AliP

Underplanting silver birch

I'll just list a few plant ideas, maybe nice to add in some bulbs too:

English bluebells, Snowdrops, Cyclamen, Liriope muscari, Lamium, Bergenia, Tellima, Wood anemone's, Pachysandra terminalis

Have a look at them and then see what combination you like. Good luck.  www.alisonpike.com/blog/

Fragrant climber

Trachelospermum jasminoides gorgeous scent from little white flowers. Would need to be in fairly sheltered spot but a sunny wall sounds perfect.  It's evergreen too. www.alisonpike.com/blog/

Making Bird Nest Boxes from Recycled Materials.

This is a great idea and I will definitely be having a go.  Do you mind if I share the idea on my blog www.alisonpike.com/blog/ , I'll take some pics of my attempts! Thanks

Wood chip

I would probably say just go for a thick layer of bark as this will massively reduce the number of weeds by itself and in my experience beds with membranes can become a real pain as the plants mature especially if you're planting perennials. Also its good to be able to get to the soil if you want to add fertilisers, compost, etc or as Emma said sow annuals or anything like that. Good luck with what you decide! www.alisonpike.com/blog/

Blueberries

Blairs would be interested to know the varieties you don't prune as I didn't realise this. Thanks. www.alisonpike.com/blog/

Beat The Drought

<span id="sample-permalink">If anyone is interested I wrote a post on my blog about how to deal with the water shortages us gardeners are increasingly having to cope with. Best ways to water, grey water, water storage, etc. http://www.alisonpike.com/blog/?p=414

Blueberries

To get the best fruit production yes.  Blueberries fruit on the previous years growth and you prune them when they are dormant Nov-Mar.

They don't need much in the first 2-3 years just try to keep the bush open centred and remove any crossing branches.

Subsequent years:
- cut out any dead, dying, diseased, crossing growth
- cut one or two of the oldest canes down to the ground
This way you keep a constant renewal of young growth alongside the fruiting canes. Hope that helps.     www.alisonpike.com/blog

Talkback: How to prune buddleja

Any plant than can grow out of mortar halfway up a wall is as tough as old boots! www.alisonpike.com/blog/

rental garden

I know you say you have already decided but would it be better to grow veg in the borders and flowers in the pots. You can then take them with you when you move and as you will be harvesting the veg there will be nothing lost there either.  Just a thought.  www.alisonpike.com/blog/

Bind weed

Are you organic or not is probably the main factor, roundup or similar systemic weedkill will certainly weaken it and with regular applications when you see more coming will go a long way to getting rid of it.  If you're organic then just keep picking out those roots and definitely don't use a rotavator else you will have 100's more little roots that will all start shooting leaves! Hope that helps. www.alisonpike.com/blog/

Mysterious unknown plants

Tulipa 'Spring Green'

Heuchera's

Coral Spot

Snowdrops and bees

Snowdrops