Treesandthings' Outbox

Iv'e always known this as "Himalayan Honeysuckle". It can grow as a weed as the birds help it self seed. But grown as a large shrub it can look quite nice.

He has been in this pot for two years.

These are in the garden.

Should be about 12ft.

This spreads via its roots. Digging and pulling up is the best way. Over the last two years mine has reduced loads by doing this. You can use a weed killer, you need one that attacks the plant and goes down to it's roots.
My books are old but a good garden centre should help with this.

I love to buy things you can relate too. My wife was excited when she saw this as she had seen it many miles away in Monaco, and she had mentioned how nice it was when she first saw it.

Thanks, the stones in the grass are the same as the ones we used for the patio.

Thank you, the path takes you through an archway in the hedge to another part of the garden. It is shaded just here and they love it.

Ive put a support in front of these ones but the others are growing up in between plants.

I cut my stems as low as I can get to, when the flowers fade and go brown. Also cutting them sometimes and putting in a vase in the house.
I have been told to place one in a vase with a bit of food colouring, maybe blue for example. I was told that the flower will absorb the colouring. I havn't tried this yet though.

Just looked at your'e pics to find your'e pond, very nice.
Do you have many snails? I have a wildlife pond with no fish but planty of snails have turned up. Probably in the plant roots or on the feet of birds that visit.

How long to get this far? are you a carpenter by trade?
Thinking of doing something like this to extend our concrete bit out the back and put steps central like yourselves.
Love the hosta by the way.

I like your'e wall. Good use of bricks with the Sempervivum.

I have split Phormiums a few times. Most recently last month I took two out of two very large pots by the front door and they are now very happy in 7" and 9" pots waiting to either be planted or sold.
New Zealand flax was a fight, as it was huge, but this two I have dug up split and re planted around the garden.
Ideal world, when it's not so warm and the plant is resting.
But as long as you give it plenty of water to settle in you shouldnt have any major problems. A couple of sharp spades to slice through the roots, or a sharp knife. You may loose a few leaves as they tend to grow at angles to eeach other. Pul these off or cut them down.
Good luck.

What about giving the ivy some direction, something to grow up or over, other than your shed? Turn it into a bit of a feature etc.
Sometimes it's easyier to go with what the garden is dictating to you.
If not chop it down and dig it up.

crop rotation:- 1st year roots(potato,carrot,parsnip etc) 2nd year peas, beans, lettuce, tomato etc.
3rd year brassicas.

my book dosent say any thing about straight after lifting spuds. Although lettuce is quick growing for a few salads. There is probbably loads you can grow now the spuds have gone.
Hopefully someone will have some better info for you.

Or chat to next door as I bet it will look fantastic with a passion flower growing right to the top of one of these.

My book says to pinch the top off after the forth truss. This ensures you get a good healthy crop of toms. Maybe youre plants have read the same book and are trying to tell you something. Also it says give a weekly liquid feed once first fruits are pea size.
Mind you just looked through my book and this info on 4th truss is for outdoor toms. Your indoor ones should have as many as 6 trusses.
Nothing about die back, but it does mention Tomato mosaic virus (brown verticle streaks). If its this then you need to get rid of plants. If you cant find it on the web let me know and i will copy from my book.

I do like this idea. I suppose if time is on your side.

Spider flower. I have some of these in pots, I have grown with free seeds from Amature Garden mag. I belive they have spikes and grow to about 3-4ft?
Mine are not flowering yet but cant wait.

If you are ever in London by the thames, a short walk from the London eye is the "Museum of Garden History". I remember reading about John Tradescant (senior and younger) when I studied garden design. They used to live in Lambeth, London (gardeners for king Charles 1) . The museum is good for a few hours as well as a few plants, coffee and cake.
The Ashmolean museum, Oxford has a lot of artifacts from John Tradescant jnr, from his trips to Virginia, North America, plant hunting.

3 sides of mirrors. On each side there are peep holes to look through. When you look through though and other people look through from the other side it looks as though their heads are floating in mid air. I shall put a pic on to show you what I mean.

Good luck. Having seen how good dispays are i can understan how much hard work you have to put in. What ever you get from the judges take it as a big pat on the back.

Sorry, when thay showed Hampton Court on TV during the week, Joe Swift was talking to the Isle of Wight Garlic Farm. The gentleman there was asked why he didn't take part at chelsea. His answer was simple "the garlic isn't ready plus Hampton court is for gardeners".

Having been to Chelsea there are an awful lot of people (celeb's etc) who want to be seen there as it's on their social calender shall we say. They are no more gardeners or even worse interested in gardens as I am a spaceman.
Because of this the price is really expensive.

Hampton court has plenty of Nurserys with stock that you can purchase there and then.
Definately worth putting it down on you're own social calender for next year.

On Monday they will all be dissmantled as on Sunday after 4.30pm the gardens have all the plants sold off.

These colours were fantastic. It was a good day out, but as I excpected I spent a few pennies.

apple trees dont take up that much room. I have two fastigiate ones (grow straight up instead of spreading) that crop very well. My sister also has a small tree that has had 3 types grafted on to one root stock. This is called a family tree and you get 3 different types of apples on one tree.
I also have two blueberries in pots. Your local garden centre (if a good one) should be able to identify loads for you.

I do like these, you just stick them in and let them do there own thing. Before you know it you have a pot full.

Ive been growing these from seed since last year. I'm obviously in for the long haul before I get to see it like this.

I wouldnt have thought so but If I do it will be a while before it grows big enough.