Foliage Plants

Who or what is a 'garden expert'? Surely someone with a long experience of growing a wide range of plants, of having created and maintained a garden, with a thoughtful approach to and love of plants. But nobody knows everything there is to know, we're learning all the time It was surprising to discover that so many of the more recent high-profile 'experts' in the media don't actually have gardens and don't get me started on modern garden designers Even John Brookes claimed that the best garden design only contained six or seven plant varieties...well each to their own!
But down to brass tacks...what sort of soil do you have, Syd? Does the wood give your garden lots of shelter from frost and wind? Do you still invest in new plants, if you do, which are your favourite nurseries?
Hazel

 

Hi John.Pse note these books can also be found quite cheaply S/H on Amazon eBay etc.Its not likely you will now see them in Librarys - I have not. Some titles for you to look for.
We Made a Garden. A Flower for Every Day. An All Year Garden. Gardening on Clay and Lime. Foliage Plants. Groundcover Plants. Gardening in the Shade. Carefree Gardening. Cottage Garden Plants.
Look them up - all well worth a read.
Regards. Syd.

 

Hi Hazel. Thats better - feel more in touch now. Agree with your comments ref experts but only claim for myself a lot of experience and trial and error - results and failures but always totally enjoyable whilst doing so - over all that great love of plants needed to call oneself a true gardener has certainly with myself been achieved and has given so much pleasure over all the years. We live in one of the, if not the, most dry parts of Suffolk. Soil is very sandy and well draining (neutral) so needs attention regularly - have just spread much "organic compost" overall since most of my plants are limelovers though such as Kirengeshoma get special treatment. I have a good range of plants growing here but do find they are reluctant to establish and take some time, a couple of seasons in fact. Some favourites are Hosta, Astilbe, Lysimachia, Ligularia,Lobelia,Smilacina, Rodgersia, Peltiphyllum and many more - ask me if!.
Really nice to natter to you and please do tell me all about your own plants and experiences. Regards. Syd.

 

Hi Hazel again. I find the woods do give a modicum of shelter from winds ( depending on direction) but in spite of them we do still get some nasty frosts here. I do still regularly buy plants and in fact have recently planted 4 new trees including Amelanchiers, obtained and replanted several lost ( due to moves) herbaceous plants and also several of another love of mine Alpines - nothing too clever - just the silver and encrusted Saxifragas and such like. I made up a special raised bed to grow them in with much gravel in the soil - not a new thing since I grew them years ago. Ref nursetries well these days its a trip to the local Garden Centres, fortunately well stocked with a good range of all plants, for instance last year found a yellow foliaged Acanthus (needing plenty of room for the other plot). Years ago I always hunted out those small ads in the gardening mags stating "herbaceous perennials for sale etc) and thats how I first came into contact with Margery Fish at East Lambrook. Enjoying talking to you and look forward to more.. Regards. Syd.

 

Hi Syd, I'm surprised that plants take a while to get established in your soil. I thought my Northants clay was bad! Perhaps it's the practice of growing plants in peat? I used to find that roots were reluctant to move out into the soil, and they needed careful watering for at least their first year to stop the rootball drying out.
Ooooo Kirengeshoma I've just re-discovered a bit of that that I brought from the UK which I thought I'd lost! I've struggled to keep alive all my shade-loving plants like Smilacina, Pulmonaria, Polygonatum and Sanguinaria, as there was no shade at all initially. The trees are getting established now, though
Have you been to East Ruston Old Vicarage? A fantastic garden (or gardens..so many different styles) with some very interesting plants....

 

Hi Hazel/all. I do not know what happened there but I typed and sent a lengthy reply which having (I thought?) sent it its vanished.
The soil here is very sandy of the "runs through your fingers type" and I believe it just has not enough body in it for the roots to get a"bite", also dryness no doubt came into it as you suggested - one of the dryest parts in England here.
I love all the plants you mentioned but gave up on the Polygonatum since each year it is for me attacked by very hungry grubs of a Sawfly of some type - do not like using sprays unless absolutely desperate. Thats the plain green multiflorum but I do still keep a nice container full of a variegated variety - can keep a better eye on that. Very attractive and graceful plants as also is the very similar Smilacina with its perfumed flowers - this I have in the ground and also in a container so as to put it near doors etc when in flower.
Amongst other plants I grow and love are Astrantia, Filipendula including ulmaria aurea, hexapetala and plena, the true Geraniums from psilostemon downwards, Hemerocallis, Dictamnus, Dicentras, Tradescantias including a very nice yellow foliaged one, Fennel for the height and fine foliage, Aruncus. Grasses include Carex, Molinia, Hakenochloa, Briza, Ophiopogon black and green, Liriope ( a semi grass?), Mr. Bowles Millium effusum aureum, the very "busy" Phalaris ( Gardeners Garters) - this needs watching but its a wonderful contrast plant say next to Hostas and the leaf stripes are all different. A few different Ferns. A number of the more "everyday" but lovely plants, Phloxes, Echinacea, Iris, Sedum, Sysirinchium - the list goes on. Better stop here in case I exceed a size limit or something - hope this one arrives. Regards. Syd.

 

Hi Hazel/all. Getting in a bit of amuddle here. Trying to send some pics but no can do. Syd.

 

Hi Syd, I wonder if it's because you're a relatively new member that you can't post photos? Perhaps one of the lovely admin team (who aren't getting legless at Shineyland) could confirm, and let us know how many posts you have to make to be eligible? The other bugbear to putting up photos is their size..I'm still falling foul on this one and my software won't let me re-size them When we've got it all sorted out, won't we have fun exchanging snaps?

 

Hi. I have several times attempted to respond to this last comment aimed at me and each time my response has just disappeared. I have requested help to sort this - but?.

 

Hi Hazel. I am finding it most difficult all this and am getting browned off - think I will give it best but would like to say its been a real pleasure meeting you and talking to you - wish it could continue. Best wishes. Syd.

 

Hi Sydney, you should be able to post photo's. GC is still having issues after the recent server change, so there are problems posting. Posts are also showing two or three times at the moment in some cases. I've always had problems getting my pics to upload on GC as it's so slow, but I get there eventually. If you need help let me no what problems you are having.

 

Are you using Windows 7 Noisette? I may be able to help.

 

Hi Sheal, Nothing as recent as that It's Vista. I've tried re-sizing them on Flickr (no facility on Picasa that I can see) but can't then upload them on GC. It's a shame that so many members have trouble posting photos as gardening is such a visual interest!
Hang on in there, Syd. I'm sure that there are lots of other members who'd like to chat about your garden, too!