Mr Grinch's Garden

One thing ive noticed about Ilex Crenata, they produce a tiny flower at this time of the year, so small you could miss it. The bee's love them though. Another plus over Box.

G

 

Are you growing any Ilex Crenata side by side with Box - such that they are starting a race at the same size etc. and growth over the years to come would be comparative? That would be really handy to know

 

I've got my box hedge that I planted last march with plants I had bought the year before and they are now making a hedge of sorts probably grown 2 inches up and wide. The Crenata will be planted between box cones so yes side by side but will not be at the same height. I bought the Crenata as baby plants, probably three stems on each and already they have bushed up since starting to grow in may. They are still low but they have filled out a lot. The thing I have noticed is that box has one growth phase in April and may then stop, the Crenata has continued to grow and hasn't stopped so I would have thought it will get to its right height in much quicker time. The flower are appearing now so I would wait until after they have finished to clip otherwise they would be lost.
I will get a picture after the washing has dried and the line is taken down. Sun and dry weather means washing in mrs g eyes not gardening.

G

 

Should be "Pimms" in both your eyes I reckon!!

 

BBQ

 

Another very busy day yesterday. The wood was delivered so I thought I'd make a start on the raised beds and raised kids veg patch, 8 hours later I had finished. So hot, loads of sawing and digging to get the wood relatively level. I then levelled what is left of the bark, added top soil and compost to the raised beds then planted a small section with my Crenata and buxus cones. Very satisfying. I need to now level the area with the new play bark I have ordered, remove the spoil that I have piled up in the kids veg patch and fill it then with top soil. Then move the Wendy house into the area, plant up the rest of the Crenata and buxus and then it will be done.

I also bought some gaillardia and an echinacea yesterday to fill some gaps.

G

 

Spent last hour digging out the spoil in the veg patch, bagged it up ready for the dump tomorrow. Saves me a job in the morning.
Will get pics soon promise.

G

 

Another day, hopefully the last major one.

Wheel barrowed all the bark into the area, removed the spoil from the veg patch, bagged up and took to the dump. Then bought top soil and some compost to bulk it out a bit and added it to the area. Will need another load which i will get on Tuesday. Planted all the Buxus cones and Crenata. Again the root runs on the buxus was pretty poor and the crenata seemed tinder dry in their pots even though i water regularly. They are all in now and well watered. Dont seem like much of a hedge but i reckon 2 years and we will be there. Then finally moved the wendy house into the area.

Phew, im just about done. All i need to do is add some top soil tuesday and we are finished.

G

 

The Garden July 2013

West Border


East Border


Delphiniums and Gallardia



Kids Corner. Finally completed. Will sow some carrot and lettuce tomorrow with them.





When the Ilex Crenarta hedge is higher, i will cap the top of the mini wall.

G

 

Wow!! What an immaculate garden of lovely views and features Mr Ginch. Your delphs look terrific,
grand job there...
Jenny

 

It's really matured this year Mr. Grinch and looking lovely.

 

Looks fabulous Mr G got me thinking about the Ilex Crenata now

 

Sowed radish, Lettuce and carrots today with the kids.

G

 

Looking fab Mr Grinch your efforts have rewarded you with a beautiful garden

 

I love this time of the year, mid summer. Half way through yet the borders are filled with yellow, reds and oranges of summer. This year, i found the early summer colour seemed to be made up of blues, lilacs and purples, nice but i love hot colours. I tried to change this by placing some strategic Geums both in red and orange but will wait now until what next year brings.

My French Lavender in pots looked great a month ago, now they look like they are dying. I will have these out later in the year and replace with tulips for early hot colours. I will be going for "Flamin Parrot", "Aladdin", "China Pink" and "Gavota"

G