tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post6623922723956249297..comments2023-07-07T10:58:26.789+01:00Comments on The Good Life: I Love A BargainJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-81004758610014893202010-04-24T13:13:17.078+01:002010-04-24T13:13:17.078+01:00It's lovely to attract wildlife to the garden,...It's lovely to attract wildlife to the garden, Keats The Sunshine Girl. This is the first hellebore in my garden, but I hope to get a few more, they give such a lovely splash of colour so early in the year.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-88399277292251812352010-04-23T17:27:47.400+01:002010-04-23T17:27:47.400+01:00Nice to have visitors to your plants . I love to w...Nice to have visitors to your plants . I love to watch the sunbirds pecking away for nectar on my erythrina glauca tree. Have not seen the hellebores plant before. Thanks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17272333503136774741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-55253773212883551262010-04-23T16:45:58.423+01:002010-04-23T16:45:58.423+01:00I know Wilkinson's do niger seed, Kella, I wil...I know Wilkinson's do niger seed, Kella, I will get some next time I'm in. I didn't know they also liked shelled sunflower seed, so I will also look out for some of those. I'm hoping that the hellebore will increase in numbers, fingers crossed.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-53881463169028039662010-04-23T10:36:34.690+01:002010-04-23T10:36:34.690+01:00Hi great bargin, especially if the old flowers are...Hi great bargin, especially if the old flowers are still on the plant as those seed pods will swell and make a lot of little babies.<br /><br />Try adding nijer seeds to your feeders and the goldfinches will defo stick around, ever since doing this I have had goldfinches in the garden all year round, they also like shelled sunflower seeds.Kellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04007237364629419063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-21445205072106949082010-04-20T14:44:25.375+01:002010-04-20T14:44:25.375+01:00Hellebores are supposed to produce lots of little ...Hellebores are supposed to produce lots of little babies, Green Lane Allotments. You should get an interesting mix. I've never grown verbena bonariensis as it's a little too tall for my border, though it's a lovely plant and great for attracting butterflies.<br /><br />Homebase have some great bargains sometimes, Caro. I wouldn't have been able to resist, they are quite beautiful.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-43205070931381403732010-04-20T13:50:26.792+01:002010-04-20T13:50:26.792+01:00Hi Jo, I think hellebores are quite beautiful. Th...Hi Jo, I think hellebores are quite beautiful. There are some growing in the little garden under my balcony (a lovely soft plum colour) and it's always a joy to watch them unfold. I saw some white ones in Homebase at the weekend for 99p! and was tempted but I have too much to plant at the moment! Well done on your bargain! Caro xCarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317388242574705433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-6918009141340208952010-04-20T13:26:25.330+01:002010-04-20T13:26:25.330+01:00Hellebores self sow too - I'm hoping I may get...Hellebores self sow too - I'm hoping I may get some interesting cross pollination.<br /><br />By the way verbena bonariensis also self seeds - we have loads coming up everywhere now - strange that to buy the plants is expensive when they seed so easily!Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-70426827063880195022010-04-20T13:07:35.358+01:002010-04-20T13:07:35.358+01:00My mum and dad have bullfinches visit their garden...My mum and dad have bullfinches visit their garden regularly, Ma Larkin. I too find it hard to identify birds sometimes. You're right, the tortoise approach usually wins.<br /><br />I haven't seen the goldfinches since, Tanya. It looks like it may have been a fleeting visit, but I live in hope of them returning.<br /><br />This is the first hellebore I've owned, Flighty. I wonder what it is you're not keen on. I've seen lots of bloggers showing off their's, they seem a popular plant. I was thrilled when I saw the goldfinches, I just hope they return.<br /><br />There are some bargains to be had if you buy perennials out of season, Vrtlarica. Our garden centres often sell off plants which are past their best and you can pick up a bargain.<br /><br />I think you picked up a couple of bargains there, Countrymummy. £1.99 for a verbena bonariensis plant seems a good price, as do the seeds.<br /><br />Hope you manage to pick up a bargain too, Scented Sweetpeas. I went back to the nursery this weekend, but all the hellebores had been snapped up.<br /><br />Glad to hear that you managed to snap up a bargain too, Su Harris. I plan to get some more hellebores at some point, they're such a lovely flower.<br /><br />It is lovely to see so much wildlife around, Bangchik. I think I've seen more butterflies already this year than I saw the whole of last year.<br /><br />I'm hoping that by offering the right seeds I can entice the goldfinches back, Ninasgardeningnotebook. I don't often get any unusual birds in the garden, so this was a bonus.<br /><br />I'm hoping to increase the number of hellebores I have from one too, Damo. I've seen so many photos of them on other people's blogs that I've fallen in love with them.<br /><br />Sorry to hear you can't comment from work, Steph. I expect it will have something to do with the security settings they have installed. I hate to report that I still haven't got my spuds in. If truth be told, I'm getting a little panicky now, and that isn't good.<br /><br />No greenfinches, swallows or cuckoos here, wartimegardening. It much be lovely to see these types of birds in your garden.<br /><br />We don't usually get goldfinches here either, Jeanne. In fact bluetits are the most exotic we usually get. I'm hoping the hellebore does fill out and produce lots of flowers next year.<br /><br />You should get a great display next year with all those plants, Green Lane Allotments. What a shame the singles had run out though, but you'll have lots of different flowers now.<br /><br />I've seen some really big bees about, Kat. They do make a big noise to match too. <br /><br />Thanks for the tip, Rachael. I'm on the look out for early flowering plants so pulmonaria sounds good.<br /><br />I can imagine hellebore collecting becoming addictive, Pam. They're such lovely plants. I'm already on the look out for more, but I may be a little late.<br /><br />It is nice to have something flowering at this time of the year for the bees, Lynda. I'm hoping to get more early flowering plants for my garden.<br /><br />Thank you, Anna, I'd be very interested, I'll email you. Goldfinches are very pretty, they're really dainty too.<br /><br />I'm hoping that the hellebore will perform really well next year, Renaissance. It will be interesting to see it's colour with it's petals fading to green when I bought it.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-79763116509857252482010-04-20T12:25:11.056+01:002010-04-20T12:25:11.056+01:00I'm sure your hellebore will flower for many y...I'm sure your hellebore will flower for many years to come.Renaissancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09662416461920533616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-17138514978686448972010-04-19T11:43:11.740+01:002010-04-19T11:43:11.740+01:00I am sure that your hellebore will be a star next ...I am sure that your hellebore will be a star next spring Jo. Can always send you some seedlings if you are interested. I spotted some goldfinches on my way to the lottie last week - such pretty birds.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10794392333038962798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-42804600861394241372010-04-17T17:21:48.622+01:002010-04-17T17:21:48.622+01:00Haven't seen any butterflies, but have seen be...Haven't seen any butterflies, but have seen bees and wasps.<br />Had some land cress left overwinter in a grow bag from last year which has gone to seed and flowered. I want to clear it out but the bees are loving it so I might leave it until other plants start to flower.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-23646208083891760222010-04-17T12:59:42.572+01:002010-04-17T12:59:42.572+01:00Congratulations on becoming the owner of a hellebo...Congratulations on becoming the owner of a hellebore ... my favorite spring flower. But watch out, it can become addictive, and you could be bringing a lot more home from the garden center.Pam's English Gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01359787694149174369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-33752477855133578652010-04-15T16:18:21.766+01:002010-04-15T16:18:21.766+01:00See if you can get yourself some pulmonaria as wel...See if you can get yourself some pulmonaria as well - they make a gorgeous splash of bright blue and are flowering right now.Rachaelhttp://weedybeanz.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-58506414730580758842010-04-15T14:48:06.473+01:002010-04-15T14:48:06.473+01:00My bees are starting to get busy, they make such a...My bees are starting to get busy, they make such a comforting hum. I am seeing more and more birds out too but they all seem to be camera shy. I love spring!<br />KatKat_RNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14008977319279272365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-14043476395015557752010-04-15T12:42:05.043+01:002010-04-15T12:42:05.043+01:00A bought a bargain collection of hellebores last y...A bought a bargain collection of hellebores last year. I wanted single flowers and found a collection of 5 different colours which offered five more free. When they came however I had five singles and six double varieties as the singles had run out. They are growing on on the plot to be moved to the garden as soon as I can now.<br /><br />Just prepared some ground for them so I'm hoping for a good display next year!Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-44493415792612982382010-04-14T22:30:52.531+01:002010-04-14T22:30:52.531+01:00Goldfinches are such lovely birds with a touch of ...Goldfinches are such lovely birds with a touch of the exotic about them - alas none in my garden yet - but I live in hope!<br /><br />Your bargain hellebore will be a beauty next year I'm sure.<br /><br />Jeanne xReading Tea Leaveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16928999793157507134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-82564647385534724752010-04-14T21:34:54.241+01:002010-04-14T21:34:54.241+01:00We have a pair of Greenfinches feeding everyday in...We have a pair of Greenfinches feeding everyday in our garden. Saw my first Swallow 2 weeks ago but still no sound of the Cuckoo....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-92164407465530520232010-04-14T20:15:49.720+01:002010-04-14T20:15:49.720+01:00oo, hellebore. very pretty flowers and self-seed w...oo, hellebore. very pretty flowers and self-seed well, if my parents' and aunt's gardens are anything to go by. i hope you get many years enjoyment from it :) <br /><br />nice to hear you made it to the lottie. i've still not popped my spuds in yet. still chitting but very nearly there...!<br /><br />(still frustrated i can't comment on any embedded comment boxes @ work, meaning i have to wait til i get home!)Stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04457456033636248158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-64579670637976656282010-04-14T20:08:35.786+01:002010-04-14T20:08:35.786+01:00love hellebores, managed to get 3 flowers of my on...love hellebores, managed to get 3 flowers of my one lonely specimen, must get some more.Damohttp://www.twochancesvegplot.co.uk/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-83794530819513683922010-04-14T19:18:08.724+01:002010-04-14T19:18:08.724+01:00Your hellebore looks lovely. I too have never grow...Your hellebore looks lovely. I too have never grown them but always love to see them growing and really should invest in some myself. I've been seeing lots of wildlife this week too, it's lovely isn't it, everything seems so alive when there are lots of wee visitors in the garden. Alas I have never had gold finches visit, such wonderful birds, I often see them on the South Downs but never in the garden.ninasgardeningnotebookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12196831539070393479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-90108804511069443672010-04-14T17:57:24.336+01:002010-04-14T17:57:24.336+01:00To get plants at a bargain is pleasant, especially...To get plants at a bargain is pleasant, especially when it blooms so well. On that note, the spring you are having is a bargain too, with the presence of pretty flowers, bees, butterflies, ladybirds and Goldfinches you had described.<br /><br />~bangchik<br />Putrajaya MalaysiaBangchik and Kakdahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12539360678677230463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-54799466652757249392010-04-14T16:49:43.161+01:002010-04-14T16:49:43.161+01:00I bought some reduced hellebores too last week - I...I bought some reduced hellebores too last week - I love the reduced racks at garden centres, full of little plants crying out for a good home.Suhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03104140914581346288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-43702344999957250992010-04-14T16:45:19.584+01:002010-04-14T16:45:19.584+01:00oohh I must go and see if any of our local garden ...oohh I must go and see if any of our local garden centres are selling their hellebores and a lower price. They flower every year and are so so gorgeous - I am sure yours will be fab.Scented Sweetpeashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03836203205845306983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-28510079596062278682010-04-14T16:30:29.759+01:002010-04-14T16:30:29.759+01:00I have a patch of dusky pink hellebores which seem...I have a patch of dusky pink hellebores which seem to survive much of the neglect I lavish upon them. I've been seeing quite a few bees buzzing around - a good sign...I was looking for verbena boniarensis (?) seeds at the weekend and could find only plants. I bought 4 at £1.99 each. I found a pack of seeds at my local GC today for £1.65! They're in a their compost bed in the greenhouse. Now, shall I take back the seedlings?janicebotterillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05188903247970259430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184901344095001216.post-12046598923630930272010-04-14T14:53:11.695+01:002010-04-14T14:53:11.695+01:00I never buy perennials in a peak of their season. ...I never buy perennials in a peak of their season. They are too expensive and I find that flowers will die soon after transplanting them anyhow. I think it is due to stress to the plant. <br /><br />I hope the ground at your allotment will dry soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com