What's Looking Good in July 2020

No. Is that necessary. Won't that spoil the effect.

 

Much the same as Nigel. What most people refer to as Latin names, isn't all that difficult. I never lkearned Latin but even though it's often called a dead language it remains very much alive today in most branches of science. Benefits for gardeners include the fact that the name of a plant is in most instances comprises several factors. For instance the accepted name of the plant, then perhaps an indicator to it's colour such as, lutea. Lutea meaning yellow. Then indications of perhaps it's growing habits, and finally the name of it's finder, such as Banksii. So from a single latin name, we also get so much more.
I have used this method for years, both privately and in teaching greenhouse staff.. Write the common name on the label. Turn the label over and write the botanical/latin name. Changing around. I and the staff would soon in a matter of days, have learned not only the names etc but als have come to identify the plants.

I also have in my neandethal way devised a database. Oh Yes! out come the clipboard. Crudly a kind of garden plan. So the fence panels help. So between post one and two. Tiny x's represent plants. The section concludes with a legend. Sadly my new foxy visitor has chucked this all to the wind. I must have a serious talk to him. Any kind of database is so valuable. Come the end of the year and out come the seed and plant catalogues. You have the map of your garden. Friends. Don't give up. Here on GC, there are so many good gardeners to help you.

 

Personally I prefer to use the botanical names of plants. I can never seem to remember the English ones.
I don't have a database. I think it's a good idea, I'll have to make one

 

...we speak the same language @shiney

 

Yes, they are Strelizia 'Nicolai', the black/white Bird of Paradise. I have one but as it is in a pot, albeit jumbo, I probably won't get flowers.

That's it with the big leaves center right ...

 

Different kind, don't think I could cope with protecting one of those every winter.

 

@Upsydaisy I might remember the names, but I quite often cannot find the plant as the database only tells me which bed the plant is in. I have started putting more information regarding location such as which shrub bulbs are next to.
Come spring time I end up looking at shoots coming up and only having the vaguest idea what it is until it flowers. Or a flower appears a couple of yards from where I was looking for it the previous weekend; all good fun.

 

@NigelJ that's a good idea! I though at first I was imagining it but somethings definitely seem to move about a bit.!! I have got rough layouts of my borders drawn up with perennials / bulbs marked out in the position they were originally planted in....bulbs are particularly mobile as I am forever altering their whereabouts!! I often go to plant something in a spot I think is vacant only to find bulbs...I know they multiply, but I am sure some actually go on walks!

 

@Upsydaisy

Agreed; generally I blame the squirrels for these wanderers; however if you have garden gnomes especially with digging tools and a smug grin I'd have them in for questioning.

 

I think you've cracked it @NigelJ.

 

Try living with a few dozen disenchanted leprechauns! The notorious " Little People" who actually have a reality in history ie Firbolgs. They cannot swim you see and got stranded out here on the island..