Apple Blossoms Pond Project and Progress

I know that the discount stores in the UK offer plants at different times as out here, but the Belgian Lidls had a 6 pack of different houseleeks for 3,99€ or less (can't remember, but that's my mental top price!), a couple of months ago. Really good plants, and the set I bought has been really healthy, and keen to grow away. Worth keeping an eye on their offers, on-line?

 

Just finished the Parkers order?? You started choosing stuff before I even got the catalogue! How much have you ordered?? Or would it be easier to tell us what you didn't order from the catalogue?

She sure did! I've just got the next edition of the Parkers catalogue and I refuse to open it, just in case something catches my eye! I know @Beckie76 will mention it at some point and convince me to have a look

We had houseleeks growing in the garden when I was a little nipper and we used to put them in the garden wall (in the cracks in between bricks) and they used to grow there. If they can grow there without help from the gardener then they should be fine pretty much anywhere in the garden really!



With regards to the flowers, note that different varieties of house leeks can have different stem structures.
The variety I've got send up a very straight stem and then it splits, like palm tree leaves, spanning about 8 inches across, and the big flowers appear on the ends first. When they die off, the smaller flowers appear all over the top of the stem.
I've seen some that form what looks like a ball of flowers on a stem (similar to an allium flower).
Others have flower stems that are only a coupld of inches tall.

It's worth noting that you might prefer a particular flower so look around.

keep us updated! lots of pics!

 

It just goes to show how much progress can be made if the weather is in your favour....

I was up early this morning 4am and off to work.... Mr AB took care of the laying of the slabs.... I was so made up when I got home, so a quick change and..... well I'll let the photo's do the talking for a change


First base down and levelled out...



Slabs into place....



Starting to come together....



Mortared in ....




Tess looking really bored as no one is giving her any attention and she hates water



Starting to come together now.....



And then the most amazing thing happened .... I just couldn't believe it.... a dragon fly came to investigate... and we watched him/her for about 15 mins as she/he investigated what was going on... I was so chuffed... lucky for me I managed to get quite a good shot in a rush with wet hands Its true.... if you build.... they will come.... I'm on a mission now!!! @ARMANDII @Beckie76 @Sheal @wiseowl ... any idea if its a he or she??




Put in the waterfall and pump and then the fountain I acquired on the way home from work ... had a play around with the way it need to lye to give the best effect.....Mr AB got the water to flow through temporally which really helped with where to place stones etc.... need to buy a few more bags and some more larger stones tomorrow..




And I'm so excited as its all starting to come together.... and its forecast great weather tomorrow so hopefully will progress more.....






Just got to now build in the background area.... dig in the filter... can't believe how big it is now its out of the box.... when I told Mr AB it had to go into the ground and he needed to dig a hole.... you would have been amazed by the look on his face .

So to celebrate phase 1, we sat and had a G & T listening to the water cascade down our new waterfall into the revived concrete broken pond..... how lovely

 

p.s.... I think my feet are suffering from hypothermia from being in the water for so long.... and still no chipped nail varnish @Radiation91 ..... don't know how I do it

 

Hi Rad..... I've just taken a good look at the varieties.... its amazing how different they are, I'm really keen on getting some of these as I think they will just be great for where I am thinking of putting them...I have some favourites so will leave you waiting to see which ones they are

 

Thanks Sian.... I will just do that..... great advice

 

I think I may need to order a copy of this 'PARKERS CATALOGUE' but we won't tell Mr AB until he asks about any more vouchers I might earn..... but then I don't think I could beat you Beckie or @Radiation91

 

Come on @Radiation91 you simply must open that catalogue....you know you want to & before long you will hear the soft voice of the packaging saying ' open me, look at me, I'm here, you know you want to!' & besides I want to know what's in there?

 

Well @Apple Blossom, your pond looks absolutely fantastic, I love it & as for the dragon fly visiting already that's just super I'm sure tomorrow the dragon fly will bring his/her friends or maybe it was Mr Dragonfly looking for a new home for his wife to produce next year either way I'm sure you will soon have a lot of dragonflies
Great news about the water filter, more shopping = more vouchers....it's a win win situation . Joking aside you really should be very pleased with yourself you've worked very hard & made fantastic progress

 

Ah thank you Beckie, Its had its ups and downs... and I do get the benefits from all the vouchers

I just love dragonflies so I'm hoping that the pond will encourage them to come including more bee's and butterflies

 

Hi Apple Blossom



Well done it looks absolutely fantastic, you must be chuffed

And to have a visitor as well, I hope it's the first of many.

It's like having natures seal of approval

 

Ahhh Anthony you have just put a big smile on my face...... it is isn't it... I was so happy, I just couldn't believe it..... it just hovered and had a really good look around.... it was amazing to watch

 

You know that bit......

" it just hovered and had a really good look around "

That's not Mr AB after you'd done all the work is it

Only joking

 

Speaking of Parkers........

I think you need some of these

Iris Louisiana

Black Gamecock



Laura Louise



Ann Chowning



Spicy Cajun



They're a hardy water Iris from North America ideal for growing in ponds or pots that are kept permanently damp.

I've just ordered 1 of each for £9.96 or you can have 3 of any 1 variety for £7.98.