Pieris (Lily of the Valley Bush)

Looks wonderful. Nice arrangement.

another new plant to me that I've just checked up on - *s* browsing other people's photos is very educational! The BBC plant-finder grades it for "experienced" gardeners; is it very hard to grow?

Franl, you've kept me busy this afternoon! This is a really beautiful plant and this year was covered in a mass of flowers. I'd like to post a photo in this reply for you but it doesn't seem possible. Can't imagine why the BBC grade it for "experienced" gardeners. I am a total beginner and it has done me proud. The reason it is in a pot was that when we planted it in the ground in our previous property, it very quickly began to die and frantic enquiries revealed that it is an acid lover and since our soil was alkaline, I quickly moved it to a pot filled with ericaceous compost and it immediately began to recover. I keep it well watered and fed with Miracid and it has repaid me wonderfully.

awp, sorry to keep you on the hop! I was checking out my favourite people's photos - *s* thought I'd better stop after a few pages so I didn't inundate any one person too much (but I'll be back to check out the rest later!)

I didn't read past the "experienced" bit, so I didn't know about the soil it needed. All my plants will be in pots, with compost, I don't konw if that counts as "neutral" but I'll check before I actually try any acid-loving plant.

I tend to assume that garden websites know more than me (ha, they could hardly know less!) and take their word for things; I do cross-check now and then, but only if a plant is on a "definitely-want" list

and thanks for naming the plants at the front of the picture, they'll be going on my list, too.