June view 2009

June view 2009
View of rose and herb garden, June 2009

Small Garden Story

Over some 15 + years, I have been photographing the evolution of my small (85 x 15 foot) garden and it seems a waste not to put these records into some sort of context. Beginning here in April 2010 this Blog is intended to both act as a diary and to share past and present successes (and some failures), pleasures and disappointments with fellow garden-lovers. In due course, I intend to fill in some of the background and early days but that will have to wait until the winter months!

Thursday 29 August 2013

Vine weevil and lilium formosanum

I was lucky to look out at my window box this morning and see an adult vine weevil on the underside - i.e. the window side! - of a leaf.   http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=234
I shall have to get out the vine weevil killer and give the window box a good drenching to prevent the horrible maggoty grubs eating the roots of things - particularly pansies.   I have had problems with these before but I am very lazy about preventative measures!

Something I am pleased to see is that the buds of the lilium formasanum that I bought as (unpromising) tiny plants last year are just about to burst open.   A well worthwhile lily, I shall certainly persevere with these in future - including treating them for lily beetles and vine weevils I suppose.

Here is one of the first flowers in evening light against my favourite bird bath.



Wednesday 14 August 2013

August rain

It has been wonderful not having to water the garden so much for the past few weeks.   The garden is looking surprisingly green - even the grass is growing although I haven't had to cut it for a month or so.   Not a lot of colour so I am glad I put some fuchsias in pots.
Spent some time clearing and pruning - including completely cutting back the jasmine on the fence at the bottom of the garden.   It has gone bonkers - much bigger than I'd imagined, as my neighbours keep reminding me by hacking the flowering tips off and throwing them back.   Must find something a little less rampant to replace it with.   What a pity.
The dahlias are still growing slowly but buds are forming and I am letting them develop now.   Quite a few that were left in the ground have come up from last year and seem to be at about the same stage as this years new plants.   I bought one new one today - orange.  I am just hoping the colours are not going to clash.
Just beginning to rain....