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[Help] Gardeners Question Time.



Seagull on the Hill

Well-known member
Jan 22, 2022
758
This picture of a sunflower in my garden was taken last year, but it still makes me smile.
I can't decide if it looks more like Bruce Forsyth, or Animal from the Muppets.
 

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vegster

Sanity Clause
May 5, 2008
28,274
Anyone know what sort of mushroom has decided to grow around my leeks?
View attachment 162884
Mushroom identification can be tricky, lots of variables ! There are specialist groups of Mushroom spotters on Facebook who can help but, ideally you need photos of the cap, the size, the habitat and most importantly, the gills( if any ) and the stipe. Just started getting in to Shrooms the last 18 months and managed a few good meals from Giant Puffballs and St George's Mushrooms so far.
 


Weststander

Well-known member
Aug 25, 2011
69,369
Withdean area
We visited West Dean Gardens today, 3 miles north of Goodwood, our first trip. Crystal clear chalk streams, walled gardens on steroids, stumperies, dry/Mediterranean gardens, exotics, glasshouses with vines/apricots/peaches, open parkland and stunning borders. Teeming with bees, birds and butterflies. Highly recommend.

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Stat Brother

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
73,888
West west west Sussex
Did you cycle around those roads? Some impressive inclines.
Yeah probably spent most time riding around there, square off from A24 to A3M up to Cranleigh, some good routes (on roads you don't know about!!).
Difficult to get there without going through Goodwood, one way or the other.
 


Couldn't Be Hyypia

We've come a long long way together
NSC Patron
Nov 12, 2006
16,736
Near Dorchester, Dorset
One for the NSC experts.

I've had to lift some perennials because of some hard landscaping. They are strong clumps, so I took the opportunity to divide them. I appreciate that this isn't the best time of year.

I've taken off the flowering stems, but I was wondering if I should also shear back the leaves. Perennials typically re grow from the base, so I thought this would be ok. Before I trash the lot, I'd love a second opinion please.

I also can't remember what they are. Any ideas?

20230705_111734.jpg
 




Jack Straw

I look nothing like him!
Jul 7, 2003
7,118
Brighton. NOT KEMPTOWN!
One for the NSC experts.

I've had to lift some perennials because of some hard landscaping. They are strong clumps, so I took the opportunity to divide them. I appreciate that this isn't the best time of year.

I've taken off the flowering stems, but I was wondering if I should also shear back the leaves. Perennials typically re grow from the base, so I thought this would be ok. Before I trash the lot, I'd love a second opinion please.

I also can't remember what they are. Any ideas?

View attachment 163098
I'd cut them right down. Reduce transpiration and the root mass will be more in line with the amount of top growth.
Do you remember them looking like this?
 




Couldn't Be Hyypia

We've come a long long way together
NSC Patron
Nov 12, 2006
16,736
Near Dorchester, Dorset
I'd cut them right down. Reduce transpiration and the root mass will be more in line with the amount of top growth.
Do you remember them looking like this?
I've found a label near where I dug them up. They're probably helenium Red Jewel. If so, I'm delighted because that's a beauty.
And thanks for the tip - I have cut them right back.
 






Jack Straw

I look nothing like him!
Jul 7, 2003
7,118
Brighton. NOT KEMPTOWN!


Couldn't Be Hyypia

We've come a long long way together
NSC Patron
Nov 12, 2006
16,736
Near Dorchester, Dorset
Sorry to badger the hive mind. But I've had a failure and need advice.

We're moving house soon and want to take a rose with us. She's called Lady Marmalade. She's very old and won't take well to being dug up. So we tried taking cuttings.

They sort of worked. The few leaves we left on the stems blackened and dropped off but we had small sprouts. So we took off the plastic bag cover and within a few days, the cuttings had failed.

Can anyone give us fool proof advice for taking cuttings in the summer or point is to some reliable resource?

The Lady is a beauty and worth the effort.
 




Coldeanseagull

Opinionated
Mar 13, 2013
8,362
Coldean
Roses very rarely are successful from cuttings, they're grafted onto a rootstock. If you must have this rose, dig it up, reduce its size by half and keep it well watered when re planted in its new position....even then it's going to be hit or miss if it survives as it doesn't like being oiked out at the wrong time of year
 


Stat Brother

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
73,888
West west west Sussex
I have an aged buddleia about 3ft from my front room window.
At some point last year, our first year together, I took it right back to a couple of inches from the lawn.

As expected it's come back fine and does a great job separating the street beyond from my front room.
But as said the problem is it's aged, doesn't really flower and has lord knows what 'strangling' from within, despite last year's assault.

I think it's coming out in the Autumn
I'm happy to re-buddleia but before I do is there anything else, big, fairly dense, quick growing, free standing, and NOT a pampas grass that I should consider?
South facing, no shade, sea breeze.


And yes I am laying across the sofa watching Le Tour (and the buddleia).
 
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1066familyman

Radio User
Jan 15, 2008
15,235
I have an aged buddleia about 3ft from my front room window.
At some point last year, our first year together, I took it right back to a couple of inches from the lawn.

As expected it's come back fine and does a great job separating the street beyond from my front room.
But as said the problem is it's aged, doesn't really flower and has lord knows what 'strangling' from within, despite last year's assault.

I think it's coming out in the Autumn
I'm happy to re-buddleia but before I do is there anything else, big, fairly dense, quick growing, and NOT a pampas grass that I should consider?
South facing, no shade, sea breeze.


And yes I am laying across the sofa watching Le Tour (and the buddleia).
How about a Philadelphus (Mock Orange)?

Would do well there and give you a nice sweet smell drifting on the breeze as you watch from your settee as Cav bags that final Tour win next season :thumbsup:
 


The Grockle

Formally Croydon Seagull
Sep 26, 2008
5,765
Dorset
I have an aged buddleia about 3ft from my front room window.
At some point last year, our first year together, I took it right back to a couple of inches from the lawn.

As expected it's come back fine and does a great job separating the street beyond from my front room.
But as said the problem is it's aged, doesn't really flower and has lord knows what 'strangling' from within, despite last year's assault.

I think it's coming out in the Autumn
I'm happy to re-buddleia but before I do is there anything else, big, fairly dense, quick growing, free standing, and NOT a pampas grass that I should consider?
South facing, no shade, sea breeze.


And yes I am laying across the sofa watching Le Tour (and the buddleia).

Do you like ornamental grasses? I've planted lots in our garden and they are great for screening.

Miscanthus giganteus is a lush bamboo like grass that can be kept in check and will reach 3-4 metres. Makes an incredible sound when the wind catches it.

I have 3 clumps to add height and have it paired with other grasses, Verbena bonariensis and Rudbeckia laciniata.
 




Stat Brother

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
73,888
West west west Sussex
Do you like ornamental grasses? I've planted lots in our garden and they are great for screening.

Miscanthus giganteus is a lush bamboo like grass that can be kept in check and will reach 3-4 metres. Makes an incredible sound when the wind catches it.

I have 3 clumps to add height and have it paired with other grasses, Verbena bonariensis and Rudbeckia laciniata.
Thanks but god no, not bamboo that's an evil bastard.
 




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