Grows on You : Gardening blogs

ABOUT ME.

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:32:48 +0000

I decided to write something on My Profile and find that flowers seem to be the main item.The problem I have is that I am a dyed in the wool veg’ gardener and spend a great deal of time on my allotment where I grow plants to save money over winter.I mean how can any vegetable shop justify two pounds plus for a cabbage? I love gardening and only wish I had joined an allotment many years ago.Every year I grow a plant I have not bothered with before or one from seeds from the Seed Library.Its a learning curve and in its own way just a little exciting to watch something new grow.Anyway,thanks forlisteningMay the force of creation be with you all.

My faded garden in pics

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:36:03 +0000

I took a walk around the garden today just to see how things were, pull the odd weed and see if anything else needed my attention. There wasn`t much to do apart from gathering seed from the garlic chives that I grow more for the lovely flowers that for the herb itself. They have the most beautiful white flowers that the loveliest of perfumes. They make a tasty addition to salads but I prefer to eat the odd one in passing so it doesn`t spoil the look of the plant.
I took a few photos of what is left of interest in the garden. At first there din`t seem to be much but as I walked around a few more things caught my eye. I hope you like them.

Kaffer Lily

Dianthus “Alan Titchmarsh” without the inner pink petals, it must be its last hurrah before Winter really sets in

The last few leaves on the large acer before the winds blows them all away

Cotinus “royal purple” or smoke bush

The magnolia surrounded by cyclamen “coum” and “hederafolium” resting between flowerings

Sarcococa with its black berries

I`ve tied the bamboo to the fence with twine to keep it safe from strong winds

The achillea continues to flower on and on.
Bye for now and have a great weekend everyone. :o)
Sandra xxx

Cactus Corner/Container Gardening Dilemma

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:20:05 +0000

To all my “designing” friends… These are my cactuses (cacti?) that have weathered the summer and are soon destined for the greenhouse.

In the spring, I would like to rethink this litle area; it needs a little bit more life, “sphizerinctum” (now, isn’t that a fun word)... energy, if you will. I’m thinking of adding the rounder prickly pear (that has the fruit you can really eat) in ground to the right. I’m looking to y’all for more concrete ideas for a native or western setting?

WISHFUL THINKING.....

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:25:35 +0000

....turns into reality!

I used to have a rowan tree in one of my previous gardens and for nearly 20 years I have wanted another one. I finally discovered one that was columnar and would fit into the small garden I now have. The problem was locating one! I found several on line but none near enough for me to visit and see what it was really like. In the end I decided to blow caution to the wind and buy on-line! I ordered the tree from a tree nursery in Norfolk at the beginning of November. It was due to arrive at the end of the month so I was surprised, but happy, when it turned up early.

What is a Digger to do?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:44:22 +0000

As some of you know, we live in a tiny little bungalow and poor Holly has a bedroom that would be illegal in any prison in the land. So with space being at a premium, we were gifted a cabin bed from Freecycle.

This is one of these beds like a set of bunks but instead of there being a bottom bed there is shelves and cupboards etc. Well this has ‘swallowed a whole bunch of Holly’s toys and teddies (which she has more of than a teddie shop!!!) so We have managed to empty this…...........

It’s about 24” tall…...

and the same across!
So you can imagine with a few holes drilled in the bottom it will make a really nice planter
The problem is, we don’t know what to put in it? Obviously it’s going to take some filling and Carol’s idea of a few bulbs (while being in the right area ) just wont do it.
So my question, to my lovely gardening chums is, apart from Holly’s brilliant idea of using it to stand on to feed the birds ….......

What would you put in it?

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR GARDEN.

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:01:01 +0000

Was getting fed up with being stuck indoors, decided to venture out and see what was occurring….......
Autumn tints provided by Acer, and Vitis vinifera.

More colour provided by.Laurels.

Griselinia, Osmanthus, Euonymus.

Nandina, Pittosporum,Skimmia.

Pieris,Hypericum.

Arbutus,Leptospernum, and the eucalyptus.

Camellia buds swelling nicely, Viburnum almost there,ferns providing interest still.

And last but not least Eleagnus.

You can take your wellies off now, hope you didn’t get too wet.!!!

Aconitum lamarckii

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:26:30 +0000

Also known as: Lamarck’s wolfsbane; Northern wolfsbane
Yellow wolfsbane; Yellow monkshood;
Aconitum lycoctonum
Plant folklore; Aconitum lycoctonum is applied to several aconites. The following relates to A.lycoctonum…...used in some Greek cities to administer the death penalty. On the island of Ceos the elderley and infirm were expected to drink it and benefit their families.
Used to poison arrow tips for wolf hunters.
Factual info: Beneficial in small doses, poisonous in larger amounts. Named for Jean-Baptiste Lamark (1744-1829). Responsible for Lamarckism; the mistaken theory of inheritane of acquired characteristics.

Aconitum napellus

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:07:18 +0000

Also known as: Monkshood; Woolfsbane
Plant folklore: It was used to poison enemy water supplies during times of war in ancient Europe and Asia.
It was the official poison used on the island of Ceros, where all who were of no use to the state were poisoned, especially old men!!..
In Ancient Greece, legend tells that the plant originated from the dripping of fangs of Cerberus, the three-headed dog Hercules was supposed to have brought back to earth with him from the underworld.
Factual info; THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST POISONOUS PLANT
IN THE GARDEN!!!
All parts are poisonous; there have been reports that children have died just from holding a root in their hands.
It causes burning of lips and mouth, numbness of throat, intense vomiting and diarrhoea, muscular weakness and spasms, weak pulse, paralysis of the respiratory system, convulsions and may be fatal!!
These plants are widely available in garden centres, but not always marked as highly poisonous.
You have been warned!!

SHE'S LIKE MARM...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:49:08 +0000

You either love her or hate her…..who you ask? well Ivy of course, personally I love her here is a small selection from our garden.

Well are you a fan or are you not?

Ilex aquifolium

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:48:04 +0000

Also known as: Holly; Helver; Holm; Aunt Mary;s Tree
Poisonberry, Christmas Tree, Christ’s Thorn
Plant Folklore: Young leaves used as a cure for colds, bronchitis and rheumatism. Berries are highly poinsonous but a small dose used as a purgative.
Unlucky to cut down a tree, but branches can be taken if a little offering (silver coin) is left at the base.
Symbol of midwinter festivities since pre-Christian times.
In England it is grown close to the house to keep witches away.
In Ireland it is grown away from the house so as not to disturb the fairies who live in it.
Keeps away lightning so alcohol vendors would set up their stalls under holly at markets. Thus the association with pub names.
Grown by druids close to the home to lift winter melancholy.
In pagan ritual, holly symbolised the male god carrying life through the winter in its evergreen leaves.
Ivy was the goddess.
Some claims that its use at Christmas relates to the leaves looking like Christ’s crown of thorns and the berries looking like blood, but these, probably, are to justify adoption of a pagan ritual.
Throwing holly wood at a wild animal will make it lie down quietly (anyone tried it?)
The holly king rules from midsummer to midwinter when he is replaced by the oak king, until the next midsummer.
A heavy crop of berries is a sign of a hard winter to come.
Factual Inf: Holly wood is used to make horsewhips.

Thank you Hywel, I used your image