WOW!

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Apologies in advance for hogging the board of late. Just had to share this though. I have 3 levels in my garden and in the bottom level there are two borders, one which gets all the sun and the other which is in permanent shade. I've spent the last year or som cooncentrating on the sunny border which I'm quite happy with, but this year I wanted to try something with the shady border so about 6 weeks ago I got a packet of naturtium seeds and just made little holes all over the border and stuck them and made a conscious decision to forget all about it.

Well, I am totally gobsmacked. Just back from deadheading the dahlias in the sunny border and noticed that one of the nasturtium has started flowering in the shady border. When I took a closer look, virtually every seed I planted has germinated and has buds that are ready to open.

I really can't describe it. I always thought I was going to have problems getting anything to grow on that side of the garden due to the shade, but this is such a major bonus. I know nasturtiums aren't everyone's cup of tea, but they are bright and brassy, and bring plenty of colour with them. I'm also led to believe that they self seed prolifically wherever they are planted so I'm really hoping that next year I can leave that border to it's own devices.

Absolute bloody result! Chuffed as f**k!

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Nasties will grow anywhere, DG, and as long as they're viewed from a distance I think they're charming. Edible, too, although disgusting . You will never need to plant again!!!

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Thanks RM, I can almost sense your enthusiasm for them...

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Yeah, sorry, my typing tone may be a little off

[Rosefriend]

Great DG - I had a problem the other way around. A couple of trees had to be taken down as they were rotten leaving me with no shade in the garden whatsoever.

As I had a load of shade (ish) loving plants I ran to my local Nursery and GC and asked for advice as I know them well.

He just shrugged his shoulders and said that we all mollycoddle our plants far too much and that it is amazing where plants will grow even if they are not suitable.

Well yes I totally agree with him but when he looses a plant he just goes and fetches another - it costs us money doesn't it.

However I am pleased for you ..........

RF

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Thanks RF. I think that's one of the things that gets me about the Monty Don response on the Beeb board about the flooding he has suffered and how it's an opportunity to replant it next year. But how many of us on here can afford to completely replant a garden after a flood? He obviously has the money to do that, but can anyone on here say that they wouldn't be completely devastated if it was their garden due to the cost?

[Chuckles]

I love um DG think they are really stunning when in full bloom, pleased for ya. Oh and yes they do self seed well

[beanie]

I put some of these in every year and keep some on one side to fill in empty spots later on. there is only one problem with them and it's the cabbage white caterpillars, they love them, I've not seen any this year so far. maybe the bad weather has kept them off.

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I love them too, have not had problems with them at all this year. The bees like them too

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Nasturtiums are gorgeous, DG - when we first started the garden and there was absolutely nothing in it, sowed tons of nasturtiums and poppies and canarycreeper on the walls (regardless of sun or shade) and it actually looked like a potential garden within just a couple of months. And they will self-seed themselves in the most amazing places (gravel trench etc.) where you couldn't grow anything else ... cheers ...

[Slugger]

I agree with CC - nasturtiums are ace! Especially Indian Princess (i think) - the deepest, loudest orangy scarlet you will find anywhere - impossible to replicate in photo or painting.

They taste delicious too, and I'm told you can pickle the seeds as a poor man's caper.