Spritzhenry's Outbox

I haven't had any problems with Parker's and I get most of my bulbs from them every year. Their prices are really good in bulk and it saves me a fortune. I wouldn't buy plants, though. (I did once and they weren't good). My order came through within two weeks this autumn.

What a shame you've had problems, ads2020.

How odd. I'm trying to remember how many years my two plants have been in...it's a long time.

Edit:
I just checked in my 'garden' list and they were there in 2007...

Yayy! I got it right! :-)))

'Tom Thumb' springs to mind, Bloomer, but Hywel will know for sure.

Poor Abi - it's been so wet this week, and all the leaves are v.v.v. soggy. YUK!! She will take it all in her stride, though, and get raking! Mind you, if it's tipping down later, I shall have to persuade her not to work today. I wouldn't, so why should she struggle on?

What a shame - I wonder why it didn't like your garden?

I found what seems to be a useful book on Amazon - called 'Growing Healthy Fruit in Spain' by Clodagh and Dick Handscombe. It has good reviews and is in print and available.

I hope that helps.

No apology needed. I have three choices: 1) pick up the vine leaves by hand, 2) get Abi to rake them up, or 3) put up with them!

I do try to pick up a trug load each day, because there are poplar leaves all over the lawns and horse chestnut leaves galore in the borders and car park, so Abi has plenty to do in her 2 hours per week!

The raking action really upsets my chest - later, so my GP banned it...

I should have blown the photo up, Bamboo. I'm sure you're right. I'm not surprised the flowers are small, if the plant is stressed.

I can't track down any roses called 'Simon', I'm afraid. There are plants with 'simonii' after their first name, but nothing called 'Simon' on its own. Why not go for a rose like 'Golden Memories' or 'Thinking of You' ?

I'm afraid I don't really, Dd, Autumn is not my favourite season. It's fine admiring the colours in other people's gardens, but I sigh because all those leaves are about to drop - and have to be cleared up....and I'm not allowed to wield a rake! :-(((

I thought they belonged to something else, Stera. They looked too diminutive to belong to this plant, poor thing.

Why do men have to 'hack'?

I've had mine for several years - I got them at Beth Chatto's Nursery. Can't think when that would have been...

I haven't seen it anywhere else, but I'd like another. Must check out the RHS Plantfinder.

So do I...it's lovely to have a big splash of colour at this time of year.

They are well worth it.

It certainly isn't!

OH chopped back the Vitis and poor Aljonushka fell out of the tree she was clambering up!

Thanks. :-))