What is this mould in my garden and how can I get rid of it? (long, sorry)

[NineUnlikelyTales]

I'll set the scene..

Moved into our tiny terraced house in city suburb a year ago. The (tiny) garden was very, very overgrown and full of ancient plants that hardly produced a leaf. So, whilst heavily pregnant I chopped back all the weeds at the bottom of the garden and laid down mulching fabric to suppress them. I dug out the worst plants and got rid of most of the weeds. I planted a few container herbs and a small herb garden (which is rubbish because of whitefly, but that's another story).

Those plants that remain are a bit feeble looking and have some white, powdery looking mould on the underside of the leaves. There were some peonies but they never bloomed (looked like the buds rotted). I can't find any information on what the mould could be or how to get rid of it.

In case it's relevant, I should add that the garden is walled and the walls are covered in ivy, which I do keep cut back but they are HUGE plants. The back wall is overhung by the neighbour's plants, which are rose bushes and something which I think is called a heavenly tree.

Any advice on what to do about the mould, and the whitefly, and the general sorry state of my garden? I would love to plant a lawn at the back for my DS to toddle on.

A thousand thanks!
Nine

could it be powdery mildew? NOt sure what to do about it but you could google it and see if it is that and I'm sure someone else will help

It sounds like powdery mildew to me too, if it is it is not too much of a problem. I grow old English roses and they get it at the end of the season. Take off as many of the mildewy leaves as you can and get rid of them- don't try to compost them- throw them away. I think your garden needs as much sunlight and air as poss. I would be v tough on the ivy- it is a greedy plant and will take more than its share of water and nutrients.
Check out the grass seed if you are planting a lawn from scratch- there are very tough shade tolerant varieties that work very well.
This cold weather should hopefully flatten the white fly, maybe they came in with the herbs you planted. The little beasts target my thyme but it always seems to come back to life. My children are trained to kidnap ladybirds and bring them home to eat the greenfly so don't forget to get ds ladybird spotting asap. Your garden sounds like it could be fun- they all have problems. We have a drystone wall bordering ours and it is full of snails the size of sheep if you know a cure please tell me.

Powdery mildew comes where plants are too dry at the roots but get a bit damp on top. Some plants are martyrs to it whatever the conditions, such as pulmonaria or courgettes, but not peonies especially. It quite often attacks plants under walls as the walls suck moisture out of the ground, and the air is a bit more still so the mould can really get going.

You have four options

1. try to keep the ground moister. This is hard - you need to dig in lots of organic matter, water regularly etc but frankly it's a tough option, I have never managed to make a significant difference
2. spray with fungicide. I don't know which one, I don't spray and personally wouldn't with toddlers around
3. plant stuff that is resistant - what's your garden like? shady? sunny etc? mumsnetters will have lots of suggestions
4. ignore it. it's not terminal, and if it gets bad just chop off the worst leaves and let them regrow.

Whitefly - again, a number of options. Spray if you must, but most of us wouldn't. Cut the affected plant down to the ground if it's something that will regrow (ie not shrubby) and burn/bin the leaves with the babies on them to wipe out a whole generation; plant tagetes (little marigolds), they don't like the smell apparently. I think there are some other repellant plants/herbs but can't remember what. Again, tehy are a pain but not terminal.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your help. What you have all said makes perfect sense, especially about the walls and the ivy.

I don't want to use chemicals, so I guess my plan of attack will be..

a) Cut back the ivy substantially
b) Try and remove the mildewy leaves and throw them away
c) Try and create a bit more light and air in the garden by cutting back the overhanging vegetation from neighbours' gardens
d) Chop back the herbs
e) Plant little marigolds

My garden is very shady along one side but the lawn area to be is very sunny for at least half of the day. I have struggled to find plants that I think will grow in the shady part.

Thanks again, will try and make a start at the weekend if the weather isn't too bad.