Nature knows best

This year I have been toying with removing the Buddleia from the sunny border. I bought the plant back in 2003 from J.Parker, who I have since learned is not one of the most reliable suppliers, particularly for shrubs. But way back then I was impressed by the photo of the plant which was grafted onto a three foot standard trunk and was billed as ideal for a patio. However, it didn't thrive in a container so I moved it into the border where it proceeded to rocket to ten feet or more in height (that's seven foot long branches on a three foot stem), no matter how often I pruned it in a season.

Anyway, I had been dithering so last night nature intervened. We'd had very gusty winds and heavy rain all day and when I went out in the garden today (bright sunshine and clear blue skies) the plant was at a 45 degree angle. That's it I thought, it has to go! First I cut off all the branches to a height of about 5 feet and filled three garden sacks. Then I broke/sawed off a few more of the thicker branches and then I started rocking the plant to expose the roots. The border is very closely planted and I didn't want to dislodge other plants so this was a tricky task and very hard work. As the roots broke through the soil I severed them and eventually got the thug out. And wow, what a difference it has made, the garden looks twice the size! But don't worry about the butterflies, I have another self-seeded Buddleia in large container next to the compost heap and shed. That one is not in the way so it can stay - for now.

The photo is of one of the blooms on the Pineapple Sage. It's so vivid and is a firm favourite of mine at this time of year. In fact I'm very fond of a number of plants in the Salvia family. It's a shame I don't have room to start a national collection but removing one Buddleia isn't going to crack it I'm afraid.

Georgie

Still lots to do

I took advantage of the sunny, if cold, weather today and spent a good few hours working in the garden. But before I started I had a walk around, camera in hand, and took this photo of my Fatsia which is now in full flower. These blooms put me in mind of Myrtle (although they are not scented, unfortunately) and they provide much needed nectar for any insects that are still around. Indeed, just after I took the photo a bee came for a feast.

The most pressing task was to empty some of the summer containers to make room for planting more spring bulbs. So Tomatoes, Chillies, Tree Spinach and Basil made way for Narcissus Spring Dawn and Tete a Tete, all topped off with the Pansies I've grown from seed. I've still got some Tete a Tete left to plant as well as Tulips and Wallflowers but these will have to wait until more containers become available as the Heliotrope and Laurentia finally give up the ghost.

I thought I'd lost my Crocosmia 'George Davidson' as all the leaves went brown and it failed to flower this year. But as I tipped the gravel out of the container, I noticed lots of little green leaf tips coming out of the corms. So I potted it up into a new, slightly larger container, and hopefully it'll flower next year.

The Pansies I sowed in late September needed pricking out into individual pots so I selected a dozen of the largest seedlings and composted the rest. I'm hoping these will be the beautiful lavender blue I grew by chance earlier in the year. One of two had a spot of powdery mildew so I gave them all a good spray of bicarbonate of soda solution.

The Sweet Peas have finally finished flowering so I collected the remainder of the seed pods. I'll keep the seeds and sow them in spring rather than risk sowing them now and putting them in the greenhouse where they will be a tempting treat for slugs/snails or failing that get powdery mildew.

After this I was getting cold and tired so I called it a day. If it's nice tomorrow I'll be out there again as there is still plenty to do.

Georgie

A wet and windy weekend

Although it is unseasonably mild, quite heavy rain over the last couple of days has meant that there was little scope for gardening (and probably just as well as I'm only just over the 'flu). But the sun did come out yesterday afternoon so I was able to go out and potter for an hour as well as take some photos.

Many of my containers have a number of fungi in them in gorgeous shades of cream and brown such as the one in the photo. They are tiny but so beautiful. I know nothing about fungi so I'm on the look out for a good illustrated book to help me identify them.

I picked the last of the Tomatoes and Chillies and thought that was the last of the edibles as I cut the Raspberry canes down to soil level. But no. As I was tidying up the Alpine Strawberries, one plant had about half a dozen fruits just beginning to ripen and quite a few flowers too. I've moved it to the patio area by the kitchen in the hope I get to eat the fruits before the slugs do!

The Fuchsias are showing no sign of slowing down and are a riot of colour with both flowers and the attractive, burgundy-coloured fruits. I've tried eating them but they are pretty tasteless so I just leave them and enjoy the display. The Pineapple Sage flowers are just beginning to open and Salvia 'hot lips' has flowered again.

There were a few bees, hoverflies and ladybirds around but sadly no late butterflies, despite all the nectar on offer from the Centratherum, Verbena Bonariensis and Ivy flowers. I think this has been the worst year ever for butterflies despite my best efforts to attract them. Still, there's always next year.

Georgie