Gardening

[Tizer]

Seeing all the lovely flowers above prompted me to go out into our garden and take photos. It's surprising what's in flower this late in the year. Of course the pyrocanthas flowered in spring but the berries are lovely now. We also have red-berried ones. They're good for growing against fences or walls on trellis.

Mahonia `Charity'.....



Pyrocantha.....



Abelia......



Prune-leaved Hawthorn - Crataegus persimilis 'Prunifolia' (an unusual hawthorn species with different leaf shape and bigger berries......



Another Pyrocantha......



Bumble Bee on Salvia.....



Crab apple - Malus Everest......



Osmanthus heterophyllus Goshiki......

[Cathy]

Yes the Gold Bunny Is scented. Described as profuse, large, double cupped and vigorous.
Only downside is that the bush has thorns.

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[Tripps]

I put the bin out tonight - that's progress I think. I was surprised, and pleased to see a splash of colour in the gathering gloom.

Colour241022.jpg

[Tripps]

I put the bin out tonight

At risk of repeating myself - I thought these begonias were worth a picture - especially in mid November.

Begonia.jpeg

[Stanley]

They certainly are! Strange weather but this and better will do.....

[Stanley]

I need a bit of help. If you remember, we were all a bit disappointed last year with the varieties of plants that resulted from my meadow selection of seeds. A year on the perennials in the mix are showing they have survived the winter and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what they are.
I wasn't impressed last year and so this year I have scattered 100gm of what are described as '100% butterfly and bee wildflower mixture' on the plot hoping that nature will take its course. I can't even think of serious gardening, that is beyond my capabilities! I'm hoping I might have something to report later.....

[Tizer]

My guess is Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor). LINK

[Stanley]

That looks very much like it Peter. Thanks.

[Tripps]

I think this is something like the result that you are aiming at?

[Stanley]

Exactly that David but to date we have had a year of what can only be described as weeds and this year so far, the Salad Burnet.



I regard this as an improvement on last year because all the green you can see is perennial wildflower. As I have said, I have seeded it with a different flower mix and I wait to see what happens with interest!

[Sue]

I need a bit of help. If you remember, we were all a bit disappointed last year with the varieties of plants that resulted from my meadow selection of seeds. A year on the perennials in the mix are showing they have survived the winter and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what they are.
I wasn't impressed last year and so this year I have scattered 100gm of what are described as '100% butterfly and bee wildflower mixture' on the plot hoping that nature will take its course. I can't even think of serious gardening, that is beyond my capabilities! I'm hoping I might have something to report later.....

I have always been disappointed with wild flower mixes

[Stanley]

So far I have to agree with you Sue. That meadow at King's looks like a bit of a cheat to me, all daisies!
This latest mix specifically says it is bee and insect friendly.
By the way, when I watered the front garden yesterday with the watering can to encourage the seeds to get digging I noticed that a cloud of insects came up as the water hit the plants already growing which are the perennials from last year's crop. So perhaps they are already doing a good job.

[Tripps]

I'm interviewing tomorrow for the post of 'Head Gardener' here at Tripps Towers.

He's been recommended by the lady gardener that was to busy to take me on. She rang back today, and amazingly said she was disappointed not to be able to come as I sounded so nice on the phone. Wait till I tell my lads that.

She says he's sound. He's coming on a bicycle and says he doesn't have a mobile phone - looking promising.

[Stanley]

Love the commendation for being nice, I have always believed it pays!

[Tripps]

Seems I got it wrong - actually he was interviewing me .

He says I have passed.

[Stanley]

You'll be on your best behaviour now then.....
I was looking at the unkempt mess that is my front garden yesterday and noted that there are flowers out on the Salad Burnet. Despite them being drab, not at all colourful, the insects are busy. The plot is buzzing with insect life. So, not my definition of a wildflower meadow yet but doing a good ecological job! I look forward to whatever my new seeding brings.......

[Tizer]

Despite them being drab, not at all colourful, the insects are busy.

They might seem drab to you and I but could be beautiful to insects. They have very different eyes to ours and can't see red but can see UV `colours'. We talk of long wave and short wave UV but insects may see several different `colours' in the UV part of the spectrum. More information here: School of Bugs

[Sue]

I am going to buy so e flower seeds to put in my veggie plot near the courgettes and tomatoes. The wild flower seed i planted last autumn on the rad side edge have failed miserably…again

[Stanley]

Perhaps the soil is too rich for them Sue. Try healthy neglect!

[plaques]

We are fortunate in having nearby about an acre of land bequeathed to the council for pubic use. The council keep it tidy and its furnished with forms and litter bins. Families let their children run round generally chasing their dogs and having the time of their lives. Owners religiously collect the dog turds and keep the area tidy. A notice has now been posted on the gate saying the area will be subject to 'differential' mowing. it continues to say that the grass will be allowed to grow encouraging 'invertebrates' (slugs) + other insects and wild flowers. It will also protect the environment though less mechanically induced pollution. I doubt if we shall see any crop circles or other Newtonian calculus patterns. The Yobs will probably enjoy throwing their empty beer cans into the long grass while children will be told to keep out because you don't know whats in there.

Where do they get these ideas from?

[Tizer]

...the grass will be allowed to grow encouraging 'invertebrates' (slugs) + other insects and wild flowers.

Invertebrates is an enormous group of, literally, animals without backbones so it's a useful term for biologists. RSPB

[Stanley]

I'm trying not to go out to see if any of me flower seeds have germinated......

[Sue]

Perhaps the soil is too rich for them Sue. Try healthy neglect!

Not a description I would use for our soil Stanley apart from the first of our two veggie patches. In general it is a hard sandy clay that bakes to the point of having to water the flower beds in order to weed it, and is impossible to dig in the main orchard. The plant that grows best is nettle. It also gets plenty of neglect as I only actually garden here about 4 weeks a year.

[Stanley]

[Tripps]

My new Head Gardener has made a good start. He says my bramble jungle could have won an award - and under it, he found the lost apple tree which had become totally invisible.

Apple May23.JPG