Flowerchild

Diseased garrya eliptica

http://www.bioimages.org.uk/html/p7/p79871.php                                                              

Is this what the leaves are looking like, Pinkrose? Then yes, as you can see in the link it's weather damage. It does look like it's going to die but as soon as temperatures start going up again and the freezing winds stop, your Garrya will produce new leaves. I live in the Netherlands and even though I was told this shrub wouldn't survive our freezing cold wind, I was stubborn and bought one anyway. It survived for many years and only moving house did it in. Garrya's like the same spot as Camellia's. Mine was planted facing north but was also protected from easterly winds by the house.

Tiny black flies

@Huntertony, a Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea muscipula) will not catch those tiny flies, they're too light in weight for a V. F. Trap. We used a subtropical sundew ( mentioned above).  http://www.growsundews.com/sundews/Drosera_capensis.html   Hope this helps.

Fork Handles

Morning all,

Hope everyone's ok. Have a nice Valentine's Day all. Don't think we'll be enjoying it for long 'cos we seem to be getting "some" snow here. But after that, Summer is on it's way yaaaayyyyy.

Tiny black flies

We used to have those too. And fruitflies. I was fed up with them and bought some carnivorous plants. A small sundew does the trick - we have Drosera capensis 'Albino' and its thrived for us. It fed itself with the flies and all we had to do was give it a spot on a south-west facing windowsill and make sure there's always some rainwater in the container. It had more than 20 flower stalks at least so must be loving it here.

Plants between concrete path and wall

Considering this is quite a dark, narrow strip along a walled area I think a combination of Asarum europaeum (evergreen and low-growing), Polystichum setiferum (evergreen), Geranium, Hosta, Helleborus niger would look lovely. Epimediums would be a possibility and also Campanula ( the small varieties). I would also consider putting in a climber; there are some lovely Clematis' that do well in shady conditions. Another thing I always like very much is using bulbs like Cyclamen coum, Corydalis, Fritillaria meleagris, Galanthus and Scilla. This way you'll have something to look at all year round.    

Fork Handles

Thought I'd give my advise in another thread  and say hi.

Geoff, happy with the new photos? Did Mrs.G. like them as well? Spain would not be my choice, too hot. I'd melt away there. 

Lottie, glad you can drive home now!

Snowdrops are showing here as well. Yay, Spring is in the air

Oh, is that the time, signing off again. Have a nice evening all

Fork Handles

Afternoon everyone, would you believe it's now 20 C warmer here than it was last week??? Seriously, it's +12 C today! But it's also dark and raining all day long. Not very friendly weather at all.

Computers can be v.e.r.y. slow at times and always at the wrong time too. Am no whiz, but I'm lucky that my Brother can fix  it for me

Jo, the workmen did deburr (had to look that up) the pipes, didn't they? Otherwise that could cause the whistling noise too. I'd be furious if it happened here.

Long, thin, narrow strip to plant up...

Yes, I also agree that border needs to be widened. Personally I'd be inclined to cut into the grass too by removing 2 strips of turf of about 80 x 200 cm , with an interval of about 350 cm which would make the shape more attractive to the eye IMO. This would give you some more room for (larger) shrubs and plants and maybe even a small tree?The photo shows what I mean, the brick paving would be your lawn.

 I would advise you to draw the border at scale. Then, draw the evergreens so you'll be able to see what's visible all year round and how much space you've left for other planting.

Instead of using trellis only you could consider training a shrub to cover a part of the fence (I'd recommend Garrya elliptica) and repeat that once or twice.

There are lots of sites where you can find photos of borders (Google) and of course lots of info at the library to give you ideas...

A lovely project, Wildcosmos, and I wish you lots of succes. Please, would you be so kind and show us the result? And if you need more advice you know where to find us.

Fork Handles

Just popping in to say hi to all the forkers here. Busy day cleaning, but sun is out and not so cold as yesterday.                                                                                            Inka, you're getting a pat on the back from me. That's some  effort!!  

Signing off  now, have to get back to bathroom.

Guess the little tree

This is a photo of Cotoneaster dammeri  'Coral Beauty'. Flowers in May, is evergreen up to -25 C and is normally used as a groundcover. Can grow up to 2 ft.

I really think this is the one you are looking for.