In the Garden

[trophywench]

Aha, @Ditto - strappy sandals (flat ones, with a padded heel strap and an ankle strap fastened by Velcro) have been broken out of their usual place of confinement in the motorhome. Barefoot inside the house admittedly, in fact I'm rather like Lucy and in 1976 because I was in the City - I went to work in my Scholls for about 2 months. In fact, I loved walking up and down the office stairs that summer cos the stairwell got no sunlight whatever on the first 5 floors so the heavy duty Amtico flooring was constantly cool underfoot!

 

[trophywench]

Robin - on the contrary - your long border is an absolute picture!

Stately home etc borders amuse me and have done since I was little. Fancy having a garden that large and gardeners to match, that you are able to 'house' a border where one hardly notices the revolting Kniphofia and it just merges harmlessly! (though not usually being offended by practically anything or anyone - they have always offended me, hate em!)

 

[Robin]

Robin - on the contrary - your long border is an absolute picture!

Stately home etc borders amuse me and have done since I was little. Fancy having a garden that large and gardeners to match, that you are able to 'house' a border where one hardly notices the revolting Kniphofia and it just merges harmlessly! (though not usually being offended by practically anything or anyone - they have always offended me, hate em!)

Ah yes, red hot pokers, not my favourite either. Fine at a distance. We have some right at the bottom of our long drive, which I tolerate because OH has a soft spot for them, and they were here when we moved in. Less trouble to live with them than dig 'em out.

 

[eggyg]

Ah yes, red hot pokers, not my favourite either. Fine at a distance. We have some right at the bottom of our long drive, which I tolerate because OH has a soft spot for them, and they were here when we moved in. Less trouble to live with them than dig 'em out.

I don’t like red hot pokers. A bit scary I always think. Remind me of gardens in the 60s. Some flowers don’t age well!

 

[trophywench]

The mind boggles as to the brain of anyone who says they do like them. Sorry Mr Robin - just why? what on earth do you think is remotely nice about the things?

 

[ColinUK]

My balcony has changed a little since the last postings...

Had to move the fatsia back a little as it was getting far too much direct sun so brought the thuja around to hopefully thicken out and give a little shade.
Dwarf fan palm is new and waiting for a pot but fits that space really well I think, and there is more lemon thyme in one of the troughs and some oregano in the pot in front of it. I have basil but am going to separate the seedlings out a bit before planting those up.
There’s also a bunch of cuttings or divisions at mum and dads bidding their time growing roots - twisted willow, dwarf almond, flax, hebe, banana, codyline variegata.

Table and chairs will be along soon together with probably an oversized parasol once I can find one I like the look of at a price I’m willing to pay.
Then it’ll be time to plant up winter flowing bulbs and buy larger pots in the sales to repot things like the olive, which really needs to sit in a tall Ali Baba type container, and the thuja. I’ll get larger troughs as well and keep these small ones for succulents or alpines and use the larger ones for flowers.

 

[Ditto]

I've seen those sandals. I must get some then. I loved my Scholls back in the day, but I ended up with navy leather ones after being clumsy as I am and landing my foot on the back bit of the wooden ones, agh.

That long border is fabulous, I'd give my eyeteeth for that. Mum's longest border is full of groundsel. At least I think it's groundsel. Very pretty though, just hateful long white spaghetti roots.

The balcony is beautiful. Is it in shade because the Fuchsias seems to love it too?

I've only got photos up to 9th June, my mobile gets on my nerves!

One of my Fuchsias. All my plants have a number. This cracks my daughter up. She says you and your files, because I do lever arch files with the labels in. I take a pic quick before the darned things pop off.

 

[Northerner]

I noticed this in the garden this morning 🙂 Is it a type of clover? The leaves don't look right for that I know there's a couple of dandelions mixed in with it).

ETA: I'm told they may be 'Mirabilis' or 'four o' clocks' 🙂

 

[ColinUK]

@Ditto my balcony? It’s south facing so absolutely zero shade.

 

[Robin]

I noticed this in the garden this morning 🙂 Is it a type of clover? The leaves don't look right for that I know there's a couple of dandelions mixed in with it).

ETA: I'm told they may be 'Mirabilis' or 'four o' clocks' 🙂


View attachment 14609

I suppose the proof of the pudding is....do they open at 4 o'clock? (or late afternoon anyway, they may not be on BST) I must say, having googled a few pictures, I’m not convinced. No idea what they are, though I’m sure I've seen them in a garden somewhere.

 

[Northerner]

I suppose the proof of the pudding is....do they open at 4 o'clock? (or late afternoon anyway, they may not be on BST) I must say, having googled a few pictures, I’m not convinced. No idea what they are, though I’m sure I've seen them in a garden somewhere.

Facebook friends have identified them as 'self heal' 🙂

Selfheal | The Wildlife Trusts

Selfheal is a low-growing, creeping plant that likes the short turf of grasslands, roadside verges or even lawns. Its clusters of violet flowers appear in summer.

www.wildlifetrusts.org

 

[Ditto]

Lovely, says cures all, even heart disease! 🙂

One of my trees. I always feel the need to post a picture. Colin I nearly lost two of my Fuchsias having them in the sun. It's deadly now is that sun.

 

[Northerner]

Lovely, says cures all, even heart disease! 🙂

One of my trees. I always feel the need to post a picture. Colin I nearly lost two of my Fuchsias having them in the sun. It's deadly now is that sun.
View attachment 14613

My fuschia is in full sunlight most of the day, certainly at this time of the year when the sun is high. It's in my west-facing front garden and it's massive! 😱 I'll post a photo when there is less danger of drowning (currently tipping down! 😱 )

 

[trophywench]

Woodland plants, fuchsias, need to be part shade part sun. Not as picky as clematis though (roots in shade always)

Selfheal, aka Prunella Vulgaris 'is commonly used to treat cold sores' apparently. Also spreads like mint so better planted in bottomless pots apparently, according to the Woodland Trust !

 

[Contused]

Here's one of my favourite fuchsias, growing against a south facing wall…

…and complete with two sweet pea trespassers.

 

[eggyg]

Fab fushia @Contused. I have the same one, I bought it for 25p in a Summer Fayre in 1997/8, it was a tiny cutting. This is what it is like today but by the autumn it will be huge. I’m ruthless with it and every February or March I get the electric hedge trimmer to it and basically cut it right back to the ground. BTW, is that an agapanthus in the blue pot? Mine seems to be late this year, plenty of leaves and a few tiny buds low down but hopefully it will be amazing in a week or two.

 

[Northerner]

I’m ruthless with it and every February or March I get the electric hedge trimmer to it and basically cut it right back to the ground.

Thanks for the tip @eggyg 🙂 Mine looks a real mess currently, but I wasn't sure how or when to prune it 😱 🙂

 

[eggyg]

😉

Thanks for the tip @eggyg 🙂 Mine looks a real mess currently, but I wasn't sure how or when to prune it 😱 🙂

I used to use secateurs and it took ages and was hard work. I saw the light about 3/4 years ago. The first year I admit I was worried but it didn’t come to any harm so every spring now those hedge trimmers come out. Disclaimer. I’m not an expert gardener and accept no responsibility if any of you kill your fushia!

 

[trophywench]

Pete was vicious with our fuchsias (and yes they are exactly the same - deepest pink outer and deep purple 'bell') this year and for ages I thought he'd finished them off - but now they're smaller but perfectly formed again. Don't finish blooming until well after Xmas most years, but are sheltered by the fence at their rear, which is good cos they are a woodland plant, after all.

 

[grovesy]

I usally give my Fuschia's till May and mostly spring back into life by then.