Saturday 7 May 2011

Now what do we do?!

Garden to the left of us.








And garden to the right.



Down at ground level, one feels like shouting, "Houston, we have a problem."


In some places there is seven foot more garden to have something now done to it. And its at the bottom of a slope. A gentle slope, but still a slope. Also because of the conifers the soil is pretty well dead.


So, yes, we are aware we will have to do some manuring and putting some goodness back into the soil.


But theres a fence needs smothering. Clematis Montana springs instantly to mind. Having used that successfully many times before. The one I dare not suggest is Russian Vine. That is considered on a par with Leylandii by Mike. But I do still have a sneaking fondness for it. Again it was a plant from my early youth. The Family Home had added to its garden a plot of land which had had a house knocked down at the end of a terrace of cottages, not sure why. But to cover the end wall Russian Vine was planted, last seen covering the whole row of houses!



Putting things into perspective - we cannot see the extra bit of garden now created by the removal of the Leylandii, from the house, or from the rest of the garden. But we do want to cover that fence. Soften it.


But just picture this. Heres our sitting out area above. Few glasses of wine and step over the edge and you will be viewing the extra bit of garden! At the end of your nose. So it might as well be a pretty view, as you roll down trying to keep your wine in the glass.

Can you see the road? To the right of the gorse, which edges the field behind us. This is our road to Tesco, to Fraserburgh, to Cairnbulg and Inverallochy. Titchy isnt it!




And on the right of the picture, the Laburnam is just coming into flower.


Today has been a gardening day. I have planted herb seeds. Flower seeds. A trough now has an anemone and night scented stock seeds, the trough under one of the opening windows of the summer house.




The summerhouse is slowly being sorted. All my materials are in the old drawers in there. Sewing machine at the ready. Sketch books in a storage box under a table. Where the side windows are there is a shelf/seat and the one getting most sun now has tomato plants and a home made propogator in which are chillies and something else I forget what!




Its exciting int it.


3 comments:

Lynn said...

Stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like Russian Vine too - and get told off for even the mention.
I wanted a montana this week but 'im indoors pulled a face - we had one spoil some beautiful roses once. However...... there is a beautiful new Montana still as thuggish but instead of the baby pink flower it is a beautiful deep pink cerise- have you seen it?
That slope would accommodate plants that like good drainage and poorer soils - Mediterannean lavenders, rosemary, herbs and then alpines. Would still need to improve the soil but let's face post leylandii that'll take some time but meanwhile all these would be ok cos they're hard nuts. You could terrace in two decent steps too to make it wine worthy safe.
Oh and that fence....... wow instant trellis - you could go au naturel with native species or go with an all year round cultivated colour combo of say Spring to Autumn clematis specimens and winter jasmine.

But of course I would never ever be so presumptious as to offer suggestion :)

Happy gardening.

L.x.

justjill said...

I knew I could count on you! My sister in law suggested solanum. Which we struggled to get to survive in Tamworth. But shes been in Devon for some years now...No chance for it up here.
Whats the name of the clematis. Could only see the pink in Happy Plant.

Lynn said...

The clematis is Montana Elizabeth - all Montanas can lose their buds in a hard Spring frost but must be generally ok in your area if Happy Plant keep stocking Montanas - but perhaps the common pink is more hardy? However - surely the slope would offer some protection??