Rain, rain go away....

Discovered a begonia in the hanging basket

I know it is the British disease - complaining about the weather, but really this is beyond a joke.  The rain is bad enough but it is freezing too.  So much for flaming June.


So, yes, not much to write as I haven't actually done any gardening.  I just thought I'd share a bargain, a reminder, some rogues and some photos with you so you know that I am still around.


The bargain -  Thompson and Morgan are offering 36 plug plants six each of six perrrenials for £4.90.  Basically, they promote them as free plants, you just pay the postage, hence the £4.90.  I have sent for them in hopes they will be OK.  I'll put them in the veg plot to grow on for next year and the new border.  That's the plan any way.

First Noisette rose of the year.

The reminder(s) - 15th today so it is my day for flinging (organic) slug pellets around.  I do it 15th of the month from February onwards come rain or shine.  Yes, I know its not so effective if it rains - though the organic ones are better for this - but when would they get done if we waited for sun?  This reminded me to remind you that the garden needs feeding here and there too if you want a good results.  I decided to simplify it by chucking chicken pellets around at the beginning of the season and then handfuls of 7-7-7 National Growmore at the end of every month.  It was far too confusing figuring out who needed what and when.  It is also pretty difficult in a small 'normal' garden to be feeding roses one way and the clematis another when they are planted cheek by jowl.  I need to remember it is a not-very-special garden and certainly not a show garden.  I also tied in my climbing roses - what a job that was.

One of the many ....

The rogues - every year I get a bundle of rogue poppies lifting their heads.  In year one of living here I planted some red oriental poppies in the bottom border (north facing).  Every year since I have pulled them up and even last year dug them up.  The next year they are back in an even bigger spread.  They are beautiful, tough and remarkable things.  The side borders have only ever had white or pink poppies planted.  This year I have the red ones there too.  I am certain oriental poppies are quite difficult to grow from seed and you generally propagate by root cuttings, so for this to have seeded itself somewhere else proves its durability.  I did read somewhere someone had weed killed for twelve years and still has poppies where she doesn't want them.  I will learn to live with them and not notice how the colours clash.  

Foxgloves from nowhere

My other rogues are the masses of foxgloves down the side of the patio which got there - heaven knows how.  Meanwhile in my borders I have just two survivors from many, many plantings each year.  Yup, just the two!


The photos - there are a few here and more in Garden 2012.  .... take a look at the two baskets on the trellis to help fill the space, a pretty little (beesianum) jasmine that's as tough as old boots and my lovely hanging basket, it is doing beautifully.