Few pics on how planters now look downstairs :)

[Rosefriend]

Jun 11, 2014 9:55:34 GMT wendya said:

Rosefriend thought you may like to see new roses in dark corner

Fantastic wendya - well done you and aren't those thorns just lovely, long and sharp!!!!! Keep us informed about how things grow and whether the little (or not) monsters come back..

RF

[wendya]

They're great love them, I don't care if they don't ever flower as long as they do their job hehe

[Tig]

Well done Wendya, looking much better now, all appears to be growing happily, and I am so glad that they jumpers have given up! Lots of nice scents to look forward to. I would just let the honeysuckle grow on for now. You will probably be pruning it when it gets more vigorous anyway.

[wendya]

Thanks, I was just looking out the window and saw the honeysuckle, and wondered if anyone had commented. I will let it climb on then, not sure my first one.

[wendya]

A few more pics of how it looks now been up since since 6 watering then off to the market buying loads more

View from the first floor





Honeysuckle looking good now




Poppies and rugosa rose, dog rose little further up so cant see too well


As you can see tree is still there havent the heart to dig in out no place to put it.

side view

planter 1

Planter 2

[Auricula]

Looking really good wendya You must be proud of your efforts

[Rosefriend]

Whey hey - well done wendya...it was all worth it!!!! You can really be proud of yourself !!

Now then, what about the thugs sweetypies - have you finally got rid of them??

RF

[wendya]

Thanks both, yes im very proud
As for the children, well as its been hot the oil keeps drying up very quicky so im using Industrial Grease
which seem to be doing the trick and a little chilli in it Rosefriend too but one thing I have noticed they got up last week as it must have dried, but didn't jump back onto the garden as i have thorns and sticks all stuck in the ground now, so any jumpers may get a rose tree or thorn in their feet. But seems to be deterring them so I am happy about that one

[Rosefriend]

Jun 23, 2014 7:21:40 GMT wendya said:

Thanks both, yes im very proud
As for the children, well as its been hot the oil keeps drying up very quicky so im using Industrial Grease
which seem to be doing the trick and a little chilli in it Rosefriend too but one thing I have noticed they got up last week as it must have dried, but didn't jump back onto the garden as i have thorns and sticks all stuck in the ground now, so any jumpers may get a rose tree or thorn in their feet. But seems to be deterring them so I am happy about that one

Well I am howling - "industrial grease" - great, fantastic, well done!! The first one that jumps down may well be the last one especially if there is a scream that sends the neighbours running for cover - or the Police - hahaha!! How good are you at keeping a straight innocent face?!!

Loads would have given up but you really have persevered - marvellous.

RF

[Tig]

Lovely to see the rewards of all your efforts, I'm pleased it hasn't been vandalised either. Maybe just a few more prickly things in there ... maybe a little purple leaved berberis that you can keep trimmed back

[wendya]

Lets hope no one is watching me on line

I have a berberis in planter 2 right hand corner, but didnt realise they were ok for a dark spot? Tig
as still could do with a few spikey ones that don't need much light, i have long sticks in spots that need filling, luckily they haven't took them out, as once they get the industrial grease and chilli on their hands hopefully they give up

I now have a water supply too downstairs Hubby as fixed as tap that was never used, so easier than carrying 8 watering cans a day down stairs in this hot weather.

[Tig]

They will grow in light shade Wendya - I think they will even grow in deeper shade but won't have the same depth of colour in the leaves. Berberis thunbergii aurea would grow in shade, but will probably be pale green rather than yellow

[Ladygardener]

Very well done wendya I'm delighted for you. Your efforts have really paid off and the planters look good as well as having things in them to keep the bad boys off. I had to laugh at your industrial grease too.

[wendya]

Just wondering if this is the plant you mean Tig www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-BERBERIS-THUNBERGII-AUREA-HARDY-GARDEN-PLANT-SHRUB-/380829022239?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item58ab2db81f

as i have 2 pyrcanthas growing at the far back and wonder if this would be too much for them, as they are still quite small only planted March this year.
Just don't want to buy and not have enough room for it, so thought best to ask you all

Or any other suggestions to fill "The jumping spot" completely

[Tig]

Yes that's the one Wendya - and even when not in leaf the stems are still spiny and prickly. The good thing with berberis is that they will stand a good prune, so even though it could eventually reach a height of 1.5 metres with a similar spread you should be able to keep it at a manageable size (wearing good thornproof gloves!) You can also prune pyracanthas quite harshly too, so providing you can give them all enough moisture I think they would cope. This gardening lark is all a continuous learning curve though.

[wendya]

Thanks so much will try to order one

[theinsidegardener]

wendya You have done a fantastic job, the planters are looking so lovely now. I'm sure people notice the difference as they pass by. Well done on winning the battle with the little hooligans too.

[wendya]

Can anyone help me and suggest a bush to go in front of the root base of the clematis montana, that may shade it from the sun, where I have got the 2 English lavenders in this pic. I cant do anything really for the clematis only try to shade, the stem is really bad i haven't a clue how its still alive.



Just wondering if a bush would be good, doesn't have to be flowering, but would want it to be evergreen ?

[Tig]

Don't worry about the stem of the montana looking a bit dry and woody Wendya, that is not unusual, and they are one of the toughest clematis in my experience. I'm not sure that adding an evergreen shrub would be helpful, it may take even more moisture & goodness out of the soil, and clems are thirsty & hungry. Have you thought about adding a mulch to the beds? I think I would perhaps top it up with a couple of bags of good compost, maybe a slight mound over the clem roots so they have at least a couple of inches protection.

[wendya]

OK thanks, tbh i have put so much compost on this bed at least 2 great big bags (in April), and never looks great, did think about the bark,, but with seedlings at the other end decided against it.
I don't know whether to try to remove the dead brown leaves off the clem as it looks bad but thought i may damage it. Must get another pic this is a few month old.
Just thought a bit bear too in that spot but if it will take moisture and goodness away i best not.
Oh by the way Tig i bought the berberis (golden colour one) for dark end doing good.

At least my vandals seem to not be jumping anymore, they have found another route and jump off the right side of bike sheds now not near my planting,, they get up at the other end of the garages, but at least have sense now not to jump onto roses and berberis which is good news as they need time to grow big.

[Jilly]

That's good news wendya and that bed looks great, a real credit to all the hard work you've put in.

Think you clematis is armandii isn't it, which means it's evergreen & like all evergreens their leaves go brown & fall at all times of the year not just autumn, which I think is what's happening to yours, I had an evergreen honeysuckle that did a very similar thing, it's nothing to worry about. I think Tigs right about not putting anymore bushes in, you'll probably be surprised how much the lavenders will grow next year & that should shade the roots a bit. 

[wendya]

Jilly Maybe it is armandi not sure where i got montana from
O have now managed to remove the brown leaves pics to post in a minute, it wasnt too hard, brown leaves have been there a few years and was a bit doubtful that i may kill if i removed, but it went ok phew......

I have now put some good compost around the bottom in a mound,, sorry i thought i had took the pic but this was before i took it, leaves now gone.

and your probably right about the lavender im just impatient as per usual.



Taking about honesucle look at my new one now, planted March



And would you believe this beauty in planter 2 round the corner, such a pretty honeysuckle, its seeded and now growing in the office behind, so have hooked it through the railings to join the mother bush.




I am also very happy with my Solanum which i planted in April 2 for £5 B&Q not much flower but it has crept up the wall like i wanted

[wendya]

And last but not least the dark spot. Rugosa rose, canina rosa, then the berberis and a few vincas also the pyracanthas

[wendya]

Oh before i go im so proud my cosmos, the only seeds that i managed to grow, apart from poppies




One question about Poppies (when they have finished flowering and look awful, i am presuming you have to leave die back? not keen at all on my Cherry glow ones lasted 2 days Californian ones ok and lasted longer. But just not sure if i have to leave it there, until it dies back it could take months.

[Auricula]

All looking lovely Wendy, a credit to you

[Tig]

Remind me what type of poppies were they Wendya? Annual ones can just be pulled out when they finish flowering, unless you want to collect seed for next year, then you leave them until the seed pods go brown and little holes appear under the flat top (like a little pepper pot). If they are the oriental poppies which are perennial then you can cut the foliage back quite harshly to the base of the plant and it will regrow quite quickly to continue feeding the roots for next year.

All the troughs are looking quite full now - just remember that everything will grow and bush out over time, be careful not to overcrowd them. So pleased that the youngsters have moved off, amazing what a few natural pricklies can do

[wendya]

Its a Cherry glow Opium poppy. oh great i can remove them hopefully as don't want seeds. I will wait though as maybe it is perennial but don't think so.

So you think i should not get anymore to put in this planter Tig are just bedding flowers ok that will die in Autumn do they take lots of nutrients? I have no idea, just find the bit near the root of clematis a bit of an eyesore, all the rest is fine to me just this bit, oh im a fussy mare lol

Thanks Auricula for your nice comment

[Tig]

If you want something to provide a bit of ground cover I would get a couple of phlox subulata and plant them at least 10" either side of the clematis stem. They will form a cushion of low growing green leaves and in spring will be a carpet of colour, 'red admiral' and 'candy stripe' are two of my favourites, but there are lots of colours available. Because you are growing in troughs you will always have to add some nutrients back in, to do well most plants need to have extra food, even just growing in the garden, I tend to sprinkle blood, fish and bone around the roots in spring, and a liberal sprinkling of chicken manure pellets a couple of times in the growing season .

[Ladygardener]

Well done wendya I'm delighted the Rosa Rugosa and Berberis have done so well for you. Cosmos are great, I would'nt be without them in the garden.

[wendya]

Thank you, I will take a look at those Phlox plants, don't think i know them at all.
I did give the planters fertilizer pellets end of March mixed with compost. When would this be due again? I also intend to feed all with seaweed fertilizer for flower growth soon very soon.
Im just rather clueless about feeding.

Thanks Lady gardener, i love cosmos, they are so sturdy too and last so long