quercus_rubur

dandelions

There's a thought .. a tortoise! 

The jungle in my garden needs to go.

Don't Wintersong, I have budding none-gardeners next to me and I recently cut down a 6ft branch of bramble as far as my loppers would reach over the hedge. I have nightmares about their garden reaching that state

I already asked the council if I could turn the strip between us into an insect-friendly plot. They said as it was council land and as my neighbours are council tennants it was their responsibility. 

Anyway, after that response last year I stopped mowing it, but the dandelions etc. are driving me nuts so yet again I'll start mowing it unless they do. Oooh I just saw a pig flying past!

Evergreen Clematis

Nutcutlet, I'm taking you at your word . My armandii seems to have disappeared this year - it's 2nd year. I'll keep my fingers crossed it will rise from the ashes!

Evergreen Clematis

Cirrhosa Freckles is evergreen and can flower from Autumn through to Spring

Idea's and suggestios for my front garden please

Rebecca, yes it does sound like it’s north facing, though if it’s like mine, the bottom of the garden – where your fence is – will be more south facing so will get some sun?

I’d agree with Fairygirl about Amelanchier lamarkii. If ever the question of small trees comes up on Gardeners Question Time this is always recommended. And with Wonderboy about checking out the neighbourhood plants and the less is more point.

I’d also add Virbunum bodnantes (Dawn, Deben or Charles Lamont). They all flower from Autumn through to Spring. Lamont doesn’t have the fragrance of the others but throughout the last 2 dire winters we’ve had, mine has flowered cheerily through snow, ice, wet and wind. Can be pruned to suit

Cotinus coggrygria Grace would be my third choice. On a sunny day its translucent leaves stand out like a beacon. Can also be pruned to suit.

I don’t normally like roses but one I have is Rosa glauca. It has lovely glaucus leaves and small delicate pink flowers. It also has rosehips in Autumn which the birds love. It grows like a small tree if left un-pruned

Liquidambar tree

Yes everything's late. How lucky you are Clancy to have a garden big enough to grow this. It's one of my favourite trees

Leaving tulips in the ground

That might explain mine Punkdoc. Though I'm in the UK, it's a south facing border with very good drainage

Idea's and suggestios for my front garden please

Could we have a little more information please Rebecca? What aspect is it (N-S-E-W facing)? What type of soil have you got (Acid, alkiline, neutral)? 

Make sure before you buy any tree or bush that you check what it's final size is going to be. This is where Latin names come into their own! Cherry trees for example vary enormously in height and width. I have a neighbour who at some point in the past obvioulsy went along to a garden centre and saw a few nice little trees. They now vary between 15 feet and 30 feet (height and width), nothing else grows and they block out the sun from surrounding neighbours gardens.

Rather than a hedge - which you have to maintain a couple of times a year, why not grow a few small trees, or shrubs along the fence? This will also give you privacy and a mixutre will do more to attract wildlife. 

Leaving tulips in the ground

I too have mine planted deeply and don't lift them - life's too short to be lifting Tulips every year.

I have several varieties in my front garden and most of them come back year on year. I add chicken manure in early spring and potash after they've flowered. My favourite is Queen of the Night. While many plants collapse in wind and rain this one never does

Bind weed

I agree with Verdun. I once had a garden full of it and digging it out was the worst thing to do. After 5 years of it increasing triffid-like, I sprayed it with glyphosate. The 2nd year as soon as I saw a shoot I painted it with Glyphosate Gel, and in subsequent years each time I saw a shoot. 

It's a long job but eventually it went.

Cloud pruning anyone?

Hello I'm a Lily Beetle, come and get me!

My Corkscrew Hazel - Thanks

Gardening as part of the National Curriculum

Dilemma - Corkscrew Hazel

Speed gardening

Hampton Court Palace Show

Calling Mrs P - or anyone who can grow Verbena bonariensis from seed

I have my first courgette!

Push mowers