I've started, so I'll finish ...

" a very productive couple of days" I quite agree Shirley! Putting the new stain on the summerhouse will make it look very neat & tidy & will make all the garden look so much better!

Little more than a month now before spring springs! :D

How about a Eucalyptus pauciflora ? Lovely form of snow gum to max about 4m. Or E. Gunnii France Bleu’..dwarf form of Gunnii also to about 2-4m with those wonderful blue leaves and a very graceful habit. Pineapple Broom is semi evergreen. All three are quick growers. I also like the evergreen Viburnum hillieri ‘Winton’.

I saw an article in GW magazine about growing a patch for pollinators. Seems like a good idea for the ex pond? Or, if you prefer, you could probably get 3 dwarf Buddleias in there for the butterflies!

Summer house looks terrific!

David, it has been so very cold and miserable and I was getting gardening withdrawal symptoms. The only thing to do was get out there and keep moving ... :o))

Hi Karen, thanks for those suggestions. I did have a Pineapple Broom once but it suffered badly with black fly all over the stems so it had to go.

I have Rachel de Thames's book, 'A Flower Garden for Pollinators' and am making a list as I read through it.

Michael did well to apply that stain to the summerhouse as his hands were getting so cold. I shall tell him you approve ... :o)

Looks so tidy Shirley, you and Michael have worked so hard there.I do like the heart shape of the newly cleared area...very topical!
The Amelanchier sounds just right especially the shape.

Shirley, your garden looks wonderfully neat & tidy
especially the newly edged grass & your summerhouse. I like the shape of your ex pond. Do you want something perennial there, or would you consider insect attracting annuals? It’s not a big space, so would provide more variety & colour planted with annuals, perhaps in pastel shades. I like to keep some space in my garden for these.
Glad you were able to get out for a gardening binge!

David, I was out there again this afternoon, moved an ornamental grass that was growing too close to the lawn. You may be able to see it if you look closely. Hopefully it will like being planted further back!

Ha ha Julia, the heart shape didn't really register until your comment! I shall do some research on upright trees/shrubs this week to see what else might fill the gap.

Josie, you have said exactly what I have been thinking of. Perhaps try it out for a year with annuals and see how it goes. It doesn't get the sun until just after midday so I shall bear that in mind.

That's a good idea Shirley.

Good work done there Shirley, it's all looking nice and neat now, and ready for the spring :)
The former pond makes a nice little planting area, you must show us what you plant there.
Pity about the Eleagnus. I saw your question but didn't know what you could do to it. Amelanchier sounds a good alternative - bare winter branches look architectural, and Amelanchier has pretty springtime flowers.

I agree with Hywel...I've just popped back to say Shirley my grass is soaking today...how were you able to cut yours? Was hoping to make a start...decided to add fresh ericaceous compost to acid plants especially the Acers.

Hywel, did you see the photo of the Summer bulbs I recently bought in a supermarket? I think a few of those may be planted in the old pond.

Julia, we had a few dry and windy days so the grass wasn't nearly as wet as a week earlier. I noticed today that the soil is drying out in the borders, mind you, rain possibly on Thursday.

Yes I'd seen them Shirley, they'd look nice in the old pond :)

Thanks Hywel ... :o)