Apple - BramleyApple Blos 2

Well what can I say about this other than it is one of, if not the best cooking apple.I freeze the main crop as I have never been able to keep stored for long without going softish, even though I wrap in newspaper etc. Each Autumn I put a fresh grease band around the trunk and in the spring after the flowers have dropped I spray. Must admit I still get a small amount of grub, will keep on looking for an answer to this. The very wet summer and therefore the lack of Bees we had a smaller crop, though to be honest it was more than enough, only gave away a few.I also grow:-

John Downey Crab Apple

This is a relatively new tree, only 4 years old . In its second season it produced a great crop, I made 12 jars of Crab Apple Jelly, this is great with Chicken, Pork or Ham, a change from apple sauce.This last season with the lack of bees, due to the awful weather there wasn't enough to use, still surely next summer can't be as bad.!!!!

Bay Tree Baytree.jpg

This is a herb I use a lot. When I bought the bush I was informed they were not the hardiest plant, well it has been there for about 20 years and is no trouble at all. That it is evergreen is a plus, Scott keeps it in shape for me as it would become far to high otherwise. Our Garden here in Marshside, relatively near the sea!! is very windy, placing by the fence was a good idea, it is fed like everything else with Bonemeal and topped with farmyard manure in Autumn.

 

Lonicera Baggesongs GoldLonicerabaggesongold

I bought this to offset the Holly to its left, I like the arching spidery shape. The leaves start off green but soon become a pale yellow. It has grown in the three years very well but is now ready for a trim as it is over taking the Crab Apple trees space. I did not realise it wasn't deciduous, (can't call it evergreen, maybe ever yellow). makes a good focal point and appears trouble free.

 

 

Cotoneaster Horizontaliscotoneaster

I have this against the Garage wall, its as tough as old boots, has a preference for well-drained sunny situations.
Spring brings the tiny pink flowers followed in autumn by bright-red berries, the birds are very fond of these, sadly strip mine very quickly, this is followed by the leaves turning a lovely red, I at least have the pleasure of the leaves until they drop. Its superb structure makes it ideal for covering against a wall or fence and its not thorny and is also trouble free. I prune as and when it gets out of hand, usually each year after leaf fall.

 

Escalloniaescollonia

An evergreen shrub that is happy in seaside gardens, which means it tolerates the winds, of which we have more than our fair share at times.In spring it is covered in small pinkish flowers, I have had this for years and is trouble free, needs as ever a trim each spring after flowering to keep in shape, otherwise it gets far too large and straggly.Okay in sun or partial shade, cuttings root easily, is trouble free.

 

HydrangeaHydrangea

Very easy to grow, keeps its colour until leaf fall. My favorite the pale pink mop head, the heads are really massive, its in the front garden and tolerates the wind well, haven't a picture as yet but this is the red one the flowers are half the size of the mop head.
We are not far from the sea, when the tide is in, so gets at times a real buffering. I prune contrary to the usual advice, as the bush becomes far too large and it doesn't seem to mind, its at least 15 years old, I intend to take cuttings next spring as a precaution. The Lacy Edge also in the front garden does well, though not my favourite.

Holly Variegated Holly

Very reliable, sadly like everything else with berries in our garden the berries don't last 5 minutes, the birds feast on them as soon as they are ripe. for some reason I get very few berries, does it need a mate I wonder?.I give them, I have Two, a good trim each early Autumn to keep them a manageable size.Laurel-What can I say about this hardy light green shrub, it fills a shady corner of my garden making a great backdrop for the other plants, it has to be trimmed yearly or will grow rather large, it grows very quickly, the new one will be kept at a manageable size.
I nearly lost it, for some reason, after 20 odd years it just seemed to turn up its toes.
Fortunately a young off shoot has now grown and filled the space.

Pyrocantha 2pyracantha2

This is a very versatile plant, it can be grown as a hedge or a bush, I have the two colours, bought the red originally but was so disappointed as each year the birds eat all the berries before I had time to enjoy seiing them, someone wrote that the birds were not as fond of the orange berried ones, what a joke, they eat them just as quickly.If you grow as a hedge believe me they will keep out trespassers, the large thorns are really vicious, great care is needed when cutting back each year or you will get torn to bits.They grow quickly and easily form a hedge or bush. In spring they are covered in tiny pink flowers making them a attractive if vicious garden plant.

 

Pieris - Forest FlamePieres

These are listed as half hardy but I have had mine for some years. They prefer well drained soil, and appreciate a little shade to prevent scorching to the new shoots, also some shelter from late spring frost. New growth is a brilliant red, turning pink then cream, also has white Lily of the Valley type flowers. I trim to keep in shape or it gets a bit leggy, it really is a joy especially in the spring.

 

Pittosporum- Tom ThumbPittosporum

A fairly recent addition (12 Months) to the front garden, replacing the now defunct Ceanothus. It is a very attractive dark wine coloured evergreen with rounded habit, the new grow shows as pale green making it very attractive. I believe it is slow growing, which suits me fine these days, especially where it is situated. I try to create interest with the evergreens by planting different colours / shades, i.e. pale green near dark green, so the wine colour is added interest.

 

 

Laurel-Laurel.jpg

What can I say about this hardy light green shrub, it fills a shady corner of my garden making a great backdrop for the other plants, it has to be trimmed yearly or will grow rather large, it grows very quickly, the new one will be kept at a manageable size.
I nearly lost it, for some reason, after 20 odd years it just seemed to turn up its toes. Fortunately a young off shoot has now grown and filled the space.

 

 

Restio - TeraphyllusRestio tetraphllus

Treated myself to a floaty type of thing, not sure if its a grass, seems sturdier but not a shrub really, called Baloskion Tetraphyllum - Tassel Cord Rush, from Australia.
Ideal for planting amongst the Fuchsia etc. on the patio to give relief.
It originates from Australia and likes moist conditions so will need to keep it well watered. Time will tell how it survives, so far so good.

 

 

Quince

Well this was a gift from a fellow bowler, I remember seeing one at a nursery covered in pink flowers, this is such a disappointment, it doesn't get more than the odd flower and an occasional fruit. Can't see why I keep it, other than it is at the back of a border.Rhododendron:-I do not have the name of this one as it was a gift last year from my son Scott and as ever he lost the label. It didn't flower last year and I thought oh dear, but this year it is beautiful, covered in Apricot coloured blooms, really is a dream.Being on alkaline ground can't call it soil, its very well fed sand, I planted it in a very large planter filled with Ericaceous compost, just hope it doesn't out grow the pot to soon.

YuccaYucca

Love or hate them they are a very reliable evergreen, seem to be decease free. The biggest problem is the spear like end of leaves, boy are they sharp, strip off any leaves that are past their best each spring, this is when you are likely to get harpooned so take care. They flower during summer giving a great show, The other down side being Black Fly, the flower stems get covered and I mean covered so they are cut back as soon as the flowers begin to fade, next season I shall spray. I try not to use insecticides but needs must here.Weigela: -Bristol Ruby is a deciduous shrub with a strong upright growth. Rich ruby-red flowers from May to July.Suits most soils in sun or partial shade. I prune yearly once it is the required height as it can soon out grow its place. Trouble free.