Circle of life :o)

It's all looking great Bloomer - those pots on the gravel make a great effect. I find geums don't do so well in my garden and moved mine a few weeks ago - I'll take your advice and give them a good talking too!

I really love your choice of plants, clearly you have the same taste as me as you've got exactly the kind of plants I love to grow in my garden! Your pots look great too.

Thanks Scottish..only small,but big enough to look after now..I still have a side border at the back,and a small front garden,plus a long border adjoining other neighbours gardens across our cul de sac road..each bungalow is responsible for the part adjacent to our properties..so plenty to keep me occupied..and you have to do a bit of cursing with the Geum,not talk politely !

Your gravel area & circular paving is lovely....great planting too....wish mine looked as good...

Thank you Louisa..glad we both love the same kind of plants..I have gone over to easy care things this past few years,and hardy !..It more or less looks after itself,with just a bit of pruning and a tidy up :o)..They just get taller and wider ! Lol.

Thanks Moti..I beg to differ,after seeing your lovely garden....we always see other members designs..,and wish we had some of their ideas,or the space to have them..but we have to work with what we have..never satisfied are we? Praise indeed coming from a shop owner! Lol.

Sandra it is always a pleasure to walk around your pretty garden you make the very best use of every nook and cranny, your plants look so bright, colourful and in tip top condition, it obvious that they love and thrive under your TLC. I admire how well planned each area is you should be proud of yourself creating such a lovely and interesting garden;0)))

Lovely Sandra, all looking very neat and tidy. Love your Pieris, and also the last picture is lovely. I am finding it harder to keep up with this year even though I have most things that take care of themselves. Still have to keep busy, so mustnt grumble, I enjoy pottering when I have the time to potter !!

All looking good Bloomer all nice healthy plants and tidy- a lovely Garden :o)

Thank you Carole,more of a hop ,skip and a jump,than a walk !Lol..I think all the years of home made compost paid off to keep them happy..nothing like a good meal to satisfy,is there? :o) x

Lovely circle Sandra.. your choice of planting is so colourful, and well planned sometimes wish my garden was smaller! we're never satisfied are we ..lol. Like you I can't bear to disturb my violas, which are still looking great, so I think I'll have to get some pots!! Love the colour of them. :-)

Thank you Cinders,so kind..I agree,we can always find something to do,pottering being a great pastime...one day,I might find housework as enjoyable..ha ha..

Thank you Neellan..glad you like it..It's nice to look out on from the window..:o)

Good morning,Val..another early riser like me! Thank you.
The creamy pots were new last year in the sales,and I am slowly getting rid of all the plastic terracotta ones I have stored in the loft....on there way to a charity shop anytime now..these new ones aren't frost proof though,so I won't be leaving them out..the Viola pot is,and some troughs,so they are used for winter colour instead..:o)

Its lovely Sandra, interesting planting and the colours and shapes really complement each other.
My citrus viola are looking lovely too, really filled the pots, I don't know if I should cut back and feed when they go leggy or clear them out....

Reminds me of a saying 'Housework never killed anyone, but why take the chance' Thats how I feel at the moment.

I feel the same Cinders! had to do some Friday..... had visitors Saturday!
Pam... can't remember where I heard or saw this but if you cut back in July/August they will come again, so I'm going to try this:-)

Nice to see, small can be better than large when its looks like what you've done,

We've a small piece of land that devides two track sections and someone keeps an old wheel barrow always full of something "some times you'll see veg growing in it other times flowers and christmas a tiny tree with all its bits & bobs,

Like your circle this little bit of land & the wheel barrow turn heads and make you think isn't that nice.

Well done.

That's fabulous ! Given me so many thoughts for my garden love the poppies chives & aquilegias together .

All looking very nice. :))

Thank you Pam..I have a trough and two other small pots of Viola's ..still just as beautiful,and full of flowers..but I imagine they will just flop all of a sudden..A bit of a quandary ,isn't it?..I have looked to see if there are any seedlings,but can't see any at the moment...I hate discarding things..I might find another pot,and replant them,after they have been cut back..or I could save some seeds..decisions,decisions :o)

You've got a lot of colour for early on Bloomer...very pretty. ant the P. Forest Flame...stunning!!

Exactly,Cinders..I feel the same,and have done for a long time ..I did make an effort this morning,and baked a cake..and ironed ..My OH is a dab hand with a duster and Vac ! Lol....I can't take that away from him,can I ? :o)

Thank you Dungy..I'm pleased you approve..it is my little sanctuary,and as they say,size doesn't matter :o)..always something of interest to look at,if we just make a bit of an effort,and I can always find something to do..I don't sit and chill out for long outside,as I always spot something ) If I can't,I wander around the front,which doesn't hold the same interest.:o)

you are so kind,Kidsgran..I like those together too..I just bung em in,and if it works,they stay,if not,I move things...a lot ! :o)

Thank you,Holly..hope your new garden is coming on well too :o)

Cheers Paul,I had the Forest Flame at our other house,and potted it up before we put it up for sale,eleven years ago now..cheeky ! :o) also layered a cutting off it,and it is as big as it's parent now..in a side border,and just as lovely ;o)

It looks perfect Bloomer, I love all the colours. I'm still on holiday today but it's very wet here so will have to find where I hid the hoover lol :o)

Thanks Annie..not perfect by any means...is there such a thing in a garden ? but nice of you to say so..:o) Oh,sit down and relax..I'll send Russell down,he will soon find the Hoover! Lol xx

Lol! Not a very productive day so far....just staring out the windows at the garden :o))

Hi Sandra ... pretty planting ...
lovely colours :o) x

..and playing on here,Annie...like me ! Lol.x

Hi Terra,and thank you..more to come soon,hopefully,if they don't drown first ! Lol x

Beautiful collection!

Thanks Gralew, I,ll leave them a while then and see......

Your garden looks very attractive Sandra, you have chosen well with the planting, I really must get a Pieris, I'm always admiring everyone else's and yet haven't got one myself, feel sure I could fit one in, I can see why its your little haven, I am the same with my plants and cannot just throw things away, I have some violas in my duel planter that stands in the front garden, it needs to be replanted for the summer but the violas keep on flowering, I think in the end they'll get transplanted into the raised bed at the bottom of back garden, lol....
We had a really lovely weekend as regards the weather, a bit windy yesterday but still lots of sunshine, today however its pouring down and has been all day, quite mild though, what I call good growing weather

Lincslass (Sue) . . you might want to get some Ericaceous compost before you buy the Pieris, unless you're lucky enough to have acid soil?? I agree they are gorgeous shrubs, and of course you probably already know that they are a bit "fussy" like Azaleas and Rhodos, but well worth having!

For a small area you seem to have achieved an awful lot Bloomer, I love the design and lovely plants chosen with the pieris and euonymus adding height and structure. Hopefully come the end of this week you will be able to sit out and admire it all, fingers XXXX.

You have a lovely garden Sandra - nice it has all come through

Thank you Sheila..and I finally got round to sowing the
'may be white' ! Honesty seeds you kindly sent me,last year..I have them in a pot,to see if they germinate, then I will know to put them in a different place from the purple ones i have..fingers crossed :o)x

garden looks so pretty sandra, i love the circle and gravel with those lovely pots and shrubs around the edges, so much colour its a credit to you both :o)))

Thank you Sue..I am surprised you haven't got a Pieris already too! ..maybe try one in a pot first,with ericaceous compost,as I did,unless you know you have the acid soil for them..I have no idea what soil type mine is,but I just dug big holes for both of them,and the Camellia..and bunged lots in before planting..as you can see,no problem..and it doesn't seem to have affected non acid loving plants in the area.. I'm sure it would be ok..go on,you know you want one :o) I think I will have to transplant my Viola's too..wet here most of the day,but just a little breezy..just came at the right time after the warm weekend..saves us having to water :o)

Thank you Stroller..you are so kind..I wish I had more height at the back now though..always wishing something else,aren't we ? ..but I have two Roses growing either side of the Silver Queen Euonymous,which were cuttings from the one at the end ,on the back left..and just nowhere else to replant them..or have I ? mmm,maybe I might give it some thought at the right time of year..:o) or at least the one between the Pieris and Euonymous..it isn't as strong as the others..maybe because of the Ericaceous soil for the Pieris,working its way to it? anyway,I have been thinking for a while about something with Purple foliage..a Japanese Acer perhaps ? I thought Berberis,but I don't want anything spiky,because of our young Grandson..or that gets too tall..any suggestions welcome,from you and everyone please..:o) Maybe I should ask on Questions at some point..! Lol..
Phew,! i bet your thinking..she's a bit long winded ! sorry,Stroller :o)

thanks Paul..I'm very lucky,as I didn't think everything would survive after this winter..oh,I tell a lie..the big Alliums at the front have gone for a burton..I think :o) I'm sure they would have been in flower by now...Have you started your your new job yet ? hope it's going well if you have :o) x

bless you San,and thanks...I will tell Russell he is included in your nice comment..he was the gravel and edging layer..and all the other jobs he is " advised" to do ! Lol ..no gardening allowed..!! x

Hi Sandra - I start Thursday and really damn worried :-O x

How big do you want your "purple foliage" plant to be Bloomer?? I love them too, and have Sambucus 'nigra' which CAN grow to 8ft, but I keep mine to 3ft; Cotinus 'palace purple' which is about 12ft; then two shrubs, Physocarpus diabolo, 3ft, and Eupatorium chocolate, 2ft 6". There you go . . . ;)

lol poor Russell ;o))

Don't worry Paul..yes,you will be nervous,but that is perfectly normal..I think everyone is on their first day in a new job,however confident they might think they are.. something wrong if they aren't..:o) If they didn't think you were right for the job,they wouldn't have chosen you..and in this day and age,that is a great achievement,with all the people chasing after one job !
Walk in with a smile,and you will soon feel part of the team..and wonder why you worried..I'm sure you will be made very welcome..good luck,and let us all know how it went.. all your Goy friends will be routing for you :o) xx

thank you Sheila..those suggestions are so helpful..preferable height approx 4ft..similar to the others in the border..or something I can keep trimmed..I know the first two you mentioned,but the last too I don't know..so I am off to google them soon,or look on Goypedia..I really appreciate your advice..:o))

Lol,San..whaddya mean poor Russell ? he hates being hands on with mother earth....but he cuts the grass,and helps me when needed..like digging big holes,or moving stuff for me...gardening isn't his thing...but he always says it looks nice:o) I feed him well,so he is happy enough to leave the garden to me...and he always washes up ! a marriage made in heaven ..ha ha.

You're welcome, Bloomer . . . it's usually me asking for advice, so I was happy to be able to give some for once!

You have been very artistic with these lovely plants and they all look so attractive together. I agree with you about Pieris being a favourite shrub and they have done exceptionally well this year in all the gardens round here. The violas look as good as new don't they and look very much at home!!!

Thank you Chris..I have had lots of inspiration from looking at everyone elses gardens and plants..so helpful..

The circle looks beautiful! I specially like the photo of euonymous, chives, aquiligea and poppies together. The idea of using chives as a grass is really brilliant.

Thank you Anujag..Pleased you like it..The Chives are more decorative,than for eating..I could never eat all that lot,however much I like them..the flowers are nice as well,and pretty up a boring salad :o)

It looks so lovely and colourful Sandra, so many evergreens too. Love your new and old pieris and doesn't the aquilegia compliment the hebe. What do you do with your chives? I have a clump in my garden, very attractive, but do you use them too? :-)

Thanks Ba..That Aquilegia wasn't planted there ,and the original one died,but must have seeded before it popped its clogs:o) ..it was about a yard away..and I do use the foliage of the Chives,mainly on salad..I only cut a bit up finely ,but someone on here said to sprinkle the flower petals on too..and they do taste and look nice..other than that,I just leave them as they are ,to flower..I cut the stems down when they die off,and they usually flower again..I cut them right back in Autumn..and split them,if needed..in spring...

Thanks for the info Sandra, i put mine in the border as they looked dreadful in the pot in which they'd been for many years lol. Looking good in the border and just about to flower. Glad to know the flowering doesn't affect their taste. Can you cook it? I don't know why I've never used them, and for some reason, since having flu Dec/Jan I haven't been able to face salads either. I bought a lot of my favourite evo oil and balsamic vinegar when it was on offer and haven't touched it:-(
Hope this alters soon:-)

i think they do better in a border too,Ba..and I have never tried cooking with it..shame you have gone off salads..i hope your taste buds return soon :o) x

That's looking really well-tended, Sandra - I love your Pieris 'Forest Flame' and just hope mine looks as good before too long! So nice to see some colour at long last ... :o)

It's very pretty , and so very tidy ! You must have worked hard to get it looking so good :o)) I wish my garden looked tidy like that ...

Thanks Shirley..I'm sure it will ,they seem to shoot up before you know it..I'm always chopping bits off mine:o)
I agree about colour ..lets hope we have it for a long time yet :o)

Thank you Hywel..easy to manage was a priority,when we came here,and had a blank canvas,..just looking to the future really,so that is why it looks tidy:o)..There has been a lot of re arranging over the years,some things worked and a lot didn't! Lol..Eleven years on,I think I am happy with it :o))My untidy garden,or 'natural',as I prefer to call it,is at the front !..Lol.