What I am doing in my garden now!

Mark - love your shaded area, too. Especially with your pedestal. Garden art really can make a huge impact and it's a great foil for those leaves. I don't have any toad lily yet, but it's on my list . . .

Pixydish makes neat cement leaves and hostajim makes cement spheres for the garden. Someday I'll have some artwork from my friends in my garden, as well.

AD - I'll have to check out your postings. Great.

Katie

This is one of my Toad lilies from last year................... This year will be much much better display!!!!

(whispering) Katie, I don't know how I got so lucky, but I just received a couple of Pixie's beautiful leaves in the post! Lucky lucky lucky! I just need to find the right place......

Nice toad lily, Mike - I have just literally planted out 3 Tricrytis ....oh, shoot, lost the last part. Got them last year and have just got them in the ground. They are a wonderful blue tinged purple spot on purple. I'm off to find the label. The label says Tricyrtis Hototogisu - and I found this link http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.paghat.com/images/toadlilymiyazak_oc.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.paghat.com/toadlily2.html&h=300&w=292&sz=17&hl=en&start=8&tbnid=F435zySmHLzXWM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=113&prev=/images%3Fq%3DTricyrtis%2BHototogisu%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX. although I don't remember mine as having the white. Photos at the end of summer.

We were having a magnificent first day of spring afternoon - gorgeous late sunshine, and the wind stopped - and then it was a 'look behind you' moment with banks of angry black clouds. Managed to get the tricrytis, and 3 anemones in the ground before throwing everything (including the dog) in the wheelbarrow and running for cover! The winds came up, and hail was coming across the fields horizontally in sheets. Thats it for me for today - I'm off for a hot bath and some dry clothes, preferably jammies and slippers with a big jumper! Yuech!

This message was edited Mar 21, 2008 6:26 PM

Sooooooooo this is where everyone is hiding....

LOL Katie and Laurie,
Mark has 20 some odd Tricyrtis that are going in the area around the pedestal.

Can I play here too?? Don't hold it against me but I was originally from Northern California.....:0)

Lauri

Yes, Mr. Mark - and that is why I'd love some toad lilies. Exotically beautiful, but much less temperamental (here) than so many exotics.

I am a softy for all creatures, slugs and moles included, so I'm struggling with keeping plants healthy and beautiful and deterring the voracious recyclers. The slugs I grow here get pretty big. Fortunately, I can collect them and dump them in the forest next door. I don't have definitive figures about how far it will take them to get back to my yard, so I'm not really sure how far I have to lug them to disperse them. And it gets harder as the summer progresses and the forest becomes impenetrable (to yoomans, anyway. The deer have no trouble. LOL!)

Laurie - this is a MUST of a photo opportunity. What a wonderful surprise for you. Melissa is truly a generous person - and clearly very industrious as well. I'm having a much-needed giggle at the image of you (why do those always involve a wheel barrow?) running the wheel barrow up to the house with the dog balancing in the center. Ohhhhhh. Nothing like being forced inside to a shower, comfy clothes, a nice adult beverage and a gardening magazine.

In like a lion. Out like a lamb.

Lauri - PLEEEZE do come and play. I've been wondering if/when we'd hear from you. I went to the PARKING LOT post and saw that both of you posted there. What a treat - you make quite a pair. So you are from California and living the dream in Caistor - how wonderful - such a leap to a whole new climate and culture.

We have some people from Northern California also. You are welcome. Mark's gardens are the envy of all. So lush and beautiful. Maybe you can give us his secrets.
:-)

My goodness - another Lauri - you may indeed play here! come on in - he has 20!? I think I better hand over my crown and stamp. But hey, it gets passed around regularly. (I think you'll enjoy this lot, they let those of us that can't be physically present be cheerleaders when they have work parties - quite fun), and they really do know their stuff!

Lauri, may I ask how a Californian (even a Northern Californian) ended up in Lincolnshire - this is not exactly a hot spot of tourism. did you just happen to turn left, and keep going one day? the mind boggles.

Katie

Looks like you are going to have to get some toad lilies..........

The best way to keep the slugs, snails and any other bugs away is garlic wash........ my own miracle de-bugger. LOL
The good thing is, it doesn't hurt any animal, insect plant or even soil......... totally organic!!

Mark

Ok, before we go any further....................... lets get this over with!!

Lauri and I met on DG in 2006, she moved over here in 2007 and she totally loves it......

any questions...??????????????? LOL

Nope, but the imagination runs wild! Well done DG!

LOL............................... yes indeed..............well done DG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You having this wonderful weather where you are Laurie........????
Where is Burwash Weald............?????????

Sounds like your gardens are fairly close together Mr-C.

LOL yes dear!!!

Yep that is how it happened!!! I love it here and it is not far off climate wise from where I was from just not the summers that were there, Thank Heavens!!! There may be pictures of the wedding not sure yet. I hate having my picture taken!!

Mark's main secret is ......plant the plant in well amended soil with fish blood and bone meal and then cuss it!! He says grow %$£ you or it is to the bin!! and they do....the tomatoes grew at least an inch over night every night!!!

LOL any questions???? Just ask.

Lauri

Just looked on google earth and Laurie's garden is down south............. nice area Laurie!!

East sussex. We're near Bateman's, Kiplings house - gorgeous national trust property.

If by wonderful you mean whistling round the house winds, going from sun to hail, and pelting rain all night - hmm, yes. But when it is too bad outside, there is always the greenhouse - going great in there. But oh, how I would love to get the blister wrap down - I just love that first day when you can see through the roof again! I almost took it down last week, and then thought better of it - not until after Easter - a bit like wearing white shoes, I think (not!).

Ahhhh, thank you very much sir. We like it - in fact, it is almost impossible to get me anywhere else - I love it. Still can't quite believe that someone doesn't come and tell me 'times up' and take the keys away! Feel pretty lucky being here.

aha................. off the A265............LOL

Yesssssssssssssssssssss that lovely weather................!! Cannot get in our greenhouse....... it is totally full of crocosmia, and i mean full!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't bother here with blister wrap......... the crocosmia don't really need it, the tender ones are in the conservatory where its more cool than cold.

another view in conservatory............................. these are all the tender crocosmia.

My goodness - can you really get that much detail from google earth? I'm going to have to check this out.

I have to say you really win on the stack em high! My greenhouse is full, but still habitable by me - that is extraordinary Mike! You definately are the king and queen of growing - my crown is off (but then I only wore it to be able to stamp/approve) - I have a long way to go to come up to these kind of growing standards!!

I take it that is Lauri - very nice to put a face to a name. hello lauri

Now, I am signing off to go lounge by the fire and dream about a nice dry day for tomorrow - finger's crossed. happy first day of spring.

LOL that is a horrid picture of me...no make-up.........

OMG it is doing that one word I cannot say here the *s* word, SNOW!!!

Snow!!! We have had some threats of the same this week - it's a conspiracy.

What a nice story about meeting on DG. And yes, I would have asked at some point.

When Mary (Tillysrat) drives us over to the UK in the big bus, we'll add Lincolnshire to the trip. I had looked it up on Google as well and Sussex and Lincolnshire are only about 5 1/2 to 6 hours apart. That's nothing for a flying bus . . .

We had snow here at 10:00 PM Thursday and again this morning at 6:30 AM, with a 10 minute 1/8" inch hail storm yesterday afternoon. Whoa! Hopefully when this full moon period is over we will get back to normal. Rainy but warmer. Thankfully plants respond more to daylight length than they do to temperature. (except freezing). I was just out in the golf cart and the Olympics are beautiful with new snow and sunshine.

Katie............................... yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss, come on over on your big flying bus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Ahhhhh, the moon. Keeps us in tune with Mother Nature, lest we forget where we came from. Maybe that explains it. It hasn't been cold here at all and this afternoon it is sunny in downtown Seattle, thought that doesn't always tell me what's going on at home in Woodinville. LOL

WW how did everything survive the hail? Okay, I hope.

Mark - If wishes were horses (er, um, I mean big flying buses), gardeners would fly. Sometimes I just kill myself. :-)

If wishes were horses I wish for a arabian. Everything did survive the hail. I have mostly old fashion sturdy plants up here on my hill.

Smart woman!

I love Arabians - and especially the Polish Arabians. They are still sturdy work horses and haven't been reduced to the splindliness of some of the new horses.

As a veterinarian I would never want to be an Arabian. Too loose in the screw. I would be an Appaloosa because they just keep on going whatever the challenge and have a nice butt. LOL
The full moon has all the weirdos out today. And unfortunately tomorrow. Eeeeee gaddddddsss! give me a break, I am stuck in Bellevue during the Spring equinox! Heeeeeelllllllllllllpppppppppp.

Hi Katie 59 my horse was an arabian and she was great. She thought she was a dog. I watched her being born. She did have a mind of her own and was full of it most of the time. She also had a little quarterhorse in her I think to mellow her.

Mr. crocosmia. There is the most beautiful crocosmia in a garden here is it is in many books and magazine and no one has identified it yet. Even nurdly people. I wish I had a photo but it has nice fat pleated leaves larger than normal with double orange flowers that open up pretty much at the same time and look like lucifer's flowers but orange and double. I have also looked on many websites and haven't seen it. What do you think. I know with out a picture it is impossible. Heidi

Steve, I'm glad you reminded me of the full moon - I was wondering what the heck was wrong with everyone out there on the road today!!! (Of course, my driving was perfect as always.)

Another busy day on the PNW flying bus....

Mr C - nice Tricyrtis! Not easy to find here, usually just a couple varieties. And yet another plant that doesn't get enough attention.
Lauri - welcome, have your say, stay, & play. Where was home in Northern California? I lived in SF for a few years (early-mid 70's) & the Bay area prior to that. We don't care where folks come from, so have a sit & enjoy yourself.

Steve - go to Wells - they just unloaded a huge truckWed/Thurs & have some very nice plants in the large mid-property greenhouse. Unfortunately for me, they are too borderline & try as I may, I cannot get the weather to mirror that of Australia...Assuming you are still in Bellevue, that is.

As of this afternoon, there was an alert for an overnight low of 30° for Seattle, which means even lower temps for those on the outer reaches of the Seattle metro. Just a heads up if you have any tenders out that are not protected...




This message was edited Mar 21, 2008 8:43 PM

Every Appaloosa I ever knew was a little slow, no spirit. I like horses that have a lot of spirit and pizaaaaaz.

As a kid I thought I wanted to ride an Arabian with my Saluki by my side and my falcon on my arm. Never really thought about whether I'd like living in the desert (not for me with my Scottish girl white skin) - just loved the idea of a traveling band of us.

I stayed in Victorville CA for a couple of summers. I loved riding in the desert. Love the desert also. Woosh what a flashback. Also rode motorcycles out there. Great.

Sorry I clicked twice

Yes Kayte I am headed there tomorrow at lunch. Oh Boy. Though I am not looking for anything but zone 5 and above. Looking forward to the Iris you gave me to bloom this year. Oh Boy. I too like to look at horses with spirit and Pazaaaz but I prefer to ride horses that I can trust in the mountains of Montana. I had an Arab as a young man and loved her but never trusted her. Anytime I was racing home with my buddy on his Morgan I left the saddle when the dear Arab saw a culvert that caused her to jag when I jiged.

Ah yes, landing in the culvert. Been thrown there a few times. My sis had a Morgan. Good horses.

Just got home home, and you all have my poor little mine spinning, how we can jump in and out is mind boggling, way to much fun.
I welcome you both from England, always love to have new DGers join us.
And yes The "Purple Bus will be flying to England as soon, as I can find a Purple flying Bus" I am designated driver LOL.

Willow, I grew up in Palmdale. my mother still lives there. The best Horse I ever had was Half Arab and Appy, good disposition and stamina. Did Barrel racing in my younger days. But can still set a saddle.

LOL a girl tries to get some beauty sleep and yall gab the night away.....

Ok now then....

I am originally from Anderson which is 10 miles south of Redding. Lived most of my life in Shingletown (the mountains).
I am a quarterhorse or mustang/quarterhorse girl. Had a 1/2 arab 1/2appy mare that was certifiable she was afraid of her own shadow and I have the scars to prove it!!....I did jr, high rodeo, and some local barrel racing. Chased too many cows in my time (read only one smart dog and he was old). The best horse I ever owned was off the King Ranch in Oregon he was a huge (18 hands) quarter horse and would do what ever was asked of him.

Spitting snow showers here today and thru the weekend...........may need to bake something.....

Heidi, Mark will want to talk to you.............hehehehehe

Hugs Lauri

Boy, oh, boy Lauri are you ever going to find a home on this thread - you have ticked ALL of the boxes from word go. Sorry Mike, I think she has just left you in the shade - but then you are Mr. Crocosmia, and they can take that. (smiling!)

Oh well, i don't mind Laurie........................... I will just fade away like a fading crocosmia!!!!