Any gardening plans for the coming year?

I'd go to a proper nursery for fruit trees like that, somewhere like Pomona Fruits, they will have a good range and will have been cared for properly and delivered properly too.

We only have a balcony to play with, and we haven't been able to use it for the past year because it was awaiting repairs. But it is back in action at last, so we are looking forward to replanting it in 2026.

All good points. I intend to go to the garden centre this Monday and chat about this. I live in social housing and they don't allow trees [though I planted an amalanchier which is slow growing]. My garden is about 3 tennis courts so quite large. I have 3 Christmas trees in pots [couldn't get them out of their pots so kept buying new!] and they seem to grow well - I think you advised me about the root issue. I'm not strong enough to pull them out of the pots - perhaps let the soil dry out a bit, so it doesn' stick. I might have the same issue with pot grown fruit. 

I've had this with some corms in the past. It can be hard to know which way up they go.

I'm not sure about the fruit trees, I don't have much experience. You will get some fruit, but the fruit is full size so a small plant can't make many. Also they will become root bound after a couple of years. So watering and feeding is necessary. You want even water for good fruit. It may be necessary to treat them a bit like bonsai and remove a third of the soil and roots every few years and top dress to keep them them small but healthy. As with all fruit trees good pruning is needed to stop them being leggy and mis-shapen. Look at whether they are tip or spur fruiting. You also need to consider pollination and whether more that one is needed.

Just been out to look at my bare root Michaelmas daisies. The grower sent about 3 times more than I ordered - trouble is, they looked like a mesh of giant spiders, roots all over the place and difficult to tell which way up to plant them! This might be useful for others growing these things. I waited until the majority were sprouting, took the 8 remaining out of their pots then planted them the right way up. Apparently, they would all eventually sprout but the ones planted upside down in the first place would be much weaker then not survive.

Have any of you knowledge of growing patio fruit trees? They are expensive and Amazon reviews are variable. I think 'Pixie' root stock is the one I should be looking for.

If it regenerates then I can keep it a manageble size.

I love roses and if I had th space then I'd probably have that many too, I'm also a fan of fruit tree's, I have a damson and a greengage, they're promiscuous and produce what can only be described as damgages!

Hoping to expand my carnivorous plant collection (depending on what survives the winter). People think it strange that a vegetarian is fascinated by them.

I think a wildlife pond is about the most ecologically important thing you can create in a garden.

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.

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.

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?

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. 

Stuart333 said:

. I did know most of the thousand plus trees in the place.

I am doubly impressed.

I love Wisley. 

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.

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

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.

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.

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.