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I was delighted to see a miniature cowslip I planted late last year putting out its yellow trumpets. Some David Austin roses I've schlepped around in pots since late 2009 and finally planted out here late last year (I could almost hear the sigh of relief) are putting out leaf buds despite having to establish in cold, damp clay and a brutal winter, sedums are doing great with leaf buds breaking through the soil, iris reticulata unceremoniously dumped out of a pot and into the soil are flowering like made, ditto a miniature daff. snowdrops and even some tulips are budding up. I whipped out a rather sad pieris that was sulking in a strip at the front of the house when we arrived and potted it up in some ericaceous compost is putting out flowers despite having had icy roots, two potted acers (the very fine leaved ones, one green, one red-palmatum(?)) are budding up, and the potted witch hazels are in flower, likewise the mahonia planted late last year. The sweet violets I've brought with me from Somerset are nice and green and happy looking, ditto dog violets. Dame's Violet or sweet rocket has survived having been planted last April as seed, dug up and moved here when we had to move suddenly and popped in by the front door. There's more, loads more, we needed a separate van not once but twice last year to move my pots alone and quite a lot have survived either sitting around waiting to be planted or being hastily bunged in in the autumn. I must check the pulminaria - but it does look as if all the hardy geraniums have made it. I'm thrilled. It's amazing what will'do' regardless of harsh treatment and weather.
Kezsmum said: I was delighted to see a miniature cowslip I planted late last year putting out its yellow trumpets. Some David Austin roses I've schlepped around in pots since late 2009 and finally planted out here late last year (I could almost hear the sigh of relief) are putting out leaf buds despite having to establish in cold, damp clay and a brutal winter, sedums are doing great with leaf buds breaking through the soil, iris reticulata unceremoniously dumped out of a pot and into the soil are flowering like made, ditto a miniature daff. snowdrops and even some tulips are budding up. I whipped out a rather sad pieris that was sulking in a strip at the front of the house when we arrived and potted it up in some ericaceous compost is putting out flowers despite having had icy roots, two potted acers (the very fine leaved ones, one green, one red-palmatum(?)) are budding up, and the potted witch hazels are in flower, likewise the mahonia planted late last year. The sweet violets I've brought with me from Somerset are nice and green and happy looking, ditto dog violets. Dame's Violet or sweet rocket has survived having been planted last April as seed, dug up and moved here when we had to move suddenly and popped in by the front door. There's more, loads more, we needed a separate van not once but twice last year to move my pots alone and quite a lot have survived either sitting around waiting to be planted or being hastily bunged in in the autumn. I must check the pulminaria - but it does look as if all the hardy geraniums have made it. I'm thrilled. It's amazing what will'do' regardless of harsh treatment and weather.
Sounds like a fantastic assortment of plants there and in good compost they should reward you handsomely.
It's amazing what will survive and the prolonged cold snowy weather actually helped overwinter a lot of plants. I also moved last year in February (2010) and as our buyers weren't interested in gardening I actually dug and potted up in excess of 70 plants! These pots were grouped together on a bare patch of garden at my parents house and I thought to myself if 25% survive I'd be happy. When I went to collect the pots a couple of months later I was amazed to find every single one had survived the winter!....I can only presume that as they were completely dormant at the time of digging up and were planted into big enough pots that they woke up in another garden without even knowing they had been moved. I can also say that last summer gave me the best flower display in my borders that I have ever known!
I also planted cowslips and due to our soil conditions I planted lots of Snake head fritillaries bulbs. Unfortunately on inspection recently none of them were showing....Today I went out into the garden and they are now just starting to show through so hopefully will give me a display this year and spread for future years (fingers crossed!)
higgy50 said:I planted lots of Snake head fritillaries
I love those plants. Do you know about the water meadows in Glos somewhere (I'll ask Himself -I'm hopeless at knowing where I've been -or you could google it) that are a sea of snakesheads, biggest concentration of natural snakesheads in the country and possibly (I believe) in Europe. We made a nice day trip there with dog and picnic from Clevedon when we lived there, easily possible and well worth the effort - it'll take your breath away. A lovely family day out in the season.
nessthehat said:This time of year always amazes me as things I'd forgotten I'd planted suddenly appear from nowhere. Just when you start to despair at the sight of a seemingly dead garden life bursts forth as if to tell you off for your lack of faith. I love Spring! Best wishes, Ness.
I couldn't agree more, Ness. It's a bit like Christmas, all these things pop up and the ones you've forgotten are an special joy! I also love spring, there's so much to see, leaf buds popping out here, snowdrops there, birds sprucing up ready for courtship - I don't think I could enjoy living in a country that doesn't have seasons - the only thing I wish is that winter was just a tad shorter!
Best wishes to you and your garden Ness, from Kezsmum.
Kezsmum said: I planted lots of Snake head fritillaries I love those plants. Do you know about the water meadows in Glos somewhere (I'll ask Himself -I'm hopeless at knowing where I've been -or you could google it) that are a sea of snakesheads, biggest concentration of natural snakesheads in the country and possibly (I believe) in Europe. We made a nice day trip there with dog and picnic from Clevedon when we lived there, easily possible and well worth the effort - it'll take your breath away. A lovely family day out in the season. [/quote] Yes please would love to know where this is sounds like a spectacular sight and an opportunity for some nice photographs....Dog, family and picnic.....sounds very nice and maybe worth some brownie points!
I planted lots of Snake head fritillaries
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Yes please would love to know where this is sounds like a spectacular sight and an opportunity for some nice photographs....Dog, family and picnic.....sounds very nice and maybe worth some brownie points!
higgy50 said:.sounds very nice and maybe worth some brownie points!
Just Googled it and typical of me, wrong county! Sigh - It's called North Meadow, it's in Cricklade in WILTSHIRE (I am SUCH A dingbat when it comes to knowing where I've been). Keep an eye on it on Google and they'll let you know when things are at they're best - or your own snakesheads will tell you when they're doing they're thing. It's still easy enough to reach even if it's not Glos (duh!).
Best, Kezsmum