As I ramble around the garden whilst summer continues to progress towards autumn, I find myself constantly assessing the borders and their contents, making mental decisions on what should be moved and where, and what has outlived its usefulness. Several borders are due an overhaul, with plants removed and split or removed as required, and the soil enriched before they are replaced, but that will have to wait till later in the season. This exercise has made such a difference in other borders, and I have found it well worth doing.
In the meantime, there are other tasks that can be done to improve the current dishevelled nature of the garden, and today I tackled the area under the apple trees, home to three of the witch hazels, a small number of the named snowdrops and more early spring colour from ‘Tête à Tête’ narcissi. As in so many of the informal areas, ivy is encroaching from every direction, but the main intruder is wild violet, viola odorata, threatening to colonise the whole area. Now, herb Robert has shrugged its shoulders and joined it, creating a green carpet (above). I may not have removed every scrap of root, but at least the green carpet is no more, having been rolled up and recycled in the green waste bin:
Elsewhere, the Golfer has begun temporarily removing the fence between the woodland edge border and rose garden, to add new posts, a task that will make it far easier for me to remove more of the ivy from its base. Ivy also had to be scraped from both sides of the fence to enable the slats to be repainted, which they will be in due course; fortunately, although the posts are rotting in places, the upright slats, recycled from pallets, are still sound.
Ivy is also a culprit on the boundary fence down the side
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Have you ever been captivated by the mysterious hoot echoing through the Maryland woods at dusk, and wondered what winged enigma is behind that evocative sound? You’re not alone! Maryland offers birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts an exciting array of species to discover. Curious to know which owls you can spot in your backyard or during your next forest hike? Keep scrolling to know about the common Owls in Maryland.
These two tropical delights have a lot in common! Don’t let their sweet juicy taste and almost similar appearance trick you; learn the differences in this extensive Lychee vs. Rambutan guide below.
I gave up being sensitive about my lack of height many years ago, but still feel rather intimidated by tall plants in the garden; actually, intimidated is not the word, perhaps it’s more a case of being a little uncomfortable about their presence, particularly in a smaller border. For that reason, I tend to avoid adding plants that are listed as being above a certain height, perhaps 1.5m (5 feet) or so, but even that is pushing it a bit. Sadly, that doesn’t allow for plants that grow beyond their supposed height (David Austin roses are particularly skilled in this deception). This week, for example, I read an article suggesting Dahlia ‘David Howard’, at 0.7m, was a good choice for a front-of-border position – someone is having a larf, as mine (the orange one at the back in the above picture) towers above me at well over 2m tall (around 7 feet), and always has done.
This versatile and beautiful plant has become even more fascinating to gardeners and botanists alike. Check out the Best New Zealand Flax Varieties in this article that offer unique colors, textures, and growth habits.
Talking about my efforts last week to remove violets and ivy from under the apple trees generated an interesting conversation about the weeds whose presence we disliked the most in our gardens.
Ever wondered what the National Flower of Turkey is and why it holds such significance in the country’s culture and history? You’re about to embark on a fascinating journey that will reveal not only the identity of this captivating bloom but also its deep-rooted symbolism and influence in Turkish society.
Bored of having the same colored blooms in your garden? Don’t worry! We have some stunning Pink and Yellow Roses that you must try growing for a vivid change!
Don’t know about the yellow tulips meaning? From representing joy and friendship to embodying optimism and new beginnings, read on to find the answer to “What do yellow tulips mean?”
Monstera Acacoyaguensis stands out form the other indoor plants, thanks to its unique leaves with natural holes in them. Let’s have a look at how to maintain it easily!