End of Month View September 2014

End of Month View August 2014

According to the press, we are, here in Edinburgh experiencing one of the driest Septembers on record this year.  I'd pretty much agree with that!

The only thing normal about the weather this week is the wind.  We've had a fair few good drying days - is that a saying those of you from other parts of the country or planet use?  It's regularly used by neighbours here abouts as a way of passing the time of day.    

Helianthus Lemon Queen, must have put on another foot of growth over the past 4 weeks - I just love the size of these beauties and they are doing a far better job of hiding fencing than the shrubs are right now.  The cardoons are long past their best, I read somewhere that the birds should enjoy the seeds from this plant,   I'm not sure how long those bone dry stems will last in this wind, so they'd best get a move on!  It's hard to miss the acid yellow berries on the Pyracantha (P. Golden Charmer) covering the back fence.  Both the Helianthus and Pyracantha really stand out when the sun has gone over the roof tops.

Cardoon seed heads

On a scale of 1 to 10, one being unhappy and 10 being ecstatic, I'd say I am probably around a 7.5 with this new border but putting together this post over the last 9 months will prove useful to me whilst planning what needs doing between now and spring. 
   
My favourite combo in this bed just has to be the trio of  Persicaria, Sedum and Helenium.  I removed Hydrangea paniculata Pinky Winky, as I had better use for it elsewhere in the garden.  When I get round to my autumn tidy up, I will move the clump of Crocosmia Lucifer back a bit towards the fence, where it will get even more room and make a sizable clump before too long.  Slap bang in the middle is a lovely grass, Chionochloa rubra (a native of New Zealand), commonly known as red tussock.  It makes a gorgeous mature specimen, as seen in my local nursery, whether or not it survives the winter wet in the ground here, remains to be seen.  I've grown this for 2 years in a container but have chanced it in the ground this year.   I think the pot was holding it back and it's enjoyed getting it's feet in the soil.  Keep your fingers crossed for it please.  

Butterflies and Bees enjoying the late summer sun.  Thankfully there is still plenty on offer for them. 

The little Aster that appeared from beneath the foliage of a geum a wee while back, is just now blooming it's little heart out.  Now why can't the others look this good?  I have these dotted around the garden and all of them are looking, well, rotten really.  That's as good a word to describe them as any I suppose.  This little clump is a remnant returning after the floods of 2012. 


Aster novi-belgii Purple Dome

If we do a 180° turn and look back down towards the house,  the young Rowan is just beginning to look autumnal and I was absolutely fed up looking at the rust ridden Kilmarnock Willow - it's been relegated to the great big garden waste container at the local dump.  The Laburnum I purchased for elsewhere in the garden back in spring has been moved into it's spot.  I am much more happy with this area now.  Those Laurels at the back are going to a neighbour just as soon as we can coordinate removal.   We missed the window of opportunity back in spring, hopefully she can get herself into gear and ready to receive them at some point in the next few weeks.     

Autumn foliage on Sorbus Autumn Spire

My plans over the next few weeks will be to cut back and tidy up what's needed in this area.  Since I haven't done any weeding in and around the plants since back in spring, I have noticed that there are a few clumps of creeping buttercup appearing here and there and the odd marestail popping up.  The buttercup will be easy to eradicate but the marestail no so!

Thanks for reading my End of Month View this September.  Please join me and other garden bloggers over at The Patient Gardeners Weblog who are posting this month.

End of Month view August 2014

End of Month View July 2014

There is now a distinct chill in the air of an evening. Many of the plants around the garden are gearing up for autumn.  However, if the press are to be believed we are in for an Indian summer come September....roll on Monday then!  It's chucking it down here right now, early Friday evening.  We are experiencing a few more rain falls here and there and of that I am glad - keeping this new border and lawn adequately watered in it's first season has been a long slog!  Lack of water here in Scotland is certainly not the norm.  We are renowned the world over for our miserably wet summers.    

End of Month View August 2014

For this month's view I decided to take a couple of steps back and capture the entire area up there at the back of the garden.

Sorbus Autumn Spire
yellow berries

I wanted to include the Rowan tree in the shot.  New to the garden earlier in the year.  It should have been planted last autumn or at the lastest early spring but by the time I had made up my mind we were well into late spring, knocking on the door of early summer.  This year has been one of the driest I can remember, I've had to be very diligent when it came to watering.  I was doubtful of getting berries this year.  Although the Rowan flowered, the blossom didn't last very long, over in a matter of a day or two to be precise.   I had put this down to stress of me possibly not providing quite enough water.  I did up the watering considerably from then on in and it hasn't looked back.  You can just make out in the large image the little bunch of yellow berries.  I'm glad I chose this variety (S. Autumn Spire), I like the yellow berries way more than the red - it's nice to be different.  We've lots of Rowans growing nearby and all of them produce red/orange berries, I hope the birds appreciate something a wee bit different.

The new  lawn, although it doesn't show in the picture, I feel could do with a little pick me up - it's looking rather parched close up.  I'm not one for feeding lawn, lawns generally do just fine here on their own but only this morning, as I was mowing, I thought it was looking a bit miserable.  I've given it a general lawn feed and just hope I don't live to regret it.  Although the instruction said it can be used right up until September - it's at the back of my mind it's late in the year and don't particularly want growth to go into overdrive.  Mind you, it won't the the first time I've had to mow the lawn in winter.
        
There have been two minor changes since last month.  The first, was to do away with the Sambucus Black Lace on the back tier.  There had been a niggling doubt in the back of my mind at the time of planting - I was betwixt and between the Sambucus and the Physocarpus. The Sambucus won on the day of planting but the niggling doubt just didn't go.  I've now swapped it for the P. opulifolium Lady in Red - I like it far better than I did the Sambucus.  I think the reddish tones of the foliage fit better and the fact that it will grow no where near the massive  proportions of the Sambucus, is another plus.  I don't think you've seen this back tier since the early summer growth sprut of the perennials on the lower level.  You might be wondering what I've done with the Sambucus - it's found a new home in the neighbour's garden.

The Clematis montana Marjorie and Cotinus Golden Spirit have also settled into their new home well. Whilst the jury is still out on the Pyracantha as fence cover on the back fence, I have been tying in the growth from the clematis away from it but should I feel the urge to remove the firethorn if it gets out of hand, then it won't take too much effort to redirect some of the Clematis growth that way.

The contrasting difference I was hoping to achieve between the Sambucus and Cotinus is still achieved with it's substitute.  The observant amongst you will spot an out of place Verbascum.  Well not entirely out of place but certainly not reaching the 1.5m as promised on the label!  The Verbascum being raised a further foot higher than the perennials on the lower tier was supposed to make height that it would still be seen behind the taller perennials below.  What happened? Too much shade created by the other plants, I think.  I've been doing a bit of reading up on this plant and it is said to be more reliably perennial than other verbascums, if it returns next year, I'll find a new spot for it.  Verbascums generally don't do very well here in my garden but no point in making the effort now if it doesn't return next year, it can wait til spring and as you can see, the Hellebore is still flowering too.

The other change is not so apparent and came about when I got in a bit of tizzy regarding what might happen if we ever experience flooding again.  I lost so many plants a few years back that the risk of loosing my rather expensive Itoh hybrid Peony is one risk too many.  It's been replaced with a red flowering daylily and a new home found for the peony in the front garden.      

I would like to offer a public apology to the Lupins.  I've did nothing cut complain about them for the past 4 months or so.  Many of you liked them and some of you even when to the bother to suggest on what to do to help bring out the best in them.  My, how the tide has turned!  I'm growing rather fond of them - I'm not entirely sure why, I can't quite put my finger on why but it could be one of two reasons.  A.  The yellow of the Helianthus and the Blue of the Lupin go really well together or B.  Of the 3 plants, the two growing to the rear have been completely smothered by the larger one in front (proof that not all were dwarfs varieties either!) and rather than 3 different colours of lupin plants - a group of blooms in the same colour is making it much easier to the eye. It could of course be a combination of both reasons or neither but I've said it now and just for the record, I'll repeat myself......I like those Lupins!  

Another combo I think is still looking good and should continue for a while yet - Hydrangea paniculata, Crocosmia Lucifer, Persicaria JS Caliente, Helenium Moerheim Beauty and Sedum spectabile.  Nice autumn colour on the persicaria foliage too.  

We all like surprises, don't we?  I'd like to end this post with a couple of surprises, nice ones, I should add.

Back in November, when I was moving a honeysuckle that had been growing over the front panel of the shed, a stem with the tiniest piece of root detached itself from the root ball.  Thinking little off it, I stuck it in the ground and completely forgot all about it - I was taken a back when I spotted a single stem meandering it's way along the ground between the plants.  I untangled it and brought it out into the light and within a day or two, the sorry pathetic looking buds fattened and opened.  

Lonicera periclymenum Fragrant Cloud

Another wee surprise lurking around in the undergrowth is an Aster, just poking it's head out from beneath the Philadelphus.  Last time I had Asters in this part of the garden was before the flood.  That was back in 2012 - I hadn't noticed it last year.  Either the parent plant has recovered or it is a volunteer.  It will be nice to see what colour the blooms turn out to be.  

Thanks for reading and please join me over at the Patient Gardener's Weblog to see more End of Month Views from gardeners across the globe. 

End of Month View April 2014

My mood of late as been a bit down, I've been stuck in the doldrums - I found that I had been a wee bit scunnered with the garden.  For days on end I struggled to get myself motivated to do any sort of garden related activity.  So apologies for not being quite up to date with what's been happening in your gardens.  I'm not entirely sure of what caused my mood but knowing I had to put a post together for my End of Month View at some point this week really encouraged me to get out and take stock of what's been happening.  Do join me and other garden bloggers over at The Patient Gardeners Weblog, where I'm sure there's been a lot more activity going on in other garden bloggers' gardens than there has been in mine!

The last couple of days this month was pretty much identical to the end of March - wet, windy and a chill in the air.  Temperatures this April have been way above normal and indeed what would be expected for springtime here in Scotland.  Although we've had rainfall - a couple of days heavy rain here and there certainly does not constitute an East of Scotland Spring!

End of March view

I stated at the end of March that it was my intentions to work on the area that was being returned to lawn.  The area, having been compacted by me walking back and forth for the last couple of months, was somewhat waterlogged and I had to wait for it to dry out thus setting my plans back a few more days.  I was faced with two choices here - first choice drop the level and grass using turves, alternatively work over the remaining soil,  removing as many of the stones had had appeared as I could, level with fresh top soil and seed.  I opted for the later, it seemed that this would be the easiest option, labour wise.  Indeed it was, it took about half a dozen bags of top soil to level it over and raise a few remaining dips.  Grass seed down and the area has been strung and tied with torn plastic bags to discourage the birds, however, my cats were not discouraged and found it an extremely useful spot to hone their hurdling and hunting skills! Hunting each other that is.  Thankfully, the novelty wore off after a few days and not too much damage was caused.  I've remedied the damage they caused and now hopefully the seed can germinate.

End of April view

 As you can see from this month's End of View shot - planting has finished - I'm not entirely happy with the layout.  I feel my inexperience always get the better of me when planting out such a large area.  That can be improved on and will find my end of month shots a great help in the coming months.  Of course,  I will have to source bulbs in the autumn for early colour.  I mentioned last month the Photinia, which was already growing here when work started - it's purpose was, eventually, to disguise the front section of my shed - although it's still not 'doing it' for me.  The Hydrangea paniculata growing next to it has taken an absolute age to put on some growth.  Now that May is here, it's distinct lack of leaf is not the look I am trying to achieve! I might need to find a replacement. The taller shrub is Deutzia Strawberry Fields - a favourite of mine and has transplanted well, whether or not it will flower this year is another matter.

I took a bit of a chance back in March by lifting and moving a couple of Peonies - an early flowering lactiflora and an Itoh hybrid.  An early flowering variety was a good size and was full of buds - it doesn't appear to have flinched.  Time will tell soon enough if those fat buds mature enough to flower, I'm keeping my fingers crossed I get a few flowers.    The Itoh is doing well and was only just putting on growth, it's only got one flower bud though.  I brought with them huge rootballs, this may well be why they are doing so well.

A new plant to my garden and one I've never tried in any garden before is Bergenia - the variety is Overture.  Admittedly it was a bit of an impulse buy - I just wanted something that flowered around now.  I've chosen Geum Bell Bank as a neighbour - the colour of the flowers is picked up in the stems of the Bergenia.  I shall see how this combo works out.



Bergenia Overture

As well as the Peony for early flowers, a plant that had been on my wish list for a heck of a long time but was proving difficult to source Papaper Orientalis Patty's Plum, I couldn't believe my luck when I came across it at a nursery local to me.  I've chosen some Allium Purple Senstation to partner it.

Papaver orientalis Patties Plum, Allium Purple Sensation, Helenium and Daylily foliage 

Further round just out of shot, more Alliums are happily growing - I've left a gap in the planting as I want to buy a new Peony - which one, I'm not quite sure.  The trouble is my local nursery is an award winning Peony grower and there's just too many to choose from!  I will wait until Peony flowering time and make my final selection then. 

Well, that's about all for my End of Month View post this month except to share with you all the good news that as of this afternoon - the grass seed has finally started to germinate!  We shall have grass! Wishing you all a super weekend, with some lovely weather to boot!

 

End of Month View January 2014

I've been eager to take part in the End of Month View meme hosted by Helen over at The Patient Gardener's Weblog for sometime but could never quite make up my mind on a suitable subject. 

Now that I'm carrying out a wee bit of a rejig at the top of the garden - I think I'd find it useful to record the progress I make and of course I hope you'll enjoy reading about it too!
  
The area in question, as you can see in the picture below, previously housed the garden shed.  It faces south west and should get sun for most of the day.  I say 'should' because as yet, I'm not quite sure how much shade will be cast by moving the shed to the other side of the garden.  Judging by the amount of sun it's getting at the moment, I suspect there will be little shade come late spring.            

Before the move December 2013

The shed was moved mid December and here's a shot of the area, warts and all!  As you can see a bit of clearing up was needed, as well as new trellising.  It was at this point I decided that the trellising that runs the entire length of the garden would be better off raised.  The trellis was an after thought when the fence was replaced and it was easily enough done over a couple of afternoons.  It now gives a good height but at the same time doesn't block the sun from the neighbour's greenhouse - something they were keen not to have happen when I started replacing the fencing a couple of years back.

Shed gone!

Mid January 2014

There is a distinct drop in height between the 2 areas.  I've used log edging as a retainer for the top section.  Best to work with what I've got - rather than to try level out the difference between them.

Part one of this makeover will be to choose shrubs that will eventually hide the fencing.  There are other areas in the garden that are currently a tad over subscribed in terms of planting.  I find I'm never able to judge just how much room a plant needs and therefore end up having to move them way too soon.  I know that I'm not alone in that respect.  I've currently a Buddleia, a Physocarpus and a Hydrangea paniculata that could do with a new home.  I do though want to fill that corner (where the Aucuba currently resides) with the Sambucus nigra Black Lace and Cotinus Golden Spirit struggling away in a pot that really would benefit with it's feet in the ground.

This next shot - taken from a slightly wider angle, gives an idea on where the border will continue from.  I've humphed all those slabs round to the side of the house this afternoon, hence the divits you can just make out in the lawn.  Next job will be too mark out a better shape for the border, move the edging stones and try to figure out how to soften the corner of the deck/steps.    

End of Month View January 2014

It's a long way off being the finished product but I'm excited to just be this far on so early in the year - I really didn't expect to get started on this until March but as the weather has been kind, I'm well ahead of schedule. 

I know many of you have far better vision than I have - Can any of you suggest how I might be able to work a tree into my plans.  I've a Coral Bark Maple - Acer palmatum Eddisbury to be exact that copes with full sun, the area I think/hope should be sheltered enough from the winds by the shed.  It has a mature height of 4m (according to label) so should be short enough not to interfere with the telephone lines.  Of course, if you have suggestions for an alternative tree, I'd love to hear them.  Providing you don't think I'm imposing that is!

Thanks for reading and I hope that by this time next month - I will have made a bit more progress.  Have a good weekend!  Oops, I almost forgot to thank Helen for hosting - so thank you Helen.

p.s. The first snowdrops are just about out.  Well over a month earlier than last year.  It's all good thus far this winter!

   

End of Month View February 2014

My end of month view this February, still as it was last month, is pretty much a work in progress.  Although we were lucky here to have escaped the horrific weather other parts of the UK have experienced, when it has rained it's been pretty heavy.  Weather not conducive to me traipsing my muckle welly boots around the garden. 

End of Jan 2014

It may not look like I've done much but I'm pretty please with what I've achieved so far.  Just for comparison - here's how the area looked at the end of January.  One thing that did surprise me was just how good the soil is up here.  Despite the fact it has been under the cover of the shed for the last 7 year - it was relatively easy to dig, when it wasn't to wet that is!  I'm digging over and adding bags of soil improver as I go along.  It may not be the correct way to do things but it's making it far less a chore to do it in smaller sections like this.


On the tier to the back - Sambucus Black Lace takes centre stage and Cotinus coggygria Golden Spirit will make a lovely contrast in the corner.   Planted as fence cover is Viburnum sargentii Onondaga, Deutzia Strawberry Fields and Hydrangea paniculata Pinky Winky.  When I look back on last month's post - I had hoped to have the border marked out and at the very least, manouvered the stones for the edge into place.  I failed in that respect.  I'm on annual leave next week and should be able to get lots done, weather permitting that is.  The trouble with having such good weather, it leads us into a false sense of security, I keep having to remind myself we are still in Winter and things could take a turn for the worse anytime between now and May.  Please note, I am not starving the birds - the feeders are indoors having their weekly wash.



End of February 2014

As a centre piece (or what ever real gardeners call it) I've gone down the ornamental conifer route, rather than fill it out with herbaceous perennials and such likes.  My plant of choice - Abies koreana Silberlocke.  As described on one website it's "a stunning small evergreen with amazing year-long color; distinctive red cones are eye-catching in spring; needles are held in whorls which displays the prominent silver bands"  This will be taking centre stage in my next End of Month post. 

I've underplanted the Cotinus with Iris reticulata Pauline and the Sambucus with some yellow Crocus - Crocus chrysanthus Romance - pale yellow on the outside and a darker golden colour on the inside.  I've a few dwarf flowering Narcissus else where in the garden that will be moved up here at an appropriate time.  

While my work at the top end of the garden may be slow, I've been extremely busy elsewhere and although not part of my End of Month View for 2014, work on the trellis (aka Project Privacy) that will divide the entire garden is well underway.  Hampered only by the number of trellis etc. I can carry in the car at the one time!  You can see the view through the trellis - there's still lots to do!
  

This may well be only my second End of Month View post, already I am feeling encouraged to stick to my plans.  There really is nothing like knowing that others are looking in to keep you on track.  My promise to break the habit of planting first - think second has not been broken yet! Thus far I've resisted the urge to 'plonk'.  So if you feel you need a prod in the right direction - join in with this meme, kindly hosted by Helen over at The Patient Gardeners Weblog.  It's up to you how you interpret 'End of Month View' - the idea is to cover the same subject matter on the last day of each month - simples!

As usual a great big thanks for reading, your thoughts and comments truly are appreciated.