lilwead

Talkback: Goldfinches

We have about 20 descend on our feeders, just as they fledge. They balance on any available perch, including the washing line, just to squabble over who gets first eats! I love watching them. It all started about 4 yrs ago with one pair, and it's gone crazy since. Even the cats steer clear, as they will turn on any cat as a group....visions of Hitchcocks 'The Birds'.....! We saw a tabby, running for it's life, with about 8 battering at it's face, obviously it had caught one. Never did find out the outcome of that sad little battle.

What plant is this please

There is a variety called Verbena Rigida that doesn't get as tall as Bonariensis, that one of the DIY chains sells. In every other aspect it is the same as Bonariensis, just not as tall.

Guess the plant name..

Euphorbia Mellifera or Honey Spurge...there is an enormous one growing in the Gardens of Heligan, in a little courtyard garden. When it's in flower it has the most fantastic honey smell and bees absolutely adore it. I have one on the corner of my garden, after searching for it for ages, and it can be a bit of a thug! All I'd ever read about it was that it was a little tender....NOT in my garden in Plymouth...it has to be chopped back regularly! Roots easily from pieces pulled from the base, or layered. Seems like it needs a corner where it can do its own thing, to flower at its best. Be careful though, like all spurges/euphorbia, it has a milky sap than can cause irritation. Wouldn't be without my lovable thug though!

Pot bound Acer Dissectum 'Viridis'

thanks all. I have several of varying sizes, which are (nearly) all in the ground now. It's just, with this being the biggest, and my first one, I want to give it the best chance. It has the most glorious colours in autumn...and the blue tits & goldfinches love it. My 2 cats both pretend to be stuck up it as well, just so I can 'rescue' them...bit silly really as the bigger cat is so big all she has to do is drop her back legs and she's on the top of the pot! I might wait til the autumn, as the soil will still be warm then to let the roots start finding their way out before winter 'shutdown'.

Pot bound Acer Dissectum 'Viridis'

Is it better to move my lovely Acer to a suitably prepared planting hole now, or wait until the autumn? It's looking great at the moment, but I feel it will do better in the ground. I'm not going anywhere on holiday so am aable to keep on top of watering and feeding. I just want to give it a bit of 'legroom'.

Blossom Trees

What about 'Columnar' Fruit trees? They are pretty slender...like the old fashioned 'Ballerina' fruit trees.

Blossom Trees

B&Q sells it, but if you want several, best to go to a Nursery where you can get them al the same size.

Blossom Trees

Not sure, but it sounds a bit like a Flagpole Cherry...they tend to be more slender and upright than most flowering cherries.

Is summer on its way?

I took the elderly mother and sister out for a drive yesterday, and was 'swooped' as I drove along a country lane near St. Austell by one of my favourite birds...yes, a swallow! Can't wait for the good weather to follow....please?!

Blossom Trees

Watch out for suckering on sumach, they can be a bit of a beggar for it !  Take a look at the wiki link for it:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhus_typhina

Pot bound Acer Dissectum 'Viridis'

3foot high maple. 

Is summer on its way?

Bizzie/Busy Lizzies!

Bedding plant