My garden history!

shanks · Post by **shanks** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:01 am

looks fantastic

Andy Martin · Post by **Andy Martin** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:25 pm

Springy wrote:Thanks Andy! I just hope I get the Phoenix canariensis (Phoenix canariensis_CIDP) through this winter, to give it the best start for the growing season. It grew quite a few new leaves last year.

Kris, even though I have moved the brugmansia into the house it is still dying back. I'm not going to cut it back for a while and then see if it stops on it's own. If it gets to the main stem, I will cut back to healthy stem and then dust with a fungicide.

I have purchased 3 small yucca rostrata. They are only about a foot or so tall. I just wondered wether to plant them in a group of 3 spaced together or dot them singularly around the garden. Does anyone have any thoughts on what would look more effective? Any thoughts would be gratefully received, especially if accompanied by pictures!!
Thankyou!

Steve.... Yucca Rostrata does not like winter cold and wet. Starting them off small is probably the best chance of success. Even so I would cover them from excess water. They would look good a few feet apart. This Yucca is not so forgiving as Linearifolia.

Simba · Post by **Simba** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:51 pm

Springy wrote:I have purchased 3 small yucca rostrata. They are only about a foot or so tall. I just wondered wether to plant them in a group of 3 spaced together or dot them singularly around the garden

Personally, I think they would look best in a cluster. That is what I have tried to do with my Yucca bed..

Yucca Thompsoniana

Ste · Post by **Ste** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 12:04 am

Kev, how's your yucca doing since it flowered? Mine flowered during the summer and has done nothing since. Ive cut the flower stalk off as close as I can leaving maybe an inch or so where I couldn't get to. Does this have to die off which will leave a hole then new leaves will emerge from the hole? Im sure someone told me that once they flower, they look pretty cr@p and do nothing for 2 or 3 years.

Simba · Post by **Simba** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:16 pm

I dont want to hi-jack Springy's thread so I will reply with some pix on my own blog Ste...

Springy · Post by **Springy** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:08 pm

Thankyou for the advice. I purchased 3 with the intention of planting in a group and I now think that is what I'd prefer to do. Would 18" apart be ok??!!

I have had a busy week or so. I am trying to tart up the front garden a bit and will post a few pictures soon to show progress. I would like some advice on plants to put in the border as it is NORTH facing and thus will be shaded by the house.

I (AT LAST) had my presentation evening for the Abingdon in Bloom competition which was supposed to have been at the end of October 2011. The cup is nice and will spur me on to try and win again next year!

I am posting some pics of the garden in the recent snow and showing the Phoenix canariensis_CIDP that I have wrapped just for the week as the temps have dropped below -8. the covers willcome off tomorrow as it is warming up a bit.

Yorkshire Kris · Post by **Yorkshire Kris** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:33 pm

Fingers crossed for the Phoenix canariensis_CIDP.

Simba · Post by **Simba** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 8:44 am

Y'know what...?

Looking back over your blog, I'd say this is possibly one of the best transformations that we have seen on HTUK....

Springy · Post by **Springy** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 6:49 pm

Simba wrote:Y'know what...?

Looking back over your blog, I'd say this is possibly one of the best transformations that we have seen on HTUK....

Thanks Simba!! That is high praise indeed, I couldn't possibly agree

Oh alright then!!!

P.s your cheque is in the post!!

Springy · Post by **Springy** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:18 pm

I had a bit of a wander in the garden this afternoon to check for any winter damage on my plants. I think I got a bit complacent with expecting some things to get through without any protection. My Cycad has had no protection at all except from being planted close to the house. I think the snow damaged the leaves.

The Phoenix canariensis_CIDP was wrapped but still got some damage on the tips of the leaves but the centre looks green and healthy still so fingers crossed. It dropped to -8.5 in the worst of the weather!

My Brahea edulis looks in a poor way and I really should have covered it as its only a small plant still.

The new growth on my Cordyline also looks like its taken a battering so I could loose some of the stems on this too.

I have learned a big lesson this winter and I will endevour to over protect in future rather than lose things.
Overall though, things are looking pretty promising!

The Codfather · Post by **The Codfather** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:23 pm

Fingers croosed springy..........but some do look poorly.

Springy · Post by **Springy** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:51 pm

Thanks Coddy. Even if I do lose these, my losses at the moment aren't too great. Even my Bruggy is coming back to life now its in the house. I will probably take a few cuttings from it just to get its shape back.
I was worried about it rotting completely!

Simba · Post by **Simba** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 7:03 am

I have had Revolutas looking like that.
Don't give up on it, one good flush and it will be as good as new....

Springy · Post by **Springy** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 7:23 am

Simba wrote:I have had Revolutas looking like that.
Don't give up on it, one good flush and it will be as good as new....

No I won't give up on it Simba but I think that I will need to move it this year though. If it gets as big as Dave Browns I won't be able to get out of the back door! I guess that I will have to do this before it starts pushing out a new flush of leaves but I also don't want to check it's growth. Any ideas on when it would be the best time?!

Springy · Post by **Springy** » Sat May 26, 2012 11:07 am

I'm continuing this with an update!

I am entering the gardening competition again this year to try my luck again!
I have got a feeling that its going to be a lot harder this year with a hosepipe ban in place here so I'll just have to see how it goes! Lots to do and loads done already! Unwrapped plants, sown and potted on seedlings, top dressed the lawn etc etc.

I have posted a few photos to show things at the begining of this season.......Wish me luck peeps!!!!

( I might have to change the title to a blog now!)