The garden *is* my project!

I've just planted out the two escallonias and the clematis I bought yesterday. I've put them in the new border (created the other week, pictured in quote) and it did mean that I had to reshuffle some of the other plants but that was no hardship.

I've also added a potted Zantedeschia (white) near to the Triffid because I think they will complement one another (somewhere in a tub I've got a purple one which I want to add, but can I find the perisher?).

Added a variegated cistus which has been in a large pot since Shineyland 2015 and hoping that will be happy there.

Scattered some Sarah Raven "Vanilla Ice" sunflower seeds. My gloves were a little damp from moving the bark mulch around and I ripped open the packet, as best I could, fully expecting a second, sealed, pack to be inside with the seeds in it. As I've ripped open the bag (making the paper stick from the damp gloves), I've given it a good shaking to get the inner packet out (which doesn't exist ) and "Ping, ping, ping, ping: PING!!" seeds everywhere (and they are not chunky monkey ones either, like the Russian Giants ). Who knows what the end result will be now

I'll give it another couple of weeks and then I'll plant out the sweet peas into that area too.

Checked the smaller area I planted last year *behind* that trellis area and I see new growth on the white rosa rugosa, the honeysuckle cutting, the hebes and verbena Now, the plan is, some of it will poke through the trellis and give another dimension to the bed in *front* of the trellis. Well, that's the plan anyway

 

How magical it is to see the transformation you have made. I am feeling encouraged that my own endeavours may yet prove fruitful.
Nice work "M"

 

Very nice work, @M an amazing transformation.

 

Great work M, looking very nice .

 

Every effort is worthwhile, my lovely!
In my garden before this (once removed, and by comparison pocket handkerchief effort) I just ... planted and kept and lost a fair bit (in money and plants) along the way.
In my garden, immediately prior to this, a quarter acre (and during my "beginners" stint here at GC) I "learned" a thing or two None less than, and honour of, my forum friend @Spruce who encouraged me to "break the rules" and to see what "resulted"
He was wise
Still loving you @Spruce; still have a story to tell (if you are still "listening")?
I have taken on board advice (and inspiration) from (no particular order):
@Spruce ( who introduced me to the Boys, Piano for which, I am forever grateful;
@Zigs;
@ARMANDII ;
@shiney ;
@pete ;
@noisette47 ;
@Sian in Belgium ;
@Jenny namaste ;
@Lolimac ;
@Trunky ;
@mowgley
@Mr Grinch ;
@al n :
@pete
@longk :
@strongylodon ;
@Freddy ;
@wiseowl ;
@Fern4 ;
@JWK
@Silver surfer
@Jack McHammocklashing
@silu
@merleworld
@Sheal
@Anthony Rogers
@Beckie76
@moyra
@Ian Taylor
@Anthony Rogers
@simon n
@fat controller
@Marley Farley
@pamdish
@BeeHappy
@IceColdRum
@Nathan
@Jungle Jane
@Kristen
@maddahlia
@ previous-but-not-forgotten-GC-members who taught me much of value, who's advice is still employed, yet sadly missed
@ et al!!!! (If I have omitted your user name, please blame my memory and not your input!)
@ all the members of GC (think even @Sandy Ground fits in there somewhere? )


The main point being: be open to voices of experience. Many people on here have a wealth of experience which they are not too shy of sharing, nor too proud to be contradicted (although, in moderation )

 

......And it takes all of us @"M", however much experience we do or don't have to create the gardens we enjoy and then come together here on Gardeners Corner to admire others achievements or to show off our own. It's good to be amongst fellow gardeners and to swap the knowledge we all have.

 

It is 2 years to the day that I picked up the keys for this house and walked into the garden for the first time. My lads and I spent most of that day just clearing it! (Photo's at the start of the thread).

Thought it might be fun to update the thread to celebrate the anniversary and to show how the border I planted, back in March, has developed.

First, an update on the border, which is filling out quite nicely. I've made a couple or three errors where height issues are concerned, but when the Autumn comes, I'll move some things forward and some things back.



Next is the most shaded part of the garden and my gutter gardens. This year the gutter gardens haven't been fully utilised but next year should see something different again.



Gutter gardens



Some of you may remember me asking advice on putting down paving for an arbour? Well, it's still standing



This was the very first corner I did anything with (on the first day it was simply to clear it and discover the climbing rose "Golden Showers")



Then we have a view of the left corner of the patio with Echo in his favourite seat (mine! )



And the right hand side, now lovingly called "Camouflage Corner"



And the view from "Camo Corner"



And when you put it all together ... the view you meet when you step outside the back door ...



A slight improvement since the day I first walked out of that back door ..




Still much to be done but, hopefully, in another two years, it will have evolved some more

 

@"M" its looking good

 

Thank you @Sandy Ground & @wiseowl you are both very kind.

Woo, there is a spare seat on the patio if you are passing by; it is very owl friendly, especially in "Camo Corner"

 

Wow! That last picture proves you can now see the wood for the trees @"M". I know you were apprehensive about giving up your larger garden, but now you've made this garden your own I'm sure you're feeling more comfortable with it. A job well done, it's a credit to you!

 

Aw fab, it looks stunning @"M"! I'm in love with "camo corner" and your gutter garden! Hell of a difference and I like that you separated it off into sections, the square fence at the back is lush love that. Da iawn!

 

Thank you @fat controller @Sheal & @Linz you are very generous with your comments and I'm grateful for your feedback.

Erm ... ... not quite ... ... haven't touched the actual house yet ... just the garden

Thank you, yes, I am. I do still miss the old garden, but no where near as much now that I've grown into this one. I do get a lot of pleasure from being out there and playing

Ah, my "instant" fix corner to deter prying eyes Think the whole concept of my camo fencing approach almost made @ARMANDII spit out his drink

Thank you