Magazine style - all inclusive

[Perki]

Morning its raining and forecast to rain all weekend so no gallivanting to the GC I am stuck inside with not to much to do , I've got some jobs in tidying the GH up and I may risk going outside and planting some things out . I probably lounge around looking up some plants on the internet for the rest of the day.

The camera takes a clearer close up picture

 

[Zenj]

Yep rain here too managed a walk without getting wet ,still warm though ,Perki browsing plants on the net your wallet will be hit .

 

[Perki]

I never got round to browsing on the internet at some plants ( may do that now ) just looked at a catalogue of plants instead for Dove cottage nursery , they don't do online so no impulse buys but I were weighing up risking the journey cause I've spotted a few a like to try .

Instead I stuffed my face and watched the football for a while. The weather did give me a chance earlier to take a wheelbarrow piled up full of plants for my mum . And I divided my Allium Globemaster which I've not been looking forward to, 16 bulbs I lifted ( I planted 3 originally ) replanted all back into the small border should be around 20 ish bulbs in there now nicely spaced out. I am a notorious allium mass murder in my garden they are always getting chopped and hacked to death but I didn't stab or chop one I deserve a medal / food for that feat.

Also working in the same bed ( the hot border ) I planted out 4 Achillea Walther Funcke and the two Kniphofia mango I picked up last year for this bed. Replanted one of the Lobelia Tanna while I were at it, the heavens then opened torrential rain so a mad dash to pack up and get back inside

 

[alp]

Even when you chopped the allium bulbs, don't throw them away as as long as there is a bit from the basal plate, they will grow. I have got some seeds from some alliums, but just couldn't pin a name to it. Is allium giganteum sterile?

Your mass planting of alliums is very nice. I happened to see Monty watering his banana AGAIN and his alliums were a right mess. I am sure lobelias love your area. Rain, rain and rain. I wish there would be one whole week of rain for me. Instead, I have one whole week of sunshine. Just come back from gallivanting. Bought 2 penstemons - garnet and firebird. There was a rubicundus which spotted a scarlet red but had no markings They turned out to be £2 each

Zenj was right. I was on the net going through Cayeux and that burnt a hole in my pocket. When I looked at the price quoted for iris from Iris Sissinghurst, I quickly placed an order. Nearly £12 for delivery.

Bought 2 more thalictrums. Also bought an iris for £1.

 

[alp]

Judging from the weather report, Perki, you will have to do a LOT of that browsing and Zenj can just get away with a bit more. It looks like perpetual rain and I reckon the reservoir will be full after this week. Boy, do we need that? It's reported that the whole of the continent could be suffering drought!

Yesterday, I managed to get some more cucumber from the British gc for 20p each. Right at the check out, I saw a woman taking a plant and I had a look and saw Streptocarpus going for £1. I grabbed 2 and 2 odd looking ones for £2 each. They were not from Dibleys but instead from Holland. Quite pleased.

The newish samsung is so heavy and is a bit difficult to focus. Last night, stumbled onto Carol K's programme on C5 and yet had to break off to bid for a camera lens. Someone bidded for £150 and we had our laptops on from 7minutes, poised to pounce! Towards the end, at about 2m 45 se, there was movement. Before that, I keyed in £150.01, thinking to strike at 20sec. But no. From 2m 45m there were about 8 bids. and it went up to £400. Later, we checked who bid. There were only 2 bidders. The first person was the last person who bid and therefore £400 for him. All the bids in the middle were put in by the same person in steady increments. Oh, dear! What a con!

Saw this extravagant iris at my fav gc. Very big and striking!

Captured some odd looking flowers in another one!

I remember seeing this prickly things with fllorets shooting out like firework in Hyde Hall.

Look at the nasty leaves! I would leave it alone!

Snow in the summer

Targa clematis

 

[Perki]

Morning yes lots of browsing today .

The prickly plant with the pink white flowers is a Morina longifolia , I grow some last year from seed but the winter has seen all off but for one which is now planted in the garden. The foliage has a citrus scent as well but its smells like washing up liquid to me.

I saw the carol klein program on channel 5 yesterday but didn't watch it I know they are repeats but worth watching still , I could do to watch them for some inspiration. One of them was filmed at ashwoods with hellebores and hepaticas that will cheer you up alp.

Wish I could say my wallet got hit by buying plants yesterday but it got a big hit on Thursday , had to pay / send money to solicitors for the house . Took me a day to get over all that money leaving my bank account , haven't got a completion date yet they have to do a energy efficient test with a certificate which is next Thursday . So after that me and my dad should own the house with no mortgage and the garden forever mine unless I move one day or pop my clogs.

 

[alp]

How's your day, everyone? Just come back and planted about 5 plants and still some to go.

Hope there have been dry spells for Zenj as according to the weather, you're not drenched or soaked as Perki's!

Went to Crews Hill and of course, Clockhouse and bought 2 peonies, 3 tall plants - Eupatorium maculatum (Atropurpureum Group), one Snowhall and one Asclepias Incarnata red. 4 to 5 foot tall plants for £5 is so reasonable.

Whilst we were queuing up to pay for my 4 plants (reduced but even that cost me £5 each from Percy Thrower's ex garden centre!), we were complaining the queue being too long and with 5 tills, you would think they would shift faster. Er no! After about 5 minutes, a guy came along, telling us that there had been a power cut and of course the tills not working. Another 5 minutes later, a young lady came and asked who could pay cash. We rummaged all over our coats, pockets, wallets, handbags and came up with £14 whilst we needed £20. So in the end, we took 2 pots and left 2. By the time we were queuing to pay for ours right at the exit, heavens opened violently - a downright downpour with sleeting and after that flash floods and even the glass house which housed the till was leaking and my legs constantly got tickled by leakage. After 10 minutes, it's over the the tills were working. It seems to me, rain favoured Harlow as every time we went there, there was a downpour with this one taking the biscuit.

You must be wearing thick gloves when you do your gardening. I have to say that's a very spectacular plant. The one in Hyde Hall looked even majestic and the flowers were bigger. Very unforgettable and spectacular. Talking about scent, citrus scent or orange peel can be just so subjective. Friend was very keen on Calycanthus x raulstonii 'Hartlage Wine' (Sweetshrub) or some wine, I smelt it again today, there might be some scent, not sure it's orange peel.

I have seen Carol's programmes and might catch up again. Shame to see John M crying like a puppy over his young gardener's passing. Well, I pretty felt for him. Soul mate is difficult to find. He has found and lost one and I hope he's found his again. For me, it will always be plants rather than human!

Hey, well done! Well come to the rank of house owner! No mortgage! Wow! You've done well, Perki! Give your parents a big hug, especially your dad, he deserves it!

Congratulations in order! Let us know the exact date and Zenj will send you a flashy card and I the boring artist, the usual but heart-felt congratulations!

So nice! !

 

[Perki]

Evening its still raining rotten day . Just been in GH and feed the tomatoes etc and removed lots of side shoots , its to wet to do anything outside .

My dad should be thanking me I payed for around 85% of the house I still live with my dad my mum lives round the corner. Got the house cheap council house with a big discount right to buy scheme, its not with its flaws though made out of concrete blocks ( orlit ) which is classed as a defect you can't get mortgage on these types of houses ( some specialist broker may lend ) so you really have to be a cash buyer .

I hate paying by card I always carry cash , shame you had to put some plants back I usually have to do it cause I can't fit them in my rucksack.

 

[alp]

Good morning - I can assure you that you will be in the greenhouse a lot this week, Perki! Zenj might as get away with it a bit. Looks like the neon and blue blob reigns supreme over Lancashire!

All you need to do is to K-rendered it and make your new house look nice. It's nice to own your own house rather than paying rent. It's nice that you live near each other and look out for each other. When I saw those council house going for £1, my mouth waters!

Yes, it's awful to part with those part as they both had buds/flowers. I have Edith Wolford, but it has never flowered. Any way, Snow Owl is not interesting enough. Now I wish I had Edith instead of Rocket as it was just a total lighter shade of terracotta.

Very happy gallivanting yesterday! Going to be busy. Might upload some photos later. Have a nice. day.

 

[alp]

Planted out 4 Asclepias Incarnata yesterday, also the Eupatorium M Atropurpureum, and Eupatorium Snowball. Hacked the big mass of leaves of Art Nouveau to nearly nothing - strange that plant keep giving leaves and nothing else.

Also planted out some outdoor cucumbers, 20p each! Bargains and they are much stronger than those I raised myself. Going to the allotment today to plant out some more sweetcorns and asparagus.

I have been given 3 different laptops for as many days and this one has only got 2 USB slots, so if I removed one for my camera, I wouldn't be able to use the mouse. So the photos I took yesterday couldn't be used. Will upload later.

 

[alp]

very different weather reports!

The colours of the new camera are a bit shocking!

My fault - out of focus and this is a horrible looking flower!

Flunky white

Newly bought Asclepias Incarnata Cinderella

I wish I had my own Toshiba back. At least, I can "wash" the brighten the photos. Taken late in the evening and the winds were just ruining any decent attempts.

 

[alp]

Yesterday was a day of frustration: couldn't find the keys, couldn't find the remote. Couldn't go to the allotment. ... The keys was left outside and I saw it about 8pm.

We and Wiltshire have made the news - not for good reason though: Biggest increase of Covid cases 300%! Oh, dear! We don't want to be another Leicester. They didn't mention the fact that there are a lot of old people living here. There are at least 2 nursing homes 5 minutes' drive from me.

This means another day or sporadic spittings!

The heavy Samsung is just a nightmare to use.

Amethyst lip Salvia - think best photo here.

Hydrangea

Echinacea

Even this is out of focus

The colour is not natural

Ice and fire

Pink Parasol?

Patio Blue Salvia

Toad lily with quite a few buds

 

[alp]

Hardly any rain to speak of. When it did rain properly (predicted to be 80%), it's the duration of a sneeze.

Took some photos of the streptocarpus that I bought for £1 to £2

S

I like this one most.

Salvia Salmon Dance - most exquisite.

Planted out 8 more toms given by friend. Waiting for delivery of a lot of salvias, one purple agapanthus.

 

[alp]

Good morning - Let's not talk about rain!

Quickly snapped this yesterday, so might be all out of focus.

I wish I had bought the £7 Annabelle from a nursery near Wisley which is due for a visit. Now this one is a a big balloon as described by others, but still a small step forward.

I have bought 3 Echinacea Mellow Yellow and they all turned out to be white.

In the end, I bought these when I saw the colour YELLOW! So fed up!

Finally, Twister is in flower. Bought 2 small ones for £3.99 2 years ago and still no sign of movement. Fed up again and the fact that I am not getting any younger has made me realise that when buying a plant, go for one with buds, better still with colour showing!

My giant Euphoria is taking over. My ignorance made me plant this one and its siblings right in front and now they are dominating the front! Where is this hole where I can burrow and disappear!?

Mellow Yellow!

Mt Etna Penstemon Volcano series

Ace of Hearts - bought from Blue Diamond - previously owned by Percy Thrower and now the vestiage showing its origin is the ridiculous prices and the fact that it always pours down when we go there. They do have some more exotic packed plant and one such is this one and the Formosa orchids. Two of which are doing very well. I rescued all these just in time. Normally the orchid is like £4.99 for 2 or even one!

Now I feel that summer is more advanced than I think, with Bishop of Dover showing its petals and my lobelia tupa showing its tiny red.

Alstroemeria Roc n Roll with two slugs around it! Why is it that slugs and snails are so hungery in between or after rain?

Either Plate of Gold or gold cloth??? When I went to Hyde Hall, I saw this lovely big plate of achillea, so striking! And when this was reduced, I didn't hesitate. I have tried seeds and to no avail and some are still in their packets.

 

[alp]

Good morning: A grey day and yesterday evening, I waited and waited for the rain and Nick Miller said all the rain for us had passed and of course, we hadn't had one drop. At 7.30, I made a bonfire so that I could add some deterrent to my lettuce raised bed. About 8.15, it started to rain. Any way, I stood in the rain and burnt the lot of cistus cuttings and grass and a dead nectarine standard. Very sad that the fruit tree died.

Nice surprise from the garden!

Uliginosa - a most exquisite blue!

Inticancha or inca red

Looks like a parasol

Toto which I bought last but flowered first.

Cirsium V atropurpureum

Flucky white

Bishop of Dover

Princess Kate had a kiss from slug/snail!

Snow in the summer

first cosmos!

Could be Moerheim Beauty! Very pretty.