Hyacinth's Inbox

It could also be HF Young - can you tell us when exactly it started flowering? Is this the first one? Just for interest's sake, the colour of the stamens is important for ID purposes, and the only reason you might want to ID it correctly is so you know which prune group it's in. If it's just started flowering, it probably is in prune group 3, as Llew says above.

If you take a look on my pictures I have posted a photo of Mrs Chalmondeley which was in flower for the last month just going over

theres one called comtesse de bouchaud and it looks similar with petals and colour but yours looks much bigger than the pic i got so wouldnt know for sure

Group 3 is a hard prune one. I do mine in the spring. Cut them back to about 30 cms from the ground to a nice pair of leaf axils. They flower on this seasons growth, so as long as they're pruned before the next season's flowering period, they're easy. :o) They'll regrow from the base and often new shoots from underground too.

Your armandii is Group 1 and should be pruned after flowering. They produce new growth from the previous seasons growth, so just take off old dead or damaged stuff. This allows new growth to start and ripen and strengthen ready for the next year.

Well, the centres definitely sound right for the Perle d' Azur and although it looks lilac, it's probably one of the Blue Clematis.

Of course, the problem with colours on the internet is the difference in our monitors.

Maybe somebody else will be along with more suggestions, Hyancith but we do know it's a group 3 anyway. :o)

Is it flowering now? What are the centres like when fully open? Is this an accurate colour pic or is it a bit darker?

It could be a C. Ascotiensis or more likely, a C. 'Perle d' Azur' as the tips look recurved on your pic.

If it is, it is a Group 3 for pruning. One of the easiest luckily.

Keep us posted on progress, Hyacinth.

Bianca, ballerina and Iceberg can cope with some shade and their pale colours will glow

You are right, roses need sun. And don't be scared to pick them when you get them, about at the 4th leaf on the stem, so they will spread. A bit of manure they love too. Just transplant them next winter after pruning back hard to a sunny spot and you'll be right next summer and will be the envy of the neighbourhood!

Aw, Hyacinth, don't give up on roses ... they give so much back in return for our efforts. Have you tried growing patio roses in pots? You would be able to give them the right conditions and move them to the sunnier spots in your garden. there are some gorgeous patio roses that I'm sure would behave themselves for you.

glad you had such a lovely day, the garden is looking great. I didnt manage to get out in mine yesterday, spent the day at the London fashion show with my daughter, but it was fun

congratulations, what an honour for the royal family to meet such an amazing young man!

Oh sounds like it then, will have to watch them, they are quite big fish maybe thats why it hasn't affected them.

just chucked 10 over garden fence I know I'm naughty but it will save them cutting it back as their garden is a wilderness/jungle

Slugs... yuck ! Like frogs though. LOl. :0)

cackle cackle, no offense taken Hyacinth...hehe

do frogs and toads eat slugs and snails?

x x x

I feel your pain Hyacinth regards to the slugs - we have snails the size of houses (well maybe not quite) at this time of year. I've tried the pellets NO JOY trying to source one of them trap thingys - i wonder if anyone reading this has any idea what to do about these fellas.

Oh Congratulations Hyacinth!! Well done to your son, what an honour!!

Oh i didn't know fish could die from spawn blocking their gills, i only have 2 fish in mine (both won at a fair by daughter!) they eat the spawn every year!!!

You're doing all the right things Hyacinth (and Mr Hyacinth...lol), hunting them down, and encouraging frogs. I'm plagued with slugs and snails...they see my garden as the local takeaway I think :(

I have both these hostas Hyacinth... cracking plants..

Sounds like he's an amazing young man! How wonderful - congratulations to him. You must be just so proud. What a great day for you both.

What a great day that must have been....Congrats and well done to your boy.....:>)

Wow...what a fantastic achievement! Congratulations to your son ...and proud Mum of course :)

Ooooooo!!! Congratulations to your son. Well done indeed !! And congratulations to you too. I can imagine how proud you must be. :o)

This looks great Hyacinth.....Welcome to GoY. :o)

lovely garden . welcome to GOY

Welcome to GOY...enjoy!

welcome to GOY and enjoy your stay.

Your garden looks great hyacinth, lush and healthy....:>)