Ask Bilbo

1. How did you come to join Gardeners Corner?
I was looking for some info on something that I can't recall lol..it was the the best looking answer in google that I came across. I signed up and got the advice I was after, I liked the site so much I stuck around, I always like helping people where I can so that's what I've been doing as well as asking for more advice myself :D I'm a member of a few fishing forums but this beats them all, it's so friendly and helpful.

2. Name the countries or counties you have lived in?
Only ever lived in the UK, I was born and bred in Cheshire, but I met my lovely wife on a dating site and moved to South Derbyshire two years ago; although our postcode insists we're in Nottinghamshire , something to do with a border dispute or postal towns I think..??

3. Describe the type of work you do?
I used to be a sales assistant for a bakery, but got bored after 10 years. I then took on the role of a fishery manager for 13 years before moving to Derbyshire, I loved that job; grass cutting, hedge cutting etc etc. Currently I am looking for work, hopefully something to do with gardening :thumb:

4. Describe how you first got into gardening?
My grandad first got me in to gardening when I was able to walk!! lol, I used to have my own little patch in his garden and then I took over my mum's garden. Now I have my own to do as I please :D, well almost...

5. What would be your dream type of garden and do you think you will ever be able to achieve it?
My dream garden would be 3 or 4 acres of trees and shrubs; a small arboretum, but I would also have to have a wildlife garden and natural pond too :thumb:
I don't think I'll ever manage it, not on the scale I dream about anyway, but there's always hope........and hopefully the lottery lol :D

6. Have you any particular favourites in celebrity gardeners, flowers, shrubs and/or vegetables?
No real stand out favourites, I watch most gardening programmes, I do like Monty and Alan though. I must say though that I really enjoyed Christine Walkden's show when that was on...
Plant wise I love lots of different shrubs and trees, I love growing from seed, it's often the best way to get something unusual/rare. I also like cannas and aquilegias..

7. Have you ever entered any of your plants into shows?
No, not something that really interests me...to be honest.

8. If you had a garden created in your memory, what plants do you think would most adequately sum up you and your life?
It would have to be a small collection of unusual trees and shrubs, perhaps even some that I have grown from seed.........must show the wife this in case I go first, then she doesn't bin them; she thinks I'm nuts - in a nice way of course :D

 

Bilbo, what is your LEAST favorite plant. Not including weeds.

 

Hi Catztail I wouldn't say I have a plant that stands out as an absolute least favourite, but I guess common shrubs like kerria, and forsythia are on a list of that I would never buy. I don't really bother with common traditional bedding anynore either, it's bright and cheerful I know but I prefer more unusual stuff. I love going through Chiltern's seed catalogue every January and picking out seed that I've never heard of but the descriptions sound good :thumb:

 

Bilbo, you sound like me 20yrs ago.:D

 

Sorry for the late reply; I wouldn't say that I have one particular plant that is a favourite but I do like some some of the more unusual shrubs and trees that I have grown from seed like Cladrastis sinensis, Acer pensylvanicum 'Erythrocladum', I also like Sorbus Hillings Spire and Cornus Kousa. Another favourite may seem plain but I do like the Portuguese Laurel; allowed to grow as an unpruned shrub. There are many many more to mention but these are a few that get my vote :thumb: