So I went to Dobbies again yesterday… It’s always a bad idea… But in winter they have bargains!
Yeah, that’s my excuse anyway and I’m sticking with it.
I have been planning a new border, some plants have been ordered and should arrive sometime next week but I picked up a few things today to help fill the border a little more. I also needed some compost for the border and there were huge bags reduced to £3 – I couldn’t manage more than 2 bags, and I’m no weakling, so I’ll have to get more at a later date… Perhaps once the awful weather has gone and I can get started on digging turf up.
Carex Buchananii also made its way into the car, three pots for £10 – rather good, as did a range of veg seeds, two Astrantia and some very yummy Yankee scented candles and a few tiny plugs which Dobbies are now selling for 69p and 99p, so I got a bushy Fuchsia, Brachycome and some other things I can’t remember now and finally a Skimmia.
Yeah, that’s my excuse anyway and I’m sticking with it.
I have been planning a new border, some plants have been ordered and should arrive sometime next week but I picked up a few things today to help fill the border a little more. I also needed some compost for the border and there were huge bags reduced to £3 – I couldn’t manage more than 2 bags, and I’m no weakling, so I’ll have to get more at a later date… Perhaps once the awful weather has gone and I can get started on digging turf up.
Carex Buchananii also made its way into the car, three pots for £10 – rather good, as did a range of veg seeds, two Astrantia and some very yummy Yankee scented candles and a few tiny plugs which Dobbies are now selling for 69p and 99p, so I got a bushy Fuchsia, Brachycome and some other things I can’t remember now and finally a Skimmia.
Skimmia
Carex with its lovely curly wisps…
I am sure it will look wonderful in situ
That is once I get the border planted…
Watch this space!
19 comments:
Hi Liz.....
Skimmia's are such useful plants....and they are evergreen which is always a bonus. I expect you know this already, but their leaves turn yellow if they get too much sun. I had to move some of mine when we first moved here as they started to look quite sickly, they love the shade.
The carex is lovely......I love the wispy fronds. It will look beautiful in a border. Grasses are great and a favourite of mine. Also a favourite with birds .....
Hope next weekend is better for you and the sun comes out. It must be very frustrating having to work on sunny days......
It sounds like you are going to be busy, I hope you don't get the snow they are talking of!
I do like Skimmia Japonica but can't grow it here as my soil isn't acidic, I may try one in a pot though.
Hi Liz - gorgeous photos, I'm quite envious of all your new goodies! Hope you'll do us a post on the new border as you create it?!
(I'm feeling a lot better today, so I'll be back to work as normal - mind you, I wouldn't mind another week off so that I can enjoy it rather than being at death's door!)
I always feel good after a successful trip to the nursery! It looks like you got some good buys. i love the skimmia! I would like to plant some in my woodland garden, if it will grow in my area. I am going to check it out!
Dobbies is a dangerous place, I miss the Stirling branch. A new border, exciting! Looking forward to seeing it develop.
Hi Cheryl,
Yes I knew they liked shade but wasn't aware they will be very unhappy in any sun... I had planned to put it int the front garden in some sun but now I'll try to ensure it's in deep shade.
I hadn't considered the birds when I was getting the grass, but now I assume you mean as they like to pluck the dead growth and use it for nests?? Also no doubt insects will like hiding amongst it!
Yes, working when it's sunny... Mind being grey and miserable is just as bad because the office gets dark and you feel like you're in an underground bunker...
Can you tell I love my job??
Hi Jan,
I hope we don't get snow either, but I'm sure it will arrive... Not to worry I'll just have to wait a little longer before I do any digging.
Frustrating, but as long as the snow is gone quickly I don't mind. Just none of this two weeks malarky!
Lol, I'm probably bad for having not even considered the soil when I bought the Skimmia... I guess I'll find out if they can live here!
Hi Liz,
I might post on the making of the border... lol, I'll definitely take photos for my own records though! Thankfully though it shouldn't involve any balancing over ponds on planks of wood ;)
Although I think I might leave room to build Pete a little pond, he's been meowing for one for a while now.
I'm glad you're feeling better, just take it slowly tomorrow, I think you may be shocked how quickly you feel tired! We don't want you making yourself worse!
Hi Debs,
Yep, plenty of goodies and even more to come!
ha ha ha, far too excited about them!!!
I'm going to be like a giddy school girl when they arrive :)
Nothing quite like a bargain Liz and it sounds as if you have really enjoyed some retail therapy. Have fun planting your new border.
Hi there Liz, I’m guessing the snow is gone for the moment. Great pics last post :-)
Great choice of plants and bargains you picked up there too. Looking forward to seeing your new border take shape :-D
Now I know you can’t walk/drive by Dobbies but what are you like at Garden Shows? Have you ever been to Malvern?
A number of UK Bloggers are meeting up there this May. VP and Helen are organising the meet-up. You’ll get some details though the links on Helen’s latest panic posting. Poor thing :-)
Hi Yan,
I do enjoy going to Dobbies - mainly for the day out and a cup of tea/bite to eat but when it's then also providing lots of temptation then things get a little more dangerous.
I do want to find a nice nursery though they they grow their own plants, rather than buying commerciall grown plants...
Hi Anna,
Retail therapy... Well, I've done too much of that so far this month... Buying an expensive brand of handbag when I really shouldn't have, added to ordering plants for the border... I needed to keep the cost down at Dobbies.
But I won't be going back for a long time now, if at all this spring/summer.
Hi Shirl,
Yep the snow has gone, it didn't hang around long, perhaps a day. But we do apparently have more on the way this week.
I've never been to a flower show if I'm honest and don't really want to try it. I don't like large bustling crowds where I'll only get stressed and flustered.
We almost went to Tatton show this year but didn't and opted for Harlow Carr instead and missed the crowds.
Beautiful pictures, you're so lucky to be gardening! :)
Oh I know the perils of HRT (horticultural retail therapy)! I discovered that our local Woevale has all its seed at half price at the moment and came home with most of their stock on Sunday!
I love the whispy curls of the carex, fantastic!
RO xx
Hi again Liz :) I'm afraid I learnt the hard way...eventually, I had two or three Skimmias over the years, I kept forgetting why they wouldn't grow here!! I hope you have much better luck :)
Those plants are so neat! I don't know if I've ever seen a carex before...
Oh dear Liz - I find visits to garden centres are fatal at any time of year regardless of bargains too... enjoy! ps Many thanks for picking my recent posting on Blotanical... Miranda
Post a Comment