Weekly Garden Checklist & Blooms ...

Good Morning!

Happy Weekend to you all, I am back with some things you can be getting on with in the garden this weekend ...

1. Daffodils & Tulips - The blooms are slowly starting to go over in my garden so once this happens to you it's a good idea to pick the faded flowers off. Do this by simply nipping off this flower head and this will help focus  all the plants energy back into the bulb instead of setting seed ... along with looking much tidier!

2. Delphiniums - The fresh young shoots should be putting on good growth so now is the perfect time to stake them before it's too late.

3. Sowing Seeds - This is the prime time to be getting on with your seed sowing, so don't delay much longer if you haven't started already.

4. Primroses - Once Primroses have finished flowering, why not divide them up giving yourself more plants? I will be doing this and then potting them up, which will give me extra plants for next year.

5. Summer Bulbs - Now is also the time to get bulbs such as Lillies & Gladioli planted in time for the Summer!

Finally I thought I'd leave you with a few snaps of what is looking good in my garden right now.

The Euphorbia's are looking striking with their contrast of Red & Lime in their pots ...

The Pink Wallflowers I sowed last year are starting to come into bloom...

My dark foliaged Primroses are blooming ...

Cowslips and Daffodils are looking cheery, I really like these dainty Daffs, they look much more delicate to the usual larger varieties ...

My Outdoor stand of Alpines and Primula's is providing a colourful display ...

The Azalea next to the back door has also come into flower this week with some striking pink blooms ...

And finally more of my Auricula's are starting to flower, I can't wait to see what colours the remaining 40 odd will produce!

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Little Blooms ...

Good Morning!

Today I thought I'd share with you some snaps of what is in bloom at the moment, there's quite a few so I hope you are sitting comfortably!

First up are the old reliables, Primroses! Some may find them boring but they are one of my favourite flowers, with their bright cheery blooms that are good in all weather what's not to like about them. This year I seem to be drawn to the more natural yellow and white colours, although I do have a few bright colours in the front border that I planted a while back!

However you may recall I ordered 3 plug plants of the Primula 'Cobalt Blue' a few months ago, well all three have started blooming, one is adding some colour to the conservatory and the other two are planted in some Hanging Baskets.

The pot of 'Snakeshead Fritillaria' has also come into flower and as you can see I have been graced with a white bloom which I think is my favourite!

I also have my first Auricula bloom of 2015, I couldn't help but bring it inside so that I can watch it open, albeit very slowly. All I need now is the other 48 to follow suit! lol

Outside the flower bud on the Anemone 'Harmony Pearl' I bought last month is slowly starting to unfurl.

The Pulmonaria from my Parent's old garden is coming into flower, the leaves are looking a little tatty but the flowers are a good distraction!

There's also lot's of promising looking buds on the Hellebore ...

Finally over in the Greenhouse the Primula 'Gold Lace' that I divided seem to be taking well and some of them have started developing flower heads. I know I should really pinch them out to help the plant focus all it's strength on developing, but the teeny flower just looked too cute!

Thanks for stopping by, have a lovely weekend!

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Making More Plants ...

Good Morning!

What better way of starting your weekend can there be than doing a spot of Gardening?

Unfortunately I will be at work later today but today's post is something I did myself last weekend. How about making some extra plants?

I remembered that in one of the pre - planted pots my parents bought last year there was a plant that I'd been tempted to buy myself recently. It was the Primula 'Gold Lace'. After being told I could have it if I could find it, I went round and lifted it from the container.

Back in my Greenhouse I was able to split the original plant up into 6 individual parts, 

all you need to do is gently tease the plant apart.

I mixed up some John Innes no.2 with some Horticultural Grit then filled up 6 pots.

After giving each plant a water and letting it drain I topped them off with some more Horticultural Grit which will help keep the compost moist for longer. 

I now have 6 individual plants from my original one, all for the price of nothing ... 

and who knows, if my parent's ask nicely I might even give them one back!

Thanks for stopping by, Have a lovely weekend!

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

It's Cold Out There ...

Good Morning!

We've had some pretty chilly weather recently, including a few snow flurries! 

Although nothing like most of the country which part of me is rather disappointed about lol

We had bright sunshine all day yesterday so I went for a wander around the garden and saw these lovelies bobbing around ... I love the dainty blooms and toughness of Snowdrops and I know they are two words that you wouldn't normally put together! 

The flower buds on the Hellebore have been building up over the couple of weeks and I can't wait for them to bloom.

I also received a Plant Delivery yesterday which was a nice surprise as I wasn't expecting it just yet. I've also been itching to do something in the GH recently as it feels like ages since I last planted something! 

I ordered 3 Primula 'Cobalt Blue' Plug Plants last month from Sarah Raven along with a few over plants which are yet to arrive.

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

What's Looking Good This Week ...

Good Morning!

Today's post is another chance to share a few random photo's of what is looking good around the garden right now. First up is this Lewisia and although I have a few smaller plants of this I couldn't resist buying a larger version a few weeks ago and boy does this variety catch your eye! Considering all the grey and gloomy weather we've had the past week it's perfect for brightening up a container display!

The blossom on my other Apple Tree 'Cox's Orange Pippin' has finally made an appearance and is a lovely pale contrast to the deep pink flowers on my other apple tree.

I have a few Geum plants around my borders and in the past week they have all started blooming in this wonderful vibrant red colour!

One of my potted Primulas has flowered and I love how dainty it looks.

In my conservatory I saved the Amaryllis bulb that I had at Christmas and to my surprise it has developed another flower head this past week!

I also couldn't resist bringing this Geranium home recently as I love the salmon orange petals it produces as they are in such a soft shade.

Lastly over the weekend in between the thunderstorms and rain I managed to plant out some Poppy seedlings that I grew from seed in the GH and had hardened off in the garden for the past week. They are called 'Plum Pudding' and fingers crossed they will look lovely if they are successful!

TIP : Use Copper Rings to prevent slugs attacking fresh seedlings when they are newly planted in the ground.

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Some More Catching Up ...

Good Morning!

Today's post is a bit of a follow on from the previous one, I've had quite a few little jobs to do over the past week or so which means lots of photo's! lol First off I decided to add to my little teractotta pot collection with some Primula's, Dianthus and Saxifraga.

Here's a little peek at how the stand looks at the moment however there will probably be a little re-shuffle with some more pots going on the top replacing the Iris, Lavender and Skimmia.

A couple of weeks ago I received a voucher in the post for 50% off any plant at a nearby Garden Centre. Well I couldn't ignore it could I so I went and bought an Acer (Phoenix) as every small garden should have one.

Whilst making the planted up pots at work last week I spotted these cute little pots that were perfect for these two plants I'd also had my eye on. Can you tell that me working in a Plant Nursery is dangerous!

And lastly my Dahlia Tubers are FINALLY starting to do something, I was starting to give up hope! So far it's only 1 of each variety that's showing signs of life but hopefully the remaining two will pick up soon, they're certainly taking their time!

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX