Thank goodness! It's been one of those weeks - without going into detail, which will in turn lead me to set of on a rant, enough said that I had blocked drains for 3 days, punctures in 2 different wheels of the car, whilst carrying a rather large container from one end of the garden to the other I tripped, dropped and shattered it (I now have plenty of crocks and managed to save the plant) and to end the week - the electrics went on one of the car windows in the 'down' position! The spray nozzle on the garden hose sprung a leak just as I was going wash the car. Bad luck doesn't always come in 3 apparently!!
How was your week? Better than mine I hope!
It's the start of a new week on Monday - I'm on annual leave from work for the week - the chores will include giving the decking and the paths a good going over with the pressure hose. That will obviously be weather permitting. Giving the arbor seat a good scrub. Despite having 3 coats of Cuprinol Garden Shades, a product which I am now not enamored with, last year it looks decidedly shabby and is beginning to peel off! Last on the list for this coming week will be to give a good tidy up under the hedges - before those trapped weeds get a chance to take hold! If after all that if I still have time, I will bring out all the containers - many of which have sprouted numerous weeds over the winter, leaving the larger ones in situ until I have my son's undivided attention....for this - I need him to be in the need to borrow some money until pay day!! That usual gets the jobs done quicker than he normally would!
As a bit of a cheer me up - yesterday afternoon, I took a trip along to my local nursery, Binny Plants based on the Binny Estate in Ecclesmachan, West Lothian. Well worth a visit if you are ever in the area. A bit too handy sometimes being less than a 10 minute drive from the house. I've a plant shopping list identical to that of the length of the Forth Bridge!! But where to begin......
![]()
I have a bit of a 'gap site' around and between the Physocarpus opulifolius 'Lady in Red' (Coppertine in the US) and Hydrangea paniculata'Pinky Winky' there is also a Cotinus 'Dusky Maiden', which I will keep in check by pruning. I planted a decent sized clump of hellebores and some fritillaria here last spring, with a view to working on creating a little woodland type planting scheme to enhance the area before the shrubs leaf up but never got round to it - you know how it is, don't you?
Whilst in technical gardening terms - this little area would not be considered a woodland - I hope that the cover provided by the surrounding shrubs will act similar to that of the canopy of the trees. I can only but give it try!
# Let's give it a go!
I'm not joining Twitter - I've just learnt what # is!
Having missed the opportunity to plant Cyclamen and a few others bulbs in autumn, I have put in some more of my rescued snowdrops. I'll be first in line for bulbs this autumn!
Enough of my ramblings, lets have a sneak peak at what I've bought
Dicentra cucullaria 'Pink Punk' A pale pink variety of this American native woodlander. The attractive grey foliage should form a mat of ground cover when not in flower. It should reach a height of around 10cm and will disappear in summer.
Still sound asleep under that compost - but I can assure you there are some nice fat buds forming down below.
Anemonella thalictroides - dark pink form This little clump former should produce some lovely dainty pink flowers in April - the shoots are just beginning to emerge. Liking a well drained site in light shade, will grow to around 20cm.
Hepatica forest series - purple. More of an impulse buy this one - the prety little markings on the leaves caught my eye. Described as a woodlander or alpine depending on what you read. I have long admired these little plants, which too me, look far too dainty for my clumsy gardening ways!!
Moist, light shade and does not like disturbance (I'll have to get it right first time!) will grow to a height of around 15cm
Any tips out there from Hepatic growers are gratefully receive!
My next purchase was inspired by Shirley's posting over at Garden Bloggers' Questions last week. One of here questions was investigating a possible cause for her non flowering Meconopsis and I happened to comment that I was going to buy a few more Meconopsis x cookei - change of plan - I bought Meconopsis betonicifolia Alba. I have had success in growing the blue Meconopsis but as it was a long time ago and did not know the difference between Monocarpic and Polycarpic. Follow the link if you would like more information. Shirley if you are reading, I asked on your behalf - I was told that without knowing specifically which Meconopsis species it was it was difficult to give advice other than what we already know.
Meconopsis betonicifolia var. alba apparently the secret to keeping this perennial is to regularly dead head. I will grow it in the side garden where lots of other shade lovers co-habit! The white flowers taking over when the Magnolia flowers fade.
At reaching a height of 90cm, will add a bit of height into the area at the same time
Last and certainly not least Corydalis flexuosa Pere David. A replacement for Corydalis elata - which I suspect was another casualty of the wet last summer. This is a slightly shorter plant and the blue is, I believe not a vivid as it's predecessor but will be equally appreciated!
Being less than half it's height 25cm will mean I need to find a home nearer the front edge of the border for this one.
Do you ever buy plants to cheer yourself up? I don't know who I'm trying to fool - I just look for any excuse to buy new plants!!!
![]()
In a final note......New growth on Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' applauding the imminent arrival of spring here in the UK.
Couldn't resist this - those buds really do look like they are clapping!
Once again, thank you all for reading and as always - if you have any comments, tips or advice on any of my chosen plants, please do share. It's good to learn!
How was your week? Better than mine I hope!
It's the start of a new week on Monday - I'm on annual leave from work for the week - the chores will include giving the decking and the paths a good going over with the pressure hose. That will obviously be weather permitting. Giving the arbor seat a good scrub. Despite having 3 coats of Cuprinol Garden Shades, a product which I am now not enamored with, last year it looks decidedly shabby and is beginning to peel off! Last on the list for this coming week will be to give a good tidy up under the hedges - before those trapped weeds get a chance to take hold! If after all that if I still have time, I will bring out all the containers - many of which have sprouted numerous weeds over the winter, leaving the larger ones in situ until I have my son's undivided attention....for this - I need him to be in the need to borrow some money until pay day!! That usual gets the jobs done quicker than he normally would!
As a bit of a cheer me up - yesterday afternoon, I took a trip along to my local nursery, Binny Plants based on the Binny Estate in Ecclesmachan, West Lothian. Well worth a visit if you are ever in the area. A bit too handy sometimes being less than a 10 minute drive from the house. I've a plant shopping list identical to that of the length of the Forth Bridge!! But where to begin......
I have a bit of a 'gap site' around and between the Physocarpus opulifolius 'Lady in Red' (Coppertine in the US) and Hydrangea paniculata'Pinky Winky' there is also a Cotinus 'Dusky Maiden', which I will keep in check by pruning. I planted a decent sized clump of hellebores and some fritillaria here last spring, with a view to working on creating a little woodland type planting scheme to enhance the area before the shrubs leaf up but never got round to it - you know how it is, don't you?Whilst in technical gardening terms - this little area would not be considered a woodland - I hope that the cover provided by the surrounding shrubs will act similar to that of the canopy of the trees. I can only but give it try!
# Let's give it a go!
I'm not joining Twitter - I've just learnt what # is!
Having missed the opportunity to plant Cyclamen and a few others bulbs in autumn, I have put in some more of my rescued snowdrops. I'll be first in line for bulbs this autumn!
Enough of my ramblings, lets have a sneak peak at what I've bought
 |
| Dicentra cucullaria Pink Punk |
Dicentra cucullaria 'Pink Punk' A pale pink variety of this American native woodlander. The attractive grey foliage should form a mat of ground cover when not in flower. It should reach a height of around 10cm and will disappear in summer.
Still sound asleep under that compost - but I can assure you there are some nice fat buds forming down below.
 |
| Anemonella thalictroides |
Anemonella thalictroides - dark pink form This little clump former should produce some lovely dainty pink flowers in April - the shoots are just beginning to emerge. Liking a well drained site in light shade, will grow to around 20cm.
 |
| Hepatica forest series 'Purple' |
Moist, light shade and does not like disturbance (I'll have to get it right first time!) will grow to a height of around 15cm
Any tips out there from Hepatic growers are gratefully receive!
My next purchase was inspired by Shirley's posting over at Garden Bloggers' Questions last week. One of here questions was investigating a possible cause for her non flowering Meconopsis and I happened to comment that I was going to buy a few more Meconopsis x cookei - change of plan - I bought Meconopsis betonicifolia Alba. I have had success in growing the blue Meconopsis but as it was a long time ago and did not know the difference between Monocarpic and Polycarpic. Follow the link if you would like more information. Shirley if you are reading, I asked on your behalf - I was told that without knowing specifically which Meconopsis species it was it was difficult to give advice other than what we already know.
 |
| Meconopsis betonicifolia var. Alba |
Meconopsis betonicifolia var. alba apparently the secret to keeping this perennial is to regularly dead head. I will grow it in the side garden where lots of other shade lovers co-habit! The white flowers taking over when the Magnolia flowers fade.
At reaching a height of 90cm, will add a bit of height into the area at the same time
 |
| Corydalis flexuosa Pere David |
Last and certainly not least Corydalis flexuosa Pere David. A replacement for Corydalis elata - which I suspect was another casualty of the wet last summer. This is a slightly shorter plant and the blue is, I believe not a vivid as it's predecessor but will be equally appreciated!
Being less than half it's height 25cm will mean I need to find a home nearer the front edge of the border for this one.
Do you ever buy plants to cheer yourself up? I don't know who I'm trying to fool - I just look for any excuse to buy new plants!!!
In a final note......New growth on Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' applauding the imminent arrival of spring here in the UK.
Couldn't resist this - those buds really do look like they are clapping!
Once again, thank you all for reading and as always - if you have any comments, tips or advice on any of my chosen plants, please do share. It's good to learn!