Mr Grinch's Garden

Weather Watch
Was sunny this morning, now heavy showers are back. A bit windy but not as bad as yesterday.
Grinch Garden Watch
The garden is now not underwater with only the left right hand site retaining a little bit of standing water. The lawn still squellchy. Ive got a bit of a bind weed problem in the south west facing border, mainly around the Viburnam. Over the years, ive tried digging it out, pulling it when it gets bigger but all has failed. The root of some has rapped around the roots of the pernenial's so digging it out would be impossible so i sprayed with weed killer this AM, trying to be careful. I even got a cotton bud to wipe it on. Hopefully this will kill the root.

G

 

The borders on the whole are not higher than the walk ways. The only bit that maybe a wee bit lower are the stepping stones that have sunk after years of walking on them. The stepping stones are going when the path's are laid so hopefully no more water when it hammers down.
Next doors garden is still under water and mines relativly ok. Wierd

 

Really appreciate your words. Means a lot. Sometimes i feel my designs fall on deaf ears at home

 

Weather Watch
Suprise suprise its raining ! Miserable day.

Grinch Garden Watch
The next batch of 15 slabs arrived today. All stored now awaiting the next phase. Thats when the weather brightens up of course.

G

 

So wet so VERY wet. Raining all day without a break. Garden flooded again !!!
All this wet time has got me thinking about the plants i want in my new mini border which is the bit on the left at the bottom, next to the path that leads to the bottom patio and sheds. There is an exhisting border and that will be extended to meet the path.
Firstly i was thinking of two Buxus balls either side of the path, this will mimic the balls at my patio entrance. They wont be aligned so not sure whether they may look silly. Secondly the Magnolia at the bottom left will be moved to the middle nearer the new path. I also want another tree, specifically a Sorbus, this will be planted at the bottom left where the Magnolia was and in front of the Hornbeam that will be planted in front of the trellis on both sides.
Now is there ny idea's on the variet of Sorbus ? I want a small tree, not one that will grow huge. I dont like white berries but all the others are ok.

Any ideas' guys ?

G

 

I'd go for a Rowan everytime Mr G,that's because i love the berries...especially when they're made into jam...
I don't think the Buxus Balls will look silly but i get the feeling you may end up not being happy with them as they won't be aligned....you know what we're like with our Buxus

 

You maybe right lolimac about the Buxus. The long term goals is to have them around the lawn but this may have to wait, so i want to tie the patio in with the rest of the garden by having a few balls. I didnt want to randomly place them about, something more formal but i dont know where to put them

Yes i agree about the Rowan (Sorbus), i have one already Sorbus "Autumn Spire", a small tree but it has a columner habit, was thinking of another more "tree like" variety.

Any clues of advice which ?

G

 

If i'm not mistaken i had a Sorbus Aucuparia(think that's the right spelling) in my other garden,it grew into a lovely small tree...i'd guess around 15ft ish

 

Will Google

 

Might be a bit big
Says can grow to over 12m The neighbours will do their nut

G

 

...Maybe not Aucuparia then eh

 

Weather Watch
Rain rain rain. I think im going to need an ark
Forecast is to dry by 3pm then a nice day tomorrow so hopefully a chance for things to drain away.
Mr Grinch's Garden Watch
Nothing done at all. The whole garden is a no go. I went at bought a Kerala yesterday though. The Rhodo on the east facing border just hasnt performed. Its been in three years now and has looked sickly from the start. Im going to have it up, pot it in ericacious and see how it fairs. The Kerala will go it its place. This a common shrub, very easy to grow and i just love the Yellow/Gold star like flowers in April and May. Finally decided that i will buy another Sorbus when all the hard ground work has been done. I want to raise the height to give more interest. For too long ive ben contented with just herbacious perenials but these die down to leave a boring empty garden in winter. A few tree's i think are in order. Small ones mind.
Mr G's Water Garden:
The down pipe leading to the soak away over filling.


New path foundation submerged.


Water draining from the wet play area to the area where our extension soakaway is.


Stepping stones gone.



G

 

Morning Mr G..
I have been looking at your thread as I had not read it before ..Your garden has transformed nicely and you have certainly taken time and interest in developing it .Well done ..
I think from time to time a lot of use have drainage problems ,and as the last few years have been very dry we may not recall them so much .. Certainly the rain we are having at the moment is causing problems in some gardens ,so I don't think we need to over react yet . I am a retired hard landscaper and cannot recall such consistant rain for so many days . I live in Northamptonshire which is usually a fairly dry county ,but from time to time I have had water lying in late winter/early spring as we sit on a clay bed ..
My garden was until last year a summer garden full of containers and larger exotics which I overwintered in 2 greenhouses .I have now moved away from these and decided to grow and exhibit ,Gladioli..Dahlias and Chrysanths plus a few Fuchsias and Veg ..
Looking forward to watching your garden develop ..

Dave