• About

digwithdorris.com

digwithdorris.com

Tag Archives: collection of succulents

52 Week Photo Challenge: Summer

12 Friday Aug 2016

Posted by digwithdorris in 52 week photo challenge, Uncategorized

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

52 Week Photo Challenge, Aeonium arboreum 'zwartkop', collection of succulents, succulent with shells, Summer

Once the warmer weather arrives in about May, I make sure I move my collection of succulents outside. This is the official start of Summer in my garden.  They sit against a south facing wall and with any luck get to soak up the sunshine and heat, hopefully.succulents 14 010

Arranged on an upturned Apple crate I love to see them change colour and fatten in the climate which suits them best.

succulents 14 004

There is something about their shape and structure that appeals. I don’t like the architectural label, they are not man-made or designed.

succulents 14 006

The variety of colour and shape is striking.succulents 14 009

These are my bedding plants which mark the arrival of Summer.  Less demanding than annuals and to my eye more beautiful.  Some of these have come from tiny cuttings taken on Summer holidays in the Medditeranean. Many happy memories are attached to these.succulents 14 007

Summer is this weeks photo challenge hosted by Sandra at https://daffodilwild.wordpress.com

Take a look at her blog to see some of the other entries or better still have a go yourself.  Post a photograph that depicts Summer to you and be sure to post a link back to Sandra’s blog.

Summer, long may it last.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

garden plans

28 Tuesday Oct 2014

Posted by digwithdorris in Before and After, Uncategorized

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

collection of succulents, espalier apple tree, Malus domestica 'Jonogold'

Our new garden is very much a blank canvas, having previously served as a paddock for goats, chickens and the odd turkey.  (Odd in number, rather than personality, if turkeys even have a these?)  Although it is exciting, it is now rather daunting.

church barn 013

 

Nothing but grass and nettles to see.

 

church barn 011

No flowers here.

The plan is to take out some of the stock fencing to open the garden up so that it appears to belong to the house.  A number of fruit trees have been munched by the goats and are beyond use, some barely alive, these will have to come out.

One area, previously known as Polly’s garden (a turkey perhaps?) will be home to some new raised beds for growing a few fruit and vegetables as well as some flowers for cutting, and an area has been earmarked for composting.church barn 009

There is also a fair amount of tree work to be done to a number of the Ash and Horse Chestnut trees. These have been left to grow at will and are now entangled in the over head cables.  Of the five Chestnut trees two will sadly have to come down as their vascular structure has been destroyed by the goats.  Autumn and Winter will be busy and beyond, well who knows.  Lots of plans to be made.

In the meantime I have however been able to find church barn 019a home for our sun loving plants which moved with me.  There is a terrace tucked away from the main garden which is a complete sun trap.  This had recently had some raised beds built, as well as an area of decking and as this was already built, ready to use, I set about removing some of the planting, including numerous red-hot pokers, mint, and a Wisteria to make room for those most suited to the position.

First to go were the Pokers.  The problem with Pokers is always snails, they seem to harbour the devils and I find their thick strap leaves dull.   No I haven’t got time for all that in such a confined space, any plant has to earn its keep.  That said I do find them a useful vertical bolt of colour and form in a hot colour border, towards the back so that the leaves and snails are hidden.

Then the Wisteria, this was a newish plant but was sited against the house wall. Mr Dorris made it clear that he will not be wanting to have to wrestle with it each time the house needs painting so out it came, two chances.  I have transplanted it to the opposite flower bed. where eventually it can be trained along a wire. I am happy to report that it has survived the move and is busy putting on new leaves.

Mint is wonderful but not set loose amongst a border.  No sir, it needs to be in a bucket or it will take over your world.  All of it was dug up and it did smell fabulous, strong peppermint aromas.

Somewhat surprised by the removal of most of the plants, Mr Dorris decided to go out.  I then began planting so that by the time he returned our precious mediterranean plants were all in.  Two small Olive trees were given a new home.  Our pot grown Fig, Fiscus ‘Brown Turkey’ which was looking very stressed, actually think bald, thanks to its move on the back of the truck, oh the indignity was also planted.

A pair of standard Rosemary, some lavender , hardy geranium cuttings namely Ann Folkard and Johnsons Blue were placed in the beds.  Allowed to remain were a couple of small cone-shaped Box and an Agapanthus; I had no idea which variety it was or even whether it would be blue or white.

church barn 020

 

 

 

 

White is the answer.

One plant which was in the beds when we arrived was a very attractive espalier Apple.  The variety is Malus domestica ‘Jonagold’  It has done really well however as soon as those leaves start to drop I shall be moving itchurch barn 031

The plan is to move it in mid Winter to the main garden where it can be trained on a wire and given room to put down its roots.  Taking it out will be tough work but it cannot stay as it will quickly out grow its space.  In place I intend to have a group of tall grasses which will hold their heads well into the Winter.

In addition to the planting in the beds we have a collection of succulents which have been arranged on the deck so that we can enjoy the sight of them through the window, from the comfort of the sofa.  These have flourished in their new spot, thanks to the heat of a South facing wall and a very sheltered situation.  These will have to move to the safety of the greenhouse soon but for now it is a delight to enjoy them outside.  Let me share them here with you.

succulents 14 011succulents 14 008succulents 14 001One plant that got a new home is my favourite tree Cercis candensis now looking decidedly Autumnal.

church barn 034

 

So if you have got to this point and are still reading, thankyou.  Let me know what you think and if you have any great ideas, please share them with me.

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

Blogs I Follow

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 307 other subscribers

No Instagram images were found.

in the press

  • 52 Week Photo Challenge
  • 52 week photo challenge
  • a week of flowers
  • Before and After
  • Christmas
  • Christmas decorations
  • Colour
  • End of month view
  • Garden Visits
  • in a vase on Monday
  • Plant Nurseries
  • press this: other blogs
  • Saturday smile
  • Silent Sunday
  • six on saturday
  • Thank goodness it's Friday
  • The nag list/ jobs to do
  • Top ten blooms
  • Tuesday View
  • Uncategorized
  • Wordless Wednesday

Instagram

No Instagram images were found.

Blog at WordPress.com.

Outer Isles Gardening

Gardening in a Gale

We are out in the garden ...

Living life in the countryside - growing flowers in Warwickshire

One Man And His Garden Trowel

There's always room for one more plant.

Nature Journeys

clover and ivy

County Gardening

Gardening in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

Pádraig de Búrca - Grow Write Repeat

Glebe House Garden

My week to week gardening diary

Karen Pezzimenti Photography

Gardens at Coppertop

learning, growing, and learning more -- life on the Olympic Peninsula

Piglet in Portugal

A Creative Spirit in Portugal

Hairbells and Maples

Gardening, exploring, photography, Six on Saturday

  • Follow Following
    • digwithdorris.com
    • Join 307 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • digwithdorris.com
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.

    %d bloggers like this: