Flowerchild

Identify Please ?

This looks like a Japanese Azalea to me. Lovely little shrub that should be planted in partial shade in a well-drained soil. If your soil is alkaline you should use ericacious compost as these thrive in acidic soils.

Robinia Tree problems...

Robinia 'Frisia' is known to be hardy, so frost damage doesn't seem very likely. Has the bark been damaged in any way? Or has some work been done near the tree? Has the tree ever been pruned? What kind of soil is it planted in?

When possible try uploading a picture, so we can have a look.

May In Your Garden

Afternoon all, this morning I had some very good news: I have the job, yay!!!!! So a very very big thank you to everyone who crossed their fingers - and some toes also   . I am starting this Wednesday so am over the moon. Initially I'll be working two days a week but I hope I can persuade them eventually to make that three.   

Finally it's getting warmer, phew. We've had some glorious days of warmth and sunshine with rain and thunderstorms at the end. I really love watching the lightning with all these serpentines in the sky. The plants are thriving and I noticed that our Albizia is starting to come into leaf. Unfortunately a climbing rose has been damaged severely but I haven't lost it completely so hopefully we will get some flowers.

Hi Lottie, hope you recovered well after food poisoning and chest infection. I've had it once and hopefully never again. Very tiring and painful.

Kate, that 's an aweful noise. Do you have to stay at home?

BTW, has anybody heard of Jo and Yvie?

May In Your Garden

Goodmorning all, woke up with some glorious sunshine and even though it's still quite windy I will be in the garden all day long. So a quick update.

@ Woo2, thanks for crossing your fingers too    

My job interview went very well and with a bit of luck I have the job!!!!!! I'll here something defenite today.

Yesterday I went to a GC that only sells annual bedding plants and I'm afraid I couldn't resist..... so along came Brachycome, Lobelia, Pelargonium, Helichrysum, Lofos, Agyranthemum, Nemesia, Felicia and of course trailing Verbena. I'm not sure these will be the last I buy    I'm afraid this is a "disease" that runs in the family 'cos my Mum bought even more than I did.  

May In Your Garden

Thanks Jo!!!   It's lovely to hear from you again. I hope you are feeling ok and that you're not doing too much; you still need a lot of TLC.

I'm going to peal the potatos now but I hope to "see" you tomorrow!?  

May In Your Garden

Kate - thanks, I'll look into that information.    The crossed fingers really help you know. Since everyone who offered started crossing them I've had four interviews whereas last year.......none.

May In Your Garden

Brrr, just went outside to try and do some gardening but it is just too cold. The garden will have to wait. We've had some nice weather yesterday so was able to cut the grass. The garden always looks so much better after that job, really satifying.

I had a job interview at a garden centre yesterday. It went very well but I will have to wait for their reply now so my nails will probably be gone by next week.

Kate, your origami flowers look smashing. Errr.......could you tell me how to make them?   I think my child in care - she's getting maried in July -  will adore them. I'm glad to hear that the sun was out at the wedding - are you going to be the bronze Venus now?

Poorly lilac tree

S Harrison, you don't have to apologize at all. We all have had to learn what we know and did so by asking questions. So, ask away. 

Personally I would remove some of the grass around the base of the stem as it is taking away nutrients and when the grass needs mowing the shrub could be damaged by the mower. Leave about 30 cm around  the stem free of grass - or more, which would be even better -  and then you can feed it. Keep this circle free of weeds as well. A liquid feed IMO will not be enough to save it. But of course other people might have a different opinion.

I'm sorry but I can't be helpful with uploading your picture. I still would very much like to see it.

Non flowering : Lilac - In a pot

Hi welsh dragon 45, there are couple of possibilities. First, Lilacs need a sunny position in order to flower well. Second, it could be getting too much nutrients which results in a lot of leafy growth and little flowers. Maybe it's planted in a well-fed lawn? Third, it may have been pruned in the wrong time of year. Lilacs do not need much pruning but when you do it it should be done after flowering.

Another thing with Lilacs is that it's not unusual that - after having flowered beautifully in the year it was planted - it doesn't flower for three to five years. I really hope that this year's flower is a sign fot the future so you can enjoy their wonderful scent.

Poorly lilac tree

Hmm, well it's a good sign that underneath the bark it's nice and green. I do think that the fruit tree is taking up most of the nutrients and water in the soil so a good feed and watering after flowering will be very welcome. Some bonemeal and compost will be fine. Make sure it doesn't touch the stem of the Lilac or fruit tree. Also water the tree in dry periods and mulch after watering to retain the moisture but make sure the soil never gets too wet; the soil should feel moist but not soaking wet.  

Some of the tiny buds might still open after you have fed and watered the Lilac but it's also likely that a number of them have been caught by late frost. Hopefully more leaves will develop.

Pruning out dead branches is never wrong and I'd recommend that you keep removing the suckers. I would also remove the flowers after flowering. This way the energy will go to forming new flower heads for next year. Good luck and please let me know if it's picking up or not.