curlyone

pruning lavender

I've done this a couple of times and I have really cut in to the old wood (I didn't like doing it but it was a case of make or break).  Both times the lavender recovered with no problems

What is this....

I'd agree alliums, I have them in my garden.

Bee spotting

The sun was out all day here yesterday (Cambridge).  Bee's everywhere

Advice

This year instead of using the same old, same old I bought a small bag of miracle grow seed and potting compost and I have to say it was brilliant, my seedlings are very strong and have really good roots on them.

One draw back is that the compost is very dark and it's not always obvious if they need watering or not.

The seedlings haven't bolted either it's as if all their energy has gone in to growing a good root system - I'll be buying another bag next year!

Bee spotting

No not yet, and usually at this time of year my pulmonaria's are smothered with the smallest cutest bees ever (well they are to me!), but so far the flowers are going to waste

On that note I have a question which I don't know if anyone can help with - I have a 'bee hotel' fixed on a fence which the leaf cutter bees use every year, however I need to move it as it is no longer sheltered - Does anyone have any idea when it would be a good time to do this?  I never see the bees emerge, only notice when the leaf cutter bee is stuffing the holes with leaves!

Buying Plug Plants

I've just received the 72 perenials for £18.oo from Thompson and Morgan.  You were supposed to get 6 plants from named varieties, but when they arrived there were 3 varieties missing and 12 plants had been sent of another plant instead.  I phoned Thompson and Morgan who are going to send me the missing varieties, so I'm going to receive another 18 plants.

The plants received were very healthy and well packaged, mindyou potting on 72 plants was a bit of a nightmare, had to do them in the kitchen due to this weather!

But 100 plug plants of very healthy perenials for £18.00 - bargain!

Beware of Parkers Bulbs. .

Crocus - I once purchased a Hebe from Crocus, when it arrived it was covered in black spots and was incredibly root bound.  I promptly took photos and emailed them to Crocus and was immediately offered another plant or my money back.

I took the money (but must admit planted the Hebe which totally recovered! ).

I have always had quality plants from Crocus, same with Thompson & Morgan (except they never deliver by the time they say they will).  As for Parkers I am not impressed with the packaging of their plants but have to say the ones that survive are good plants.  I think you get what you pay for.

Fairy Ring

Gary I have fairy rings in my garden, and a fungus grew like a white plastic across the surface depriving the grass of water and subsequently killing it.  It got so bad that we contacted a grass maintenance company who came in and aerated the lawn and applied a fungicide and a wetting agent.  This has helped but the company told us that this will only push it back and not kill it.  I am keeping these areas aerated and wet but the toadstools do still keep coming.  You can not buy the fungicide they use it's only for industrial use

Apparently the only way to get rid is to literally dig it up, I read somewhere 2 feet deep and 2 foot either side of the ring and dispose of the soil but when they are as large as the ones in my garden this is not realistically possible.

My lawn is a lot better at the moment (called the company in March) but I'm going to have to keep a close eye on it.

WHAT PLANT

I don't know it's name I'm afraid but I pull these out as a weed.

Rose Cuttings Question

I only took the cuttings about 6 weeks ago which is why I was stunned to see the new leaves growing so quickly!  I just wanted to check that if the new leaves die back over winter that all is not lost.  I have no idea what to expect not having any experience with roses - I thought they would stay as "sticks" and then next year start to grow new leaves not after 6 weeks!

Rose Cuttings Question

Hebe Question

Rambling Rose Question

Help Identifying self seeded plant