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My usually 'true blue' hydrangeas have been a disappointment this summer. Yes they have flowered superbly, but not in the colour I wanted! The colour coordinated borders have always enjoyed a wonderful blue contribution from these well established

in particular diving in and out of soil beneath my feet as I fork over flowerbeds.January is the time I like to put up the bird nest boxes, or clean out old ones that were used last spring. I've already noticed a few blue tits around, exploring existing nesting

dove: 3Robin: 1Blue tit: 1House sparrow: 8Great tit: 1Starling: 21Woodpigeon: 3This is the second year that the starling has come out at No.1 in my garden, but what about the rest of the country? From the RSPB's results last year the house sparrow

as blooms had faded, I would have missed out on the delightful swelling seed heads.The variety 'Back in Black' is a deep blue agapanthus with striking black stalks, and each seed pod develops a dark mottling, too. They look wonderful in my autumn displays

the day either, as temperatures struggle to get above zero!Feeders are replenished with seed and nuts as levels drop, ensuring there is a good supply of these 'high energy' feeds for the many blue tits, great tits, sparrows and starlings actively pecking

eye at a local plant centre, its spoon-shaped petals infused with steely blue crying out for closer inspection. Three plants were soon at home in a large terracotta pot, positioned in a hot spot on my patio. Since June they've bloomed non

the right plant for the right place can be a difficult task, and the reality is that often the site we have is far from ideal.Take the left-hand border in my garden. A beautiful silver birch sits close to the boundary fence, but at about 10m or more

the chicks flown the nest, or had a predator struck?Last week, while inspecting my standard roses for signs of pests I was amazed to come face-to-face with another nest perched in the thorny head of the bush. It contained three small speckled blue eggs. I

to time. There's a flash of yellow around April when a brimstone flitters quickly by. Then I'll see the occasional holly blue or orange tip, plus some cabbage white butterflies. Even they've been visiting less frequently.The wet weather must have played

hyacinth produces a mini forest of stems, each carrying a small head of flower. It comes in blue, pink and white, and I'm hoping that a single bulb per pot will produce a really good display.