Show us your gardening purchases 2025

I found this online, which looks fairly similar, except for the price

Bordo Italia | Italian Terracotta Plant Pot

And also this, but I'm not sure which one of the two sizes is closest to the Rustico one (the first one only mentions the height, not the width):

https://www.diy.com/departments/ter...5UU24thWwYmdVeiuAYgaAoMSEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.diy.com/departments/pri...-rolled-rim-planter-44cm/5022413029183_BQ.prd

 

Thank you for the info @CostasK. We have been gone from the UK for nearly 25 years and have lost track with the cost of things.

Over here, the dimension mentioned is always the opening width.

I have never asked if pots are frost proof down here as we don't have frost but I am sure they must make them for up North and export.

 

I got this Loropetalum Chinese Black Pearl shrub yesterday ...

 

I haven't bought it yet, but I am thinking to buy a dwarf pampas grass ("Tiny Pampa") tonight. I know they aren't very popular these days, but I do like them personally. My only concern is whether the estimated max height of 60cm is too small - it's unclear looking online if that's with the flower spikes or not.

It is to go here:



I asked ChatGPT to generate an image of the plan. It also tidied up the border. Maybe one day I'll get to that point ChatGPT... Maybe one day (Though you did place the grass off centre, so you are not so perfect yourself)



EDIT: It turns out that Tiny Pampa will probably indeed be too short, even with the plumes, because they grow from really low. The Chat GPT image is misleading.

 

Today I received this Calamagrostis Brachytricha (which will go where I was originally thinking to plant a "tiny pampa" which would have been too tiny).
I ordered it from Norfolk Quality Plants on Tuesday night, I wasn't expecting it so quickly.

 

Looks like a good healthy plant @CostasK .

 

Lordy, @CostasK, AI can't do gardening so it can keep its opinions to itself! If you want a mini pampas, go for it!

 

Ha ha ha, actually @ViewAhead AI got it wrong! There's hope for humans still (Its image suggested that the "tiny pampa" was not as small as it actually is, but I looked into it further and decided against it).

I am very happy with my choice of Calamagrostis Brachytricha, which was @Plantminded 's suggestion. I trust his opinion more than ChatGPT's

 

Well, thank you @CostasK, l’ll mention that to my friends and relatives . I’m glad you didn’t go for the tiny pampa, one for a container perhaps but I must admit that I felt an instant aversion when I first saw it .

 

Quite right too! AI can keep its digital footprint off our flower beds, thank you very much!

 

I bought these from Shrubland Nursery ...

Variegated Billbergia nutans





Pelargonium denticulatum filicifolium



And also Hoya lanceolata bella but it's just a small cutting at the moment, so I didn't take a photo.

 

Are you putting a climber over your arch @CostasK ? Apologies if you've said, as I haven't read back a long way in the thread.
I bought a new pair of snips and so far, they seem good. Much more substantial than the little ones I have.
I don't normally use Amazon, but I had a gift card due to returning an old Kindle for recycling, and I ordered them when they had that 2 day thing recently, so they were just under £11.50 at that point. With the gift card, they ended up costing me about £6.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00364F9WG?ref_=pe_109253361_1103576791_t_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

Good morning @fairygirl

Yes, there is actually a star jasmine on the back on the right, that I planted just a few weeks ago.

I have actually been changing the planting of that area. Right now it looks too empty and miserable, but when the plants grow it should fill up nicely (I deliberately planted the front ones a bit close, as an experiment). There are a few hylotelephium cuttings which are very hard to spot in the photo. I am still looking for a plant for the middle, where that white rock is. Two options are Mexican Fleabane and patio rose.



Regarding gardening purchases, I recently bought 2 Hardy Geranium Rozanne - my first Hardy Geraniums ever. I have planted them now. Their condition wasn't amazing but they should be fine in Spring with the new foliage.

 

Ah - I couldn't see that jasmine in the pic @CostasK. I hope that works well for you. They aren't suitable here where I am
I'm surprised you haven't had hardy geraniums before. Very useful plants, and so many varieties.
You'll probably change things around several times before you're happy with it all - if you're anything like me!

 

They are a bit borderline for my area @fairygirl but I have already bought the thickest fleece I could find, to be prepared for cold snaps, and I plan to mulch heavily as well.

I am aware that hardy geraniums are extremely popular but it took me a while to appreciate their charm... I do now though.

I love moving things around a little too much So there's always a chance I will change the arrangement again, especially if something doesn't take. For now though I will consider this to be the arrangement and focus on deciding on a plant for the middle bit, where that rock is temporarily.