I am moving house this winter, in Dordogne, SW France. In this house, which is too big for me, family all have their own houses now, I tried to make an English style garden with roses and perennials. It hasn't always been easy here with the hot dry summers. There used to be summer storms which watered the garden but no longer.
In my new house, which is almost a blank canvas, I will be growing plants that are drought resistant, such as Perovskia, Lavender, Shrubs, Thyme, Rosemary etc.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
This year has seen a largely neglected garden tidied up. Removed plants and bushes that were on their last legs or just plain ugly The blank canvas will be filled with whatever I can get hold of for nothing. I've got quite a few cuttings on the go so, fingers crossed, by next spring, I'll have something to plant out.
No doubt there will be some purchases (fruit trees, I would imagine) but I much prefer something that I feel I've had a part in creating.
Lovely plans, all! Planting seedlings raised from seed is immensely fun, @Biglad, but I haven't had any luck with cuttings this year. I have spent a lot of dosh on the garden this year and plan to spend a lot less next... we'll see, lol
Best of luck with your house move @Busy-Lizzie. New beginnings tend to be a bit bittersweet, but the idea of a new garden to work your magic on must be exhilarating. There's Nollie on the rose thread who grows exquisite roses in a challenging hot climate, btw- very inspiring
@Grassly I have my eye on that clematis, too. Excellent purchase.
@WonkyWomble those bulbs wiĺl be extraordinary! Though it tires me out, the thought of planting them all, or do you have a fancy whodacky like Monty Don's?
Thank you @sarinka. I've met Nollie on other threads and on the rose thread last year. I didn't post on it this year, may have done at the beginning, because it has been such a complicated year with Covid and the house selling and house hunting. I was stuck in my partner's cottage in Norfolk from March to July, plane was cancelled. I was lucky, being retired and I love being in England, even not going out. I did a lot of work decorating and planting in Norfolk. Must have been awful for people who have to work or who don't have gardens though.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
I'm new to taking cuttings this year @sarinka and had far more failures than successes. I find persistence is eventually rewarded, though. As well as the advice on here, experimenting with your growing medium and which part of the plants you take from has served me well. Also, the use of honey and plastic bags tied round the pots to create a mini hothouse have been thrown into the mix. The time of year that you do it is a factor as well as where you keep the cuttings.
As there isn't a 'one size fits all' solution, trial and error is my chosen methodology
Very kind of you, @Sarinka, though not all my roses have been a success! I’m still experimenting and a fair number (mostly Austins) that struggle here are being replaced next year with hopefully more heat tolerant ones. Hello @Busy-Lizzie, congratulations from me too on the house sale and hope you have joy in the new.
My list is huge, having lots of gaps to fill that I failed to fill this year plus more for new beds:
Perennials: Helenium Short ‘n Sassy or Mardi-Gras, Agastache Kudos Gold and Asclepias Tuberosa for the hot border. Salvia Mainacht for everywhere. Verbena Rigida Venosa, Hardy Geranium Lilac Ice (paler sport of Rozanne) and Kashmir White, plus possibly some Penstemons and Astrantias for the east cottage/rose garden.
More of the same of Salvia Amistad, Agastache Blue Boa, Gaura, Euphorbia Blackbird and Verbena Bonariensis Lollipop if my cuttings survive!
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
I already bought and planted some Perovskia Blue Spire in anticipation of next year. Expect they are going to sulk in a big way as I’m on heavy clay. Nothing ventured, nothing gained
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In my new house, which is almost a blank canvas, I will be growing plants that are drought resistant, such as Perovskia, Lavender, Shrubs, Thyme, Rosemary etc.
This year has seen a largely neglected garden tidied up. Removed plants and bushes that were on their last legs or just plain ugly
No doubt there will be some purchases (fruit trees, I would imagine) but I much prefer something that I feel I've had a part in creating.
Best of luck with your house move @Busy-Lizzie. New beginnings tend to be a bit bittersweet, but the idea of a new garden to work your magic on must be exhilarating. There's Nollie on the rose thread who grows exquisite roses in a challenging hot climate, btw- very inspiring
@WonkyWomble those bulbs wiĺl be extraordinary! Though it tires me out, the thought of planting them all, or do you have a fancy whodacky like Monty Don's?
As there isn't a 'one size fits all' solution, trial and error is my chosen methodology
Keep trying!
My list is huge, having lots of gaps to fill that I failed to fill this year plus more for new beds:
21 (nope, not a typo) new bare root roses
White flowering shrubs: Philotheca Myoporoides, Choisya Scented Gem, Carpenteria Californica, Parahebe Avalanche
More of the same of Salvia Amistad, Agastache Blue Boa, Gaura, Euphorbia Blackbird and Verbena Bonariensis Lollipop if my cuttings survive!