Here in the Fens, was in a friends garden this morning, the fruit trees she planted last year are doing well; her crocus are in bud, mine are also. Used my new toy; a telescopic pruner to cut back the pear tree a bit, Tree Peony has leaves growing, most of the roses also; will have to spray against black spot this week, and so it goes on. At this time of the year every day is an adventure.
Ah Hah! Once you have seen one you cannot live without it! I bought mine from a nursery about 8/10 years ago (sorry to other readers, this story has been on another thread) and it said on the label that the flowers were 100/150 mm across yeah right I thought. Next May I saw from my kitchen window that someone had thrown a big white plastic bag onto the tree peony. I went storming down the garden to find that it was a flower about 200 mm across. So breathtakingly beautiful that I now, when there are about 30/35 flowers of this size on a plant that is 1 metre high invite the neighbours around for a drink and an 'Ahh', in early May. Google Tree peonys and you will be amazed. I give it no special care at all except a bit of water if it is really dry. (but it knows it is my favourite)
I inherited 3 mature tree peonies in my garden and they are stunning. didn't see the flowers coz we only bought the house in June but the foliage is lovely and the buds are just opening so am very excited!
Loads of crocus out here hollie, i'd forgotten where i planted them so it was a nice suprise!
Not a lot. two are in the middle of my large flower bed and the biggest is a stand alone. I've planted all around them and have pruned them to stop them getting leggy. Will post pics as soon as they're out!
I've taken some seeds which have just sprouted so am excited to see how they turn out. also gave a couple of young plants that had self seeded to the mother in law in exchange for her digging a pile of ground elder out of a big flower bed. think i got the best end of that deal!!
I saw my first solitary bee last week buzzing around my Thyme. Some species do start early in the year I've read. Also discovered two bright orange butterflies in my garden this weekend if anyone can tell me what they might be. Sadly, didn't get a pic but they were a good size with orange and brown wings and furry bodies. Would they more likely be moths?
I have two halves of a garden, one part is well established and requires just a little tweaking, but the remainder is not very mature at all and I have already resigned myself to the work that next year will require to bring the two gardens closer in age. I'm a perfectionist, so I think impatience and never being satisfied are my state of being.
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Here in the Fens, was in a friends garden this morning, the fruit trees she planted last year are doing well; her crocus are in bud, mine are also. Used my new toy; a telescopic pruner to cut back the pear tree a bit, Tree Peony has leaves growing, most of the roses also; will have to spray against black spot this week, and so it goes on. At this time of the year every day is an adventure.
Artjack, what exactly is a Tree Peony ?
Ah Hah! Once you have seen one you cannot live without it! I bought mine from a nursery about 8/10 years ago (sorry to other readers, this story has been on another thread) and it said on the label that the flowers were 100/150 mm across yeah right I thought. Next May I saw from my kitchen window that someone had thrown a big white plastic bag onto the tree peony. I went storming down the garden to find that it was a flower about 200 mm across. So breathtakingly beautiful that I now, when there are about 30/35 flowers of this size on a plant that is 1 metre high invite the neighbours around for a drink and an 'Ahh', in early May. Google Tree peonys and you will be amazed. I give it no special care at all except a bit of water if it is really dry. (but it knows it is my favourite)
Loads of crocus out here hollie, i'd forgotten where i planted them so it was a nice suprise!
Shropshire lass, please give us feedback when the Tree Peonys bloom. Also photos!
How fabulous! How much space do they need? I had to remove a larger tree and would love to replace it with something smaller.
I've taken some seeds which have just sprouted so am excited to see how they turn out. also gave a couple of young plants that had self seeded to the mother in law in exchange for her digging a pile of ground elder out of a big flower bed. think i got the best end of that deal!!
GG; mine is 1 metre tall and wide, but a lot that I've seen are 2metres tall and 1 wide.
I saw my first solitary bee last week buzzing around my Thyme. Some species do start early in the year I've read. Also discovered two bright orange butterflies in my garden this weekend if anyone can tell me what they might be. Sadly, didn't get a pic but they were a good size with orange and brown wings and furry bodies. Would they more likely be moths?
I have two halves of a garden, one part is well established and requires just a little tweaking, but the remainder is not very mature at all and I have already resigned myself to the work that next year will require to bring the two gardens closer in age. I'm a perfectionist, so I think impatience and never being satisfied are my state of being.