My wisteria is covered in fat flower buds... so pleased my pruning was correct! i will try to cover it as we have frost forecast... they are very fragile thoughÂ
Pups getting better at not eating all my roses! First bud spotted on Angel Eyes.
My husband teases 'more plants?!' And "I thought that was it this year...?" When pre orders turn up months later, but isnt actually bothered and is very indulgent when I go into magpie mode passing homebase plant centre! Mutually agree its my money, I can do what I like with it same as he does with his hehe. I have also just got myself a years pass in the very very good wife books though by managing to get hold of one of the new sold out XBoxes for him and giving it to him, I intend to milk it though, see how many roses I can get for that!
@Katsa I use nematodes, they are brilliant! Slug ones and vine weevil grub ones really help.
@pandakoalagirl49lS9c8QR_ oh yikes those adds make me cringe! I report them in annoyance too the blatant scammers!
I'd welcome views on my Iceberg climber, planted in January 2020 to grow up a tall obelisk. I chose it because a) it is a true white (ie no hints of pink or cream) b) it is very floriferous and c) the canes are pretty much thornless and very flexible so suitable for an inept beginner to train. However:
The longest canes it has produced are about 3 feet - certainly none of the 6/8/10 feet canes you guys seem to get from your new climbers. It is frankly difficult to distinguish between the `cane` and the laterals - it looks more like a shrub than a climber. It gets a lot of TLC (water, seaweed/iron, feed) but I am obviously doing something wrong. I am too ashamed to show a photo!
It also has terrible blackspot - I have succumbed this year, and sprayed.
Thinking of giving up, but any advice/reassurance gratefully received!
Glad I’m not the only one that indulges in covert plant operations 😊Â
@Pianoplayer that was exactly my experience with clg. Iceberg. Although it did throw out a couple of long canes in year two, it’s overall more shrubby in habit, covered in BS, sparse foliage and doesn’t repeat bloom. It was meant to cover a gap in my chainlink fence but it has so far failed dismally at that task. I keep meaning to hoik it out as it’s not getting any better. It has no vigour, possibly an over-propagated strain. From Peter Beales.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
My husband has a great many expensive hobbies so wouldn’t dream of judging my plant spending 😆 sometimes I can get him to go halves on things because they’re for the garden!Â
 if you get too occupied in creating that space all around then you might end up with a shaded garden.
Coming back to creating private areas, I have suddenly got excitd about the idea of planting a hedge of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) and putting in some very tall tree dahlias, even if they don't flower.Â
Instead of screening the seating area, I might not have room for a seating area. Lol.
 - - -
I don't have any pets and so I allow myself to spend my "pet allowance". I see my friends spend eye watering amounts (they don't have) on their dogs and it makes me feel like gardening is a cheap passion in comparison. I also don't have a car or kids, so the excuses are just endless.
@Nollie thanks for that info on your Iceberg climber. I realise mine has only had 2 full seasons, so I might be being impatient (it has been known...) but I am not hopeful. Mine was from DA, as I was seduced by their amazing arches and pillars absolutely smothered in blooms. I might email them. I know from my forum searches that some others eg @B3 and @bcpathome have ones they are very pleased with.
If it does go, I'd be interested in suggestions. Starlight Symphony looks promising - @Suesyn I know you have it, how have you found it?
My main reason for hiding my gardening purchases is less about money and more about explaining it to OH who can't understand why I need to get that latest DA when I already have orange yellow apricot roses 😊
This is their Pheno Geno stand. These are not on their website currently, I expect they will be added shortly. Priced at £24.50 each. I notice there's a label which says ''grown in the Cotswolds''.. so maybe they have a facility over here now.. I'm not sure if I've got the names right on some of them..
..these are from the 'Frayla' collection.. 'Olivera' and 'Lenka' amongst others.. 'Mileva'.. 'Draga'.. and 'Very Berry'.. ..these are from Winterjewel collection.. 'Blush' amongst others.. and 'Carmine' from the Vaza collection.. 'Konstantina' and 'Morava' ..'Tara'.. and 'Tisa' from the Reka collection..amongst others..
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Pups getting better at not eating all my roses! First bud spotted on Angel Eyes.
My husband teases 'more plants?!' And "I thought that was it this year...?" When pre orders turn up months later, but isnt actually bothered and is very indulgent when I go into magpie mode passing homebase plant centre! Mutually agree its my money, I can do what I like with it same as he does with his hehe. I have also just got myself a years pass in the very very good wife books though by managing to get hold of one of the new sold out XBoxes for him and giving it to him, I intend to milk it though, see how many roses I can get for that!
@Katsa I use nematodes, they are brilliant! Slug ones and vine weevil grub ones really help.
@pandakoalagirl49lS9c8QR_ oh yikes those adds make me cringe! I report them in annoyance too the blatant scammers!
The longest canes it has produced are about 3 feet - certainly none of the 6/8/10 feet canes you guys seem to get from your new climbers. It is frankly difficult to distinguish between the `cane` and the laterals - it looks more like a shrub than a climber. It gets a lot of TLC (water, seaweed/iron, feed) but I am obviously doing something wrong. I am too ashamed to show a photo!
It also has terrible blackspot - I have succumbed this year, and sprayed.
Thinking of giving up, but any advice/reassurance gratefully received!
@Pianoplayer that was exactly my experience with clg. Iceberg. Although it did throw out a couple of long canes in year two, it’s overall more shrubby in habit, covered in BS, sparse foliage and doesn’t repeat bloom. It was meant to cover a gap in my chainlink fence but it has so far failed dismally at that task. I keep meaning to hoik it out as it’s not getting any better. It has no vigour, possibly an over-propagated strain. From Peter Beales.
If it does go, I'd be interested in suggestions. Starlight Symphony looks promising - @Suesyn I know you have it, how have you found it?
.. having cajoled by husband into taking me, I had a great time...Â
I'm not sure if I've got the names right on some of them..
..these are from the 'Frayla' collection.. 'Olivera' and 'Lenka' amongst others..
'Mileva'.. 'Draga'.. and 'Very Berry'..
..these are from Winterjewel collection.. 'Blush' amongst others.. and 'Carmine' from the Vaza collection..
'Konstantina' and 'Morava' ..'Tara'.. and 'Tisa' from the Reka collection..amongst others..