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Original poster

When the hounds of spring are on winter's traces…...

999 replies

echt · 12/01/2015 21:04

I realise it's later in the UK, but couldn't wait to start a new thread. If another title had been agreed, just tell me and I'll have this removed.

Other than that, seek out those deckchairs from the shed, check them for spiders and get nattering about the spring's promise.

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ppeatfruit · 09/03/2015 16:11

Oh bloody brilliant Grin thanks Maud Flowers I loved Round the Horne (i can't remember if we discussed it on this thread or The Archers thread!).

ref. Tulips they always come out near the end of spring for me. I'm pleased to report that my daffs and crocii in the green are all coming out nicely even the ones that were cut down early, so I needn't have fussed about them. Grin

Funny I'm not sure I'd know if them flowers you were referring to are coming out because I don't know the names (sorry to sound ignorant). could anyone post a pic?

Oh I LOVE wallflowers and I have some (not flowering yet though) but not as healthy looking as others I've seen here does anyone know their optimum conditions?

MyNightWithMaud · 09/03/2015 16:16

Yes, we've talked about RTH before, usually in the context of Julian and Sandy. I did think that Rambling Syd made the perfect crossover between this thread and the Archers one!

my epimedium

Rhubarbgarden · 09/03/2015 16:19

Blimey this thread is romping away, I can't keep up. Hello new people.

Fine to plant lavender now. Mulch it well with gravel.

I did another hour's weeding of the border in the orchard this morning. The weeds are exploding. I need to get it planted up and mulched asap.

The new Crocus catalogue arrived - lovely plant porn.

ppeatfruit · 09/03/2015 16:23

Thanks Maud they're pretty a bit like spring flowering cyclamen then? their leaves are anyway.

MyNightWithMaud · 09/03/2015 17:36

Epimediums are bigger than cyclamen and the leaves aren't so ground-hugging and aren't as prettily patterned - it's more like a mottled effect. The flowers are pretty though, and I think there are varieties in other colours besides yellow.

I've just planted two roses - La Parisienne and Heathcliff - and some of the herbs that have been knocking around since last year. I'm going to hold off planting anything else until I'm sure that what I think are gaps aren't herbaceous perennials that are yet to make an appearance.

I have been enjoying the Crocus porn catalogue, and then I remind myself that they are so much more expensive than anywhere else and the garden is overcrowded anyway. J Parkers is more of a cheap thrill!

Rhubarbgarden · 09/03/2015 18:40

Yes Crocus is just for porn inspiration, not buying. Although I have occasionally bought things from them when it's not been worth the trek to the wholesalers and It's something I can't get anywhere else, and I must say that the quality has been very good.

I was supposed to be going to the wholesalers on Wednesday actually but my client has postponed the rhododendron trip, which is good actually as I have no money this week and a long list of plants I want.

They won't all fit in the car anyway.

I wish I had a van.

MyNightWithMaud · 09/03/2015 18:56

I often wish I had a van, most often when we're at the plant auction in DH's home town and I want to buy their ridiculously cheap trees and massive shrubs. DD complains at having to drive home with foliage in her face, the ungrateful minx.

Could you in time get a van as a legitimate business expense?

Bearleigh · 09/03/2015 19:18

I've only bought one lot from Crocus - some bulbs last autumn, that arrived the day after ordering. The crocus I bought have been very good but the Daffodils were meant to be Rijnvelds Early Sensation which supposedly flower in December/ January even when just planted and have only just come into flower. I feel an aggrieved email coming on, just to register the issue, as (obvs) they were not cheap.

Their website is good though, with the drawings of height and shape, so useful for planning.

Rhubarbgarden · 09/03/2015 19:55

Definitely whinge at them. I agree their website is extremely helpful. I use it all the time for heights and spreads - much quicker than reference books.

A van would be a legitimate business expense. It would certainly make life a lot easier (and the family car cleaner). But cash flow...

Rhubarbgarden · 09/03/2015 19:57

Here's a conundrum. It is the village spring horticultural show on Saturday. The children's competition this year is "A Garden in an Eggshell". Any ideas? I'm a bit stumped, apart from baby sempervivums. I can't think of anything else that will fit in an eggshell. Unless I can source an ostrich egg, mind.

traviata · 09/03/2015 20:05

a couple of small bulbs would fit, and have the leaves and stem poking out?

or a tiny scene with moss and little doll figures, a shell, a sprig stuck in as a tree, that sort of thing.

traviata · 09/03/2015 20:07

pinterest

MyNightWithMaud · 09/03/2015 20:17

A tiny flower arrangement with pulmonaria or snowdrops?

I have a beautiful, tiny vase that I bought in a charity shop, that looks rather like an egg laid on its side.

Rhubarbgarden · 09/03/2015 21:34

Ooh, sideways! Genius. That literally opens up more opportunities.

Thanks Traviata, I hadn't actually thought of it as a floral arrangement and was just thinking I'd need to grow something in it - dur.

Bearleigh · 09/03/2015 21:44

Could you get a goose egg? They are BIG. Easier to find than ostrich eggs. I blew one for BabyBearleigh once - it took a lot of puff.

Mind, a series of quail eggs holding snowdrops would be pretty.

Rhubarbgarden · 09/03/2015 23:14

Hmm. I might try to get a goose egg. Or failing that, a duck egg. I love the idea of a series of quail eggs but as the description of the class is egg singular I fear this would be disqualified!

MyNightWithMaud · 10/03/2015 07:51

Oh yes! You must avoid the ignominy of being NAS [not as schedule]!

ppeatfruit · 10/03/2015 08:00

Yes especially as it's meant to be your dcs' idea!! Grin

NotAnotherNewNappy · 10/03/2015 12:50

Rhubarb - sorry I wasn't v specific! I'd like a climbing hydrangea. I have an east facing side, which only sees a couple of hours of sun in the morning. And a west facing side which gets full sun up to lunchtime then gradually loses it. More ever greens is a good idea as the garden loses structure and looks boring in winter. I'd also like some dogwood for winter colour but want it to look pretty in summer too.

Strawberry planters - I gave up on strawberries and herbs and now have succulents living happily in mine.

Nightshade -How do you find your cultivated blackberry? Does it try to take over the garden? Is it thornless? A well behaved blackberry is on my planting list for this spring.

Callmegeoff · 10/03/2015 17:23

Ooh threads filling up fast!

I'm glad your Echium pininanas are ok rhubarb mine have mostly survived one casualty in the East Border I've actually just pulled it out and I'm thinking about removing a few others just because they are blocking out light to things underneath.

nann I love Camelias but have the wrong soil, strange really lots of my neighbours have them but I guess there is a seam of clay that runs through my garden. I have 2 Camelias in pots, a lovely light pink one that has flowered all winter and a deeper pink one just about to flower.

I've grabbed a few hours of weeding this afternoon, pleased to see Nigella seedlings, not so pleased to see that infernal grass seedling that gets really big! I had to come in and feed dd2 or I'd still be out there.

ppeatfruit · 10/03/2015 17:36

I thought that camellias love acid clay soil Geoff

I've been busy too this aft. I planted a pear and cherry tree to go with the quince in the cleared chicken garden and was very pleased to see that the soil is ideal; neutral as opposed to the calcareous stuff in most other parts of the garden, it might be the fact that all the poultry 'improved ' it Grin.

Also planted a Lilac Madame Stepman and a fancy privet 'japonicum in my new hedge that's coming on, where the leylandii used to be, the roots are huge in some areas, I was sweating after sawing away at them Grin. I'm thinking of getting a couple of larger geraniums to go under said hedge. Because it's now a sunny area.

Callmegeoff · 10/03/2015 17:57

I haven't actually tested the ph but they are only now thriving since I potted them into ericacious soil. Maybe it's a case of location and I could try round the front where there is dappled shade?

ppeatfruit · 10/03/2015 18:09

Yes they are woodland lovers aren't they? Mind you I say that and I remember seeing them in full sun and full flower in bare front gardens!! If they're thriving maybe leave them!!

ppeatfruit · 10/03/2015 18:15

I've got a confession to make, I bought a magnolia soulangeana Susan and after googling have discovered that it needs neutral\acid soil. It would look lovely opposite the dark red leaved, ornamental cherry in the front garden. With the mahonia aquifolium under it Grin. But I'm not sure now Sad

MyNightWithMaud · 10/03/2015 20:29

I have always read that camellias should be in partial shade or, at least, that they should not get the morning sun as this can cause scorching after frost, but I've noticed a few around here in very open and exposed gardens, so maybe that's a counsel of perfection. Mine are in pots with ericaceous compost.

I've just got my echium pininana out of the greenhouse and placed it where I intend to plant it. It worried me by keeling over, but has perked up since I gave it a drink. My friend has filled her front garden with them and they're already getting huge.