Poaannua's Outbox

Sad to say all these Hebes with relatively large leaves tend to suffer in Winter, not just from frost but from our dull cold climate . They come from New Zealand and probably miss the fresher air .. Small leaved ones are mostly OK except the lovely early flowering 'Litttle Marie', which needs slight winter shelter . and is worth it.

You have so many rare plants. This is a learning session. Will come back tomorrow,

I shall try to get both of these. Very unusual

Terrific and rather frightening.

Nice to see a pretty face in the clouds. At first I thought someone had copied my tree. I could hardly believe it.

Thank you very much these are, such a surprise. They are better than my own photos. Add to favourites yes indeed

Sometimes it is better to have a fox than Rabbits. I once had a piece of ground left unwired because there was a Foxes den in the hedgerow, Nothing ever got nibbled , but when the babies arrived they sat on my seed bed of young trees and turned them into Bonsai.

I think the name is Torenia

It may be that this was an annual Mesem. That used to be called Mesmbryanthemum criniflorum, they are very poorly rooted and might dry out more easily than a perennial species. Once shrivelled they are unlikely to return, sorry.

That looks like sunburn. I'm not surprised, Arizona , brings to mind Cowboys and wide open spaces. You could throw fleece over them on hot sunny days, bbut who wants to look at fleece all day. I think it may be the price you pay for all that lovely wild life and the sunshine which is in short supply in Britain this year.

A feast of Aeo.niums.. I never get such deep purple on mine

Wonderful eye catching plant. I moved mine to what I thought was a safer place. One of the leaves caught my arm as I put it down. Punishing me for cutting the sharp points off the ends of the leaves.. I note you have boxed clever.

You might be sable to get away with growing it in West Wales. in a sheltered spot. It can take a little frost . I found several trees that wont grow here will do well in West Wales. We had a cottage at Nevern in Pembs.

If it is in full sun and dryish soil try Sedum, various kinds .

If in shade Vinca minor .Soleirolia or Ophiopogon (Mondo Grass) all for permanent planting.

Mina lobata, also called Ipomaea lobata. a very different look to its clusters of bright orangy flowers. It is an annual climber, related to the lovely blue Ipomaea.

Follow Dr. Bob's advice. and all should be well, it is one of the best shrubs for regrowth.

What a super picture. You are lucky to have such colourful Butterfflies. Ours are OK but nothing like that. We used to have one Swallowtail but I never saw it and it may now be extinct.

I collect insect pix. This is a good one.

It's good to see all terracotta no plastic.

So nice to see such clean and tidy potfuls. Puts me to shame.

You will be very welcome Treesandthings. This is a tree world.

I'm glad you asked. I will look for another . My Son is clearing his Pond so maybe he'll have one.

Hello Lovegren. The term succulent refers to the leaves or stems which hold water to let the plant survive in dry conditions. I am very fond of them because they can put up with my neglecting to water them. and they are fun to collect. You can include Cacti as well.. see Sandras pix, just recently posted. Edible no not advisable.

I used to call Veronica filiformis, the little blue flower in the lawn.' Mother in Law,' as it was always with us. We got along well actually. but it applied to mine as well, so we were doubly blessed.

Congratulations Sandra. That is a super collection. I've just been resetting my Succulents . Can't do anything comparable to that lot..

I have enjoyed this blog Sandra. It is a rea;l pleasure to have someone like you showing such enthusiasm. No wonder people bring their plants to you.

There are several different Fungi that live in the Lawn, I don't think you should bother about them. They rarely damage the grass and soon pass away. As the years pass they form Fairy Rings. I don't know of a suitable fungicide that wont damage the grass. Sometimes the cure is worse that the disease.

This is Shot hole disease. Very unpleasant. Possibly if you remove all infected leaves and destroy them new growth may remain clear. I have looked this up on Google and it seems to be a fairly common trouble with My personal experience of this is that it seems to occur on bushes that are growing well. I had a number of pot grown Laurels seriously in need of repotting, but completrely free of this disease, wheras A large bush near the house ., has been badly damaged and I have removed all new growth, which was very green and lush.

Plant SOUTHERNWOOD (Artemesia abrotanum) Lemon Balm. Eau de Cologne Mint. and for a shrub Choisya ternata.. and Bay Tree. All have fragrant foliage.You can tear off a leaf or two to vent your fury at the same tim e.

Now is quite a suitable time to prune. Stick the prunings in the ground and they will probably root. but only those from the one you want not the root stock