Parkeey unless you are in a mild area or we have an exceptionally mild winter you are going to struggle to keep an echium alive during winter. Its not a good idea to keep any plant wrapped up for months. I have tried a bale of straw round a 6ft plant with a water proof cover and it still snuffed it...

Yes, do tell, i'd like to pot plunge mine next year but am a bit wary of the lift come autumn due to possible roots bursting out

fern Rob wrote:How long have the tree ferns been planted?

They was planted spring 2012 but I had them in pots for a few years before that

My garden was only planted up last year & I've had a difficult 12 months which means I've barely been able to get out there, I'm quite pleased how it looks so far

cordyman wrote:a video by Bill you say ? first i've heard of this!

Here's the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKTi7l9FIyw

OMG! just watched your video, first time i've seen your garden-absolutely amazing. Got to be one of, if not THE best gardens on here. I now know what your"side entrance" is & just how many big trachies have you got? I kept loosing count

Can anyone tell me what gets frosted in the winter? Is it the soft new growth, roots or the whole plant, stem as well. icon_thumright In my experience the growing point is the first bit to get zapped, which is why many that only have this damage go on to grow multiple heads I'd also like to say I h...

Definitely caterpillars. I didn't do anything about them. I enjoy butterflies in the garden so decided to do nothing but some plants especially the brugs really suffered. Most of the caterpillars you find on your garden plants are probably moth caterpillars, there are much fewer butterfly species i...

Last year i wrapped rope lights around the trunk & a duvet around it all, in the end the lights weren't needed but was there if required

Edit-sorry about this post, pressed back button on my mobile & it re-posted earlier post

Last year i wrapped rope lights around the trunk & a duvet around it all, in the end the lights weren't needed but was there if required

Mine is south, it was one of the reasons we bought this house 5 years ago

Just checked packaging & it does state waterproof

If anyone has a tall treefern they need to protect in a cold spell I'd say get one of these whilst they're on offer http://www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/envelop ... bag-323736
I just bought 3, one for myself & 2 for my six footers

Mine very late last year started to flower, winter started & the flowers quickly died, only problem was rot set in at the flower bases & i ended up loosing most of the height. The extended winter didn't help matters though

Grew up seeing loads of small tortoise about, not seen any for the last 3 or 4 years but seen a fair few this year