Berkley

Latest posts by Berkley

11 to 20 of 72

Ideas appreciated for shrubs to create structure in my new garden

Posted: 27/04/2013 at 18:46

The amount of interesting information given on this site is incredible! This wasn't my question - but the answers are fantastic. Lots of things to ask Mr Google about!

Can I tame a monster rhododendron?

Posted: 22/04/2013 at 16:26

Thank you for your reply, Gold1locks. It has given me confidence to be really drastic. (There isn't any other way, really! I will post before and after photos. It's going to be a big job, but I can't wait for the space it will leave me for new plants. I'm going to try and leave some growth which will hopefully grow to create a manageable barrier.

Can I tame a monster rhododendron?

Posted: 21/04/2013 at 22:08

Two very large Rhodos (approx 10feet tall, eight feet wide and four feet deep) are a very important privacy provider. They are in front of a west-facing fence but are leaning out more every year and spoiling everything I plant in front of them. Ideally, I would like to reduce their height by a third and their depth by about the same. They flower sparsely but grow like weeds here in Dorset! Advice would be much appreciated.

Japanese anemone problem

Posted: 08/04/2013 at 12:40

I know the recent weather will have caused all sortes of problems but am particularly concerned about my lovely Japanese anemones. There are obviously signs of fresh green shoots - but what is the reason for the silvery, brown appearance of many of the stems and leaves. Do I need to treat them - or just remove them?

Pieris problem

Posted: 05/04/2013 at 21:08

If your plant is in a position where frost can get at it AND early morning sun the next day it will show symptoms like the one you describe. Can you throw a piece of fleece over it and then, when it gets a bit milder, give it an ericaceous feed.

Foxglove illumination pink

Posted: 26/03/2013 at 12:54

I ordered mine from Thomson and Morgan last August. They should have arrived in Sept (they took the money of course) and am hoping they will arrive in April. Like you, I think they're going to be very good.

Sunflowers

Posted: 25/03/2013 at 16:09

I can't believe I'm asking this question! I feel quite ashamed! Everybody else seems to succeed...but I can't grow sunflowers! I don't want six feet high things - just lots of the shorter versions (e.g. Italian White) popping up in various parts of the garden. I sow them lovingly in individual pots. Sometimes they germinate, sometimes they don't - and those that do are never very good. Am I perhaps over-coddling them? How do other people get such lovely displays?