Yum yum

It’s been a crazy old time lately and I have been busy with my plants, plant deliveries, seed sowing and tidying the yarden.

I’m trying to grow more edibles and herbs, also more climbers to make use of the height available to me.

Here is an order received from Poyntzfield Herbs. I like how they don’t send the pots, reusing them in their nursery and sending in plastic free packaging.

Let’s hope I can keep them growing well allow me to have some more tasty treats in the yarden.

Happy gardening!

Unusual Plant Delivery

I was excited to have this order from Edulis yesterday, so already more plants to add to my plant list.

The plants were well packaged, sadly a few were a little squashed, though I am pleased to report that they are already bouncing back and leaves unfolding.

I was happy to receive this order, many of the plants were on my wish list and I have been trying to get a hold of them for a little while. Some of the selection are also edibles.

This plant is a Chilean Guava (Ugni molinae), an unusual easy to grow fruit, also reputed the favourite fruit of Queen Victoria. They are small shrubs that have scented white flowers and are followed by dark red berries. Also they are bee friendly, every garden should have one!

I have become increasingly interested in the Zingiberacae family of plants and the main reason that I bought from this company was that they had Zingiber mioga ‘Dancing Crane’ and Zingiber mioga ‘White Feather’. Both of which are variegated versions of the mioga ginger (or Hardy Japanese Ginger). There are no pictures of these as they die down to their roots in the winter.

Another ginger I bought was a Alpinia japonica, also known to be a hardy variety, I was surprised that it was in leaf. I have found little information on this ginger so I am excited to see how it fares in comparison to the others in my collection.

I have been trying to add more edibles, so when I saw some of the following I thought they would be a great to add to the edible selection.

This small alpine strawberry (Fragaria vesca ‘Muricata’ aka Plymouth Strawberry) is a rather unusual one, it’t fruits are ‘hairy’ cone shaped. Intrigued how it is going to taste. (I know that this looks like this is a little worse for wear – it has already perked up since being outside).

Another interesting edible that I added to the order was Rubus arcticus aka Artic Raspberry, again no picture as this clearly dies down in winter. There are many buds protruding from the soil. This is a low clumping plant that has deep pink flowers followed by pineapple flavoured berries.

I already have a very well coloured clover so I couldn’t resist this pink leaved one. This is Trifolium repens ‘Isabella’. I was a little disappointed when it arrived, however I put it down to the cold weather and again it has already perked up and looking much happier.

Who else doesn’t like propagating plants to share with friends or increase your collection? Last year I had an idea to hang bottles in the yarden, added water and cuttings and watch them root! Silly me left them up during the winter and they literally exploded – reminder – take down for winter.

I also thought I would share a picture of this Cinnamon Vine (Dioscorea batatas) that I am growing from a small bulbil. I love how detailed it is. This is another edible I am going to grow this year.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the update on my delivery.

Do you also grow edibles or unusual plants? I’m always interested in hearing from any readers out there.

Happy gardening!

Winter’s here!

I hope this finds you well and gardening!!

I have finally cut some leaves off the Ensete murelii and have brought her inside.

I am always so saddened when I cut these stunning leaves from the plant (Ensete murelii), however I’ve learnt that this is a necessary evil to allow the plant to survive for the winter months. Along with not watering it whatsoever. This is a mistake that I have ignored in the past and sadly lost this beauty.

Many of my plants have had to come to their winter home, loving the green jungle which is our stairs!

This is one of my seed sown plants, Aeonium tabuliform, look at the prefect form of the leaves!

As the weather cools, hidden and forgotten friends return. This is Arum italicum pictum, soon we will have an insignificant flower to be followed by bright red berries.

Another stunner at this time of year is the beautiful Cyclamen hederofolium, look at their leaves! They even have beautiful flower … watch this space.

Many of the exotics are now inside, I am lucky enough to have a micro climate due to the high walls and the heat from a neighbouring launderette.

This Colocasia esculenta is still growing and looking quite at home in our tiny tropical yarden.

In other news, a friend on twitter sent me these huge cuttings. They look like bamboo, however they are Dahlia imperialis aka The Tree Dahlia.

It’s been an interesting year in the garden, I’ve grown many plants which I have never grown before. This is an interesting plant, it is a climber with delicate leaves and can flower if looked after properly. It has the added use that it is edible, it is known as Mashua, Latin name is Tropaeolum tuberosum.

It’s also been an interesting year in my parents garden, the bananas have grown well, I’ve also grown Mirabilis species, jalapa and longiflora. Both have also set seed and hopefully will see more of them round the garden next year.

Another plant that has really shown how well it performs is Impatiens tinctoria, a tall growing perennial with large scented white flower. A must have in any jungle garden.

Also pleased to have some seeds mature from my Hedychium, I believe it to be densiflorum ‘Stephen’.

I hope you’re all keeping well, keep gardening!

House plant frenzy!

I’ve been needing to pot on some rooted cuttings and today was the day.

The roots on my Rhaphidophora tetrasperma looking great, I’m hoping that now I’ve planted it, it’ll grow fast.

Another cutting with stunning leaves, this is Epipremnum aureum ‘N’ Joy, more commonly known as Pothos.

I had some other green Pothos to plant up, and two varieties of impatiens cuttings.

I have another variety of Tradescantia, they are easy to propagate from cuttings. This is Tradescantia pallida.

A bit of an update on the mango seed. I was told to dry the husk and then open it.

I opened it, sadly the seed didn’t come out whole. A little broke off.

I have planted the seed and fingers crossed it will sprout.

Enjoy your plants!

Man go ing mad!

I’ve had a full day and not really had much time to do anything other than water some of my plants.

After making dinner I have saved the mango husk to attempt to grow it.

I have grown a fair few avocados and a couple of pineapples after some refining of the technique and am hoping I will be able to grow a mango too.

Have you grown anything from kitchen waste?

Keep planting!

A tidy garden …

I found myself gardening at my parents today. Not sure if I had subconsciously decided this or not.

Pottered about and tidied up.

The Canna brasiliensis has flowered well and has set seed. Lots of swollen buds!

I have also potted on the Japanese Bitter Orange (Citrus trifoliata).

I bought this Begonia a few years ago as a present for my dad. I haven’t really done much with it over the winters other than kept it frost free. I’m surprised at how well it still grows!

I also moved the second half of the flower stand and displayed more hostas. This has made the whole are so much tidier.

My parents are happy how their garden is changing and feeling more like they can sit and relax.

It is important that we sit and relax (or even sit and contemplate) in your green space.

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.

Potty about plants

I’m pleased to see that the Alocasia ‘Polly’ is growing back after it slowly died away.

I also planted up some of the growing avocado stones.

Also potted on the Crassula ovata, aka money plant.

I potted on one of my fig plants. Ficus carica ‘Ice Crystal’.

I bought some thyme and decided to plant it in this terracotta pot and repot this over growing Oca.

Here is the Thyme potted up.

And on my edible shelf.

I’m pleased to see my recently bought Bomarea is flowering.

I also bought some chives. The key to any supermarket bought herbs is to split them and repot them as soon as you get them. This will give them the energy and nutrition they need.

I’m hoping to catch up with more things tomorrow.

A day of fresh air

Had a busy day in the garden today with my parents.

I have really for many pictures to share.

The bees love the marjoram flowers.

I planted eight lavender plants, weeded lots of grasses and weeds. Pruned roses and trimmed back the hydrangea. It was sad to see the blooms go to waste. So I put them together.

I hope to get more done soon.

Few more pictures

Haven’t done lots in the yarden today. Thought I’d share pictures of the plants I have recently blogged about.

This is the Lathyrus latifolius ‘White Pearl’.

This is a very bad picture of these fairly tall Cyperus longus.

And here we have the Impatiens auricoma x bicaudata.

These are the beautiful Rhodohypoxis now potted up in terracotta.

Other than that I went for a trip to Ikea to get more plant pots and sadly after the hour queue to get in they had sold out of the ones I went in for.

I’ve hung the plants regardless but as you can see I need better plant pots!

This gives you the idea.

Speak tomorrow.