hi Melissa. Shade, ha. For years, my tiny garden was permanently cowering in the lee of a massive mature chestnut. 2m high brick walls ensured that no sun found its way into the garden apart from 2 hours at noon. But, the same walls did provide structure for the climbing roses I planted all round the edges. Unfortunately, having teenagers and numerous pets, I had little money and inclination to investigate the many woodland plants I might have considered. My knowledge really was limited to hostas, a plant I dislike intensely since one hailstorm or snail infestation results in scarred and holey leaves for the entire rest of the season - not a pretty sight. The cheap and cheerful annual daisies were hopeless, so sighing despairingly, I planted a few tough shrubs and had done with. I thought I would reclaim the pavement outside the house instead - a ruse which worked so well I now have 96 pots, taking up a 4mx6m swathe of hard-standing. Even so, as my gardening knowledge grew, so did my love of foliage and the shady area began to flourish with primroses, epimediums, kirengoshoma, hardy geraniums, anemones, erythroniums, many, many bulbs, heucheras and tiarella, ramondas, haberleas and ferns. However, a few years ago, phytopthera struck the chestnut and it was felled, causing a surprising amount of sorrow but letting an extra 4 hours of sun into the garden. Oh dear - my woodland treasures were in danger of frizzling. The roses, which had previously been pruned within an inch of their lives were now encouraged to arch overhead. A beautiful tetrapanax provided a parasol of green shade and fortunately, the lush and verdant (if chaotic and crowded) jungle remains but I guess we should be careful what we wish for since all things go in cycles and everything will pass. Oh yeah, I also leased an allotment - an enormous space in FULL relentless sun - how lucky am I now I can finally indulge myself with osteospermums, ursinias, daylilies, flax, helianthemums.....the list goes on....and on but weeds! I didn't know the meaning of the word till I took on the allotment. Hours and hours are spent on my knees with a daisy grubber. Somewhere, I read that a true gardener does not have green fingers but brown knees - how true.

LOL Dee! I know I could remove a flowering stem and leave it on the ground...no water no nothing, and still walk by a week later and the darn thing is still like I just cut it away LOL! Right now Julie...I just have enough for Linda and myself. There are still more trying to mature, but this whole day we've been in a wind warning...it picked up to 25-35 mph with gusts at 50 and just ended about 1/2 hour ago. It's been raining off and on too. If the plant is still intact in the morning with seed pods and all I'll let you know!! Vera

I agree that osteospermum is lovely. I have a bunch that self sow around the place, but non as lovely as that one. All the soil is still nice and damp from our recent rain. It’s such an unusual sight. I ought to be out pulling weeds. Everything has been sorely neglected lately. I fear the dreaded chilli thrips may have found my garden late this summer. I thought it was heat and sun damage, but when I read the recent “Chilli Thrips Post”, those pictures looks disturbingly familiar. When I read and saw Tiffandrew’s post and pictures I was pretty much convinced. She’s just a few miles away from me. I’ve been cutting and tightly bagging all affected growth. Hopefully now that the temperatures are coming down they will disappear. It’s always something! Speaking of “always something”, thanks for your concern about Sabby. Ingrid, you’re right. He’s no spring chicken anymore. I think he’s at least 12. I could look it up, but I’m afraid he could be a year older, and I don’t want to know it:). On Thursday he began going into the litter box a bit more often than usual, just enough to make me wonder. On Friday morning he doing the same, with an increase in visits. He was still eating and drinking and would purr when I pet him. I knew the vets office was open on Saturday and Sunday, so I decided to keep and eye on him. Friday afternoon I went to the nursery and grocery store and upon my return found a small puddle of blood tinged urine just outside the litter box. By this time, he was also going in and out of all the litter boxes in the house, one after the other, at an alarming rate. We didn’t feel that he had a blockage, as his bladder was soft and small when palpated. Eventually, I set him up in the garage with access to my bathroom with the door between my bathroom and bedroom closed. Strangely, my house has a door from the garage to the master bathroom. I removed the bathroom rug, and provided him with food and water. I did loads and loads of laundry, so the dryer would help keep things extra warm in there. (It was the boys lucky day:) I had to confine him to an area without carpet, because by Friday night he was trying to go potty in the craziest places. (Pillows, blankets, carpet, bags, and decorative baskets). My poor baby figured if it hurt in the litter box, maybe it would work better somewhere else, ANYWHERE else. Neither one of us slept much that night, but every single thing in this house has been freshly laundered. I called the office the moment they opened and they said to bring him in as soon as I was able. Of course, he hid under my bed the minute he saw his carrier, while Millie climbed in, and was ready to go somewhere. They did a quick ultrasound and confirmed that his bladder was empty, so he didn’t have a blockage. He was also well hydrated. I asked if the vet could please give him an injectable antibiotic instead of the tablets, because Sabby is truly a pill to administer pills to. Pun intended. He’s had the same problem (urinary tract infection) once before, and giving him the tablets was a real nightmare. My son,(who gives pills to animals all the time for work) thought I was exaggerating, until I started asking him to help me. He now agrees Sebastian is the most stubborn cat about taking medication he’s ever come across. So Sebastian got the injection and an antispasmodic capsule that can be sprinkled in his wet food twice a day until his symptoms abate. I’m happy to report that after just 24 hours Sebastian is much improved! I’m so relieved. He even went outside with everyone this morning for the usual garden stroll. Sorry about the long drawn out explanation, but that’s been my first priority for past few days. Thank goodness for good vets that are open 7 days a week! On to the roses, what few I have in bloom. Felicia seems to always have at least a few clusters of delicately colored blooms to show. I even detect her delightful fragrance today, since it’s not very dry out. I guess tomorrow there won’t be any detectable fragrance with the dry winds coming:( I finally ordered that sticky anchor system for Felicia, so I can train her over the arches. It’s about (past) time! Miss Alice with some companions. Those pink scabiosa’s are already popping up little seedlings, even in the nearby lawn. I’m going to dig a few up and move them. Flamingo Gardens Tea St. Elisabeth of Hungary Young Crepuscule A tiny piece of Mel’s Heritage That’s it for now. Lisa

Beautiful ‘Fortune’s Double Yellow’ Jackie! I hope you were careful up on that ladder. No one wants you to fall and get hurt, although you managed to get a fabulous shot. I so enjoy seeing it’s soft, nuanced colors. I envy you the space for all those climbers. I must agree that the firemen will be busy elsewhere for a while. I think we can assume the roses against the house will get to show their glorious spring flush(at the very least) undisturbed. You’re right about the South African bulbs doing well for me, Jackie. I grow all of the ones you mentioned, and more. The Agapanthus patch that was here upon my arrival was a common pale blue one, and the olive tree grew too large, blocking to much sun for them to bloom much. I offered them for free on Craig’s List, and folks came and dug them out by the bucketful. Madame Alfred Carrier found herself a home in their place. Marlorena, the Leucocoryne I pictured above is ‘Andes’. I have others as well. They bloom at odd times for me, depending on where I have them planted. The single ‘Andes’ bloom is an early bird this year. Yes, I am finding that ‘Bill Wallis’ geranium seeds himself quite a bit. I didn’t think it was very prolific until I let several years of seedlings multiply, each year there are more. I could have easily stopped it early on, but I didn’t, and I don’t mind so much. The gophers tend to leave it alone, and it’s better than growing weeds in places I rarely reach. Your anemone’s are lovely. I don’t know why I always chose the single types. I usually prefer very full petaled flowers. I might have to try some of the ‘Lord Lieutenant’ next year. They are inexpensive, and easily available. I grow the single ‘Mr. Fokker’, who’s name I still cringe to say aloud when people ask:) Roselady, I have yet to see a less than perfect picture of your accomplishments. Is there nothing you can’t grow? I love the bulbs you’ve grown! My bulb containers have been hit and miss this year, with some just now emerging. I put ice on several of the small potted tulips when we had warm temps. They spent the fall in the garage fridge, but when I bring them outside, success is largely dependent upon what weather nature brings. I didn’t prune Mel’s Heritage at all this year, Roselady. I have a hard time getting up that slope these days, and who knows how long my hip replacement surgery will be delayed now. I specifically didn’t want it done during the heat of summer, because watering is too much to ask of anyone during the hot months. I just cut away what canes need to be cut to avoid Mel’s Heritage taking over other roses, and have to leave it at that for now. He’s enormous, and should put on an incredible show in May. I see that ‘Wild Edric’ rose has opened that bud wide. I think I’ll submit this, and try to get a closer shot of his huge bloom. I should be back to post it soon. Lisa