JEWELS ..... between rocks and hard places

Hi Snoop...
Truffle is busy chewing up the November calendar page ..
... because his birthday is in December ;o)

Ohh Truffle ?
he'll never grow up Terra xxx

its a delight to see how you have transformed the front garden, definitely where theres a will theres a way!
so mild your little plants have bedded in nicely, love the house leeks, I have some for the first time this year, lovevthe idea af surrounding them with stones, I can see me doing something similar
thanks Terra x

It all looks very good design TT and lots of hard work too. Conker is looking in really good form. Truffle is wondering what might be tasty to sample next.

Hi Pam
Thanks ... yes Truffle will be 6 years old in December and is still as mischievous as ever.
On my GoY single photos, there are some pictures where I've made patterns with houseleeks and stones. If you look on GoYpedia houseleeks, you can probably find them. x

Hi Dorjac ..
Truffle is certainly eating more than his fair share of autumn leaves !

It takes all sorts! The garden is setting in very quickly and looking really good.Its wonderful what you have achieved with recycled things and a hand trowel... Conker is even more beautiful than ever too. This is quite an unusual blog TT because the robin is hiding!

Very artistic use of recycled materials beautiful dog

Thanks Stera ...
Lately the robin has been flying around my back garden ... helping me sweep up leaves ... :o)

Hi Peterathome ...
I'm glad you like my front garden project ..
and Conker says thank you :o)

It really looks good Terra, your plants are romping away happily, pebbles always look so nice and clean don't they, I have a number of houseleeks now but haven't put any out in the garden, they are back in the greenhouse now and have produced lots of babies so hopefully next year I will have some to try, see how they get on.
Conker is posing so proudly for you, I think he approves of the new look, it amused me to see the calendar, naughty Truffle, lol. Brynner is still ruining anything we put in Morgans bed, he is also naughty because he does not do it to his own, 5yrs old now and still thinks he's a puppy and therefore in his opinion allowed, I find it quite frustrating....

Hello Sue ..
Thanks ... I'm pleased with how the newly-designed areas are developing. Good luck with your houseleeks. I have some sempervivums outdoors, and a few on the shelf upstairs.

I know what you mean about Brynner being naughty ... I don't think Truffle will act 'grown up' till he's about 12 years old ! ;o)

It's all looking so good TT... ;o))) Lot's of hard work I'm sure, but think of the rewards come spring... :o)))

Thanks Tracey ...
I find myself looking at the areas almost daily, to see new growth, and to spot hints of how the front garden might look in the springtime. :o)))

LOL, never a dull moment though Terra...

Exactly, Sue ... :o)))

Its wonderful when a gem of a thought comes to fruition and ends up looking as good as this.

Hi Stroller ... kind words... appreciated :o)

Each little plant and each little pebble is perfectly placed and yet still looks so natural.
It is a work of art Terra.

It's very pretty TT
and I'm happy to see the Campanula doing well.
Conker looks pleased with it all :o)

All looking really good TT after all your hard work, so many plants doing so well already and Conker is as handsome as ever, he looks to be very proud of your new front garden, oh! Truffle your birthday will be here before you know it....what a loveable waggy tail you are.
Super blog TT :o)

Hi Chris ...
I enjoyed making the jigsaw out of stones and pebbles ... these days my eyes aren't strong enough to complete indoor cardboard jigsaw puzzles, so putting together these rocks, cobbles, etc. is a fun substitute !

Thanks Hywel ...
I'm pleased with the garden make-over. I'm looking forward to doing even more to it next year. And knowing that Conker approves makes the whole effort even more worthwhile ;o)

Hello Neena ...
Thank you ... Conker had just been brushed and groomed so his coat was flowing even more than usual. Truffle will be 6 years old in December ... unbelievable ! :o)

I like the way you have set out your cauldron with a pattern of larger stones TT. I think they are called Calcareum, but I cannot be sure, as the label has blown away!

Thanks Dorjac ..
I've just searched Sempervivum Calcareum and there are some interesting photos .. looks correct. :o)

I really love what you have done to your garden TT so artistic, I do like using pebbles also, I like your mix of colours and your choice of plants, it is so exciting when you create a new area.......smashing.

Hello Dotty ...
Thank you...
one or two of the pebbles I came across, I liked their colours and patterns so much, that I've put them on a shelf indoors .. didn't risk leaving them outside ! Lol.

I love the rock garden and various succulents. The blueish stones looks like flowing water.

Hi Paul ... Thank you.
Yes, the blueish stones do look like flowing water, don't they !
They are fascinating because, as soon as they get wet, they turn into dark black rocks. I put a photo on my previous 'facelift' blog to show the change of colour.

Hi TT,
What a clever way to recycle different things in your garden. It's all looking great, no wonder Conker approves lol! How do you keep your pebbles so clean? Mine get discoloured and green in no time. I've tried washing them, but it would be a bit like painting the fourth bridge if I did them as often as they need it.
I think Truffle has the right idea, I hate November, such a drab month, roll on Christmas!!

Hi Julia ..
thanks for your kind comments ...
My stones and pebbles are quite new at the moment, so not discoloured. I find that the rocks which spend most time in the shade are the ones to get green quickly.

I don't like the start of November but I'm okay once the first week or so has passed !

It's great to see the progression of your stone garden. I love the overall effect - beautiful. When I was a boy, I had a dog just like Conker (Collie). He went everwhere with me.

Thank you Paul ..
Conker is a Sheltie [Shetland Sheepdog] like a 'Little Lassie' ... similar to the larger Rough Collie.
Collies and sheepdogs are very loyal, aren't they ... never moving far from your side.

It just looks all so perfect Terra and your Conker is a beautiful dog.

Hi Klahanie
Thank you ... weather out there is colder now !

wow you have been busy Terra...love the new area...especially the sempervivums...

Hello Sandra ... thanks ...
yes, I've had a busy year with rebuilding the dog run and then the front garden facelift. Hoping to catch up with GoY this month !

It's great to see your new blog on the progress of your facelifted garden! :-))

I really love to see your pictures of Conker! He's a smashing dog! Missed Truffles though!

Thanks Balcony for lovely comments !
I'm not sure Truffle would have been as accurate as Conker at posing on the pavings and not on the flowers ... Lol.

I wouldn't put it passed him to sit on the most choice of your flowers instead of on the path! LOL!

You're right ..
'sit' is not Truffle's favourite command ! ;o)

LOL! :-D)

I like the effect you've created there, TT, and I love the photo of Conker sitting so neatly :) Bigger stones might have been better in my garden as the shingle does spread a little at times. I will have to see how it goes. I did think of placing some bigger rocks there too but thought I would probably trip over them when I'm busy being busy and not looking where I'm going :)

Hi again Gee...
Thanks ... I would agree that to use this design in a back garden it would need adaptations, such as no big rocks to fall over !
The colours of the white and black rocks will mellow over the years, and the plants will spread, giving the whole area a more natural look.
Truffle isn't so good at sitting neatly ;o)

Lovely update. It is good to have a record of how the garden has evolved to what it is now.

Thank you Scotsgran ..
amazing how gardens develop over the years ...

I have a pot of sempervivum calcareum still complete after planting two pots with parent surrounded by children. You illustrated that planting TT a long while ago now. The other pot bloomed and spoilt the symmetry. There are 2 plants left in that pot. I am waiting for them to reproduce and follow the same process again. I must be very patient or a bit cracked. Nice memory of Conker sitting so serenely amidst his white Waterstones.

Thanks Dorjac ...
yes lovely memory of my beautiful, gentle Conker x x x

I'm glad my houseleeks design idea has worked for you and good luck with the new 'babies'.