Spritzhenry's Outbox

Could you post a photo? Could then look it up for you and have a try at identifying it...

It's not 'Perle d'Azur' is it? Photo makes it look quite blue...

Oh, Holly, I'm so sorry to hear your woes - especially your daughter's. I can't imagine what people are going through in the floods. We are vulnerable, with a stream in the garden, our hamlet has been flooded in the past with our lane impassable After heavy rain, the stream rises alarmingly and we all keep a close watch on it with fingers crossed. We haven't had as much rain as you up there, as yet. Thinking about you.

Thanks Holly for your comment - much appreciated. I am able to have tubs - not doing too well - and as I said, no hanging baskets allowed! Sorry yours have been spoilt, let's hope for some sunshine soon - we've all had enough rain!! :-(

Thanks for the photo - it made me smile!

Thanks - you are very reassuring! Tell you later if it does flower. Usually, I don't prune things hard enough, this year I pruned this very hard as well as a cotinus which had obviously not been pruned at all for years. It has some new growth which looks O.K. to me. It's showing in one of my photos in the back of the border. I didn't have to worry about flowers on that!

I would imagine so, too. Leave that bit out (and save yourself some work!) Good luck - hope the red thread goes soon!

A fabulous, inspirational garden (National Trust). Very famous and if you haven't been there, it's worth staying in Kent to visit. It's divided into 'rooms' each with its own atmosphere and theme, one of course being the 'White Garden'. Used to go there when stressed out, and just sit among the flowers!

Back to trusty RHS which says Red Thread's common after heavy rain...no comment! Treatment seems to be improving drainage, aerating, scarifying and feeding. Good luck with that lot! :-o

How about climbing jasmines? They can be fragrant, and some are evergreen. They would make an attractive screen, and you could get varieties for different seasons . Just a thought. Clematis would grow through them, too.

It does look like some sort of mallow - can I have a bit :-) it may be a wild flower but it's very pretty!!!

thanks! - do I have to do anything other than water, feed and support plant?

Hello Tussiemussie - yes, slightly.

This garden's real beauty is its setting, between the Quantocks and the sea, with views all around. It has wonderful herbaceous borders and wilder areas as well as a huge Rosa Banksia Lutea. There is a woodland area (3 acres) to wander in. The house isn't open, but the garden is in the Yellow book. I wish it opened more frequently! The village is picture-postcard pretty, with a duckpond and walks to the coast.

I think I've got this variety, too. I give it a haircut after it's flowered, and though fresh leaves grow, I haven't had any new flowers as yet. I know some people do!

Are you able to dig up the gravel or will you have to keep to pots?
Pots will obviously keep your new plants smaller - from your photo, it looks like you will need plants to screen you from passers by.

Let's see it now later in the season. please!

When we came here (Jan 2005) there were yards and yards of Symphytum (not the variety in the picture). My sort is invasive, and this year I have been digging it out to create new areas with more interesting flowers/shrubs. I've composted about 12 barrow loads minus to roots...what a job! Moral - be careful which variety you plant, pretty though the flowers are.

My plants meant to be late Summer/Autumn are coming into flower now in June(e.g. phlox, rudbeckia, helenium)!

Thanks - I'll look it up. If it is, I might not search it out, because it's poisonous isn't it?