Newbie - Help pls!!

People keep saying that, Fran but I've had snowdrop bulbs sitting in my shed for months before planting them. As I believe I said on a previous thread, I've planted them in the wet, in the dry, in clay, loam and in soft and hard soil. I've planted them in spring, summer and autumn and then I dug some of them up and replanted them elsewhere! Doesn't seem to matter what I do to the poor things, they still come up like billy-oh! Even the ones that have been forced out of the ground by being in too crowded a spot have tried to grow and even flower! Tough little blighters. aren't they?!

 

Can I just add a note of caution regarding planting herbs and vegetables amongst garden plants?

A lot of bulbs are particularly poisonous and it would be easy enough for a beginer to lift one instead of an onion and some garden plants like oleander, foxglove, nightshades, monkshood etc. can be lethal. If going for a herb patch I much prefer a dedicated bed or pots clearly labeled so there is no confusion.

 

You are such a helpful friendly bunch!
I took a walk around my frount garden this morning and was pleased to find some lovely plants in situ. I think the previous owner must have had it done after the back as things seem more structured. I have taken some photos to help me try and identify them all, if i ever figure out how I'll post some on here for your help! I would love to plant some fragrant plants, as the garden is too high to be seen and i want to garden for others people as much as for myself. They might not be able to see a nice garden but if they could smell one it would be just as good. The frount gets sun all day - any ideas?

 

How big is your front garden? Would you like shrubs,climbers, trees or just bedding plants? There are so many lovely fragrant plants its' difficult to know where to start...

 

There are two sets of trellis already up at the frount door and at the side of the house. They both have climbers on them, but they both look almost dead! There is no new growth or any hint of green on the one by the door, but the one at the side has got some new shoots coming off about half-way down. Can i prune this back to these shoots or is it too late now that it's woken up?
Anyway - back to question! - i would like to replace the climber around the frount door first, and then there is room for a few small shrubs around the edges.

 

Don't despair of the dead looking one quite yet, try trimming some of the old growth near the top, see if there's any green, if not work down... climbers like honeysuckle and clematis are only just shooting for me, and look very dead until they do.. I would leave the one that's shooting a bit longer too as it may produce some more shoots further up; but when you're sure there won't be any higher growth you could trim it. Clematis are very pretty but usually not scented unless you go for Armandii or Montana, both of which might be a bit too rampant by your door. Armandii is evergreen and flowers very early so it's a favourite of mine. Honeysuckles are usually scented and easy to grow- you might already have one. Another more unusual one which is quite hardy and scented is Akebia Quinata, smallish purple/ maroon flowers with chocolate scent. There are some lovely climbing roses too.
For bushes, Daphne, some are evergreen in milder areas [eg var. bholua] and are compact with lovely perfume. Cytisus [broom] is cheap and cheerful and has a strong smell, lavender, rosemary, amelanchier, philadelphus, roses. michelia[evergreen], syringa, osmanthus all have lovely perfumes.
For small trees, magnolia stellata [slight lemony scent] or japanese acers, not perfumed but beautiful foliage and shapes....
Have alook at some of these online. there are lots more, these are mainly my favourites!
Have fun.

 

I have seen some lovely pictures on other posts, can someone explain how to put them on please?

 

I can't find the message that instructs to link to, so:

First find piccie that you want to post (I resize to 600 mgp - cos they can appear quite large, and are difficult for those on dial up.

Then register on the web site Photobucket.

Upload the selected picture to photobucket

Then copy the lower of the three tags under the picture (starts IMG)

Then paste that tag into your post in this forum.


I think I've remembered all the steps. Once you've done it once or twice, then it becomes a doddle.


Hit preview to see your picture in the message.

 

Thanx for the help! These are the two climbers that I mentioned previously. Unfortunatly the sun has worked against me and they are not very clear, but perhaps you recognise them? The first one from around the door has thorns and large old berries, which look a little like cherry toms. The second from the side of the house now has little yellow flowers on the new growth.

 

Fran, I couldn't find out how to resize them! Sorry for anyone on dial-up!

 

Hi supermum!
The first plant is a climbing rose, and looks as if it just starting into growth. It should be pruned soon, neaten it up by cutting back long straggly shoots to a bud nearer the main stem. This site tells you more:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/pruning_climbingrose.shtml
The second one looks like a winter jasmine, when its' yellow flowers finish it can be trimmed to neaten it- They can be cut back quite hard to keep them tidy.
Both plants are worth keeping!

 

Hi!
If you do what Liz says with the climbing rose, and then wind the main stem as neatly as you can on your trellis / frame, so that the short stems are pointing outwards, you'll get full advantage of the flowers when they come out!

 

Oh they sound great! I thought about the rose when i saw the thorns but i'm still pretty ignorant and talked myself out of it as the large berrys didn't look like anything i'd seen on a rose before. Thanks for your help.

I have been out and bought some big wooden containers, a mini greenhouse and organic compost to start my vege seeds. Can anyone tell me if those seeds that are resistant to certain conditions like carrot fly and club foot are genetically modified? I want to keep my crop organic, and these sort of plants sound ideal to help against the mass amount of conditions and pests i have been reading about, but if they are GM it sort of defeats the object!

 

I think the only way of being totally sure is to check out the website of the supplier, or buy certified organic ones - you could check with http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/ to be on the safe side. Hope this helps!

 

The red berries on the rose are hips - and a number of the climbing roses have large fat hips. Excellent source of vitamin c i am told. :D