WHAT JOBS ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2017

@Verdun - do you mean scree as an alternative to membrane or to use scattered amongst the rocks? Or both even?

Very little achieved today. A bit of deadheading and yanking out of some annuals that were looking very tatty. Planted another Fuchsia impulse buy into a pot to over winter in and a hardy Geranium impulse buy into another pot. I love Fuchsias and hardy Geraniums . I noticed my large Fleabane, which I moved to one of the baths out front isn't looking too happy. I thought it was due to my negligence in watering, but having now given it regular drinks and two feeds its not recovering. I'm guessing it doesn't like being out the front. Will move it back onto patio. Should I cut it right back before moving?

I had a look at rock garden images earlier. There are hundreds to look at . Just confuses the issue even more.

 

Morning everyone
Another scorcher today . ....isnt this hot sunny weather boring? :rasp:

Luciusmaximus, difficult to imagine exactly your plot or what you really want but a scree could mean a generous layer of gravel, small stones and the occasional larger ones so not a rockery at all.
Re hardy geraniums check out these two......geranium Black Beauty, a neat mound of purple black foliage topped with the best gentian blue flowers. I would post a picture but the flowers have gone over now but from early spring a delight. The other is Elke. Unlike any other geranium.

 

Beautiful weekend for me. Tons of grass to cut. Weeds to pull. Trimming to be done. Clean fountains. Have a cold. and still a little lagged from my trip. So taking my time. Husband taking is new baby to a show. So have me to myself.

 

Today I cleared a bit more of what is going to be my kiddie corner.



I tried to dig this area out back when it was the footings of the old shed. I failed spectacularly. This time there will only by surface soil to remove and then I will be down to the membrane. There are still one or two of the really big rocks left to move. They are so heavy I have no idea how I am going to move them.

On a different note, I discovered this,



The holly bush I moved and killed is showing signs of new growth.



It's nice to know I haven't killed it completely. The bad news is now I don't like it where it is.



G.

 

Well, decide where you want it and move it in late September at the earliest. Cut back to those new shoots Gary

 

I moved it first time because it was being swamped by the sumach. It's now at the front where the plants are a bit isolated. They are also hidden from the house by the parked cars. This is an area of garden I will have to think about at a later date. If I employ the gateway arch idea, (my wife likes that idea) I may have to tie the two half beds together.

@Verdun you did give me an idea though. I currently have this,



I intend to remove the yellow bush on the right and replace it with a honeysuckle to cover the end of the shed. The 2 box hedges are only there because I couldn't put them where I had initially planned. They are evergreen which is nice but add nothing to the garden. The one on the end masks the water butt a little but not entirely.

These are my initial thoughts. Take out these bushes. Buy a smaller butt and move it behind the far shed out of the way. Stick the holly bush in the middle of this bed. Create some winter interest. This is the part of the garden most easily seen from the house. On cold winter days it would be nice to have something to see. I was thinking of something like a winter jasmine growing up the far corner where the butt is now. I. Have a feeling that winter jasmine loses its leaves. Would this look drab in summer. Spring bulbs in the bed and other plants that I haven't yet had time to process.

A project for next year I think. Well! I wouldn't want to get bored.



G.

 

I'm not keen on ornamental grasses but perhaps anemanthele lessonian might work there. Maybe with a few low clumping summer plants in between.

G.

 

I googled the Geraniums. Lovely . Will have to get some.

I took a picture of the side garden but couldn't upload it on here - something about low memory . Hubby knows how to fix it, so I'll ask him later. I've realised that without very large rocks ( which I don't have ) I can't create the look I tentatively had in mind. I like the idea of using a scree and maybe some slate chips too.

I spent 4 hours yesterday digging another new bed in the front garden. I noticed a few days back that a young Geranium plant has sprung up under the Pieris, so I decided this was the place for the new bed. I think its most likely a purple Geranium as there are 2 mature plants in the front garden. So far I have added another blue Geranium and will buy something else today. I did have a cutting from ' Wargrave ' that I took from a friend's plant, which I had planned to use but I snapped the root in half digging it out of the pot it was in . So annoyed as it had done well in the pot and was popular with Bees and Butterflies. Is there any chance it will recover with the main root being damaged?

 

@luciusmaximus I have some rocks going spare. It's a shame you live so far away.







G.

 

@Jack Sparrow

Yes, what a shame. I could make good use of your rocks. I already have some but there isn't enough. Hoping to get more via Freecycle.

 

Already been out on to the neighbouring scrub and cleared the ash and sycamore seedlings from the fence, same for the bindweed, brambles and Old Man's Beard; arms scratched head stinging from nettles. Next string up dried onions in garage, then brush off decking and treat with non-slip coating, just waiting for the sun to get on it. Go over brassicas and remove caterpillars. Treat shed if time permits.

 

H

I decided to have a go at wallpapering today. Naturally, I made a right mess. I also managed to smash one of the new spotlights. That's what you get for trying to be helpful. I've had to stop because I have work for the rest of the day.



At least it is only lining paper. Therefore all the dirty finger marks will be painted over. I wouldn't want to be hanging proper paper just yet.

G

 

Hmm. I seem to have quoted myself. Oh well.

G.