Janet 4

Moved house last year. Need help ID'ing some plants please

1) could be a number of shrubs or even just a hedging plant. 2) could be an azalea, very small rhodendron or a Weigelia. If it is flowering now, it might be one of the first 2. 3) could be a camellia  4) could be a virbunum Can go mad. Very high 5) could be an escallonia. 6) could be a weed or anything. 7) A Hypericum (?) 8) Virbunum or Weigelia 9) YesMuddyFork Golden Rod 10) Marguerite and 11) What a beautiful Hawthorn. The birds will love this to fly in and out of for protection.

Hope these guesses are correct, but eally need to see them, and wait for any flowers to be sure.

Next seasons invasive plant.

I bought a lovely lime flowering Euphorbia, which looked spectacular beside a purple Acer. After 2 years it had spread profusely in the garden. Still a good contrast. But it made me wonder will this be one of the next invasive plants that we will be trying to eradicate in years to come. What plant do you think will be added to this list?

Talkback: Growing camellias

I inherited a pink one in the front garden with the house. I lightly prune it straight after it has flowered, to keep a nice shape, and to stop it taking over. I throw some compost under it around autumn time, or when doing that section of garden, and I do water it if again watering the front garden. It is cushioned between the house and a fence, so must be protected. This year it seemed to flower twice! Having had a GOOD show of flowers as per normal, when pruning, I found buds about to open! In Tiverton it is attacked by wind, gales and even snow, and survives. Early sun, going over to shade in the mid day. Doesn't get pampered, just loved!

shrubs

I love the Berberis shrubs. All colours from Purples to splodged pinks and purples. Has the flowers in the spring and the berries in the autumn for the birds. The light prunings can be scattered on the top of the garden to stop cats using the soil as a toilet. Lots of uses!

Front Garden

Phormium Tenax. Various colours and heights available. Heucheras, my all time favourites, so many colours/shades appearing now. Could be inerspersed with all sorts of all the year round bulbs . Try a colour scheme, say purple and silver plants whatever you like. So many plants, never enough garden space. Silver Birch in the middle of that grass patch?

clean garden

I only tidy what is absolutely necessary. At the end of my 100' garden I leave the lavender hedge, meadowsweet, fennel & aster seeds for the birds to enjoy. I have been rewarded watching the Blue Tits & sparrows looking for insects and bugs.  Leaving plants to show winter structure it protects a lot of the perennials and grasses, that are only now in full growth.

clean garden

Left grey overcast Devon behind and in sunny West Sussex. Horsham was lovely today, but it got very cold in the evening. Always degrees warmer and more sunnier here!

Plant Identification help please

  Weed for one, an herbal remedy for another!   I am very angry with myself, as I should know the name of the first one. Comes out early spring, as it was once used as an early cough remedy. That and carving out a suede I sem to remember doing over 30 years ago when the children were young! The second one is Borage. The leaves are rather prickly and rough, but the bees love it. Borage and Comfrey are very similar. Both excellent for the bees, and for adding to recycling bins. Comfrey you can make liquid compost from, but Monty Don says it stinks!

So annoying or not!!

 Ah! I cheat then. The perennial weeds go in the council compost wheelie bin. Heat...sun  No we don't get them here, unless it is when I am at work in the middle of a warehouse taking calls all day long. I don't see the outside world then. Bang on retirement, only another 5 years!

So annoying or not!!

I had 2 compost bins then a work colleague gave me another bigger one. Oh how I save every veg and fruit scrap, used tissues and a bit of cardboard to make sure I keep these bins well supplied.The weed we clear from the pond is also put in them as well. I have even started buying a box of veg from my local farm store to eat healthily, but also to put any left overs on the heap .I cannot get enough compost and still have to buy bags of it, as well as the horse manure from another work colleague. Yes it has made a big difference. Also I have started planting higher plants, and not just the low, ground cover ones as when I first started. Be bold and go for it!

Next seasons invasive plant.