gardengirl6

give and you will receive

If you are too shy to knock on neighbours doors, but want to do a plant swap, why not design a flyer and put it through people's doors?    Then the only ones to contact you will be those who are actually interested.

Verbena plants stripped

Yes, my bet would also be slugs or snails.   Any sign of their slimy trails?

North east facing wall

Clematis came immediately into my mind.

Betula ermanii slow to come into leaf this year

I am not sure I know any more about these than you do, but I do know that once something has been moved, it usually concentrates on settling its roots in before it bothers to put growth on top.    Your trees are making signs of new growth, even if only half-heartedly, so I don't think you have cause for worry.     Some plants just love to sulk if they are moved!

hanging baskets

Me too.   I cram in as many plants as possible, water every day, feed once a week.    I have four of them and one is in a position that gets a little sun and another gets no sun whatsoever.    I solved this problem by moving all my baskets around once per week.   This is easy, as it is when I take them down to feed them and to deadhead them.

Iris Confusa

I also got rid of my Iris Confusa, as it spreads and takes over quite qickly.    It has very pretty iris flowers, but rather small ones and they don't last long.

Drooping Lupins

I have a lupin which has just done the same thing.    A week ago I was admiring the 13+ flower spikes on it, and suddenly they all went like an upside-down U.   I put it down to the heavy rain and winds we have been having - although my husband pointed out that our neighbours lupins were not affected.    The plant is just coming into its third flowering season, and is planted into good soil.    I would love to know what is causing it.   Any ideas?

Help with identification please

Your first two pictures look as if the plant is a violet.    Your third plant has me foxed, I am afraid.    Are you sure this is the same plant?

Violets spread easily.    I have been battling with them the last two years, and am now getting close to having got rid of them.    You just need to put some hard work into continually taking them out before they smother everything.

WOOD PIGEON'S EATING LEAVES OFF MY TREE

I have given up on fruit trees due to wood pigeons.    I haven't seen them taking the blossom or leaves, but they strip the fruit off before it is even ripe!

Slugs

I couldn't agree more with Sotongeoff - pellets used approprately are the only answer!