NEW Gardeners !

Thank you both

could be franciscana variegata

Cheers @Pete8 i think that’s confirmed T. J. for the trellis!

Perfect that’s what I needed to know thanks!

Going by what self-seeds in my containers verbena bon, aquilegia, purple toadflax and ivy leafed toadflax should be easy options.

It also depneds on what the plant is, as well as your growing conditions. They often don't need those bags at all. You have to be vigilant with them though, if you use bags, and check regularly. Some will strike quickly and some won't.

There's also a lot to be said for succession sowing. A few seeds sown every week. The extra room in the tray does help to keep them from going leggy. Plus, if sown on a window sill, a piece of white card on the room side can help even out available light

Looks perfectly fine to me, if a little behind. The silver leaves are quite normal at that stage, it will turn greener later. Here's mine now, just starting to flower.. You can see bits of silver foliage in the middle...nothing to worry about at all.

I bought some different colour ones a few years ago and grew one or twin amongst the veg. Not normal perhaps, but that's me.Now they just self seed, and believe it or not they don't get attacked by slugs.Maybe it's because they are well scattered, I just pull out the ones I don't want or...

I've noticed that when I've bought "10mm" pea gravel, quite a lot of it has been bigger than that, but it probably varies a bit between suppliers. Best advice is probably to have a look at it before parting with your dosh. These days horticultural grit seems to be £6 for 20kg which I don't think...

Yes - they seed very easily too. Many areas are having problems with ash dieback, although we're fairly lucky round here, but it's probably better to remove them. You can certainly try just cutting them back as soon as they appear, but you may find a problem if there's a good bit of root already...

That’s suuuuper helpful, thank you!

I've been keeping an eye out for 'cuckoo spit'. I've not seen any so far this year on the lavender although I have seen it on the Honeysuckle in the garden. I'll remain vigilant.

I have literally just ordered a wire paper bin to pop over, fingers crossed.

Thank you all for your tips. I have put a handful of blood and fish bone. Fingers crossed!

If you don’t want it to seed … then yes, pull it out.

I agree its not a garden plant.

Slugs do like them a lot @latimer so just be prepared! The ensatas like moist conditions - they can grow in pond shallows, so make sure they don't dry out.

Thank you for your reply. And for your advice regarding bulbs. Also for identifying the flowers. I did try doing it through an id app but it was as confused as me!it’s definitely dry in our garden, even when it’s wet everywhere else! I’ll try the Iris idea for next year. I’ve found a website...

Budget always comes into it @latimer . It's still a great pond with lots of interest and use for wildlife, so give it some time to settle and for the plants to get going. It'll look very different in another year. I've never used a pump in any wildlife pond though, but there's no reason why you...