What are you doing today (Number 2)

[LovelyLadyLux]

I went out and looked at the clematis and there are/were 4 stems in the clump. Most of the top stems are dry brittle brown but all the shoots are there and now 1 week later they're looking good. Will get a photo to show you.

My neighbor a couple houses down as a HUGE clematis armandii - the evergreen on with white flowers. It is out in full bloom right now, absolutely gorgeous BUT they're right on the edge of being able to be grown here re: hardiness. If we get a really cold snap they won't necessarily survive.

I also love honeysuckle and if it gets going here it will be beautiful. Jasmine fragrance is to die for but again too delicate to make it here over a winter.

Personally I love wisteria - BUT - IF wisteria likes you it'll never die and could circle the neighbourhood. I planted one once and it loved where it was and took over. I hacked it back to the ground several times and it came back, I dug it up and transplanted it two or three times and it to this day is still growing on the fence I planted it on. Totally indestructible.

[Mad Dilys]

I like your proviso LLL because if they don't like you, they'll drive you mad - either growing very slowly or with hardly any flowers.

When I went to work as a garden designer I bought at a discount a very expensive variety of wisteria as a present for my one of my Head Gardener uncles ( I had one each side of the family). He lived in a beautiful, very old house in Dorset.

In spite of every care it took 17 years to reach the eaves and produce it's first flower! So later when working in a garden centre I used to advise people to choose a plant either with flowers or flower buds to avoid disappointment.

Likewise with bay trees, said Uncle gave me a piece of Bay tree root as thick as my wrist, from a huge old tree that was unwanted on the Estate. It thrived and grew very rapidly so that it had to be cut hard back every year - yet again at work complaints about bay trees that had been purchased and not budged for perhaps a couple of years were common. Always buy a bay with fresh new leaves for a better chance of success.

And today, to get back to the subject in hand I shall be doing housework this morning and hopefully either cycling or sketching or both this afternoon.

[Horus]

Ah the dreaded Wisteria, I once built a lovely wooden pergola and planted a shrub at each corner, a Wisteria, a Honeysuckle, a vine of some sort (not Russian ) and some other that escapes my memory. Everything thrived except the Wisteria which grew slowly, waited in eager anticipation to see my pergola draped with long racines of beautiful flowers, but it was never to be. After many years the pergola fell into disrepair and still no flowers although I still have the honeysuckle

[Grandad]

Highlight of today was me doing the taxi run to the hospital for Mrs G to have a routine eye injection. Brilliant service and we were out of the house for less than an hour.
Now what shall I do for the rest of the day?

[Ruby Slippers]

Well, I've been stretched out across a garden bench in the sunshine for an hour! Purely medicinal, you understand. However, the clouds have now bubbled up so I thought I'd better come in and get on with something. :-(

[LovelyLadyLux]

@MD - Best of luck with your up-coming second knee!

The wisteria I planted was at the back of my very first house which was less than 1000sq ft - more of a cottage. It was new construction and I had the quaint English cottage surrounded with gardens image in mind. When they excavated the foundation there wasn't 1 rock round anywhere as it was on old riverbed. I could throw a seed and literally had to jump back. I don't believe anything ever died. The wisteria took hold and just exploded. It hit the roof line without cracking a sweat, grew over in 1 day when I was at work and tangled with the clothes line and by the time weekend came and I was able to get into the garden it was halfway down the line. It then crept third night all across the back pushing the bridal veil spirea that decided to compete with it for rapid growth out of the way and to into the car port. The carport was mostly open frame with lattice up the side and the wisteria had a joyous time twining all about that.

It had to be hacked back hard every year but didn't matter it just kept growing. When I moved in a moment of weakness I hacked it back, dug it up and MOVED it to my new home!!

Having almost no root it did pause to catch breath and then processed to grow all up and down the fence line (few hundred feet) over the years and onto the house. I did keep it hacked back from growing into the house but OMG that plant to this day some 30 yrs later is still growing strong.

My parents house had a lovely honeysuckle growing on the front. Was showy and did look lovely.

I'm going to move the second clematis I found. I think the previous owners didn't realize they vined however I do see another one growing on the ground (3 stems maybe 4) so will get another trellis up and plant it. Will see how it grows

[Mad Dilys]

Going to the dentist. Now was it 11.45am or did she say quarter to eleven?

The fact that I have written it down means nothing.

[Horus]

Sitting here with a cuppa contemplating my day, nothing planned as such.

[Grandad]

Am needing some factor 30, must get to the shops before I burn up.

[Horus]

Same here Grandad, a beautiful day so far, lots of sunshine

[LovelyLadyLux]

I'm here this morning contemplating life, going to the daughter's early afternoon as later this afternoon I'm doing my monthly volunteer stint at the Blood Donor Clinic.

[Kiya]

G & H........you could share you know..............it's blowing a gale here

[Horus]

Shopping day today and I am taking Annie to the Hairdressers as a birthday treat. I will drop her off at 10 am and collect her around midday after doing my shopping. My daughter will be calling round later, so no doubt I will be inundated with doggie toys by late afternoon.

[Kiya]

Just returned from Doc, had a bladder infection since Sunday, on to second lot of antibiotics, really hope these work

[Mad Dilys]

Oh I sympathise Kiya, I've just returned from the doctor too. In my case with Buscapan. Works for Horses so should work for me.

[Horus]

Nothing worse Kiya, especially if it moves up into your Kidneys

[LovelyLadyLux]

@Kiya - GET WELL SOON! (Nothing worse than a bladder infection)

Today I'm sewing slip covers for the lawn chairs.

[Ruby Slippers]

Today I have been making a crown in honour of the Queen's birthday next week.

[Mad Dilys]

Is that going to be worn by she who must be obeyed, perchance?

[Kiya]

MD no idea what Buscapan is but if it works for horses it sure to sort you out....otherwise I dread to think

H...I have felt my back too but not as far to say it is kidneys....I hope not.

Sample off to the city hospital so hopefully get the all clear in 5 days or so.

Thank you all