|
impossible, oh surely not?
Judith or David may have an idea, I hope others may as well!
In our little garden in France (Dordogne valley slopes, limestone about five inches beneath the surface) we have roses, lavender, irises, day lilies, michaelmas daisies, sage, all abundant. But there is one bed where I can't seem to grow anything. It's about eighteen inches deep and eight foot long, against a limestone drystone wall at the gate of the garden. It faces southeast, but in the winter it's in shadow from the building on the other side of the path. It gets sun from about nine to three between April and September. It has quite a slope. It's a dry bed and we can't get the irrigation system up there. There's a well-established Kerria at the top end - and I can't get anything else nice to grow there at all! Thistles, grasses, wild clematis, and ivy grow with abandon. I've tried canna, which grow like weeds elsewhere in the village, but the snails ate all the leaves and they haven't come up at all this year. I sow nasturtiums, which sprouted one year but not the next. This year I divided up a choked iris bed and put in some rhizomes, but snails like eating their leaves too, so I don't hope for much. I also put in some spare daffodil bulbs, but we're rarely there early enough to enjoy them. Any ideas? We're there again in June/beginning of July, and again end of August, so anything that shows in May, June/July, or August/September would be perfect. It has to be snail-repellent! There's a page of photos here - the impossible bed is about ten down. http://www.newcockaigne.demon.co.uk/photos/index.html -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally |
impossible, oh surely not?
Kate Brown writes
There's a well-established Kerria at the top end - and I can't get anything else nice to grow there at all! Thistles, grasses, wild clematis, and ivy grow with abandon. So have you tried ornamental grasses, thistles, eryngium based on what already grows there)? I've tried canna, which grow like weeds elsewhere in the village, but the snails ate all the leaves and they haven't come up at all this year. I sow nasturtiums, which sprouted one year but not the next. This year I divided up a choked iris bed and put in some rhizomes, but snails like eating their leaves too, so I don't hope for much. I also put in some spare daffodil bulbs, but we're rarely there early enough to enjoy them. Probably not damp enough in winter for daffs. What about the various succulents? Livingsotne daisies, sedums (spectabile doesn't get eaten by snails, I don't know about the others) -- Kay |
impossible, oh surely not?
On May 14, 11:18*am, Kate Brown wrote:
Judith or David may have an idea, I hope others may as well! In our little garden in France (Dordogne valley slopes, limestone about five inches beneath the surface) we have roses, lavender, irises, day lilies, michaelmas daisies, sage, all abundant. *But there is one bed where I can't seem to grow anything. It's about eighteen inches deep and eight foot long, against a limestone drystone wall at the gate of the garden. *It faces southeast, but in the winter it's in shadow from the building on the other side of the path. *It gets sun from about nine to three between April and September. *It has quite a slope. It's a dry bed and we can't get the irrigation system up there. There's a well-established Kerria at the top end - and I can't get anything else nice to grow there at all! *Thistles, grasses, wild clematis, and ivy grow with abandon. *I've tried canna, which grow like weeds elsewhere in the village, but the snails ate all the leaves and they haven't come up at all this year. *I sow nasturtiums, which sprouted one year but not the next. This year I divided up a choked iris bed and put in some rhizomes, but snails like eating their leaves too, so I don't hope for much. *I also put in some spare daffodil bulbs, but we're rarely there early enough to enjoy them. Any ideas? *We're there again in June/beginning of July, and again end of August, so anything that shows in May, June/July, or August/September would be perfect. It has to be snail-repellent! There's a page of photos here - the impossible bed is about ten down. http://www.newcockaigne.demon.co.uk/photos/index.html -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally First of all, you have a beautiful home and garden Kate. I, too, have problem areas in my garden; heavy sticky pottery clay, it would seem that a vine would be suited to that area in my garden. For yours, you could also try a vine, they are more than happy in a dry soil but I don't know whether you would have adequate sunshine hours to make it fruit, maybe? You could get one in espalier mode so that it could be supported against the wall. Apart from that; geraniums would be happy there, lots of different types, trailing etc and when you are away, they tend to look after themselves. Sorry I'm not too much help but there are others here who will advise you. Judith |
impossible, oh surely not?
On Thu, 14 May 2009, K wrote
Kate Brown writes There's a well-established Kerria at the top end - and I can't get anything else nice to grow there at all! Thistles, grasses, wild clematis, and ivy grow with abandon. So have you tried ornamental grasses, thistles, eryngium based on what already grows there)? There's a lot of grass around the garden already,so no - I was looking for flowers, really, something a bit colourful. I've tried canna, which grow like weeds elsewhere in the village, but the snails ate all the leaves and they haven't come up at all this year. I sow nasturtiums, which sprouted one year but not the next. This year I divided up a choked iris bed and put in some rhizomes, but snails like eating their leaves too, so I don't hope for much. I also put in some spare daffodil bulbs, but we're rarely there early enough to enjoy them. Probably not damp enough in winter for daffs. What about the various succulents? Livingsotne daisies, sedums (spectabile doesn't get eaten by snails, I don't know about the others) Livingstone daisies are annuals, so too late for this year, but I could sow some next spring. Sedums are a good idea, though, thank you. Will look for some in June - you don't happen to know if there are any tricky local French words for it, do you? -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally |
impossible, oh surely not?
On Thu, 14 May 2009, Judith in France wrote
On May 14, 11:18*am, Kate Brown wrote: Judith or David may have an idea, I hope others may as well! In our little garden in France (Dordogne valley slopes, limestone about five inches beneath the surface) we have roses, lavender, irises, day lilies, michaelmas daisies, sage, all abundant. *But there is one bed where I can't seem to grow anything. It's about eighteen inches deep and eight foot long, against a limestone drystone wall at the gate of the garden. *It faces southeast, but in the winter it's in shadow from the building on the other side of the path. *It gets sun from about nine to three between April and September. *It has quite a slope. It's a dry bed and we can't get the irrigation system up there. There's a well-established Kerria at the top end - and I can't get anything else nice to grow there at all! *Thistles, grasses, wild clematis, and ivy grow with abandon. *I've tried canna, which grow like weeds elsewhere in the village, but the snails ate all the leaves and they haven't come up at all this year. *I sow nasturtiums, which sprouted one year but not the next. This year I divided up a choked iris bed and put in some rhizomes, but snails like eating their leaves too, so I don't hope for much. *I also put in some spare daffodil bulbs, but we're rarely there early enough to enjoy them. Any ideas? *We're there again in June/beginning of July, and again end of August, so anything that shows in May, June/July, or August/September would be perfect. It has to be snail-repellent! There's a page of photos here - the impossible bed is about ten down. http://www.newcockaigne.demon.co.uk/photos/index.html -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally First of all, you have a beautiful home and garden Kate. I, too, have problem areas in my garden; heavy sticky pottery clay, it would seem that a vine would be suited to that area in my garden. For yours, you could also try a vine, they are more than happy in a dry soil but I don't know whether you would have adequate sunshine hours to make it fruit, maybe? You could get one in espalier mode so that it could be supported against the wall. Apart from that; geraniums would be happy there, lots of different types, trailing etc and when you are away, they tend to look after themselves. Sorry I'm not too much help but there are others here who will advise you. Judith Thanks, Judith! Our soil is dry and very limey, not much clay, and we do have a lovely vine, which shelters the terrace from late May onwards (see cour july 2). It does produce grapes and the chap who does the big work in our garden (mowing the meadow, pruning the trees, etc) picks them every year and adds them to his own to make a fairly nasty and not very alcoholic, but wonderfully organic wine. The wall of the problem bed is very low, it drops down from the tarmaced road above, a couple of feet or so. We already have a lot of geraniums - about eight pots just down from the entrance (see cour july 1). Also, they never survive over winter, so are effectively annuals, and ideally we'd like something that smothered the grasses and thistles and came up every year...! -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally |
impossible, oh surely not?
On 2009-05-14 11:18:03 +0100, Kate Brown said:
Judith or David may have an idea, I hope others may as well! In our little garden in France (Dordogne valley slopes, limestone about five inches beneath the surface) we have roses, lavender, irises, day lilies, michaelmas daisies, sage, all abundant. But there is one bed where I can't seem to grow anything. It's about eighteen inches deep and eight foot long, against a limestone drystone wall at the gate of the garden. It faces southeast, but in the winter it's in shadow from the building on the other side of the path. It gets sun from about nine to three between April and September. It has quite a slope. It's a dry bed and we can't get the irrigation system up there. There's a well-established Kerria at the top end - and I can't get anything else nice to grow there at all! Thistles, grasses, wild clematis, and ivy grow with abandon. I've tried canna, which grow like weeds elsewhere in the village, but the snails ate all the leaves and they haven't come up at all this year. I sow nasturtiums, which sprouted one year but not the next. This year I divided up a choked iris bed and put in some rhizomes, but snails like eating their leaves too, so I don't hope for much. I also put in some spare daffodil bulbs, but we're rarely there early enough to enjoy them. Any ideas? We're there again in June/beginning of July, and again end of August, so anything that shows in May, June/July, or August/September would be perfect. It has to be snail-repellent! There's a page of photos here - the impossible bed is about ten down. http://www.newcockaigne.demon.co.uk/photos/index.html What a lovely place you have - lucky you! Had you thought of geraniums - the cranesbills, not the pelargoniums. They tolerate most soils and don't seem to troubled by pests. Some types don't miind a fair bit of shade. One that we especially like is called Geranium Jolly Bee and it flowers for ages here, well into October, spreading quickly into sizeable mounds. You could try just one or two as an experiment this year and then add more if it works. -- -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials South Devon |
impossible, oh surely not?
On Thu, 14 May 2009, Sacha wrote
On 2009-05-14 11:18:03 +0100, Kate Brown said: Judith or David may have an idea, I hope others may as well! In our little garden in France (Dordogne valley slopes, limestone about five inches beneath the surface) we have roses, lavender, irises, day lilies, michaelmas daisies, sage, all abundant. But there is one bed where I can't seem to grow anything. It's about eighteen inches deep and eight foot long, against a limestone drystone wall at the gate of the garden. It faces southeast, but in the winter it's in shadow from the building on the other side of the path. It gets sun from about nine to three between April and September. It has quite a slope. It's a dry bed and we can't get the irrigation system up there. There's a well-established Kerria at the top end - and I can't get anything else nice to grow there at all! Thistles, grasses, wild clematis, and ivy grow with abandon. I've tried canna, which grow like weeds elsewhere in the village, but the snails ate all the leaves and they haven't come up at all this year. I sow nasturtiums, which sprouted one year but not the next. This year I divided up a choked iris bed and put in some rhizomes, but snails like eating their leaves too, so I don't hope for much. I also put in some spare daffodil bulbs, but we're rarely there early enough to enjoy them. Any ideas? We're there again in June/beginning of July, and again end of August, so anything that shows in May, June/July, or August/September would be perfect. It has to be snail-repellent! There's a page of photos here - the impossible bed is about ten down. http://www.newcockaigne.demon.co.uk/photos/index.html What a lovely place you have - lucky you! Had you thought of geraniums - the cranesbills, not the pelargoniums. They tolerate most soils and don't seem to troubled by pests. Some types don't miind a fair bit of shade. One that we especially like is called Geranium Jolly Bee and it flowers for ages here, well into October, spreading quickly into sizeable mounds. You could try just one or two as an experiment this year and then add more if it works. that's a good idea, thank you Sacha - herb robert grows everywhere so other cranesbills should too. As long as they're not blue - we have blue ones here in Blackheath and are getting very fed up with them, they are so prolific! -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally |
impossible, oh surely not?
On May 14, 11:18*am, Kate Brown wrote:
Judith or David may have an idea, I hope others may as well! Any ideas? *We're there again in June/beginning of July, and again end of August, so anything that shows in May, June/July, or August/September would be perfect. It has to be snail-repellent! At the risk of being accused (again) by Martin of being a blood thirsty, creature destroyer, why don't you just kill the snails? |
impossible, oh surely not?
On Thu, 14 May 2009, moghouse wrote
On May 14, 11:18*am, Kate Brown wrote: Judith or David may have an idea, I hope others may as well! Any ideas? *We're there again in June/beginning of July, and again end of August, so anything that shows in May, June/July, or August/September would be perfect. It has to be snail-repellent! At the risk of being accused (again) by Martin of being a blood thirsty, creature destroyer, why don't you just kill the snails? Oh, I do, but we're not there enough to keep an eye on things. Did I mention we have a problem with cat poo too? :) -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally |
impossible, oh surely not?
Kate Brown writes
On Thu, 14 May 2009, K wrote Kate Brown writes There's a well-established Kerria at the top end - and I can't get anything else nice to grow there at all! Thistles, grasses, wild clematis, and ivy grow with abandon. So have you tried ornamental grasses, thistles, eryngium based on what already grows there)? There's a lot of grass around the garden already,so no - I was looking for flowers, really, something a bit colourful. Some of the grasses are quite colourful ;-) (red, orange, steely blue) But not point having anything that you won't enjoy in that spot. I've tried canna, which grow like weeds elsewhere in the village, but the snails ate all the leaves and they haven't come up at all this year. I sow nasturtiums, which sprouted one year but not the next. This year I divided up a choked iris bed and put in some rhizomes, but snails like eating their leaves too, so I don't hope for much. I also put in some spare daffodil bulbs, but we're rarely there early enough to enjoy them. Probably not damp enough in winter for daffs. What about the various succulents? Livingsotne daisies, sedums (spectabile doesn't get eaten by snails, I don't know about the others) Livingstone daisies are annuals, so too late for this year, but I could sow some next spring. Sedums are a good idea, though, thank you. Will look for some in June - you don't happen to know if there are any tricky local French words for it, do you? No sorry. Pelargoniums are tolerant of neglect (in this case, a soil that is well drained to the point of drought), at least the scented leaved ones. But they do like *some* water in the autumn. Take cuttings before the winter and grow fresh each year. Or you could try the aloes, agaves, haworthias - some with bright orange flowers. Probably have to bring them in over winter. -- Kay |
impossible, oh surely not?
Sacha writes
What a lovely place you have - lucky you! Had you thought of geraniums - the cranesbills, not the pelargoniums. They tolerate most soils and don't seem to troubled by pests. Some types don't miind a fair bit of shade. One that we especially like is called Geranium Jolly Bee and it flowers for ages here, well into October, spreading quickly into sizeable mounds. You could try just one or two as an experiment this year and then add more if it works. Don't the ones that tolerate shade prefer soil that is a bit damper? Or are there ones that cope with both dry soil and shade? G endressii (French geranium) is a possibility - that seems to grow anywhere, sun and shade and rubbish soil, ad once it starts flowering, it flowers pretty well for the whole summer. Bright pink flowers, not blue! -- Kay |
impossible, oh surely not?
On Thu, 14 May 2009, K wrote
Sacha writes What a lovely place you have - lucky you! Had you thought of geraniums - the cranesbills, not the pelargoniums. They tolerate most soils and don't seem to troubled by pests. Some types don't miind a fair bit of shade. One that we especially like is called Geranium Jolly Bee and it flowers for ages here, well into October, spreading quickly into sizeable mounds. You could try just one or two as an experiment this year and then add more if it works. Don't the ones that tolerate shade prefer soil that is a bit damper? Or are there ones that cope with both dry soil and shade? G endressii (French geranium) is a possibility - that seems to grow anywhere, sun and shade and rubbish soil, ad once it starts flowering, it flowers pretty well for the whole summer. Bright pink flowers, not blue! Sounds just the thing. Thanks! -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally |
impossible, oh surely not?
On Thu, 14 May 2009, K wrote
Kate Brown writes On Thu, 14 May 2009, K wrote Kate Brown writes There's a well-established Kerria at the top end - and I can't get anything else nice to grow there at all! Thistles, grasses, wild clematis, and ivy grow with abandon. So have you tried ornamental grasses, thistles, eryngium based on what already grows there)? There's a lot of grass around the garden already,so no - I was looking for flowers, really, something a bit colourful. Some of the grasses are quite colourful ;-) (red, orange, steely blue) But not point having anything that you won't enjoy in that spot. I've tried canna, which grow like weeds elsewhere in the village, but the snails ate all the leaves and they haven't come up at all this year. I sow nasturtiums, which sprouted one year but not the year I divided up a choked iris bed and put in some rhizomes, but snails like eating their leaves too, so I don't hope for much. I also put in some spare daffodil bulbs, but we're rarely there early enjoy them. Probably not damp enough in winter for daffs. What about the various succulents? Livingsotne daisies, sedums (spectabile doesn't get eaten by snails, I don't know about the others) Livingstone daisies are annuals, so too late for this year, but I could sow some next spring. Sedums are a good idea, though, thank you. Will look for some in June - you don't happen to know if there are any tricky local French words for it, do you? No sorry. Pelargoniums are tolerant of neglect (in this case, a soil that is well drained to the point of drought), at least the scented leaved ones. But they do like *some* water in the autumn. Take cuttings before the winter and grow fresh each year. Or you could try the aloes, agaves, haworthias - some with bright orange flowers. Probably have to bring them in over winter. The problem is that we haven't got anywhere to bring them in - there's a dark room under the house where we store garden furniture, but although it's damp, there's no way to water anything, and our visits in spring are either too early to bring things out - Easter - or too late - May, and we pack up in September or October - we often do try and preserve things, but it rarely works... :( -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally |
impossible, oh surely not?
On May 14, 12:44*pm, Martin wrote:
At the risk of being accused (again) by Martin of being a blood thirsty, creature destroyer, why don't you just kill the snails? Where's the sport in that? With a bow and arrow by candlelight? Do try and keep up, Martin. |
impossible, oh surely not?
On May 14, 1:34*pm, Charlie Pridham
wrote: In article , says... On Thu, 14 May 2009, Judith in France wrote On May 14, 11:18*am, Kate Brown wrote: Judith or David may have an idea, I hope others may as well! In our little garden in France (Dordogne valley slopes, limestone about five inches beneath the surface) we have roses, lavender, irises, day lilies, michaelmas daisies, sage, all abundant. *But there is one bed where I can't seem to grow anything. It's about eighteen inches deep and eight foot long, against a limestone drystone wall at the gate of the garden. *It faces southeast, but in the winter it's in shadow from the building on the other side of the path. *It gets sun from about nine to three between April and September. *It has quite a slope. It's a dry bed and we can't get the irrigation system up there. There's a well-established Kerria at the top end - and I can't get anything else nice to grow there at all! *Thistles, grasses, wild clematis, and ivy grow with abandon. *I've tried canna, which grow like weeds elsewhere in the village, but the snails ate all the leaves and they haven't come up at all this year. *I sow nasturtiums, which sprouted one year but not the next. This year I divided up a choked iris bed and put in some rhizomes, but snails like eating their leaves too, so I don't hope for much. *I also put in some spare daffodil bulbs, but we're rarely there early enough to enjoy them. Any ideas? *We're there again in June/beginning of July, and again end of August, so anything that shows in May, June/July, or August/September would be perfect. It has to be snail-repellent! There's a page of photos here - the impossible bed is about ten down.. http://www.newcockaigne.demon.co.uk/photos/index.html -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally First of all, you have a beautiful home and garden Kate. *I, too, have problem areas in my garden; heavy sticky *pottery clay, it would seem that a vine would be suited to that area in my garden. *For yours, you could also try a vine, they are more than happy in a dry *soil but I don't know whether you would have adequate sunshine hours to make it fruit, maybe? *You could get one in espalier mode so that it could be supported against the wall. *Apart from that; *geraniums would be happy there, lots of different types, trailing etc and when you are away, they tend to look after themselves. *Sorry I'm not too much help but there are others here who will advise you. What about proper Geraniums (hardy cransbills) never found a place you can not grow one or other of them -- Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwallwww.roselandhouse.co.uk Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and Lapageria rosea I have a cranesbill here and it survives; I think it is called Johnson's Blue but not sure. It almost didn't recover the first year I planted it but I coddled it for a while and now it has adapted. However, I did plant about 6 and only 1 survived the first Winter |
impossible, oh surely not?
On May 14, 12:53*pm, Kate Brown wrote:
On Thu, 14 May 2009, moghouse wrote On May 14, 11:18*am, Kate Brown wrote: Judith or David may have an idea, I hope others may as well! Any ideas? *We're there again in June/beginning of July, and again end of August, so anything that shows in May, June/July, or August/September would be perfect. It has to be snail-repellent! At the risk of being accused (again) by Martin of being a blood thirsty, creature destroyer, why don't you just kill the snails? Oh, I do, but we're not there enough to keep an eye on things. *Did I mention we have a problem with cat poo too? * :) -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally Cat poo? Buy some camphor from the pharmacy and crush it in big bits with a hammer, it works a treat. Judith |
impossible, oh surely not?
On May 14, 2:55*pm, Martin wrote:
Where's the sport in that? With a bow and arrow by candlelight? Do try and keep up, Martin. Stamping on the slimy buggers with bare feet in the dark is more sporting.. I knew that snails were hermaphrodites but I did not realize they were gay as well. What an educational group this is! |
impossible, oh surely not?
On Thu, 14 May 2009, Martin wrote
On Thu, 14 May 2009 08:53:50 -0700 (PDT), Judith in France wrote: On May 14, 12:53*pm, Kate Brown wrote: On Thu, 14 May 2009, moghouse wrote On May 14, 11:18*am, Kate Brown wrote: Judith or David may have an idea, I hope others may as well! Any ideas? *We're there again in June/beginning of July, and again end of August, so anything that shows in May, June/July, or August/September would be perfect. It has to be snail-repellent! At the risk of being accused (again) by Martin of being a blood thirsty, creature destroyer, why don't you just kill the snails? Oh, I do, but we're not there enough to keep an eye on things. *Did I mention we have a problem with cat poo too? * :) -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally Cat poo? Buy some camphor from the pharmacy and crush it in big bits with a hammer, it works a treat. The cat poo or the camphor? The cat? -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally |
impossible, oh surely not?
On 2009-05-14 12:33:10 +0100, Kate Brown said:
On Thu, 14 May 2009, Sacha wrote On 2009-05-14 11:18:03 +0100, Kate Brown said: Judith or David may have an idea, I hope others may as well! In our little garden in France (Dordogne valley slopes, limestone about five inches beneath the surface) we have roses, lavender, irises, day lilies, michaelmas daisies, sage, all abundant. But there is one bed where I can't seem to grow anything. It's about eighteen inches deep and eight foot long, against a limestone drystone wall at the gate of the garden. It faces southeast, but in the winter it's in shadow from the building on the other side of the path. It gets sun from about nine to three between April and September. It has quite a slope. It's a dry bed and we can't get the irrigation system up there. There's a well-established Kerria at the top end - and I can't get anything else nice to grow there at all! Thistles, grasses, wild clematis, and ivy grow with abandon. I've tried canna, which grow like weeds elsewhere in the village, but the snails ate all the leaves and they haven't come up at all this year. I sow nasturtiums, which sprouted one year but not the next. This year I divided up a choked iris bed and put in some rhizomes, but snails like eating their leaves too, so I don't hope for much. I also put in some spare daffodil bulbs, but we're rarely there early enough to enjoy them. Any ideas? We're there again in June/beginning of July, and again end of August, so anything that shows in May, June/July, or August/September would be perfect. It has to be snail-repellent! There's a page of photos here - the impossible bed is about ten down. http://www.newcockaigne.demon.co.uk/photos/index.html What a lovely place you have - lucky you! Had you thought of geraniums - the cranesbills, not the pelargoniums. They tolerate most soils and don't seem to troubled by pests. Some types don't miind a fair bit of shade. One that we especially like is called Geranium Jolly Bee and it flowers for ages here, well into October, spreading quickly into sizeable mounds. You could try just one or two as an experiment this year and then add more if it works. that's a good idea, thank you Sacha - herb robert grows everywhere so other cranesbills should too. As long as they're not blue - we have blue ones here in Blackheath and are getting very fed up with them, they are so prolific! Try G. Ann Folkard - lovely magenta colour! -- -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials South Devon |
impossible, oh surely not?
On 2009-05-14 13:00:41 +0100, K said:
Sacha writes What a lovely place you have - lucky you! Had you thought of geraniums - the cranesbills, not the pelargoniums. They tolerate most soils and don't seem to troubled by pests. Some types don't miind a fair bit of shade. One that we especially like is called Geranium Jolly Bee and it flowers for ages here, well into October, spreading quickly into sizeable mounds. You could try just one or two as an experiment this year and then add more if it works. Don't the ones that tolerate shade prefer soil that is a bit damper? Or are there ones that cope with both dry soil and shade? We find they seem to be pretty tolerant of almost anything that's thrown at them. I think there are some especially tolerant of both but can't remember the name just now. G. paheum, perhaps? snip -- -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials South Devon |
impossible, oh surely not?
On May 14, 12:53*pm, Kate Brown wrote:
.............. *Did I mention we have a problem with cat poo too? * :) No, no, no, Thay are not cat poos, they are soft truffles! |
impossible, oh surely not?
Sacha writes
We find they seem to be pretty tolerant of almost anything that's thrown at them. I think there are some especially tolerant of both but can't remember the name just now. G. paheum, perhaps? snip That's very tolerant indeed of shade, but I don't think it'd cope well with dry soil. Ditto Samobar, which is the garden variety of it with the black leaf spot much more pronounced. -- Kay |
impossible, oh surely not?
On Thu, 14 May 2009, moghouse wrote
On May 14, 12:53*pm, Kate Brown wrote: .............. *Did I mention we have a problem with cat poo too? * :) No, no, no, Thay are not cat poos, they are soft truffles! Listen, babe, we knows truffles, we is Perigourdine. Them's not truffles. -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally |
impossible, oh surely not?
On May 14, 9:20*pm, Kate Brown wrote:
On Thu, 14 May 2009, moghouse wrote On May 14, 12:53*pm, Kate Brown wrote: .............. *Did I mention we have a problem with cat poo too? * :) No, no, no, Thay are not cat poos, they are soft truffles! Listen, babe, we knows truffles, we is Perigourdine. Them's not truffles. -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally Listen, Babe, I agree with you; I love truffles, shaved in an omelette, I'll provide the eggs, can you provide the truffles? Judith |
impossible, oh surely not?
On 2009-05-14 19:50:28 +0100, K said:
Sacha writes We find they seem to be pretty tolerant of almost anything that's thrown at them. I think there are some especially tolerant of both but can't remember the name just now. G. paheum, perhaps? snip That's very tolerant indeed of shade, but I don't think it'd cope well with dry soil. Ditto Samobar, which is the garden variety of it with the black leaf spot much more pronounced. All will need *some* watering if it can be arranged with a neighbour in their absence but on the whole, they cope pretty well with dry conditions - total drought would push anything to its extreme! And - all joking aside - would your beloved cacti work there, Kay? I've never grown them so have no idea. Most of our Geraniums survive on the rainfall the heavens provide with the occasional extra dollop. If Kate can find a few cheaply enough to experiment, it will be a lot cheaper than losing Cannas etc. Worth a try, I think. -- -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials South Devon |
impossible, oh surely not?
Sacha writes
All will need *some* watering if it can be arranged with a neighbour in their absence but on the whole, they cope pretty well with dry conditions - total drought would push anything to its extreme! And - all joking aside - would your beloved cacti work there, Kay? They'd work in the summer, but would only survive the winter if kept completely dry. I've never grown them so have no idea. Most of our Geraniums survive on the rainfall the heavens provide with the occasional extra dollop. The heavens are quite generous in your part of the world ;-) If Kate can find a few cheaply enough to experiment, it will be a lot cheaper than losing Cannas etc. Worth a try, I think. Most definitely. -- Kay |
impossible, oh surely not?
On Thu, 14 May 2009, Sacha wrote
On 2009-05-14 19:50:28 +0100, K said: Sacha writes We find they seem to be pretty tolerant of almost anything that's thrown at them. I think there are some especially tolerant of both but can't remember the name just now. G. paheum, perhaps? snip That's very tolerant indeed of shade, but I don't think it'd cope well with dry soil. Ditto Samobar, which is the garden variety of it with the black leaf spot much more pronounced. All will need *some* watering if it can be arranged with a neighbour in their absence but on the whole, they cope pretty well with dry conditions - total drought would push anything to its extreme! And - all joking aside - would your beloved cacti work there, Kay? I've never grown them so have no idea. Most of our Geraniums survive on the rainfall the heavens provide with the occasional extra dollop. If Kate can find a few cheaply enough to experiment, it will be a lot cheaper than losing Cannas etc. Worth a try, I think. I suspect it would be too wet for cacti, but I'm certainly going to have a go with cranesbill geraniums and sedum - there are patches of sedum in the wall a bit further down, so I know it should survive, and the geraniums should be bulky enough to discourage the thistles, with any luck. Thank you all for your suggestions! -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally |
impossible, oh surely not?
On 2009-05-15 11:29:01 +0100, K said:
Sacha writes All will need *some* watering if it can be arranged with a neighbour in their absence but on the whole, they cope pretty well with dry conditions - total drought would push anything to its extreme! And - all joking aside - would your beloved cacti work there, Kay? They'd work in the summer, but would only survive the winter if kept completely dry. It sounds as if the bed they're wanted for would see to that! I've never grown them so have no idea. Most of our Geraniums survive on the rainfall the heavens provide with the occasional extra dollop. The heavens are quite generous in your part of the world ;-) Very - as a glance out of today's window is telling me! If Kate can find a few cheaply enough to experiment, it will be a lot cheaper than losing Cannas etc. Worth a try, I think. Most definitely. Let's hope it does work and that urg gets a good and happy report from Kate. -- -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials South Devon |
impossible, oh surely not?
Sacha writes
On 2009-05-15 11:29:01 +0100, K said: Sacha writes All will need *some* watering if it can be arranged with a neighbour in their absence but on the whole, they cope pretty well with dry conditions - total drought would push anything to its extreme! And - all joking aside - would your beloved cacti work there, Kay? They'd work in the summer, but would only survive the winter if kept completely dry. It sounds as if the bed they're wanted for would see to that! They don't want to be rained on either if the weather is cold. People do grow some species out of doors, but with a roof over -- Kay |
impossible, oh surely not?
On 2009-05-15 16:34:42 +0100, K said:
Sacha writes On 2009-05-15 11:29:01 +0100, K said: Sacha writes All will need *some* watering if it can be arranged with a neighbour in their absence but on the whole, they cope pretty well with dry conditions - total drought would push anything to its extreme! And - all joking aside - would your beloved cacti work there, Kay? They'd work in the summer, but would only survive the winter if kept completely dry. It sounds as if the bed they're wanted for would see to that! They don't want to be rained on either if the weather is cold. People do grow some species out of doors, but with a roof over Is cold rain a problem in the Dordogne on a regular and sustained basis? Hardy Geraniums grown in UK don't have a choice! -- -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials South Devon |
impossible, oh surely not?
Sacha writes
On 2009-05-15 16:34:42 +0100, K said: Sacha writes On 2009-05-15 11:29:01 +0100, K said: Sacha writes All will need *some* watering if it can be arranged with a neighbour in their absence but on the whole, they cope pretty well conditions - total drought would push anything to its extreme! And all joking aside - would your beloved cacti work there, Kay? They'd work in the summer, but would only survive the winter if kept completely dry. It sounds as if the bed they're wanted for would see to that! They don't want to be rained on either if the weather is cold. People do grow some species out of doors, but with a roof over Is cold rain a problem in the Dordogne on a regular and sustained basis? I haven't a clue, but damp soil at a temperature of below 5deg C is a problem, and I'd guess that is a possibility in the Dordogne. Hardy Geraniums grown in UK don't have a choice! No - but I was replying to your question about cacti! -- Kay |
impossible, oh surely not?
On 2009-05-16 14:38:13 +0100, K said:
Sacha writes On 2009-05-15 16:34:42 +0100, K said: Sacha writes On 2009-05-15 11:29:01 +0100, K said: Sacha writes All will need *some* watering if it can be arranged with a neighbour in their absence but on the whole, they cope pretty well conditions - total drought would push anything to its extreme! And all joking aside - would your beloved cacti work there, Kay? They'd work in the summer, but would only survive the winter if kept completely dry. It sounds as if the bed they're wanted for would see to that! They don't want to be rained on either if the weather is cold. People do grow some species out of doors, but with a roof over Is cold rain a problem in the Dordogne on a regular and sustained basis? I haven't a clue, but damp soil at a temperature of below 5deg C is a problem, and I'd guess that is a possibility in the Dordogne. Winters can be cold but it's a large départément so it probably depends on the exact locality. Hardy Geraniums grown in UK don't have a choice! No - but I was replying to your question about cacti! Ah I see - I think that bit got snipped. Or something! -- -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials South Devon |
impossible, oh surely not?
Sacha writes
On 2009-05-16 14:38:13 +0100, K said: Sacha writes On 2009-05-15 16:34:42 +0100, K said: Sacha writes On 2009-05-15 11:29:01 +0100, K said: Sacha writes All will need *some* watering if it can be arranged with a neighbour in their absence but on the whole, they cope pretty well conditions - total drought would push anything to its extreme! And all joking aside - would your beloved cacti work there, Kay? They'd work in the summer, but would only survive the winter if kept completely dry. It sounds as if the bed they're wanted for would see to that! They don't want to be rained on either if the weather is cold. People do grow some species out of doors, but with a roof over Is cold rain a problem in the Dordogne on a regular and sustained basis? I haven't a clue, but damp soil at a temperature of below 5deg C is a problem, and I'd guess that is a possibility in the Dordogne. Winters can be cold but it's a large départément so it probably depends on the exact locality. Hardy Geraniums grown in UK don't have a choice! No - but I was replying to your question about cacti! Ah I see - I think that bit got snipped. Or something! No - it's still in there. But it is well buried! -- Kay |
My parents live in Montpon, they found canna's grow a treat, however you say you have a slug problem so perhaps thats a no no. Climbing roses seem to flourish, try Pauls Himalayan Musk. They have had sucess with Campsis & Laurels.
Good Luck |
impossible, oh surely not?
On Sat, 16 May 2009, Swiss Toni wrote
My parents live in Montpon, they found canna's grow a treat, however you say you have a slug problem so perhaps thats a no no. Climbing roses seem to flourish, try Pauls Himalayan Musk. They have had sucess with Campsis & Laurels. Good Luck Thanks - the backing wall is rather low, so I don't think roses would work there, also the bed is very shallow (front to back), so even a low growing rose might threaten to spread over the path. I wish I could grow cannas, they'd be perfect! But I'm going to try sedums and geraniums, and yesterday someone gave me a cistus cutting and I'll try that there too. I know they can grow huge as well, but it's very small just now, and as far as I know they don't object to being pruned quite fiercely. -- Kate B PS 'elvira' is spamtrapped - please reply to 'elviraspam' at cockaigne dot org dot uk if you want to reply personally |
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