Mr Grinch's Garden

Bamboo ?

I agree Kristan, the last bit of path is not dead centre with the middle of the lawn so looks slightly scew whiff, unfortunately the step was there and i wasnt going to take it out and build a new one in so just had to run with it.
I have planted Hornbeam to act as a screen for the back. They have been in a year now and just starting to get going. I would of had beech so the added leaf interest in winter but it just wouldnt cope with my soil. So eventually the step to the back patio will be quite narrow which is what i was looking for. I also moved those trees to the back just after the lawn, two on the left, one on the right (middle of kids veg/flower garden - sorry). They are small tree's wont get huge but give it 5 or so years should give a bit more height interest and privacy.

I did want a classical statue of a lady with her boobs showing but the wife said only if she could have one of a muscled man with his bits showing so that kiboshed that idea

 

The clumpers are generally OK - probably too wide, even then, for a hedge. Root Barrier is the answer to a narrow strip (or even just getting them under control!)

Perhaps you could put a centre-piece at the end of it? The fact that it is off centre is quirky, I like it. Its the fact that it doesn't seem to lead to something. But I'm only thinking out loud, 'tis your garden and your plan, so we can just move on and just order another pint at the bar

I have one Beech hedge here (heavy soil) because I wanted Copper in that spot. Its been in 5 years, is a decent size, and 2 or 3 die each year :(

By contrast my Hornbeam is a huge success. Its been in 3 years and already a decent size.

Hornbeam will keep its leaves - like Beech, but not quite as well, and it is more likely to drop its leaves in a severe Winter. However, I have read that it is important to keep the Hornbeam plants in "juvenile state", so don't let them grow tree-like otherwise they will become "Mature" and not hold their leaves much/at all. The article I read was referring to a hedge which had been planted at wide spacing, and they thought that had allowed the plants to "mature" more [than a more closely planted hedge]. I expect yours are at something like 2' centres, which would be normal. I nipped all the leading buds (top of plant, and every single side shoot) for the first 3 years to force it to bush-up, and I think that might be important to maintain immaturity - until it has reached clipping height & width, as that will then keep it in non-mature mode.

Here's a "time lapse" of mine over the last 3 years - its growing pretty quickly

http://kgarden.wordpress.com/projects/long-walk/3/#May2011

Compromise on a Lady Boy - maybe?

 

Not keen on lady boys although im no prude Kristan

Ive read that Beech does not do well in heavy soil that can stay wet so went for Hornbeam as an insurance more than anything, just didn't want to waste time and money having to replace the Beech all the time. I took out all the side shoots and leading branch last winter and will do again this year all though they dont seem to be bushing much just getting taller.

Really dont like bamboo, oriental feel thats just not me.

And once the hornbeam has matured a bit, i will get my classical statue, but not right at the moment because that hedge has not created that focal point yet. Maybe will get a covered up lady instead.

 

I'm lucky, my "statue vista" runs sideways, so I have a statue at each end. A dashing & debonaire gentleman at one end, chosen by Mrs K and representing culture ...


... and a classical beauty at the other end chosen by me ... representing Smut!

 

I much prefer smut

 

A storm due tomorrow then another for Friday.

It has been a stormy autumn and early winter.

G

 

Been blowing a gale since 10am.

Horrendos. Fence panels knackered.

Still going and now looking forward to Fridays one.

 

Lovely day today, sun out and positively warm in sheltered parts. The rabbits are frollicking in the run for the first time in weeks.
Bought 5 bare root hornbeam to plug some gaps or replace those that are not doing well, planted then and soil is cold and sticky and wet. Had to get a knife to scrape it off the spade.

Nice to be out though.

G

 

I use a Wallpaper Scraper like this one. Can use it like a shove, pushing the clay off the spade with the narrow end, and then use the long, straight, sides as a "blade" to scrape the smaller bits off.


I have tried stainless steel implements, and quite like them on Clay, but I've come to the conclusion I get on better with a nice thin, sharp, blade to my spade - and haven't found Stainless one with that characteristic. Carbon Fibre maybe?!!

 

You sure she isn't carry the Riot Act?

 

Blinking heck, just noticed the Full Turnout Meeting of the Squizzles plotting to try to overcome the feeding station's fortifications!

Here's mine: As installed, with Birds Attachment:



and when the Cantilevered-Squirrel attachment had been added

 

I am here to tell you that they are an easy target when they are in "cantilevered mode" as they are 100% concentration and 0% lookout mode.