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Any gardening plans for the coming year?

TheCatWoman

Sadly our large yew tree will have to be removed, it's blocking to much light and we're afraid it will blow over in one of our increasingly strong gales. Sadly we can't trim the sides to make it more slender without killing it although you can cut the tops off them. I hate the idea of cutting down a healthy tree, but it has to be done.

So in its place and around the stump, I have a slow growing pine tree than desperately needs to go in the ground and out from the tub it's in, so that can go at the back of the stump. I intend to make a berm which is where you make a pile of twigs branches and bits of rubble and pipe and pack soil over the top to make a slightly raised mound, into this I will plant the heaters that are currently around the pine tree and maybe some ferns and other small woodland-y plants, this will conect to the dead hedge I have and will create a wildlife highway to the rest of the garden, creatures can get in the berm and over winter in it. I want to use up some spare pond liner to cover the big shallow tub that the heathers and pine were in and make a small wild life pond.

  • in reply to B

    The Loderi hybrids have a nice scent, of which King George is the best known and has AGM from RHS, is at Hillier's on the other side of the road. They gave renamed it Rhododendron woodland.

    They claim to have 1300 types, not sure is have guessed it was anything like that high. 

    I like the magnolias the best, and the long needle pines.

  • in reply to Stuart333
    Stuart333 said:
    Did you know there are some scented rhododendrons?

    Nope.

    Exbury is like fairyland in the spring.

    You have a great horticultural knowledge S.

  • in reply to B

    Wisley has changed a bit over the years. The glasshouse was always my favourite, but they have changed it a bit.

    The rockery and the Oakwood are my favourites. The new hilltop is better than I expected, not sure about the lake they have created.

    I liked Westonbirt Arboretum, but ii only went a few times, likewise Wakehurst. 

    In the New Forest you have Exbury for camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas, plus some nice trees and a view of the estuary.

    Did you know there are some scented rhododendrons?

  • in reply to ArchaeC

    I've been focussing on repainting garden metal work. I need to repaint the shed and gate; black looks nice against the green. It is frustrating at this time of year but seeing bulbs sprouting is heartening. I do bits of pruning when it's dry. 

  • in reply to Stuart333
    Stuart333 said:
    . I did know most of the thousand plus trees in the place.

    I am doubly impressed.

    I love Wisley. 

  • in reply to B

    I have been to Mottisfont many times. There are good times to go to avoid too many people. I have had the walled garden to myself before I saw a water vile and an eel there.

    Hillers gardens is nearby. Excellent for woody plants of all descriptions, better than Kew, which it has links with. I did know most of the thousand plus trees in the place.

    Pococks is close by for roses.

  • in reply to B

    I have an old fashioned rose from there. Single flowering.

  • in reply to Stuart333
    Stuart333 said:
    Mottisfont Abbey is not so far away and they have loads.

    Freakily I was typing the question 'have you visited the Mottisfont rose garden' when you typed this.

    I love it there apart from the crowds.

  • in reply to B

    I got a bit obsessive (I wonder why?). Rather than just buy random ones I went and looked at over 500 and selected the varieties with best aroma. Mottisfont Abbey is not so far away and they have loads. I looked through various catalogues too. I visited a comercial grower and looked into how to grow them well.

    I have modern types and some old ones from 18 or 19th and early 20th century, different shapes, colours and smells. 

    They are interesting. I just need more space but can't seem to find the required money.

  • in reply to Stuart333
    Stuart333 said:
    I have over 35 different roses

    Impressive.

  • You can cut yew down almost to a stump and it will grow back. Chop it to the size you want. They will regenerate from old wood. They are not like normal conifers. You can chop the sides no problem. Even if it is just sticks it will come bac It will take 2-3 years to green up and cover the cuts.

    I will start my seeds soon. I have some old canna seeds I want to use. They might be too old though.

    I collected some passion flower seeds from the one white one in my garden. I want to try them. I'm not sure they will grow. They may have crossed with my normal one.

    I also collected some dahlia seeds which I may try if I have space. The will be a hybrid of the ones I grew last year.

    Then it will be marigolds for the troughs on the flat roof. And I may do gazania again.

    I need to take out the laburnum I grew from seed 16 years ago as it is too big now. I have sone apple trees I want to train as cordons, like my other ones.

    I have over 35 different roses. I need to reduce the number. I like all of them, but it's too much.

    And theres also the orchids to keep going indoors with my collection of amaryllis (hippeastrum).

  • I can’t think of doing anything as the weather has been too cold and wet. I expect weeding will be the first thing I’ll think of and I need to prune my roses and add compost to the top layer.  I would like more summer colour than I have had for the last few years but I haven’t decided what to do yet.