HOLEDIGGER

Heucheras

Heucheras --- my favourite plant.
I started growing these quite colourful plants a few years ago,
I found them easy to grow, the lighter colour ones seem to do better in semi-shade, the darker, manage some sun, if small, start them off in a pot in shade, keep moist, not to wet, as they start to grow,feed them with a general fertilizer, the flowers are loved by Bees, watch out for the Vine Weevil grubs,these dreadful insects can cause such fatalities , they eat the roots,the results dont always show for some time,i usually use Vine Weevil earth soak, The plants can take some time to take off, so easy does it.
Another thing to know, they are very easy to propagate . so try and enjoy.

Bug house

Wow! sit, watch and enjoy, i dont have leaf-cutter bees [i wish] but what i do have are bumble bees,that have made their home via a hole by the side of my fish pond,wonderful to see the pathway they make,through plants, quite a few bees are back and fore with what looks like pollen, amazing, oh! how i wish it would stop raining,so i can sit and watch.

Talkback: How to take rose cuttings

In answer to ReillyMarie question about black spot on roses,this problem requires hygiene ----pick up any fallen leaves- --these don't get put on compost heap----bin or burn. take any diseased leaves off the plant,and destroy these as well. it may seem drastic, but this disease is spread from plant to plant so wash hand,and any tool used. keep looking, and keep ground clean,as it stays in the ground for a long time.

Identification

It certainly looks like one of the Clematis Montana's,if there is a slight perfume it may be Montana Elizabeth,but which ever one it is, it can be kept in check by pruning after flowering, just enough to keep it within your limits,.........enjoy!

problem solving

I have a large amount of Daffodils and Tulips, at planting time, those that don't get put into the garden, get put into large plastic pots, I can then put them into displays where shrubs etc grow, when display finished take them out after of course, dead heading and feeding,and put them to one side,so they can still be fed when leaves turn brown clean things up and put them away eg shed,garage til next time,

Lily Beatle

Well it is the 28th March, and guess what! have seen my first Lily beatle of the year, sad to say bet it wont be the last, So folks be warned! they are out and about. So get ready to put your foot down hard.

Hefty buddleia and small rose bush

To move a rose bush it is best done before much growth has started, Decide where you are going to move it to, prepare the hole,make sure it is a good size ,loosen soil in bottom, sprinkle food and make sure soil is damp, This time of year prune, making sure you cut in a slope from a bud facing the way you want the flower to appear,water well, and make sure to take as much soil as you can,firm in well ,making sure that the graft [bulge in lower stem] is just above ground level, water and stand back to enjoy

Hefty buddleia and small rose bush

You should be able to prune it down to 2ft, with no problems, feed and wait.

Hefty buddleia and small rose bush

Buddlea need a spring chop right about now, they respond very well, but if you find this becomes to much, how about trying the BUZZ range of Buddlea,these grow 2-3ft in 3-4colours eg.cream,blue, lilac and red, they flower well, and the butterflies swarm,what for me makes them better, the insects are at my level,and the detail is fantastic.

Talkback: How to plant hyacinth bulbs

I normally dig a deep hole,sprinkle some grit [bulbs don't like to sit in the damp].because the Hyacinth bulbs have flowered, they may not flower next year,they will need feeding, The leaves and stem must stay intact,these will help to carry food back to the bulb also apply a feed to the area, take care, the sap or liquid from leaves and stem may cause skin soreness.

Apple Tree

Lily Beatle

Orange slender beatles