blairs

Beware of Parkers Bulbs. .

NCFCcrazy wrote (see)

Oh, I feel silly, only placed 1 order with Van Meuwen and the plants were terrible, I didnt realise they were the same company as TM.  Just goes to show that 1 bad experience can do alot to damage a brand.

Most plants are grown in Norfolk then posted to us via Jersey! That is half the problem with plants turning up dried and dead.

Beware of Parkers Bulbs. .

NCFCcrazy wrote (see)

.. and dont get me started on Van Meuwen. 

Thompson and Morgan are probably the best in my experience

T&M and Van Meuwen are the same company, only the website and some prices are different...

Can daffodils drown?

Bulbs rarely do well in heavy soil and north facing is not going to help either. I have heavy soil and always add in grit and compost to keep the bulbs well drained. Part of the leaves only will be the poor light - they will be several weeks behind those in full sun, so there is hope. Not convinced they will do well in heavy soil that floods and in north facing situ long term.

To answer the question in general, bulbs like daffodils can survive flooding in winter but only for a few days.

Patio advice - replacing concrete

Am not the biggest fan of decking but it would be the easiest and cheapest option. Laying slabs or tiles might be difficult if it is not level or odd shaped. Decking covers a multitude of sins. Nice decking in a small area would not cost more than a few hindred pounds and would be a nice place to sit and walk out to.

Cherry tree.

Nothing on mine yet - I would not worry until mid-May as lots of plants are 2-4 weeks behind with the late frosts and poor weather.

Need help indentifing this plant/ shrub etc

You can trim it to make it tidy looking but removing Ivy can be a pain. it is actually very good for wildlife.

Advice on slug free plants

I find slugs will try anything, sometimes just to annoy you. kimrosefreak list is what I would say. Soil conditions is also important. Drier the soil the less slugs live their, wetter the soil the more slugs you find. My garden is on a slope and they rarely attack anything at the dry top and lots of slugs at the damp bottom. I do find vine weevil, thrips and caterpillars will damage as much as slugs, so a slug free garden is not damage free! 

worth buying primroses now?

Mine are just coming into flower - as perennials 50p is a good as they last for years. They are almost evergreen (depends on weather and soil) so can be used to edge borders, esp in shadier areas. Great if we get a mild spring next year. I have mine in a woodland part of my garden and can see them from my kitchen - good burst of colour when needed.

The very best variegated herbaceous n perennial plants....and do you like em?

It depends on plants if variegation works or not.

For impact variegated canna like Pretoria and Durban are unbeatable.

Variegated Azalea is great as is variegated Phormiums in all colours.

Fatsia spiders web is different but the variegata variety can look sick.

Variegated Palms looks ill to me - I prefer them totally green.

Wisteria never bloomed in 2nd yr

Good advise Terry - I shall also be trying that!

Agave Seed Germination

Not GWM getting advertised discount @ Crocus

tetrapanax papyrifer seed germination