Carol Mc

Climbers

Thank you for all your suggestions.  Really helpful website Swiss Sue - especially the fact they include annual climbers, which I had not considered.  Has to be a container as the shed I want to cover is a concrete one on the patio to the side of the house, so no soil available - also only receives morning sun.  The container is large - a half barrel - so I am also going to look at clematis montana and clematis tangutica - will also check the annuals.

All your help much appreciated.    Carol Mc

Climbers

Can anyone suggest an easy care flowering climber for a partially shady spot - to be grown in a container.  I have a rather bare concrete shed that I would like to cover - I would really like something fast growing and am a bit nervous about pruning - so something that needs little care would be ideal.  Any help would be appreciated.

Kaffir Lily

Thank you for that. It is a very large plant which I have had for about ten years.  I repotted it 2 years ago into a huge pot but the roots are quite literally coming over the edges again.  I will take your advice and wait until after flowering and take as many offsets as I can.  Such a beautiful plant, I would hate to loose it.  Once again, I appreciate your help.   

Kaffir Lily

I am the proud owner of a beautiful but rather big kaffir lily, which I have had since it was a 'baby'.  It now needs dividing and I am a bit nervous to do this.  Should I basically just take a spade to it and divide it that way or is there a better way to ensure it survives.  It is extremely healthy and produces lots of flowers.    This plant is an indoor one which I keep in my porch.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thank you.

Carol

Hedgehogs near extinction

Thank you so much for all the information.  We are quite excited about our wee visitor and are hoping he/she will stay.  We have made a small shelter with a mushroom box and put some hay in there too - very close to a great big mound of leaves. I like the idea of the plastic sheet - will do that. Tonight the menu consists of mealworms, raisins and sunflower seeds.  I will get some banana chips to add variety.  Will also get some hedgehog food,  Once again, thanks for the very helpful hints.  Will see now how we get on.

Hedgehogs near extinction

Just had our first visit from a hedgehog - and am carefully reading all your advice. We are novices here - so today my husband went and gathered leaves (as I had tidied up for the winter) to scatter around.  We now need to get some shelter for our visitor and some food,   Do not want to leave out cat food as I try to discourage cats -  I feed the birds and our neighbouring feline spends hours prowling in our garden. What else would you suggest to leave out for our wee friend.  We discovered our visitor last night eating sunflower hearts which I had scattered for the birds. He also seemed to enjoy mealworms.   What else can we do to help our  visitor survive this winter and remain in our garden.

leaf spot on escallonia

Thanks for that Jeff.  Will take your advice.  Such a lovely shrub but quite devastated by the leaf spot except for up high, which is still quite healthy.  Some sunshine might help also - not getting much of that here in Northern Ireland. 

Thank you again

leaf spot on escallonia

Hi all

Having problem with leaf spot on escallonia bush.  This is the second year with leaf spot.  It has affected the lower section of the bush.  The top half grows quite high into tree and is not affected at all.  Leaves dropping off and leavng the lower branches bare.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Magnolia

Had the same problem with my magnolia - planted in tub - leaves practically stripped bare. Got some great advice from forum and the problem seems to have been vine weevils.  Took advice and treated with Provada - my little magnolia is now filling out beautifully with very little damage. May work for you.

Problem with Magnolia

Will order Provado now and get treating as soon as possible.  Would hate to loose my wee magnolia now having waited so long for it to bloom.  Thank you again.

Climbers

Kaffir Lily

leaf spot on escallonia

Problem with Magnolia

feeding wild birds