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More Changes...

29 comments


I don’t know if the November flood finished it off, but my beautiful Pyracantha finally lost its battle for life this month. It was trained against the wall outside the back door, and it was glorious in the spring, as you’ll see from this photo.

In the autumn, it was just as beautiful, covered in orange berries which the birds adored.

The reason I suspect that the flooding saw it it off is that to our surprise, it was bedded in deep gravel, so when it started looking unwell in October, it didn’t stand a chance of recovery, standing in water – I suppose it drowned, poor thing.

My husband managed to remove the rootball quite easily – but now I have a blank wall to admire!

He suggested that I should remove the gravel, and fill the hole with soil. I don’t think so – it’s about 6’ long by 2’6" in width, and who knows how deep the gravel is? Obviously, pure gravel isn’t a very good planting medium, so I decided that a trough would be a good idea.

It couldn’t just stand on the gravel, as it would sink, but luckily we have a few slabs left from building the ‘platform’ in the wall niche, so when my new trough arrives, it can stand on them.

I’ve chosen what to plant in there, too – a climbing rose called ‘Golden Showers’ which apparently doesn’t mind a north-facing position, and a purple Clematis. I was very pleased to find the rose this morning.

It’s no good weeping over the Pyracantha, lovely though it was. Onwards and upwards! More changes in my garden…

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Comments

 

Such a shame about the pyracantha, that was a real beauty, but nothing stays the same in gardens does it. I 'liked' it because of the gorgeous photos, not because it died!

The Golden Showers rose is a great choice for a north facing wall. I've been growing one for years on a north facing fence which is shaded by a neighbour's damson tree overhead, a shed on one side and a building on the other. It gets very little sun yet it flowers very well and is a very cheerful sight down in the darkest part of the garden. I'm sure that it and the purple clematis will look wonderful together in your new trough.

24 Mar, 2013

 

I liked your way of thinking Barbara, and the beautiful Pyracantha as it had been, so clicked the 'like' box.

We have had two Golden Showers over the years, in different gardens, and both west facing......they are a lovely Rose and I'm sure yours will do well.....my first was left to it's own devices and flowered all summer and through autumn, the flowers poking their heads through a wisteria it had been planted near. This will be the second year for the one I have here, last summer it reached about 6ft with a good number of flowers all summer.

Graham Thomas is another stunning gold Rose, and scrambling through this is clematis Etoile Violette...they are a picture together...:))

24 Mar, 2013

 

It was certainly lovely but you are very good at turning a challenge into an opportunity! Golden showers will be lovely I'm sure. I did see a fupcshai with a tiny little flower in a sheltered spot flowering in February! Not sure which aspect it was facing though

24 Mar, 2013

 

That's the spirit B!! Golden showers and a clem will be stunning...and that's what I have one part of my arches too!

24 Mar, 2013

 

Like others above I clicked on 'like' because of the lovely 'Firethorn' you had growing there on the wall beside your backdoor.

Shame it died it looked really stunning in your photos. You will have fond memories of it for a long time & you can always look back on it another time.

I seem to recall having grown rose 'Golden Showers' in my parents' garden before going to Spain. I seem to remember it flowered for a long time with lovely yellow flowers.

24 Mar, 2013

 

Thank you all for your encouragement. It's always sad losing a loved plant, but I'm looking forward to seeing my new-look wall. Next job is to find a trellis to fasten on 'that' wall!

I did some research about 'Golden Showers' and I'm pleased that it seems to be the right choice. :-)))

I think the Clem. will be 'Amethyst Beauty' after looking through a catalogue from a Nursery I've dealt with before.

24 Mar, 2013

 

It's a great choice! :))

24 Mar, 2013

 

another blank canvas to 'paint'. it was a lovely shrub such a shame.

24 Mar, 2013

 

I pressed like to support your positive attitude to another blow. Spritz,
when we finally get spring I,m wondering how many trees and plants will have suffered the last twelve months extremes

25 Mar, 2013

 

Yes, it was, but nothing lasts for ever, does it. That's why you can never say that a garden is 'finished'.

Did you look at that Clem, Karen?

25 Mar, 2013

 

Ooops, sorry, Pam, we posted at the same time. Yes, I agree - I don't yet know what else has been affected. I'm sure there will be more.

25 Mar, 2013

 

I have that one B.it scrambles through my Cotinus ...the golden one. Very strong grower and a great colour too. :)

25 Mar, 2013

 

This is the only photo I have, but as you can see...great with yellow tones!

http://www.growsonyou.com/photo/slideshow/210560-clematis-amethyst-beauty/member/karensusan63

25 Mar, 2013

 

So sorry you have lost the beautiful Pyracantha, but a good choice made with the rose , we grow Golden Showers with Clematis Daniel Deronda, as you say nothing last forever......exciting times......

25 Mar, 2013

 

Hmmm...not so sure about the exciting bit, but maybe when the new trough arrives and the plants flower I'll cheer up - the blank wall is very depressing. :-(

I've looked at Karen's Clematis and it should 'go' well with the rose, I think.

25 Mar, 2013

 

They will be stunning together! :) The one I have growing near 'my' golden showers is 'Romantika' which has a bluer hue..but if you remember, my arches are all blue and yellow. Mind you...I do have Rosa 'Veilchenblau' which isn't blue at all....almost purple...but there you go :)

25 Mar, 2013

 

Sorry to say that I'm not keen on 'Veilchenblau' athough I love my two purple roses, especially 'Rhapsody in Blue'. Never mind, I'm planting a yellow rose, anyway! :-))

26 Mar, 2013

 

Absolutely....wouldn't be good if we all grew the same roses all the time! :)

26 Mar, 2013

 

We have grown Veilchenblau for over 20 years, we call it Norman's rose because a lovely old chap called Norman !!gave us a cutting...it is as tough as old boots, and a most unusual fragrance.

26 Mar, 2013

 

I'm not sure why I don't like it...never mind. What Karen said is so true.

27 Mar, 2013

 

Certainly is......

29 Mar, 2013

 

My husband spent time yesterday sorting out the slabs and new trellis, so the space is ready for the new trough. The wall looks much less 'blank' with trellis on it. :-))

29 Mar, 2013

 

everything has a cycle Spritz and boy was that a great plant. look forward to seeing your trough..:-)

8 Apr, 2013

 

It should arrive on 18th or 19th, Sandra! :-D)

9 Apr, 2013

 

i just love waiting for a parcel to arrive...:-)

9 Apr, 2013

 

This will be on a pallet! It's rather heavy...

10 Apr, 2013

 

even more exciting....:-)

10 Apr, 2013

 

It will be a challenge getting it across the garden - they only deliver to the gate. (!!!)

10 Apr, 2013

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