Another day but this time June (feels like March)

Your fish are lovely!

Great Brian, such beautiful Rhodi's, beautiful. I commented on Amy's blog, asking if Clematis can be grown successfully in pot, looking at yours, the answer is yes. I would like to get some going in pots near the house, with an obelisk, like yours :-)

That fish is scary! You really ought to put an 18 certificate on this what with the Black Stockings and the monster fish. And you'll need to sort the editing out for the book!

Nice rhodies...I love Sappho! And how on earth do you get such a beautifully floriferous clem to perform like that in a pot?

Lord Robert is also beautiful!

Dawn
I think Position and feeding are important the one in the picture is in about a 12in container that is shaded by the low retaining wall so keeping the roots comparatively cool while the leaves have plenty of sun I sprinkle a mix of fertilizer and compost on the surface at least once a year this gets washed in with the rain and watering.
Have written this because in my experience if Clematis are positioned where the roots become hot they do not thrive.

Karen
The fish is really tame will take food from my fingers, I managed to measure it about 3 years ago at 22inches long has to be at least 2ft now.

Dan
they survive against the odds the pool was never intended for such large fish and is only 22 inches at the deepest part,when I feed him he sometimes grounds himself and has to reverse into deeper water.

Excellent advice, thanks Brian. One last question, what compost do you use - John innes No.3 or just multi compost, thank you

They were that size in the gardens in Puerta de la Cruz. Amazing!

Dawn
My thoughts on compost are personal and not everyone would agree ,but as you ask it would be a mix so that there is nourishment for several years,if you have it some broken up pieces of polystyrene in the bottom of your container before adding the compost helps stop the roots compacting at the bottom and messing up the drainage.
As we need to retain moisture but not waterlog 40% of a sandy JI, 40% multi purpose( peat Base) to that I would add 10 % coarse grit and if you feel flushed 10% pearlite and some slow release fertilizer.
I stated peat base as there is a lot of so called multi purpose that is full of shredded paper and likes which I rate useless .
Best of luck. B

Fantastic collection of Rhodies, such beautiful vibrant colours; Jaws looks quite scary but obviously enjoying your pond!

Such a pretty clematis in the early photos. Good to see that it is doing so well in a container.

Pansy jaws is a big softie likes to swim around me on the occasions I have to go into the pond to prune the shrubs around it

thank you Brian, I will give it a go. Im not too flushed at the mo so the perlite may have to take a back seat. I will update you with my progress. Thanks again.

Love your Rhodies Bjs ....and the fish.
I think the purple rhodie is" Purple splendor" I have it too and it is blooming right now. Is it? The clematis looks splendid despite it is in the pot. I bought "Sappho" this year . It is as tall as Jaime in the picture :-) Or smaller. Still in the pot. I liked the dark leaves on it.
Thanks for the tour.

Another Brilliant Blog, WOW :-)))

Junna thank you

Klahanie
Checked the label you are correct, Purple Splendour.
Sappho is fast growing in my garden also the only one that layers itself down without any help, it makes long curving stems that end up resting on the ground, pity there is so much water between us I could have supplied one a good deal taller than Jamie.
B

Beautiful Brian such jewel like colours.

Wish i could see them in in situ like i used to do , in the meantime will have to make do with the photos !!
They are super !!
Love val x

Hope my new young clems do as well as your gorgeous one. Lord Robert is beautiful & can just see Jamie underneath Sappo.
Lovely collection.