Gardening Aspirations For 2018

@Verdun . The Salix is a tree not a bush. I made a mock up of where I would put it. It would have to live in a container as a) I don’t know what’s under the gravel and b) I might not like it.

I also thought, as the container I’ve seen is big, there might be room to trail summer flowers around the sides.

R

G.

 

Yes it would do well there.
Couple of things.....as big a pot as you can (it also means it wont be easily "pinched")
Use john innes number 3 compost.....really not worth skimping on this
There will often be some die back after winter on the tips of stems......snip these off
Watch out for shoots below the graft....these will be green; just pull them off/down
I would be tempted to plant hardy perennial cascading plants like aubretia, yellow alyssum, campanula Birch Hybrid, lithodora heavenly blue, alpine phlox, verbena homestead purple, etc.
Annuals would mean disturbing the soil around the salix; not good!

 

When I saw the word "Flamingo" I thought of shineyland

 

Part 1 of 2

I'm not sure yet what to do about the flamingo willow tree. It is also listed on Dobbies website. I phoned the local store today but they don't have a price or a delivery date. I can't see it being cheaper than the £24.99 one I've seen already. I would be happy to wait if I knew I was going to get one at a decent price. At the same time I don't want to miss out on the one thats available now. The other issue will be getting it home. I would have to lean it sideways to get it in my car. I can have it delivered if necessary. Its a cost I will have to weigh up when the time comes.

I have had the chance to shop around today and I have a found a 55cm tub for £3.99 at B&M. I'm not going to get better than that. I'll pick one up next time I'm passing.

My local Homebase is now a clearance store. I believe the composts etc are included in the 30% off deal. If so, I can pick myself up a packet of John Innes no 3 next time I'm passing.

B&M and Homebase are close to each other which is a bonus.



G.

 

They are commonly available in spring. You will see them in gc's, stores like Asda, B&Q, etc....everywhere. They are not hard to find in spring at all.
Usually at much less than £25.
Getting home? Fits in hatchback easily.

 

Part 2 of 2.

Today I saw Agapanthus bulbs/roots advertised at Wilko for £2 a pack (no volume stated). Assuming there are 3 or more in the packet, that to me represents good value for money. My immediate requirement this year is for 2 plants so any more would be a bonus. I also saw at Morrison, baby agapanthus plants at £3 pounds each.

I'm assuming there is only limited amount of time available to buy the bulbs before they are passed their time. If I bought them and potted them now they would have to live ouitside in my damaged poly greenhouse.

2 questions;

Would they survive the cold?

Would they still be available in bulb form after the cold spell has passed?

While I'm out I will try to pick up another cover for the greenhouse. Hopefully that will tie me over until I can get a proper glass one in the autumn.



G.

 

@ARMANDII @Verdun

There are plenty of garden centres, DIY stores and nurseries around here. I can happily wait and look around for trees when the time comes. The weather will be better then too.



G.

 

Re the agapanthus.....What have you got to lose? You will meed to grow them on for a couple of years or so to get flowering size.
No, they will struggle in the cold direct from the warmth of Morrisons/Wilko. And the coldest weather in years is imminent!
You will need to protect them and harden them off......keep indoors. They wont take up much room
Good thinking re Flamingo.

 

I think my wife would disagree.

I do know somebody else though that might let me utilise their window ledge. OK. Game on.



G.

 

Waiting for the spring will also give me a chance to repair the rotten fence panels.

G.

 

Looking at a bit more closely, maybe "1pk" equates to 1 bulb.



G.

 

Yes, that does appear to be how they describe them (1pk = 1; 10pk = 10). But, even one bulb, at £2 still represents a good deal
I've bought a couple or more of the Wilko's/Range/£ style plants in the past couple of weeks and tucked the shopping bag away with them still in it
The other day, I looked in the shopping bag and a couple of them were sprouting. Those ones I have now potted up.
The ones which were not sprouting have been put back in the bag into "storage" for the time being (aka after this cold snap).
The potted up ones are in a porch on a polystyrene tray (dry, frost free, no direct sunlight) and won't go outside into the grow house until after this cold snap.

I have no qualms about leaving the plants in their purchase packaging in an under stairs cupboard until I'm ready to deal with them/the weather permits (just so long as they get planted this season, not next year ). After all, who knows how long they stay on the shelf in the shop, or how long they have been in "storage" before they even reach the shelves?