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JEWELS ..... between rocks and hard places

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October has been mild … a good gardening month … even though Truffle the Terrier tried to find a short route into November !

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This blog follows on from the story of my front garden facelift.

Over the autumn, Conker the Sheltie had watched me replace the lawns, with rocks and pavings and plants …

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The make-over was done almost entirely with recycled items …

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Some areas continue to be a work-in-progress …

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The heirloom cauldron sits contentedly on the freebie concrete pillar-top …

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… these sempervivums originated as an overflow of houseleeks from some back garden pots …

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Cauldron close-up … baby houseleek jewels …

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I bought just a few little plants to supplement cuttings from other parts of my gardens …

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The new herbs were mostly reduced-price bargains from Bee and Kew …

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Next year I plan to do more blending in with peripheral garden areas. This is one edge of the ‘black rock’ area …

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Up above, the warm weather has encouraged some lovely bonus blooms …

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… this rose appeared as a surprise from behind tall, dense greenery …

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This polystichum started life as a tiny fern from bjs … and had spent a couple of years in a pot in my kitchen. Can you see the new ‘babies’ growing at the sides of the main stems ? Amazing !

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Looking across the ‘white water’ area … the primulas at the edge have some new holes chewed in their leaves … any advice, please on preventing further damage ?

Truffle is definitely not to blame this time. The holes are chewed in the centre of the leaves …
… slugs ? snails ?

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The campanula came from Hywel’s mother’s garden a few years ago … I’ve left it in place by the big heather tub, because it flowers happily there …

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I’m fascinated by rocks, stones, cobbles and pebbles.
I love the shapes, the patterns … the varied colouring …

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Already, there are signs of new shoots …
… exciting !

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Conker is my favourite garden jewel.

Here, he’s surrounded by the ‘white water’, but he knows how to perch prettily … between the rocks and the hard places :o)

More blog posts by terratoonie

Previous post: Front Garden Facelift

Next post: Dog Theft ... 52 % from gardens



Comments

 

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

29 Oct, 2014

 

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

29 Oct, 2014

 

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.

29 Oct, 2014

 

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

29 Oct, 2014

 

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

29 Oct, 2014

 

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!

29 Oct, 2014

 

Very artistic use of recycled materials beautiful dog

29 Oct, 2014

 

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)

29 Oct, 2014

 

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....

29 Oct, 2014

 

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)

29 Oct, 2014

 

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

29 Oct, 2014

 

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)))

29 Oct, 2014

 

LOL, never a dull moment though Terra...

29 Oct, 2014

 

Exactly, Sue ... :o)))

29 Oct, 2014

 

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

29 Oct, 2014

 

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

29 Oct, 2014

 

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

29 Oct, 2014

 

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

29 Oct, 2014

 

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)

29 Oct, 2014

 

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)

30 Oct, 2014

 

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!

30 Oct, 2014

 

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

30 Oct, 2014

 

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.

30 Oct, 2014

 

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.

30 Oct, 2014

 

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

30 Oct, 2014

 

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.

31 Oct, 2014

 

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!!

31 Oct, 2014

 

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 !

31 Oct, 2014

 

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.

31 Oct, 2014

 

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.

31 Oct, 2014

 

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

5 Nov, 2014

 

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

5 Nov, 2014

 

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

6 Nov, 2014

 

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 !

6 Nov, 2014

 

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!

7 Nov, 2014

 

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.

8 Nov, 2014

 

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

10 Nov, 2014

 

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

10 Nov, 2014

 

LOL! :-D)

10 Nov, 2014

 

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 :)

7 Dec, 2014

 

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)

7 Dec, 2014

 

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

19 Apr, 2017

 

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

19 Apr, 2017

 

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.

22 Apr, 2017

 

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'.

22 Apr, 2017

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