Black Ruby loves her new location :o)))

It shows up so nicely against the white gravel...like it very much, TT. Does this type of rock have a name and do you have a weed suppressant material under your rocks?

Hi Whistonlass...
No, I didn't put weed suppressing membrane under this Gravel Garden because it isn't too large an area .. but I would probably do so if I were creating a bigger gravel garden..

Are you asking about the name of the loose stones ? It has the work "pink" in it, and I can look at the bag tomorrow if you would like the full name ...

Yes, please TT...I'd appreciate it if you can find out the name of the loose stones. What area is your gravel garden in the above photo?...you say it isn't very big. I'm hoping to have a small gravel area and looking at your photo has convinced me it would look lovely with bright planting against the colour of the rocks.

looks lovely - nice colour idea

Thanks Paul....
... Ruby's dark leaf colours are gorgeous, and they contrast well with the surrounding paler stones ...

Whistonlass ...
... There are more pics. of Gromit's Gravel Garden... see my previous GoY pic...1st Nov. 2010, and my GoY blog on 7th July. 2010, and pic of 8th July 2010.

The area is by my long shed, and is mostly in the shade.
I've just been out in the dark and stormy weather for you... to measure the shed and get the name of the stones !!
Such dedication...lol.
Stones ~ Pink Rose .. by DecoPak, Huddersfield. Yorkshire.
Shed length about 10 feet...

Yes, if you choose your plants carefully, I bet your gravel garden would look bright and lovely. :o)))

It looks lovely amongst the gravel Terra, very effective. :o)

Thanks, Sandra...
Your current avatar pic with the children is very good :o)

Like this very much, Tt. : o ))

Thanks, Shirley :o)

Above and beyond the call of friendship, TT...thank you for searching out the information for me. I'll take a closer look at your photos you mention and pass the name of the gravel to our contractor. I so appreciate your sacrifice of a nice warm house to go outside in this stormy weather! x

Mission completed without mishap, Whistonlass ...
... and I'm glad to have been of help :o)

Looks great there TT.....must go and have a look at mine and see if she is flowering.....

Hi Alice... I'm glad you like it ...
I hope your Ruby is flowering for you :o)

I really like your ' Black Ruby ' TT it.s a beauty .. another one for my wish list :o)

Looks beautiful Tt...especially against the white!

TT...I think this will be the pebbles you have...(a slightly different name but they look similar).. "candy rose"

http://www.deco-pak.co.uk/imagination_range/item/963.htm

What a lovely colour combo, must look out for this one.......

Ruby looks great :o)

I think Ruby is a pretty lady....

I like Ruby very much too...and fancy your gravel coming from my home town..we have a very large stone supplier here called Marshall's,so probably will be available there.I got my gravel from them,but I do like your's,and it sets Ruby off lovely:o)

Thanks, Sandra ...
"Bloomer Gravel" ... that would be a nice name. Lol.

Hi Motinot, Pip, Dotty, Janey, Amy ...
Ruby says thanks ...
... she's pleased you like her vivid colours :o)

Whistonlass ...
yes, very similar to the Candy Rose you found on that reference ...

If you take a look at my blog of 29 April 2010 ...
"Gromit's Ground Force Team ~
Happy, but Cream Crackered" ...
there is a close-up photo of the stones when wet ... the rain brings out the colours more strongly ... I hope this helps :o)

Stunning! you are very good at combinations!
i love the way stones and rocks and paving change colour under the rain. just wondering if those sharp little stones would protect my hostas from the slime beasts?

Hello Stoffee ...
So far, the slime creatures have not ventured across the stones to reach Black Ruby, having chewed her mercilessly in previous years, when she was sited elsewhere ...
... so, yes ... have a try with sharp gravel or stones around your hostas ... I'll be interested to know if the idea helps ...

i will let you know ~ thanks!

I think this is the same one I've just ordered from Burncoose. Stunning!! When I discovered they love shade I had to have some for my shade garden NOW!!

Hi Karensusan ...
I've owned Ruby for a few years, but I can't quite recall where I bought her ...

In the past, I have ordered from Burncoose, so she could well be from there ...

Hope your Ruby arrives SOON !!! :o)

I love where you've put it, looks lovely.

Thanks, Clarice ...
Ruby loves where I've put her, too... LOL. :o)

Great :o))

looks nice there TT.. : O ))

Hi Holly... thank you :o)))

bit bette rhere today TT.. no wind and no rain at last....

.. more rain coming across some parts of the UK tomorrow :o(((

very posh,

The stones came from a good county... Yorkshire :o)))

thats why they are Posh Tt lol

:o)))

This is a lovely plant, TT & you show it off to perfection in the setting of the stones! :-))

Hi Balcony...
Thanks ... Ruby has amazingly deep leaf colour ...
I'm very pleased with her. :o)

Never seen this before..beautiful and very effectively shown off! On my wish list too

Very beautiful, I love how colorful it is and it really stands out there!

What a little stunner TT, the belle of the ball.lol

Thanks Tetrarch, Rk and Stroller ...
yes, Ruby stands out nicely against the pale rocks. :o)

Hi TT....Lovely dark leaves with the pink against them. Glad you have found a new site away from the marauders. All the critters lurking to chomp at plants and make mischief in the garden.

Hi Dorjac ... Thanks ...

In Ruby's previous location, I think it was slugs chomping at her leaves and flowers ... those slimies have strict instructions to stay away from the Gravel Garden... :o)

I suppose the grit must tickle their tummies TT and they are not amused.

Lol. Dorjac ...
I hope the gravel does the same to the snails ...

I defiantly neeeeed one of these :-))

Hi Annella... I hope you find one.... soooon. :o)))

sorry missed this one , lovely though ;o))

That is gorgeous Terra and a must for my wishlist, as you know I have a gravel garden in front of my pond so I will be able to plant her there when she arrives.....

Thanks Sandra ...

Lincslass ... Ruby would be ideal for your gravel garden...
she would be very happy there :o)))

Terratoonie:

Very pretty little plant! I love the dark ruby-colored leaves!

Thanks Delonix ..
Notice I took only 11 months to reply ..LOL. :o)))

Well, it's better than never. lol! :>)

Lol. :o)

I followed your link TT, still haven't found one of these yet but will keep looking :o))

Thanks Terra....Gives me a better idea of where to plant mine....:>)

Annie and Moti ...
... in quite a shady area..
This year, Ruby is rather small ... taking her time in spreading and getting new leaves, but she looks very healthy. :o)

TT your Ruby does look good amongst your gravel, so pleased to see she is doing well, will make sure ours has the same conditions, our other varieties were very slow to take off, but have doubled in size, so I have high hopes for this one, thanks for the link....

oh, that's lovely! how come I missed it before?? googled "plant blak ruby" ane the first hit ws the people you mention, got the link now!

Thanks Dotty and Fran ...
Ruby's leaves and flowers are lovely colours.

to me they look actually black, rather than so dark a blue or purple that they can be called "black". Are they truly black?

The leaves are very, very dark purple, but I agree that they look black from a distance.

As with other plants of this type, the leaf colour varies a bit at different times of year.

thanks, TT - after all, foliage colour lasts longer than flwoers!

Sorry to say we lost this, they either take off or disappear without a trace.....

ohhhhhh! lost the leaves, or the whole plant?? mind you, one would probably lead to the other.

does this "disappearance" happen often?

It has done with these plants, we have a green one which is beautiful, but the dark leafed variety are a real so and so to get going.....

strange ... can't be the leaf colour directly that's causing it, mist be something in the plant family tre, so to speak.