I'm s**t at gardening, please help...
Discussion
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
Hydrangea isn't a good suggestion for someone who says they're "hopeless at watering" - they're not drought resistant at all.
Consider Californian lilac (Ceanothus). Masses of blue flowers in spring, drought resistant, reasonably frost hardy in all but the most severe exceptional winter. Evergreen. My favourite variety is "Skylark" for its glossy leaves, but any are good.
Have a look at Spiraeas as well. They're drought resistant, although not evergreen. Easy, nice flowers, attractive foliage. Wide choice of different colours and habits.
Try the various types of Sedum with thick, fleshy, succulent leaves. Nice clusters of flowers in late summer. Very drought resistant. Dies back in winter but comes back every year.
Buddleia davidii is the "butterfly bush" that grows at the side of railway lines. Very tough, semi-evergreen (keeps most of its leaves). Wants cutting back severely in early spring, but other than that is maintenance-free and drought resistant. Available in various colours.
All the things I've mentioned are easy-peasy, and will attract bumblebees and butterflies.
Try also Choisya "sundance" with bright yellow leaves. Evergreen and easy. Also "smoke bush" (Cotinus) with nice purple leaves (but not evergreen).
Thanks so much for writing all this Consider Californian lilac (Ceanothus). Masses of blue flowers in spring, drought resistant, reasonably frost hardy in all but the most severe exceptional winter. Evergreen. My favourite variety is "Skylark" for its glossy leaves, but any are good.
Have a look at Spiraeas as well. They're drought resistant, although not evergreen. Easy, nice flowers, attractive foliage. Wide choice of different colours and habits.
Try the various types of Sedum with thick, fleshy, succulent leaves. Nice clusters of flowers in late summer. Very drought resistant. Dies back in winter but comes back every year.
Buddleia davidii is the "butterfly bush" that grows at the side of railway lines. Very tough, semi-evergreen (keeps most of its leaves). Wants cutting back severely in early spring, but other than that is maintenance-free and drought resistant. Available in various colours.
All the things I've mentioned are easy-peasy, and will attract bumblebees and butterflies.
Try also Choisya "sundance" with bright yellow leaves. Evergreen and easy. Also "smoke bush" (Cotinus) with nice purple leaves (but not evergreen).
RichB said:
mrsshpub said:
VinceFox said:
My parents have a huge buddlea in their garden, can i take a slice off it and stick it in the ground?
Good info on buddleia propagation here: www.buddlejagarden.co.uk/growing.htmlThe cat just tried to scratch up on the fresh soil too. Lovely.
Renovation said:
RichB said:
mrsshpub said:
VinceFox said:
My parents have a huge buddlea in their garden, can i take a slice off it and stick it in the ground?
Good info on buddleia propagation here: www.buddlejagarden.co.uk/growing.html"many gardeners simply stick a Buddleja twig in the ground in the summer and, lo! and behold, they have a new plant next spring"
bet i can still nuts that.
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