Forum home Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

New garden! Please help a rookie :)

2»

Posts

  • bcpathome said:
    That’s good to know. I encourage my grandchildren too. I have a french lavender that has lasted 10 years so far. Just protect it from deluges of rain and make sure it lives in a sunny spot and you’ll be good. All the best. 
    Oh that’s good to know that you’re lasted 10 years! I think I’m going to get a pop up green house in winter to try to protect some of the plants that are kind of hardy. It’s a lovely plant!
  • CostumedVoleCostumedVole Posts: 257
    I really don't want to rain on your parade, especially as I am not knowledgeable about anything much, horticulturally speaking, but I do live in Manchester and have to tell you that it's really not the climate for lavenders to do well in. I've had gardens here for 37 years and have failed to keep lavender going in any of them. That may say a great deal about me as a gardener, but it also suggests that someone who also has to endure the climate and is a rookie may not succeed either. If you really love lavender and want to keep on your grandmother's good side, you might consider regarding it as an annual purchase and buy one of those lovely pots of gorgeous smelling lavender on sale in most garden centres every year and just enjoy it for as long as you can keep it going.
  • Wrigs21Wrigs21 Posts: 194
    The Verbena is fairly tough going. Watch for it when fully grown though, has self seeded all over the shop! 
  • Random update about the lavender but apparently his gran has called and said it’s been outside for years! That’s in Dumfries so it may have hope after all 😂
  • CostumedVoleCostumedVole Posts: 257
    Random update about the lavender but apparently his gran has called and said it’s been outside for years! That’s in Dumfries so it may have hope after all 😂
    She must be a gifted gardener - quick, learn everything you can from her before it's too late!
  • Random update about the lavender but apparently his gran has called and said it’s been outside for years! That’s in Dumfries so it may have hope after all 😂
    She must be a gifted gardener - quick, learn everything you can from her before it's too late!
    I can’t imagine she will be impressed if I kill it by accident now 😂 
  • CostumedVoleCostumedVole Posts: 257
    Random update about the lavender but apparently his gran has called and said it’s been outside for years! That’s in Dumfries so it may have hope after all 😂
    She must be a gifted gardener - quick, learn everything you can from her before it's too late!
    I can’t imagine she will be impressed if I kill it by accident now 😂 
    Better work hard on keeping the in-laws sweet. Always pays off, in my experience.
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    I am in Buckinghamshire,so  a bit further south but as I said I’ve had my lavender 10 years and do nothing to it. Only cut it back when it finishes and water if it’s particularly dry. I planted it as far as I remember, in ericaceous soil and just let it get on with it. I’m not going to be popular for saying this , but don’t molicoddle your plants , it’s really not necessary ……..just my opinion………not everyone else thinks my way I’m sure. I also have a large lavender ‘ patch’ that was here when we bought the house 35 years ago .It gets the same treatment and is beautiful. 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    @PlantNewbie101 , all you can do is, do your best and don't beat yourself up if something struggles or dies. Plants don't read the gardening books/websites. Sometimes you do all the "right things" and still they don't do well. Sometimes you do none and they thrive.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Sign In or Register to comment.