Downpour

For a day where I thought I’d be spending lots of time in the yarden, I spent little time at all doing anything really.

Let’s hope I spend more time in my green space tomorrow.

Eco …

I have bought a solar powered water pump, it is working but to the extent I need for my project.

I’ve read and hear that when the sun is strong these do well, it’s been pretty over cast so hoping that it gets stronger.

If not I’ll use it elsewhere.

I’m loving the amount of bees and birds that are visiting!! Today I saw our usual visitors of sparrows along with some tits and a black bird.

Our yarden today is looking green and lush! Still a very small space but so happy what we have done with it. The recent downpours have really helped. I’d just like it to warm up again.

I met a lady today that helps re home injured hedgehogs and she suggested that our little jungle would be a perfect home. I am seriously considering it.

Being able to provide a home for my favourite UK wild animals, letting it munch on many of the slugs and snails as it’s likes.

I hate chemicals and always prefer a natural way to garden. I think this would be a win win for the hedgehog, the plants and the planet.

Watch this space!

Green, boring? NEVER!

The jasmine is not only looking amazing it smells better than you can imagine!

I pruned the fig tree, I decided to take many cuttings of varying types. We will soon see it they grow!

Look at the yucca about to flower.

This is my aloe shelf. Aloe vera, variegata and aristata.

This is a cool plant! Oxalis triangularis, they open and close. So cool!!

I have some borage in the yarden, love the colour of the flowers. However the bees love them!!!

This beauty is Aoenium zwartkop.

This is a montage of the various greens and foliage in our yarden. Hostas, ferns, grasses, bamboo, Zantedeschia, monkey puzzle, solanum.

Enjoy your green space and see you tomorrow.

Wind, wind, wind…

It was actually a sunny day and fairly warm when the wind slowed but when it sped up … breezy and not really a great conditions to work in.

Some more blue hostas I grow. This one I’m not quite sure as the label has disappeared. It’s possibly Blue Cadet.

This is a lovely bigger variety. Hosta Krossa Regal.

This water lily is already at the surface along with frog bit.

Another lovely plant I grow, this is Oxalis triangularis.

I bought this cacti from a NGS, I have no idea what it is. I think it needed more light, so I am hoping this spot suits it more.

Let’s hope I am able to get out and do more tomorrow.

Scorcher of a day!

I’ve really enjoyed the scorching day! All my plants appear to be growing so well. I did have to water many this afternoon.

Yes – apologies for the caladium update. You’ll be pleased to know that these are two of sixteen varieties!!

A friend gave me a water lily last week. Here it is potted up and moved to it’s forever home. I hope it’s going to be happy.

I was pleased to see that the oxalis are all popping through the ground now. I grow four varieties in total, I’d love to grow more.

Please remember our little friends that visit our green spaces. A simple drinking ‘bar’ for bees and other visitors can me made from very little. Here is an old container and some pebbles topped up with water.

I CANNOT wait until May ends.

Don’t cast a clout until May is out.

This is an ‘old wives tale’ but is one us gardeners live by. With the risk of frost still possible it’s always best to check the weather and be able to protect those babies.

Here are all the plants I am growing from seed in our flat! This is our spare room and bed.

And the lounge. Let’s face it – all the window sills are filled!!

A friend and I often order plants together. These beauties arrived today from Jurassic plants.

Here we have two types of fig, a medlar, a Szechuan pepper, an aronia bush and two edible fruiting elaeagnus. Hoping to enjoy the fruit in the future.

I am also very lucky and grateful that David gave me this little intrigue – an Arisaema, ciliatum var. Liubaense. Can’t wait for this to flower!

Whilst visiting David and of course social distancing, I saw this extraordinary flower on his Passion flower.

I am also extremely happy with the growth and progress of this recent purchase from AJ Plants. This is the tropaeolum tuberosum, a lovely leaved nasturtium.

Another friend, also called David, gave me this plant. It is a climbing abuliton. You may be able to see the bud.

It is called Abuliton megapotamicum. It is slow to start but if this warm weather continues I’m sure it’ll be right at home.

I haven’t mentioned hostas for some time, here is an amazing plant. Hosta halcyon. It is one of the many blue forms and a popular favourite.

Hosta la vista

Propagation pay off ?

A busy day gardening.

Started off when I went shopping in Aldi and they had these amazing bargains. Bought a few baskets for friends.

I took these dahlia cuttings yesterday. They are called ‘Sandra’, same name as my mum so eager to have many to share.

So happy that the setaria palmifolia are growing so well.

When the sun is out I love sharing my gardening time with my parents. Here is my dad pricking out and potting on some dahlia seedlings. I pricked out the mesembryanthemums seedlings.

I also potted on some more hostas and split a few too. Along with the Zantedeschia Odessa (black flowered arum).

I attempted to take some cuttings from the impatiens tinctoria.

The dreaded lily beetle is in a neighbourhood near you!! Watch out! Thankfully this isn’t in my yarden!

Hope to get some stuff down in our Tiny Tropical Yarden tomorrow.

Plant filled day!

My morning wander round our Tiny Tropical Yarden and I was happy to see the Zantedeschia flowering.

Also happy to see that the caladiums are finally showing.

I have been trying to grow these at our house and nothing. I tried them in the greenhouse at my parents and look at the result.

These are mirabilis jalapa, also known as the four o’clock flower. They are heavily scented and the flowers open and close too!

I took some ‘cuttings’ of the yucca …

This rambling rose is loving the weather. Look at all those buds! I’m not the biggest rose fan but I love scent and this will fill the garden.

Here is my hosta, blue mouse ears looking great!!

I also split a few more hostas. They have been planted in the pots for some time and there is always a struggle getting them out of the pots. I am pleased that I have nearly worked my way through all the potted hostas.

I was checking the Zantedeschia Odessa bulbs, and I was impressed to find eight bulbs and some great sizes.

Back in our yarden the giant Zantedeschia ‘Hercules’ is flowering. Growing great!

I have a variety of veggies and edibles growing in my yarden bin.

I’m also loving how green and lush this variety of edibles and ornamentals on my vertical planters are!

These are some banana skins and coffee grounds as well as tea bags that are destined to be plant food! I never through any of these or egg shells away!! They all have great nutritional properties when they break down.

Until tomorrow

Colourful day

A simple gardening day today.

Went for a lovely walk (exercise time) around Didsbury. Some stunning plants.

The wisteria is stunning on this house!

A mixtures of pinks and reds …

Subtler shades …

Back in our yarden, I have hung these small glass bottles. I intend to use them for cuttings and any accidental flower chops – like this marsh marigold.

I’m excited to see my Cautleya is poking out of soil amongst the black mondo grass.

Tonight I have been pricking out these seedlings. They are an interesting tropical plant. Lobelia fistulosa – I have never grown these before and am hoping that I can get them to grow big!

Made some more plant labels out of the milk bottles my parents are saving for me.

Night night!

What in the ‘hail’ is this?!

So a mixed day regarding the weather. Still fairly cool hitting about 6/7 in the night.

Felt chilly when I went in the the yarden, I even had a choob around my neck.

I’m not sure if you watch Gardener’s World, Monty Don was talking about taking Dahlia cuttings. I have done this with Dahlia Honka Black, I don’t grow many ‘normal’ plants buy as this dahlia has black flowers and is single, it fits my unusual theme and hopefully the bees with enjoy it too!

I have painted these wooden wine boxes with a preservative for a future yarden project. The stuff smells bad but keeps enhances the natural colour of the wood.

I can’t believe that the Geranium palmatum are already in bud!!! Soon these will be adorned with huge cerise / pink flowers.

I’m sure you know I am painting the fences, having to move many of my pots, I am going lots of insects. It’s grway to see what once was a concrete jungle is now a haven for wildlife.

My little pond is aiming back to life. These miniature water lily like plants pop back up from the depths every spring. It’s great to see all the wildlife this little amount of water attracts. From birds and bees drinking from it to the snails and bugs that live in there, not forgetting the plants!

I always prepare to garden with a cup of tea, love this mug with a lid!!

This Japanese reed grass gives continuity in the yarden and gives a flow almost like water.

I am pleased to have sown many edibles this year, here is a mix of salads that are ready for the picking.

I try and encourage wildlife in to the yarden, especially the birds. Their song and visits give me so much joy.

I bought this ‘window’ feeder about two years ago and the birds didn’t really bother with it. I decided to make it into a bird bath come drinking station. I know I need to hide the ‘soft cheese’ but I’m hoping it will get more use.

Other than that it’s been a wet day and even had hail!!! Let’s see if I can paint another fence panel tomorrow.

Thanks for reading. Please do let me know what you are doing in your green space.

Rain rain rain …

I’m sure many of you (outdoor gardeners) are with me, and are happy that we have had a decent downpour.

Not really done much in my green space today … just took a few pictures.

This is Persicaria virginiana ‘Lance Corporal’, you can see where it gets its name from. I am becoming increasingly interested in persicarias as they are easy to grow and easy to propagate. They seem to like a lot of water but are very forgiving.

I like them so much that I have three on a wish list. I have four in my collection of plants so far.

This is Hosta ‘Hadspen Blue’, a lovely medium sized hosta, seems to be more slug and snail hardy than others.

Did you know hostas are also edible? Fancy some pan seared hostas?

A word of warning. DO NOT EAT MY HOSTAS!

This is Hosta ‘Abiqua Drinking Gourd’ it has cupped shaped leaves with corrugated foliage. It collects the rainwater, hostas always look great with rain droplets resting on their leaves. So photogenic.

I’m excited, this is a caladium peeking out of the soil. These are some of the most amazing foliage plants known!! They are not hardy and be quite difficult to start as they are a little fussy.

Caladiums originate from South America, they need heat, they can be grown as house plants or outside in the summer. They range from white, pinks, greens… superb!!!

As with many plants they can be poisonous to humans and / or pets. Always make sure to check before planting.

I’m wondering what everyone thinks about my blog. Anything you’d like to know? Any questions?

I love to swap plants and seeds … let me know if there’s a plant I grow and you’d like a cutting.

Enjoy your green space