
These sections are updated regularly with all of the answered questions that pass through the Gardeners Club, so click back and check each section periodically for future assistance in your garden.
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Questions & Answers - Flowers For An Instant Garden
Blank Canvas
|
From
Gary, UK |

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Hi. I have a so called "blank canvas"
urban garden which is approx 30 ft x 80 ft. It is north facing so
gets the sun in the mornings and at one end in the evenings. I have
bought a Dicksonion Fibrosus fern which stands around 2.5 ft, an
"Agave", a palm & 2 cordilines so far, to plant in
our moist soil (we are near a river). I would eventually like to
achieve the "Jungle / rainforest look" but I am not an
experienced gardener. Will these plants/trees grow successfully
and what sort of treatment should I give them come winter time.
At present I am watering them once a day with the fern and Agave
in pots whilst the others are planted. Any suggestions or advice
or even plants I could add are most welcome. Thanks for your time.
|

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From Mr Clark, UK
I would suggest the BBC Gardening website for in depth information and advice on the subject.
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Blank Canvas
|
From
Mrs Jeckells, UK |

|
Hi all, we have moved into a new house, and the garden is a blank
canvas so to speak - there is nothing. It is south facing so will
be in the sun for most of the day in the summer. The size is approx
35ft wide by 60ft long. Any ideas how to personalise it and any
good plants, shrubs to plant would be good.
|

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From Mr Clark, UK
I would look around at similar gardens in your own area. Take notes
and incorporate them into your own main plan, sketch what you want
to go where.
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Celebration
|
From
Liz, UK |

|
Can anyone give me a list of plants that have 'Birthday', 'celebration'
or similar in the name? I'm trying to design a commemorative flower
bed (full sun with some partial shade, slightly clay-based soil
but quite well draining) to celebrate my mother's 60th birthday
and wanted to theme the choice of plants accordingly.
|

|
From Justine,UK
I have a rose called 'Birthday girl'
From
Diana R, UK
Liz, not being much of a gardener I don't know whether roses like
that sort of soil, but I was given a rose called Happy Birthday
for my 60th, and I know there is also one called Celebration.
From Tracy, UK
There is also a rose called Many Happy Returns
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Colour Display - Perennials
|
From
Tom D, UK |

|
My query is that whilst I enjoy a good looking garden my knowledge
on plants and flowers is limited. I have redesigned my garden and
finally finished major reconstruction work - walls, veranda and
patio decking, paths, new lawn etc. Plans are afoot to add a water
feature at some time. Now I'd like to purchase plants to provide
an all year round colour display particularly around the decking
and path borders. I'm interested in perennials but don't know what
to look at or what to consider. Any Ideas?
|

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From Michael Barratt, the Gardeners
Club resident gardener
An informative website with an online ordering service as well as
plenty of advice is at, www.fsperennials.co.uk
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Community Project
|
From
Deborah L, UK |

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I've been charged with planting out a very small (6m x 4m) west
facing garden with north and south flanking walls, making it very
sheltered for a local community project. Have you any ideas as to
what plants we can buy (on a budget) and what will survive? Thanks
for any help.
|

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From Elizabeth C, UK
Hello Deborah,, climbing Roses, shrub Roses etc.
I am a compulsive taker of cuttings and always have young plants
to either give away to visitors or supply the various organisations
in a small village when they have their annual sales. If you let
me know what sort of plants you are looking for I'll see what I
can find for you. At present I have Jasmin - summer and winter.
Forsythia, Helleborus Orientalis ........ I can't remember any more
but I do know that I have two benches full of plants, looking for
a good home. For such a project of yours I certainly wouldn't want
payment at all but as an OAP perhaps a little help with the postage
would be much appreciated. but that could come later. Do let me
know soon. Best of luck with your project. Yours sincerely ..................
Elizabeth.
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Costa Blanca
|
From
Billy B, UK |

|
Hi there. Shortly I will be Moving to Costa Blanca. Can you give
me some idea as to which plants I will be able to grow over there?
Will the likes of dahlias and geraniums flower all year? Your assistance
gratefully appreciated.
|

|
From Alex M, UK
Hi Billy. You ask>> Will the likes of dahlias and geraniums
flower all year in Costa Blanca<< I don't know about all year
but I would have thought they would grow for most of it. If you
consider that you can see Geraniums growing wild in similar climates
and the fact that Dahlias originate from Mexico where they grow
wild. The only thing I would say is Geraniums do not need loads
of water but Dahlias do, so this matter would have to be dealt with..........A
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Damp Friendly
|
From
Irene G, UK |

|
I have a cottage in France and there is an area of the garden that
leads down towards some caves. This is an area that gets quite a
lot of sun in the summer but is always moist/damp. Can anyone suggest
what plants I can grow there, apart from ferns, hostas etc. that
would make a splash of colour. This area is about 15 ft below normal
ground level.
|

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From Michael Barratt - the Gardeners
Club resident gardener
With the advantage of having full sun the following plants will
survive quite happily in moist/damp soil conditions. Cornus, Astilbe,
Iris, (bearded & Flag) Salix eleagnos,lanata and repens. Sambucus(elder),
Deutzia Lobelia cardinalis, Lysimachia, Lysichiton.
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Drought Resistant
|
From
Anne H, UK
|

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Can anyone suggest plants which are particularly not in need of watering, ie: drought resistant, for a city garden in the Cambridge area. Chalky soil. Plants of all types ie shrubs, annuals, perrenials.
|

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From Alex M, UK
Anne you could try any of these:
Yellow Yarrow 'Moonshine' (Achillea)
Threadleaf Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' (Coreopsis verticillata)
Rock Cotoneaster 'Robusta' (Cotoneaster horizontalis)
Fortnight Lily (Dietes bicolor)
Evolvulus glomeratus 'Blue Haze'
Sunsplash Daisy (Gamolepis chrysanthemoides)
Red Hot Poker 'Primrose Beauty' (Kniphofia uvaria)
Crape Myrtle 'Natchez' (Lagerstroemia)
Gayfeather 'Floristan Violet' (Liatris spicata)
Sea Lavender (Limonium perezii)
Cupflower 'Purple Robe' (Nierembergia hippomanica violacea)
Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora)
Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha)
Fan Flower 'Mauve Clusters' (Scaevola)
Common Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
Wall Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys)
Garden Verbena (Verbena x hybrida)
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|
Ground Cover
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From
Mrs Morgan, UK |

|
I am a clueless, lazy gardener! I'm looking for colour and ground
cover for a heavy, clay soil. I really want things that I can plant,
then forget about! Any ideas please? Thanks
|

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From Mr Clark, UK
You cut the grass & peel the vegetables you cook etc and by turning this & some gravel [for drainage] into the ground you can condition the soil. Then one can grow almost anything. Here in the UK, the only plants that thrive in clay soil are weeds - the worst ones. Prepare the soil for long time, perenial plants, then "almost" forget them - just be aware of their existence & condition.
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Hay Fever
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From
Pippa & Sisters, UK |

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Me and my five sisters have a very untidy garden in Nottingham.
I want to make the garden pretty but my sisters have hay fever.
What can I do to make the garden nice but not make my sisters ill?
From Pippa - 9, Michelle - 6, Liz - 8, Farah - 11, Hannah - 12 &
Nicola - 14
|

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From Mr Clark, UK
Why not make a small lawn & bare border. Decorate the border with a selection of artificial flowers. Rinse in slightly soapy water from time to time, in order to revitalise the cleanliness & appearance of them.
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Hot Sun & No Shade
|
From
Barbara W, Willits California |

|
I have a area in my front yard that is flat for about 8ft, then
go downhill for about 3 ft to a stream that runs in front of my
trailer. I would like to plant colorful flowers along the bank so
I can see them from my cabana. Any suggestions? I need flowers that
can stand hot sun as there is no shade. Also we get frost and snow.
THANK YOU.
|

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From Alex M, UK
Chrysanthemum, Michaelmas Daisy, Osteospermum, Mesembryanthemum
all come to mind or any of the Poppy's
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Instant
Garden
|
From
Debra A, UK |

|
Help! - I have moved into a new house with a garden that has been
neglected over the years. The soil is clay based, shaded by beech
hedges, and I have two cats. Any advice re plants/shrubs/flowers
for a nearly instant garden?
|

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From George M, UK
Can't help you with the plants but if you buy some cheap grow bags
and dig them into your soil it will help break the clay down. Good
luck, George.
From Alex M, UK
You say 'for a nearly instant garden?'.......
Virtually impossible, the nearest you will get to this is to grow
annuals
Any advice re plants/shrubs/flowers
You should approach this in the 'long term' by deciding what you
would like and go from there. If you can narrow your choices down
a bit then I think I can help you. For example I have been gardening
at my home for over thirty years and still each year I change something.
I agree with George - dig in as much bulky organic material as you
can lay your hands on as this is the best way to break down clay.
I leave you to your thoughts........Alex
From Debra:
My soil is clay based so if an instant garden is out of the question,
any ideas for hardy annuals that I will benefit from in a few years
time? I love colour and scent and I am now prepared to wait
From Alex M, UK
Hi Debra. I think you mean perennials which are the ones which come
out each year, annuals only survive the year in which they are planted.
This year you could mix some annuals with any perennials you decide
upon, at least this way you will have some colour this year. Treat
your garden as a long term thing. For instance I have lived at my
present house for over thirty years and I still change something
every year. I suggest you write for, or look for, catalogues on
line. To be going on with, I placed an enquiry into some software
I have for an "infomal garden" and it came up as follows:
Achillea
Hollyhock
Allium
Antirrhinum majus
Aster
Leopard Flower
Campanula
Cosmos
Delphinium
Dianthus x allwoodii
Carnation
China Pink
Foxglove
Eryngium
Ageratum
Hydrangea
Bearded Iris
Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia)
Lily
Madonna Lily
Annual Statice (Limonium)
Blue Flax (Linum perenne)
Lupine (Lupinus)
Campion (Lychnis)
Hollyhock
Daffodil(Narcissus)
Phlox
Climbing Rose
Rudbeckia
Scabiosa
Spiraea
Aster
Verbena
Vinca major
Vinca minor
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Instant
Garden
|
From
Jules, UK |

|
Hi ! We moved into our Victorian Semi in August last year ( small
garden I'm afraid ! ). Unfortunately it is north facing and seems
to be quite damp. We haven't done anything with it but would like
to blitz it during this summer/spring.
What do you suggest re: shrubs, plants? We brought lots of poppy
seeds from our previous home and thought about scattering them around
for a bit of instant colour. We are also thinking of putting down
a gravel drive and using gravel in the front garden. Do you have
any tips to do this or indeed suggest who ? I look forward to hearing
from you
|

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From Alex M, UK
Hi Jules, have you had a look in previous questions and answers
under trees and shrubs for ideas? Perhaps if you could suggest a
few preferences we might be able to say if they are suited to your
situation. I am not trying to avoid your question but the choices
are very much a personal thing, eg. do you want, flowering/evergreen/large/small/climbing
plants? Get back to us...
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Instant
Garden
|
From
Meta S, UK |

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I live in Northern Ireland and I would appreciate it if anyone could
suggest a few garden centres here where I might obtain a good variety
of plants and shrubs for my garden at a reasonable price. I have
approximately 3/4 of an acre of garden laid out in various flower
beds etc.but I still need a lot more plants etc. which I can "split"
at a later date to pad out the gaps!
|

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From Elizabeth, UK
I'm afraid I do not know of any Garden Centres in your area but
I am very familiar with you present problem. We have a similar sort
of garden and although it is not 'instant' gardening I would recommend
you start to sow seed of perriennial plants and take cuttings of
anything and everything.
Lots of 'womens' organisations have Spring Fairs' etc. and almost
always have a Plant Stall - well worth a visit. Failing that be
sure to stop, look interested and admire a garden that takes your
fancy ......... the lady of the house is bound to come out and then
you can beg a 'slip' (or two). Pop them in a pot on your window
sill and 9 times out of 10 they will grow for you.
All this takes longer but a lot cheaper than Garden Centres.
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Italian Garden
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From
Virginia B, UK |

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We have a guest house and so time is really
limited. We are in the N East of England and I would like to create
something of an Italian feel to the garden with maybe cordilines
etc. Can anyone suggest some low maintenance shrubs etc. which can
withstand the cold and rain. I lived previously in the South East
and it is really different weather up here. Any thoughts or suggestions
gratefully received.
|

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From Alex M, UK
Study this list, see what you would like, then ask the club after
you have made your choice.
Flowering Shrubs
Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora)
Chenille Plant 'Fire Tail' (Acalypha hispida)
Red Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst' (Bougainvillea)
Pink Buddleia 'Pink Delight' (Buddleia davidii)
Camellia japonica 'Kramers Supreme'
Wild Lilac 'Ray Hartman' (Ceanothus)
Flowering Quince 'Cameo' (Chaenomeles speciosa)
Flowering Quince 'Texas Scarlet' (Chaenomeles speciosa)
Orchid Rockrose (Cistus x purpureus)
Summersweet Clethra (Clethra alnifolia)
Redtwig Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Smoke Tree 'Royal Purple' (Cotinus coggygria)
Garland Flower (Daphne cneorum)
Slender Deutzia (Deutzia gracilis)
Euryops pectinatus
Forsythia intermedia 'Beatrice Farrand'
Dwarf Fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii)
Fuchsia x hybrida 'Voodoo'
Sunsplash Daisy (Gamolepis chrysanthemoides)
Gardenia
Broom 'Lydia' (Genista)
Chinese Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Smooth Hydrangea 'Annabelle' (Hydrangea arborescens)
Big-Leaf Hydrangea 'Glowing Embers' (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)
Japanese Kerria (Kerria japonica)
Beauty Bush 'Pink Cloud' (Kolkwitzia amabilis)
Crape Myrtle 'Natchez' (Lagerstroemia)
Crape Myrtle 'Potomac' (Lagerstroemia indica)
Shrub Verbena 'Dwarf Yellow' (Lantana camara)
Shrub Verbena 'Irene' (Lantana camara)
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Tree Mallow (Lavatera thuringiaca)
Texas Silverleaf (Leucophyllum frutescens)
Tatarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica)
Oleander (Nerium)
Oleander 'Hardy Red' (Nerium oleander)
Tree Peony 'White' (Paeonia suffruticosa)
Mock Orange 'Snowgoose' (Philadelphus)
Mock Orange (Philadelphus virginalis)
Cinquefoil 'Goldfinger' (Potentilla fruticosa)
India Hawthorn 'Pink Lady' (Rhaphiolepis indica)
Chionoides Rhododendron 'Chionoides' (Rhododendron)
Evergreen Azalea 'Coral Bells' (Rhododendron)
Dwarf Red Spiraea 'Anthony Waterer' (Spiraea x bumalda)
Bridal Wreath (Spiraea cantoniensis)
Vanhoutte Spiraea (Spiraea x vanhouttei)
Persian Lilac (Syringa x persica)
Snowball Bush 'Roseum' (Viburnum opulus)
Doublefile Viburnum 'Mariesii' (Viburnum plicatum tomentosum)
Old Fashioned Weigela 'Minuet' (Weigela florida)
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Japanese Style
|
From
Anne, UK |

|
I have a rather big garden and don't quite know what to do with
it as my husband and I are not gardeners. I would like to do a japanese
theme - any suggestions on flowers, furniture etc. Much obliged
|

|
From Mr Clark, UK
Start with Burmese Bells and a small water feature with water lillies
will start you off. Then try books from the public library to set
you in the right direction at no cost to you book wise
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Perfume Garden
|
From
Kay, UK |

|
I live near Cambridge and would love to have a perfumed filled garden.
I have nicotiana, lavender and a few not very scented roses already
established in the garden but would like some suggestions for a
totally sensual garden?
|

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From Alex M, UK
Kay the following list are all plants grown for fragrance,the choice
is yours:
Peacock Orchid (Acidanthera bicolor muielae)
Snowdrop Anemone (Anemone sylvestris)
Pink Buddleia 'Pink Delight' (Buddleia davidii)
Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis maximowicziana)
Summersweet Clethra (Clethra alnifolia)
Maiden Pink 'Zing Rose' (Dianthus deltoides)
Cheddar Pinks 'Spotty' (Dianthus gratianopolitanus)
Freesia
Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)
Hyacinth 'Delft Blue' (Hyacinthus orientalis)
Hyacinth 'Gypsy Queen' (Hyacinthus orientalis)
Pink Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthemum)
Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum)
Sweet Alyssum 'Easter Bonnet' (Lobularia maritima)
Japanese Honeysuckle 'Halliana' (Lonicera japonica)
Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
Bee Balm 'Croftway Pink' (Monarda didyma)
Grape Hyancith (Muscari armeniacum)
Wild Sweet William (Phlox divaricata)
Silver Lace Vine (Polygonum aubertii)
Persian Lilac (Syringa x persica)
Common Lilac 'Madame Lemoine' (Syringa vulgaris)
Creeping Vervain 'Homestead Purple' (Verbena canadensis)
Horned Violet (Viola cornuta)
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Perfume - evening
|
From
Ann, UK |

|
Can you suggest plants that will provide evening
perfume and also where can I obtain plants of the same by mail order.
Thank you
|

|
From Mr Clark, UK
Night scented stock seeds. I would also buy virginia stock for daytime fragrance. I would fill plant pots with multi-purpose compost to the top; put some of the compost - about a kilo - in a carrier & add a packet of each of the flower seeds. Sprinkle this on the top of each of the pots and place the pots on trays to let the water run off. When you water the pots with a watering can, use a watering rose!
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Quick Colour
|
From
Marion G, UK
|

|
We have just moved here from South Africa and finding the
British temperate gardening very different. We are
in a cottage in Shropshire with a very neglected garden,
no flowers, only fruit trees, lots of nettles and a large
expanse of grass. Is there anything easy I can plant
for colour and quick growth in Spring/Summer, even anything
to plant now for winter?
|

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From Colin C, UK
Try Narsturtiums - you just press them into the soil with
a finger and off they go giving great cover and colour in
the summer. Also Californian Poppies; perhaps the best of
all are Larkspurs: rake the soil to a fine tilth, sow the
seed thinly and cover with the back of the rake - a real
beauty in late summer and autumn.
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|
Sardinia
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From
Sheena M, UK |

|
Hi my name is Sheena, I am wondering if you are able to tell me
the best spring planting time in Sardinia Italy, I am english but
will soon be moving to Sardinia, where I have a vast garden. I shall
be taking seed packets from the UK, but of course planting instructions
are for the British climate. South Sardinia is very hot and can
be windy in springtime. I hope you can advise.
|

|
From Alex M, UK
Hi Sheena. I see no problem, just follow the instructions on the
packet. The most critical thing about planting/sowing is 'Temperature'
so when you can maintain the temperatures indicated on the packet,
sow.
The reason there is a difference between them and us is simply the
prevailing weather conditions. Think about it, if I simulate their
weather conditions in a propagator then I too can sow earlier. Another
thing is much of the seed purchased in this country originates from
the 'Med' and Israel simply because they can ripen the seed better
than we can...............A
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Small Garden
|
From
Grace G, UK |

|
I have a back garden approximating a pocket handkerchief in size
with two raised flower beds - a pond and a greenhouse and small
patio. I would like to grow flowers for cutting. Which would be
my best choice for continuous cuttings. Any help would be greatly
appreciated.
|

|
From Michael Barratt - the Gardeners
Club resident gardener
Space is obviously at a premium, so one thought is to stick with
annuals in containers or growbags. Sweet peas are dead easy and
can be grown in a container using a wigwam method for support, or
netting in a grow-bag against a wall. Other annuals would include
Rudbeckia, Papaver (poppy) Cosmos, Calendula, Clarkia, Gypsohila,
Iberis, Scabious.
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Trailing Plants
|
From
Beryl W, UK |

|
I am disabled and my son-in-law has just built me a raised bed from
railway sleepers. Can you please advise me of suitable plants, preferably
evergreen or perennials with some colour to trail over the edge
and down the side of the sleepers? Many thanks
|

|
From Elizabeth, UK
Dear Beryl, lucky you with your raised beds. I have uncooperative
legs too .....if I'm upright I can't get down and if I'm down I
can't get up ......... you do seem to get the feeling that you can't
win but we must battle on. I can think of several plants that would
suit your purpose just fine. Pratia Pendunculata - Is a very small
leaved plant which is evergreen. It has tiny blue flowers from Spring
onwards which are a delight. It does creep but gently so and you
can always nip bits off and make another plant. It will dribble
over your sleepers just fine.
If you would like some and can't find it anywhere please let me
know and I will send you a bit (e-mail- cushy_butterfield@manx.net).
Another choice would be the small leaved variagated Ivy, there are
many different types and all would do a good job for you.
Another choice would be Viola Labradorica. It is a sweet little
thing, almost always in flower .......... I even found one today
in a sheltered spot, smiling away at me .
Any of the Aubretia's would do a grand job for you, so many colours
to choose from and are evergreen too which is a bonus.
Best of luck with your raised beds...... Elizabeth.
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Windy Sites
|
From
Thomas, UK
|

|
Can you give me a list of flowers,shrubs
and plants that don't mind a windy site? Also could you
list a few rock plants and alpines that would be suitable
for my garden?
|

|
From Alex M, UK
Plants for windy sites is very much of a muchness! Low growing
species where the shrubs can protect the flowers are best.
If you can elaborate on your choice and then perhaps I could
help more.
Here is a list of rockery plants that should be suitable:
Carpet Bugle 'Atropurpurea' (Ajuga reptans)
Chives (Sllium schoenoprasum)
Spring Flowering Anemone (Anemone blanda)
Albida Arabis 'Snowcap' (Arabis causcasia)
Angel's Hair 'Silver Mound' (Artemisia schmidtiana)
Alpine Aster (Aster alpinus)
Compact Basket-of-Gold 'Compacta' (Aurinia saxatillis)
Cheddar Pinks 'Tiny Rubies' (Dianthus gratianopolitanus)
Myrtle Euphorbia (Euphorbia myrsinites)
Evolvulus glomeratus 'Blue Haze'
Pink Creeping Baby's Breath 'Rosea' (Gypsolphila repens)
Sweet Alyssum 'Easter Bonnet' (Lobularia maritima)
Wild Sweet William (Phlox divaricata)
Creeping Phlox 'Red Wing' (Phlox subulata)
Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood' (Sedum spurium)
Cliff Tulip (Tulipa saxitalis)
Creeping Vervain 'Homestead Purple' (Verbena canadensis)
Garden Verbena (Verbena x hybrida)
Speedwell 'Goodness Grows' (Veronica)
Hungarian Speedwell 'Crater Lake Blue' (Veronica latifolia)
Hope this helps, Alex.
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|
Winter Flowers
|
From
Melanie, UK |

|
I have just won a gardening contract but they have asked for the
summer flowering annuals to be replaced at the end of September
by plants that will flower from October to April. Apart from winter
flowering pansies, is there any other plants I can grow on during
the summer months and plant out for the winter?
|

|
From Elizabeth, UK
Garrya Epilictica which gives a wonderful show during the winter
months and can be cloaked during the summer with climbing annuals
- eg. Rhodochiton, .... which can be grown from seed or some other
brightly coloured annual.
Mahonia x media 'Charity ' with some tallish summer flowering perrenials
to plant in front of it - Lilies perhaps.There are the Heathers
of course and some of the Sages. The silver leaved Lamium ( I have
a big clump of that but can't think of the name). Winter Aconite
which makes anice bright show for the front of a border/bed and
of course Snowdrops - which I'm sure you have already got on your
list. You could of course cheat a bit by submerging pots of course
with clipped Box and Heathers plus smallish or spreading Conifers.
You can always lift them and replace with Agapanthus also in pots
for
the summe or other. I grow Ceanothus which is lovely when in flower
but of course rather dull when it has done it's thing .........
so, I plant Morning Glory all around it .A humble old flower but
because it is crawling through the Ceonanthus people stop by my
gate and ask what it is. !Geraniums are wonderful too for the summer
border and are so .obliging.I'm afraid it is now getting late and
I'm afraid I've run out of steam so I close for now but if I can
think of anything else that may helpyou I'll get in touch again.I
hope you are charging these folk enough ..... a constantly beautiful
garden is extremely difficult to achieve.
Hi again Melanie, Just about to get myself away to bed when I remembered
something Helleborus Orientalis. If you can get these in within
the next few weeks you will have show stopping winter flowers. Mine
usually come into bloom January.Try to get Helen Ballard plants
if poss although that dear lady is no longer with us but I know
somebody has the National Collection.I have the Plum coloured also
Pink and a few white. They last for ages then produce plenty of
seed.Goodnight again ..............Elizabeth.
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Winter Hanging Baskets
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From
Tex
A, UK |

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I would like to make some winter hanging baskets - (have never done
them before) - can anyone advise me what plants to use.
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From Elizabeth, UK
Hi there Tex A, I must admit that I have never done this myself
but have often thought of planting up some Ajuga (bronze leaves,
blue flowers) and some of the silver leaved Lamium in baskets. They
show so brightly on winter days, when not overshadowed by their
more glamourous neighbours.
Give it a go Tex. Best of luck ........Elizabeth.
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