For any of you in the South Wales / West area: This weekend the town of Usk holds its’ annual Gardens Open event. The town is famous for its’ floral displays, and regularly wins awards in both ‘Wales in Bloom’ and ‘Britain in Bloom’ competitions. The Gardens Open event has been featured on BBC’s Gardeners World, and many other programmes, and folks travel from far and wide to attend this event. For this weekend only local people open their private gardens for viewing; you purchase a ‘Gardens Passport’ at one of several well-signed points in the town, and receive in return a map of all the gardens you are then entitled to visit. Around 25-30 facinating gardens are open, some small, some big – including the magnificant Usk Castle, where if you’re very lucky yours truely and a bunch of other Guiders will mug you for your money but give you a cup of tea and a freshly-cooked welsh cake to apologise! On Sunday at the castle you will be able to catch a sneak preview of the forthcoming Son et Lumiere production celebrating the Owain Glendwr anniversary.

All money raised goes to local charity. If you like gardening, and fancy a day out in a beautiful and historic town, then I’ll see you there!

I watched all this year’s episodes, got quite scary when the female Peregrin disappeared for the day, and felt so sad about Kate’s bluetits. The only thing that annoys me about the programme is that Bill doesn’t shut up – he constantly interrupts Kate’s pieces to camera with silly comments. No pack I’m afraid, but I’ve already got the trees and pond and some dense growing bushes, next objective is to attract the robins – I think I have just the spot for a robin box, but that’s for next year._________________

*Boudicca – Gets REALLY stroppy after a pint!*

I watched all this year’s episodes, got quite scary when the female Peregrin disappeared for the day, and felt so sad about Kate’s bluetits. The only thing that annoys me about the programme is that Bill doesn’t shut up – he constantly interrupts Kate’s pieces to camera with silly comments. No pack I’m afraid, but I’ve already got the trees and pond and some dense growing bushes, next objective is to attract the robins – I think I have just the spot for a robin box, but that’s for next year._________________

*Boudicca – Gets REALLY stroppy after a pint!*

I watched all this year’s episodes, got quite scary when the female Peregrin disappeared for the day, and felt so sad about Kate’s bluetits. The only thing that annoys me about the programme is that Bill doesn’t shut up – he constantly interrupts Kate’s pieces to camera with silly comments. No pack I’m afraid, but I’ve already got the trees and pond and some dense growing bushes, next objective is to attract the robins – I think I have just the spot for a robin box, but that’s for next year._________________

*Boudicca – Gets REALLY stroppy after a pint!*

They not only seed like the clappers, but spread their roots out too. I find the roots can penetrate really deep and be total swines to remove, with the result that deep rooted suckers can pop up where you least want them and be a real pain to keep under control. I tend to dig them up and split them annually, planting them where I feel they’ll show best next year, like siting lighter colours against a dark fence etc (they can be quite useful in shady areas too!). It also helps to maintain the strength of colour as well as making them easier to manage (along with weekly deadheading BEFORE the seed pods dry and open).

Co, when you take photos, it really helps if you can take a shot of the whole plant so as to show both flowers and leaves in context – as well as the close ups of the flower (and leaf if poss). Being able to see the shape of the plant, the colour and shape of the foliage as well as the number of floral heads (single stems, clusters etc) goes a long way to helping identification.

*Boudicca – Gets REALLY stroppy after a pint!*

They not only seed like the clappers, but spread their roots out too. I find the roots can penetrate really deep and be total swines to remove, with the result that deep rooted suckers can pop up where you least want them and be a real pain to keep under control. I tend to dig them up and split them annually, planting them where I feel they’ll show best next year, like siting lighter colours against a dark fence etc (they can be quite useful in shady areas too!). It also helps to maintain the strength of colour as well as making them easier to manage (along with weekly deadheading BEFORE the seed pods dry and open).

Co, when you take photos, it really helps if you can take a shot of the whole plant so as to show both flowers and leaves in context – as well as the close ups of the flower (and leaf if poss). Being able to see the shape of the plant, the colour and shape of the foliage as well as the number of floral heads (single stems, clusters etc) goes a long way to helping identification.

*Boudicca – Gets REALLY stroppy after a pint!*

They not only seed like the clappers, but spread their roots out too. I find the roots can penetrate really deep and be total swines to remove, with the result that deep rooted suckers can pop up where you least want them and be a real pain to keep under control. I tend to dig them up and split them annually, planting them where I feel they’ll show best next year, like siting lighter colours against a dark fence etc (they can be quite useful in shady areas too!). It also helps to maintain the strength of colour as well as making them easier to manage (along with weekly deadheading BEFORE the seed pods dry and open).

Co, when you take photos, it really helps if you can take a shot of the whole plant so as to show both flowers and leaves in context – as well as the close ups of the flower (and leaf if poss). Being able to see the shape of the plant, the colour and shape of the foliage as well as the number of floral heads (single stems, clusters etc) goes a long way to helping identification.

*Boudicca – Gets REALLY stroppy after a pint!*

I’m glad I left this half-written and walked away for a few mins while Fish replied. It’s come to a pretty pass, however, when we are reduced to gardening threads!!! Mind you, how about a pic of the whole plant?_________________

I’m glad I left this half-written and walked away for a few mins while Fish replied. It’s come to a pretty pass, however, when we are reduced to gardening threads!!! Mind you, how about a pic of the whole plant?_________________

I’m glad I left this half-written and walked away for a few mins while Fish replied. It’s come to a pretty pass, however, when we are reduced to gardening threads!!! Mind you, how about a pic of the whole plant?_________________