Will I make it on Saturday, I wonder? Damned broadband connection seems incapable of staying up for more than a few minutes. Yesterday, BT couldn’t find any fault. Today, they can see something’s wrong but can’t say what it is. Anyhow, BT faults permitting, here’s my six for today.
Thanks go, as always, to The Propagator for coming up with the idea for this meme and continuing to host it. If you want to see this week’s other entrants, you’ll find links to them in the comments section of today’s post on his website.
Pride of place today goes to Chesney. Having overcome the horror of seeing his siblings devoured by molluscs in a single night, and then being decapitated by a wood-pigeon, he has now produced a flower bud. Only one but, given his history, that’s some achievement.
Not far from Chesney, Richard is standing proud in his pot, waiting for his new home. “Richard?” you wonder! Trachycarpus wagnerianus, friendly name “waggie”. This is a more hardy form of fortuneii, able to withstand temperatures down to -15. The composer Wagner’s first name was Richard. He’s going to end up where the bird table was, providing a focal point in the lawn. My wishlist reduces by one plant.
And my third choice is a thing – a destination for Richard. There used to be a bird table here but a neighbour’s cat proved to be a one-feline slaughtering machine and I thought it better to send them elsewhere for food than allow the massacre to continue. But the lawn was always patchy in this spot, perhaps because of the range of plants that grew from discarded seed and were pulled up most days. It hasn’t recovered since the table went. Plus I miss the focal point here. So this will be where Richard ends up. The ring, from Everedge, will keep things tidy round the edges. The knack is to install Everedge a bit proud of the soil level but not quite as high up as the grass is cut. Then simply running the mower over the edging is all that’s needed.
OK, this isn’t exactly in the garden (except insofar as the conservatory pokes out from the back of the house into the aforementioned garden). But it’s a bit unusual. “Black Pearl” is supposed to flower around Christmas and, as usual, has been treated as she should be to get the timing right. She’s supposed to be producing leaves around now, not flower stalks. But she’s decided to jump the gun a bit, As I can’t speak Amaryllian, I can’t tell her to wrap up again and doze for another 3 months or so.
And a bit of gaudy – my homage to municipal massed bedding. The area covered by these little begonias is about a third of its size a few years ago as I’ve reformed a bit. But life wouldn’t be the same without this splash of colour to greet me as I open the bedroom curtains in the mornings.
Finally, Llandaff has caught up. Took as long to flower as the diocese did to elect its new Bishop.
Fingers crossed this post makes it. Hope to see you next week. Until then, enjoy your garden.
I’ve also struggled with bird tables but not against cats, rather rats, that visit to steal the food. Moved the feeders to trees, the rats were undaunted and the mess underneath the feeders germinated into goodness only knows what, needing constant attention. I resorted to hanging the feeders from a “Suffolk Country Path” signpost just outside our garden – success at last.
I used to get a plague of rats once a year when farmer next door cut down whatever he was letting grow in the field. After a complaint or six over a pint or several, he started maintaining a mowed strip about 3 metres wide on his side of the boundary. Now, when he cuts the main part of the field, he gets a guy with terriers in and almost all rats that head my way are dealt with as they emerge into that strip. Resident Cat picks off the few that get past the dogs. When not napping, RC stands guard under the bird feeders and other cats stay away. Daft birds often land on him.
I removed a bird table due to cats catching the birds feeding below, I now hang feeders in trees with a home made tray below to catch the falling seeds. I have used several Everedge products, they are very good.
Love Black Pearl! I sympathise with you over your internet problems, they are pretty dire here but I can’t face The Phone Call to try and sort it out. Perhaps when I have done my extreme mediation course. ps I am watching Chesney with bated breath …….
Good old Bishop of Llandaff. Such a beautiful dahlia.
My Trachycarpus is one of my favorite garden trees, and I have gone to some ridiculous lengths to keep it happy when really cold weather is forecast.
Will I make it on Saturday, I wonder? Damned broadband connection seems incapable of staying up for more than a few minutes. Yesterday, BT couldn’t find any fault. Today, they can see something’s wrong but can’t say what it is. Anyhow, BT faults permitting, here’s my six for today.
I’ve also struggled with bird tables but not against cats, rather rats, that visit to steal the food. Moved the feeders to trees, the rats were undaunted and the mess underneath the feeders germinated into goodness only knows what, needing constant attention. I resorted to hanging the feeders from a “Suffolk Country Path” signpost just outside our garden – success at last.
I used to get a plague of rats once a year when farmer next door cut down whatever he was letting grow in the field. After a complaint or six over a pint or several, he started maintaining a mowed strip about 3 metres wide on his side of the boundary. Now, when he cuts the main part of the field, he gets a guy with terriers in and almost all rats that head my way are dealt with as they emerge into that strip. Resident Cat picks off the few that get past the dogs. When not napping, RC stands guard under the bird feeders and other cats stay away. Daft birds often land on him.
I removed a bird table due to cats catching the birds feeding below, I now hang feeders in trees with a home made tray below to catch the falling seeds. I have used several Everedge products, they are very good.
Love Black Pearl! I sympathise with you over your internet problems, they are pretty dire here but I can’t face The Phone Call to try and sort it out. Perhaps when I have done my extreme mediation course. ps I am watching Chesney with bated breath …….
Good old Bishop of Llandaff. Such a beautiful dahlia.
My Trachycarpus is one of my favorite garden trees, and I have gone to some ridiculous lengths to keep it happy when really cold weather is forecast.