Quick update

Thank you for your patience and hope that you have all been enjoying your plants.

Here is an unknown species of Hedychium which is just starting to flower, let’s hope that all the buds have time to flower before the frost.

I have already put these beautiful succulents in to the greenhouse.

I grew this plant from seed and it had been a really slow grower. But it’s really put some growth of late. It is Solanum betaceum.

Other plants that are growing surprisingly well are the Tetrapanex (which you may remember my friend David gave to me), Begonia luxurians, popping in on the left is a Xanthosoma violaceum, which really has spread this summer.

It’s crazy how well some plants have done this summer! This is another perennial that has grown so well, grown much taller than me and has produced lots of flowers and continues to do so. This is Impatiens tinctoria.

I have been lazy taking some tenders in, partly because they seem to be enjoying the moisture and mild climate (also living next door to a laundrette and their dryer tubes helps). Here the Ensete murelii or Abyssinian Banana seems to be growing strong. The Zantedeschia ‘Hercules’ is slowing down for winter, yet the Gynostemma pentaphyllum is showing no sign of slowing down. I love how the plant grows so fast in a season and covers the ropes to give a real jungle feel.

Soon I will collecting these little bulbils that the Begonia grandis ssp sinensis ‘Red Undies’ produce and sow them in the greenhouse to ensure I have some babies in case they do not make it through the winter.

The Abuliton ‘Variegated Salmon’ is still growing well and producing these beautiful flowers. I will soon need to dig it up and put it somewhere safe over winter.

The Mirabilis Jalapa continue to flower along with the Salvia and Zinnia. You can also see the Arundo donax variegata and various Hedyhiums growing in the background along with a smaller growing Cautleya gracilis which is turning yellow.

I am hoping to give this bed a good mulch like I did last year and leave all the tenders barring the Abuliton in the ground.

Other stars of the show have been these Dahlia ‘Sandra’ which I couldn’t resist buying as they share the same name as my mum.

I have grown Dahlia ‘Bishop of Leicester’ over the past few years and always put on a good show. They tall have dark foliage and bright single flowers that the bees adore in the summer.

I hope to be growing and dividing plants over the winter and will keep you up to date as often as possible.

Wrap up warm, enjoy the milder days and most of all love your plants!

Flower catch up

Apologies for the lapse in our catch ups. Some technical issues.

I’m going to keep it brief by just showing some pictures of flowers that I’ve grown, mainly in my parents garden.

Dahlia Bishop of Leicester. A great one for flying insects, especially bees.

Zinnia which I grew from seed.

Mirabilis Jalapa also grown from seed this year. I love the variation you can get, this marble effect yellow and pink then the next is pink. I also have a white one! They are heavenly scented in the evening.

This is the Salvia that flowers grew from a rather strange bud.

This is Dahlia Sandra continuing time flower and standing out of the crowd!

This picture shows how tall this Impatiens tinctoria has grown. You can only see a small part of it. The white flowers are large and scented.

I hope you’re all still enjoying your green space, will update you soon!

Wordless Wednesday

Just so wild!

Yay I’ve had sometime in my little oasis that you may already know I’ve named ‘Tiny Tropical Yarden’.

Here is a Hedychium coronarium, getting in the way of us walking to our door. I decided to move it to allow more space and protect it from damage.

I’m so happy that these night time scented stock have grown in the passage. I’m hoping that they seed and contribute to spread.

I may have also sprinkled so welsh poppies in the passage. I love their nodding heads and their simple yet very apparent presence. I’m happy that they have sprouted.

Our main weeds in the passage since I have been ‘caring’ for the area is Geranium palmatum, and I for one am glad of this … weed.

Another plant that has happened to ‘arrive last in the passage is this fun named plant – Mind your own business, it’s Latin name has changed a few times but I believe it is now known as Soleirolia soleirii.

This plant gives me happiness, it suppresses weeds and looks amazing. Frogs and critters seem to enjoy it. The moisture it retains provides the ideal habitat.

This calcium had a dying leaf, I tugged at the leaf and the whole section, as you can see there were also some roots. I’ve planted it and remain hopeful.

David and I went for a walk along the river Mersey. Look at who’s beautiful butterfly.

We foraged and collected a fair few blackberries.

We popped to my parents, and dropped off a few plants that’s I decided needed a better space that our yarden. Whilst there I was pleased to the progress of the Mirabilis longiflora, sadly they are not quite open but I am excited and anticipate them.

My friend David gave me a cutting of an Aloe striatula, aka Hardy Aloe, i never expected it to flower so soon, here it is in flower.

I’ve had time to sweep the yarden, move plants and pot plants up. I love just having the time potter and enjoy the yarden. My aim is to be able to sit and enjoy.

We always have something to do and it’s our choice to sit and take it in. Is it wrong that I find it easier to sit in another’s garden and contemplate?

Enjoy your green space!!

Scorcher storm

Another really hot day, and many plants are suffering. I’m finding it hard to keep up with watering. Even after the precautions I made.

I’m happy to see this Cautleya gracilis lutea start flowering. It is much more delicate to its more robust counterpart.

Impatiens never used to have a space in my heart never mind my garden, here are two that I have purchased this year and are doing brilliantly.

Impatiens auricauma x bicaudata.

Impatiens balfourii.

I’m hoping that this sown Solanum quitoense will grow bigger and better. The leaves are stunning and so alien.

These are Canna brasiliensis seeds lay on top of a Musa Basjoo leaf.

The bees love the open flowers of this Dahlia ‘Bishop of Leicester’.

This is a Hedychium, I believe it to be H.densiflorum ‘Stephen’. I look forward to it seeing it in all its glory.

When I bought this Abuliton ‘Varigated Salmon’ my mum really dislikes it. Until that is when the flowers came. Now this is a prize plant in my parents garden.

A spot of bright colour provided by this Zinnia.

Another plant I have grown to love are Begonias. This is B. Josephii

Here I have B.evansiana.

Amongst the begonias is this stunning bulb, known as the pineapple lily, the Eucomis bicolour.

As I finish writing this the lightening spreads through the sky, the breeze returns and now the rain comes.

Flurry of flowers

It was great to see that the Mesembryanthemums I grew for my parents have finally started to flower. This is the first one, hoping that we’ll get lots of different coloured flowers.

This plant has not had much luck, the slugs seem to love it more than hostas! Finally there’s a bigger leaf that had a finally got some growth. Keep your fingers crossed.

It is Dendroseris litoralis also known as the Cabbage Tree.

One of my friends gave me a cucumber plant and now there are baby cucumbers!! Yay!

My parents are also really happy with the planters I did for them earlier in the year.

I’m really surprised at the growth on these Impatiens tinctoria this year! It has a beautiful scent.

Enjoy your green space!

All seasons in one day*

So I’ve managed to do a few bits outside today in the sun, rain and wind*.

I’ve finally put the stand together and placed some hostas on it. There needs to be some rearrangement but it’s a good start.

A lovely Dahlia flower. I had to buy these for my parents when I saw them! These are Dahlia Sandra. My mum’s name.

These are Amaranthus.

I love how big these ornamental gingers are growing! I am not sure of the variety of these Hedychium, I believe it could be ‘Stephen’.

These are the planters I prepared for my parents earlier this year.

I’ve spotted a few things of interest, hoping to catch you up on these soon.

Had a fairly relaxing day. Haven’t really done much in the garden.

This morning someone came round for a Japanese hardy ginger – zingiber myoga, she happened to mention it was in her book. Intrigued I asked her which.

She said it was the James Wong book ‘Homegrown Revolution’, I knew I had this book but had never read about myoga.

I knew exactly where it was. I read about the ginger and looked through and remembered how excited I was at growing edibles.

Needless to say I have a wish list … many of which are more or less impossible to find!

Been trawling the net for specialist plant nurseries.

I was lucky to receive this Pelargonium variegated Apple Blossom from my mother in law.

I’m looking forward to growing this one.

I hope to sow some seeds and make some comfrey tea tomorrow.

Mix bag of weather

Had a busy day planting and pottering in my parents garden.

The weather has been sunny, with storms, thunder, torrential rain. Sun, rain, thunder, sun and rain!

My mum filmed me whilst planting more lovely plants.

I’m pleased to see the Begonia grandis return this year, it’s bulked up too! I bought this from Village Plants last year.

I went to collect David from Warrington however before I went to visit a friend who was able to give me some manure from his little friend.

More gardening tomorrow but not sure sure at this stage if it will be inside or outside.

Precious plants

I have spent a bit of time in the yarden today.

If you’ve been following my posts of late, you’ll know I grow the more unusual and where possible rarer type of plants and flowers.

I was really happy that these petunias survived the winter and have started to re flower.

I don’t normally grow petunias, but when I saw these silky black flowers I couldn’t resist and bought a couple of plants.

These pictures do not do these flowers justice.

I have grown black violas before but sadly they were no longer. I found these at weekend, I must try and propagate these to ensure I don’t lose them again. They maybe small but aren’t they stunning?

Viola ‘Molly Sanderson’.

Another plant I’ve grown before but sadly not been able to keep alive are these dark leaved ipomoea. sadly they have never flowered for me but still. How delicate are the leaves?

Another amazing plant that is a must in my yarden is Aeonium Swartzkopf

This year I also have these stunning but highly poisonous Ricinus New Zealand Purple. I’m hoping that those leaves will grow huge!

Another amazing plant that is showing itself is this Arisaema ciliatum var liubaense. I can’t wait until it’s flower comes out more.

Since we moved here I have tried to encourage wildlife by adding plants, water, food and different habitats. I am pleased to say we have regular visitors, bees and birds mainly however today I saw this stunning black and red moth – The Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae).

Whilst pottering about I tidied up some areas and also decided it is about time I made a ‘feature’ out of my lovely piece of art that I bought off eBay some years ago.

Let me know what you think of it.

It reminds me of my travels around Asia and how they have such ornate pieces of art. Also how water is often placed at the front door – I believe that this is meant to ward of evil spirits but I may be wrong.

What do you grow? I’d love the hear back from you.

I have to give special thanks to my friend David who has given me many unusual plants and who is teaching me more about the rarities out there. He actually gifted the aeonium, Arisaema, Hedychium and ricinus in these pictures.