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I've picked up a few new plants on some recent shopping trips. A couple of weeks ago, I asked Hubby to tidy up the border for me as I'm adding some new plants to it this year. Unfortunately, he's not very good at identifying which are weeds and which are plants, and he dug up my clematis. I'm not too bothered as it was never a star performer, but it meant that I needed something new to grow up the trellis. When I was in Wilkinson's last week, I noticed they had quite a good selection of clematis, and they were a good price too. I chose Bees Jubilee, firstly because I love the name, and secondly because I think it's such a pretty colour. The thing I'm not too keen on is that it's a group 2 clematis. The clematis which was weeded out was a group 3, and it was so easy to prune. It was just a case of pruning all the old stems back to a healthy pair of buds about a foot off the ground in February or March. Pruning involves more work with group 2 clematis, but it's such a lovely plant that I don't mind. I've since looked up Bees Jubilee on the internet, it has a compact habit and is ideal for growing in containers, so I may change my mind from growing it up the trellis and grow it in a pot. I was bought a couple of climbing roses for Mother's Day which I may grow up the trellis instead. Something else which I picked up in Wilkinsons was a dahlia - Topmix Orange. It was Hubby who liked this, and as he doesn't usually have an opinion on most flowers, I indulged him and bought it. I shall start it off in a pot but then transfer it to the border. I couldn't resist the primula - Glorious Laced Silver when I was buying the Pulmonaria from a local nursery, so that came home with me too.
I'm very happy to report that I'm seeing more goldfinches in the garden now. I posted last week that I only ever see one goldfinch at a time, but no sooner as I'd done that post, I saw a pair on the feeders. Since then, another one has joined them. They stay for ages on the feeders, and it seems that the other birds are a bit wary of them, they must have a temper if their meal gets interrupted. It's lovely that they're starting to bring their friends with them.
I don't think anything will get done at the allotment again this weekend. We've got snow here today and more is forecast, though this first lot is already starting to thaw. The temperature has dropped, it took my breath away when I ventured outside to take Archie for a walk. I think some armchair gardening in called for this weekend, thank goodness Gardeners World is back on tv, that will give me my gardening fix.
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I notice the garden centres are getting lovely plants in stock including veg plants, herbs and annuals. However we're getting snow too so not really the weather to inspire one to be outside.
ReplyDeleteGarden centres tend to get things in too soon every year, but especially this year with the weather as it is. It's just so cold, never mind all the rain and snow.
DeleteA nice selection of plants Jo - you will have to leave the labels on so hubby knows which are which. We have snow again and it is really cold - sigh :(
ReplyDeleteHubby is under strict instructions to ask before digging anything up in future. To be fair, he was doing me a favour so I'll let him off.
DeleteGood old Wilko's. Since moving to Scotland it's one of the shops I really miss as it's never even been heard of here :(
ReplyDeleteWell done in suceeding in enticing the Goldfinches to your garden. I had some here a few years ago but haven't seen them back since, it's probably because I can't hang their favourite food anymore cos the rooks keep stealing it :(
We don't have snow here atm but we do have those cold temperatures so it's armchair gardening for me too :(
Linda
I would definitely miss Wilko's too, they have so many good bargains. What a shame your goldfinches have deserted you, I'm really enjoying watching them in the garden. Enjoy your armchair gardening, it's the most gardening I'll get done this weekend.
DeleteMy hubs is exactly the same, he's now banned from the garden with his spade!
ReplyDeleteA lovely selection of plants there, shame about the snow, that'll stop you planting them. We're the same, it's been snowing since last last and the wind is gusty and bitter.
I'm looking for a climber I think I'll give clematis a whirl, I do love their flowers.xxxxx
I didn't say too much to Hubby, I want to employ him to dig the allotment yet, back breaking work. Clematis are lovely plants, and there's such a variety too, something for everyone.
DeleteI'm the one in our household who chooses the flowers and supervises the flowering plants and my husband is the veggie grower. Thanks for your note about different types of clematis and pruning as I didn't know about that. We're also pleased that Gardener's World is back on tv. Looks like we shall be hibernating again with the snow still falling outside!
ReplyDeleteI think that used to be the norm with women tending the flowers and men looking after the veggies, but things seem to have changed now. There's three groups of clematis and they should be pruned according to which group they belong to. The snow's falling again here.
DeleteLovely Primula Jo are you planting it out or keeping it in a pot?,glad to hear your goldfinches have increased I am sure the word will get out and you will end up with more
ReplyDeleteI'm going to plant the primula outside if the snow ever goes. I thought it was quite unusual, a bit like an auricula. I'm hoping that I can attract more goldfinches to the garden, though I'm happy to see more than one.
DeleteLovely selection of plants.
ReplyDeleteI'll certainly have variety if nothing else.
DeleteMike is banned from the flowerbeds too, especially at this time of year when there's so much just below the surface that he doesn't see.
ReplyDeleteI'm finding this latest run of bad weather totally depressing, I just want to get out there now.
Great plants to keep you motivated Jo!
How is it that our menfolk don't notice the flowers and know what's where? I'm really fed up of snow and rain now, I can't wait for summer.
DeleteWell done for finding a bright side to your hubby digging up a plant! I enjoyed reading this post while snuggled by the fire, waiting for Monty. I guess we'll all be armchair gardening this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI didn't want to say too much, I'll be wanting him to do other things for me when the better weather arrives. I'm taping Monty and I'll watch him later.
DeleteJo, I think the snow may be a blessing in disguise for your bank balance! It is all too easy to go mad when you see bargain plants for sale isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI was interested in what you said about the Clematis. In my ignorance (veg gardener speaking here), I hadn't realised that Clematis plants were in different groups!
I think you may be right. I can be tempted with plants, even in the supermarket these days, there's often bargain plants to be had. The different groups for clematis refer to the way they should be pruned. I've always gone for group 3 before, which I think is the easiest way to prune. I'm such a lazy gardener.
DeleteHello Jo! You're so lucky to have the goldfinches visiting you now!! I rarely see them over this side of Leeds (perhaps me writing that will get them over here?!) I'm happy gardeners world is back on now too. Especially in this weather when I'm just stuck inside! I've got loads of snow today. I love your new clematis. I have one by my front door and I just love them. I hope it doesn't get weeded out again! : )
ReplyDeleteIt was very rare that I saw goldfinches until I started hanging niger seed out, they absolutely love it. I taped Gardeners World last night, so I shall cosy up this afternoon and watch it, there isn't much else doing with all the snow about, we've got a fair bit and it's still snowing here. Hubby is under strict instructions to leave the border alone, unless I'm in attendance. I've learnt my lesson.
DeleteLooks like you've bought some good plants.
ReplyDeleteLucky you with the goldfinches! I don't think that anyone will be gardening this weekend except in an armchair. Flighty xx
I'm looking forward to watching the clematis get settled in, it looks to have lovely flowers so it will be nice to see it bloom. I'm pleased that more goldfinches have started to visit, it's always nice to see something different in the garden. I've still got Gardeners World to watch, so I'm going to have a lazy afternoon and settle down with the tv.
DeleteThat primula is lovely, Wilkos is great for garden stuff. Glad you are seeing more goldfinches that first one must have spread the word to all his mates. Yes I recorded GW last night and will be watching it this afternoon while the snow keeps falling!
ReplyDeleteI thought the primula was quite unusual, it'll look good in the border. The goldfinches seem to love the niger seed I've got hung out, they're regular visitors now and stay for quite a while. It's still snowing here. It's windy too so the snow is falling in drifts. I think inside is the best place to be this weekend.
DeleteOh that auricula...gorgeous gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThe Captain does not know a weed from a plant, not his expertise. But he is 'my tractor' as he calls himself and so, we make a good team.
Goldfinches coming in drifts now so I was pleased to read it is the same in West Yorkshire. I know yours look different than ours. The birds bring a lot of pleasure, don't they.
Hubby doesn't really know plants either, but he's good with the heavy work, he does so much in the garden which I wouldn't be able to manage, and he actually enjoys it, so we make a good team too. I get a lot of pleasure from seeing the birds in the garden. I'm so pleased when I see something new paying me a visit.
DeleteOh most definitely an armchair gardening weekend Jo. What a striking auricula. Your clematis story made me smile - himself once committed a similar crime with a hardy geranium : ) Hope that your replacement flourishes.
ReplyDeleteI think these comments illustrate that men shouldn't be left unsupervised near flowers, they create carnage. I think I'm going to grow the replacement in a pot, it will be nice to be able to move it around.
DeleteIsn't the weather so frustrating? Those plants look lovely. My cold frame is filled with some I bought when we were in Cornwall but the ground is so cold I can't get out to plant them up. We get occasional goldfinches visiting the garden but not enough. They are such lovely birds. It's always a real treat to see them.
ReplyDeleteMy plants are waiting in the wings to be planted out too, we've had snow again so no chance of any gardening being done. I love to see goldfinches, it's certainly worth putting niger seed out for them as it does seem to encourage them.
DeleteI'm hoping our goldfinches come back as they ran out of sunflower hearts while we were away!! Tivvy - our part time dog refused to go for a walk one day - I think her nose was freezing!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they'll be back as soon as you stock up, they know when they're on to a good thing. I know just how Tivvy feels, and Archie does too. It's the wind which bothers Archie more than anything, he hates his long ears blowing in to his face.
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