFPce4OAdGUkVUvAu3iQCK6WZgXCQ_5nIyHkM-KfCuyvkxPqCIwF4Ht-PbuhWtv6xo/s1600/IMG_5377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBZ2NCCC9XSkd2_9FXv9L5MHseqdoYg-KTJjrPBLz5CblHIqNqbEepm0ATi7gCOVOnYiMF4mEIsFPce4OAdGUkVUvAu3iQCK6WZgXCQ_5nIyHkM-KfCuyvkxPqCIwF4Ht-PbuhWtv6xo/s640/IMG_5377.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For most of the season the pampas grass provides a green exclamation mark in the centre of the top part of the garden, doing its job of dividing two areas into separate entities . Then in autumn the luxuriant plumes start to appear, emerging out of their casings gradually over the course of several days.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DwGJjeT0v5RUaq05QqmV9REFgRA6Q1sDIvouwgoggj8fiHvV-esBPnn6Q6aq7OiQHikI5i92D2xdkPxMz3he7rC3ENxpUs3VClohyphenhyphenc3hJ6F7yd8lizgLKniORafRjLVr6oIITWfQdE8/s1600/IMG_5376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DwGJjeT0v5RUaq05QqmV9REFgRA6Q1sDIvouwgoggj8fiHvV-esBPnn6Q6aq7OiQHikI5i92D2xdkPxMz3he7rC3ENxpUs3VClohyphenhyphenc3hJ6F7yd8lizgLKniORafRjLVr6oIITWfQdE8/s640/IMG_5376.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Now, there is pampas grass and pampas grass ! I remain totally unmoved by the stiffly upright military plumes which are seen more commonly. But the variety which, by chance, I have in the garden is totally different. The plumes are pendulous, weeping things of beauty, blowing in the wind and rippling in the sunlight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMsS0yG7QoqfbZEcuRpv9PJvMKTFC_Q71OqxuC5Y8lD_pHNJJoZoRnJbrap71KSzqXadgVLfNjKUw9XOAlZ3GusUH9GHbjy11pE87Nhh9fBtpc7af9IlRjZyKJXFcNz5NeIf1xzwGhz4/s1600/IMG_5386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMsS0yG7QoqfbZEcuRpv9PJvMKTFC_Q71OqxuC5Y8lD_pHNJJoZoRnJbrap71KSzqXadgVLfNjKUw9XOAlZ3GusUH9GHbjy11pE87Nhh9fBtpc7af9IlRjZyKJXFcNz5NeIf1xzwGhz4/s640/IMG_5386.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not only that ... they are PINK! Almost sacrilegious, I know ! Forget boring old cream, 'cos pink is the new kid on the block.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroutrlktHVVoTbJuOVzZE3v4eYjFwBPb2MVIOsBxV1Z-BuHBDkqlSyn1ILyQFv5vExkPVtsGPMmQnGGbRM_KDCHZ_2-4qEH_S4X4SRdVKv4mR8K_fFzu0VVUsfnsStp9Mx4TN5NFQwo4/s1600/IMG_5390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroutrlktHVVoTbJuOVzZE3v4eYjFwBPb2MVIOsBxV1Z-BuHBDkqlSyn1ILyQFv5vExkPVtsGPMmQnGGbRM_KDCHZ_2-4qEH_S4X4SRdVKv4mR8K_fFzu0VVUsfnsStp9Mx4TN5NFQwo4/s640/IMG_5390.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you want to be gender specific, it is very feminine, compared to the shorn rigidity of the more common upright variety.<br />
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Some of my soldiers have fallen in the line of duty already, buffeted by the high winds and heavy rain, so they are a fleeting pleasure.<br />
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I must have bought this Pampas Grass, and made that decision maybe twenty five years ago, but I have no idea where I got it from, or the name of the variety. But, there it is, brightening every dreary December day, bringing freshness, colour and movement to a fading garden.<br />
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The very last hurrah before the snowdrops herald a brand new growing season, and do you know something ... that isn't far away at all.<br />
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-77951932358515189642015-10-24T14:00:00.000-07:002015-10-24T14:00:20.237-07:00Erysi - mums the word!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is a post to laud the humble Erysimum, to big it up to new heights and highlight its many charms. It has taken me many years to appreciate the delights of the perennial wallflower, and, indeed, I have only grown them for about the past four years.<br />
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My penchant for them started quite by chance, in an impulse buy from a market stall as I was passing by. I bought 4 Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve', which is the most common and well known variety. At the time I had a big new bed which needed to be filled, and I planted my four new, little plants, thinking how lost they looked amidst all the bare earth.<br />
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Within a year they had all filled out to be well clothed, symmetrical spheres of glaucous foliage, topped by prolific, mauve flowers. They made real statements in the garden, and I realised that they would define key points in the garden well, if they were placed strategically. They would enhance the structure and design if used properly, just as individual yew and box can do, but in a much shorter time.<br />
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The internet is a wonderful thing for plant - hungry gardeners ! All things are out there to be found with a wave of the Google wand. I discovered that there are offers to be had, where different varieties of Erysimum are sold very cheaply. They are little more than plug plants, but that is fine, as I can grow them on in the greenhouse.<br />
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I also discovered that there are colours other than mauve!<br />
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My absolute favourite is 'Spice Island' which is a mixture of lovely warm, winter shades of red, purple and tawny orange. These different shades appear on a single flower head, making for a most interesting mix of colours.<br />
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There are exciting other cultivars and colours too, such as .....,<br />
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'Apricot Twist' - a stronger, tawnier orange than the name may suggest.<br />
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'Rysi Bronze' - more compact than some, at 30cm (height) x 40 cm (spread), with orangey/ yellow flowers. Described as completely hardy.<br />
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'Rysi Moon' - an early flowering variety, from March - July, about the same dimensions as 'Rysi Bronze'. Described on different sites as both 'completely hardy' and 'needing protection'!! Yellow buds opening to creamy, white flowers.<br />
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'Winter Rouge' -flowers nearly all year round, except in the depths of winter. I'll write that again... flowers nearly all year round ... take that you peonies and lupins !! Flowers are terracotta orange with shades of pink and purple. About the same size, fully grown as 'Bowles Mauve'.<br />
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I can't find many disadvantages to Erysimums but the main one seems to be that they are short-lived. This can be easily overcome by taking cuttings, or buying cheap young plants, and growing them on, keeping them in the wings until they are needed to replace a doomed older plant. As even well grown plants are inexpensive, it will never break the bank to buy new ones.<br />
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Cuttings are extremely easy to take, and easy to propagate. Semi - ripe cuttings of about 8 - 15 cm are taken from the parent plant in late summer. They root easily and well in the greenhouse. They are not raised from seed, but only from cuttings.<br />
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I have read that older plants can become leggy, but have not encountered that problem yet. Cutting back may help to solve that, if necessary.<br />
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I have found them to be disease and pest resistant in my garden, and certainly not prone to attack from slugs, snails or anything else for that matter, although the RHS indicates that they can be.<br />
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One of the best things about them is the flowering season, which seems to be the longest of anything I am currently growing in the garden. The RHS state that they flower from February to July but mine have done much better than this, and are still flowering strongly now, in mid October. The flower stems can get leggy, so need to be cut off when this happens.<br />
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The RHS states that they are 'borderline hardy', but mine have all come through the last three winters, which admittedly have not been very harsh. Several websites say some varieties are totally hardy, whilst others say winter protection is needed. It probably depends on the micro climate of the garden as to how they cope with winter. As they prefer well drained soils, perhaps it is wet roots which make them curl up their toes, rather than cold temperatures alone.<br />
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Erysimums love the sun, and need to be in full sun, as they do not do well in shade. Bees adore them, so that is another huge tick in a box. As they are evergreen, they keep their narrow leaves all year round, giving structure to the winter garden.<br />
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So, what's not to love? trouble is I can feel another of my anorak moments coming on, where I want to collect them all, then quietly gloat over their wonderfulness. Oh dear ... just me, then!<br />
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On a personal note, I will be able to spend more time digging, planting and growing as I finally retired this week from my main job (Job no. 1), leaving only one day per week for Job no. 2, and one day per month for Job no. 3 . How fantastic is that! Ironically, the evening of my retirement I was struck with a mean - spirited virus which prevented me from even enjoying a single celebratory glass of fizz ... until tonight!!<br />
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-47002026710416110692015-10-11T11:32:00.000-07:002015-10-11T11:32:20.911-07:00Is it The Honey Monster ?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I can think of only a few words which can instill fear into a gardener, but one which causes a frisson whenever it raises its head is 'Honey fungus'. It's right up there with 'Japanese Knotweed' and 'Giant Hogweed'!<br />
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We have had a brush with Honey Fungus, twenty years ago, when a willow sickened and died of it, and as inexperienced gardeners, we feared that it would spread to all the other trees and shrubs and kill them off too. It didn't.<br />
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Since then the garden has been, to my knowledge, Honey Fungus free, but I fear that may have changed ...<br />
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Mushrooms and toadstools are magic, in that large clumps seem to appear instantly out of nowhere. A whiff of Autumn mist and there they are. One minute there is a sweep of green lawn and the next, knobbles of toadstools have popped up all over. So, yesterday morning there was, I swear, only one little clump of toadstools, sitting innocently on the grass. I showed my granddaughter and we got the magnifying glass and had a good look at them, and, dear reader, I was not afraid. This morning I found that the knobbles had multiplied throughout the night in a rather sinister way. When I looked at the pattern of the groupings I realised that they ran along the line of the roots of the dead weeping silver birch. Could it be the dreaded Honey Fungus?<br />
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I have posted about the slow demise of our weeping birch before. It was healthy two seasons ago, but last season, it was very sparsely foliated, and the leaves died and fell, very early in the season. This season it had very few leaves again, and they all shrivelled and died after a couple of months. The tree is clearly dying, and shows no inward signs of life when small branches are snapped.<br />
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It has been a lovely tree, elegantly casting dappled shade over the lawn, by the pond. It has remained small and well shaped, and those lovely weeping branches have meant that anyone walking by must walk through them. We have had picnics on tartan rugs underneath it, and hung lanterns from it to light our way up the garden. It has been part of our lives for twenty years or more.<br />
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The local birds have loved it, as the two main branches have provided ideal perches from which to survey the world. Usually these perches are home to two wood pigeons , but for a couple of weeks they have lost their place to a humungous heron, which has looked slightly incongruous balanced up there.<br />
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The heron has picked the pond clean of goldfish, which must have been easy pickings from that vantage point.<br />
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I have been researching Honey Fungus, and I won't bore you with the details, but essentially there are several different types, some of which are scarier than others. However, the management methods seem to be similar for them all, so time will tell which type is lurking down the garden, if any. In essence, there is little to be done, other than the immediate removal of the afflicted tree and roots of possible. I assumed that the toadstools themselves were the carriers of the Honey Fungus spores, but it seems that they are mainly indicators of their presence. They should still be gathered up and preferably burned. There are those who advocate stump grinding but opinions are divided, and the majority seem to suggest that it makes no real difference.<br />
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Honey Fungus affects trees and shrubs when they are stressed, and if healthy , they are capable of shrugging off the spores, but if stressed by disease or extremes of weather, they may succumb.<br />
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I am unsure whether our birch has Honey Fungus or not, as the real diagnosis lies in the thin white sheath, (Mycelium), which lies under the bark, and the 'bootlaces' (Rhizomorphs) around the roots. As we do not know yet what lies beneath, it is impossible to say with any certainty if we have Honey Fungus, or something much more benevolent. I welcome advice from any wise gardeners out there who have advice to share. I have tried to match my photos with various Google images, but it is fairly inconclusive. My feeling is that we proceed as if we have it, to be on the safe side.<br />
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So, we have organised to have the weeping birch felled, and hopefully this will happen next week<br />
It will be a sadness to see it go, but it is clearly beyond saving.<br />
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If we get a positive diagnosis, then we just have to hope that it will not spread to anything else in the garden, and I guess all we can do is to try to keep everything as healthy as we can, and to minimise stress in whatever way we can.<br />
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249587176933768298.post-92181542892214512532015-10-03T09:41:00.002-07:002015-10-04T03:29:40.686-07:00The Digging-est Dog ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Who scatters the newly planted wallflowers all over the lawn ? Who tramples down the newly emerged hostas in the spring ? It isn't garden pixies, or an errant child, but our gardening dog, Gus. Ever exuberant, ever youthful and ever irritating, Gus is always on hand to help rearrange the flowerbeds.<br />
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He is ten years old, at an age when most dogs have acquired a stately dignity, but he is still in full on puppy - mode. Rather than snoozing on the sofa, he is to be found pressing his nose against the window, crying to come out and join me in the borders.<br />
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His favourite garden job is digging and I have to say he is remarkably proficient. Undiscerning, but proficient. His favourite place to dig is in the greenhouse because it is warm and the digging is easy.<br />
He unplants my young tomato plants and I replant them. I build an enormous Gus-proof barrier to stop him getting in, and he bulldozes his way through it.<br />
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Gus isn't fussy where he digs though, it can be in the middle of the lawn, or the middle of a flowerbed.<br />
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He never digs through the winter, when, to be honest, it wouldn't be a problem, because he is too busy playing at snowploughs, turning into a snowdog or paddling in puddles.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep! That black splodge is him ! Making like a snowplough !</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">The urge to dig begins, for him in spring and coincides with the start of new growth, which , of course, causes maximum damage to tender emerging shoots.</span></div>
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When he is excited, which is pretty much constantly, it is never enough to wag his tail, like other sensible dogs do. No. his preferred way of demonstrating delight is to career round the whole garden in wild circles, cornering precariously, and trampling everything underfoot.<br />
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However, I rarely see his face when he is out in the garden, as, more often than not, all I can see is his big black tail and rear end, as his head is either buried in a hole he is digging, or squeezed under the gate to get a glimpse of any passing dogs.<br />
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If not digging, he can be found rolling, waving all four legs exuberantly in the air, as he wriggles enthusiastically on anything smelly and usually dead.<br />
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We spend a lot of time bathing him and experimenting with shampoos and conditioners to find one which will render him sweet - smelling!<br />
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Would I change him ? Never. Exasperating, over enthusiastic and clumsy perhaps, but the most fantastic companion, even if he does squash the flowers when he comes to sit next to me as I work.<br />
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Hoehoegrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00745640711509233722noreply@blogger.com60