As anyone who is self employed will tell you, it is very difficult to turn down work for fear of not being asked again. There comes a time though, when you have to say “today is for me” and that is what happened yesterday. And what did I do? Well I gardened of course.
Sometimes I think that plants survive in my garden in spite of me. Althaea cannibina struggling behind an over-exuberant euryops, barely protected Hedychium greenii already with shoots of 20cm, ignored dahlias showing their wares. My lovely daylily ‘Pollies Dark Seedling’, once feared lost, was ably tackling the molluscs unassisted. Talking of the enemy; there were biblical amount of slugs and snails. Every pot I lifted, every leaf I turned, every plant I knocked out, there they were, in all colours, shapes and sizes, lurking belligerently and stuffed full of fresh foliage. Bindweed was the herbaceous equivalent; strangling, sneaky, cleverly wrapped around itself to make a taut stem with which to climb to even higher heights. A whole day spent in intensive care went some way to bring the garden back from the brink. Must try much harder, it really is a very bad example.
This little Erodium manescavii wasn’t bothered by my neglect. I have a soft spot for the diminutive heronsbill. Very uncomplaining, very beautiful, perfect for my garden.
What! no sign of the dreaded vine weevil? So who’s the lucky one.
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No, not got to my garden yet …….
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I have loads of perennial geraniums but not a single Erodium. Every time I see a lovely picture like yours I think I must add them to my plant wish list, so this year it will be a must. It sounds as if you have some real delights to garden amidst, no wonder you garden on your days off, too. Are you going to Woolhanger Open Gardens on Sunday? We are hoping to make the outing as I love a garden visit in aid of a good cause – and cream teas as well!
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If I see one I will get it for you! No plans to venture out on Sunday, hoping for a PJ day and a big roast dinner! Have fun x
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Hope you have a great day, we all need PJ days. My sister and I are off for a girlie outing, Mr TT will stay home.
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Have a lovely time x
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I love Erodium’s and that’s a very pretty one. They must be neglect-hardy too!
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Didn’t seem to bother them! They are lovely and no trouble, the perfect combo. 🙂
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And the scary thing is the slugs are getting bigger. Are they mutating ready to take over the world or are they a new imported tropical variety? I don’ t know but they scare me. Chopping them up with a spade becomes a job for a butcher in a stripped pinny.
I love your dainty Erodium.
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Oh, now I have some very scary images of giant slugs and slime splattered butchers! Better take another look at the erodium, that sort it out. 😉
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Slugs and snails: not so bad here. Bindweed? Everywhere! Impossible to eradicate. Someone’s told me to pour pickling vinegar on it. I think I’m going to try it–I’ll let you know the results. This plant is not native to our area and I’ve been told that seeds were send from well meaning friends and relatives in Ontario, where bindweed/morning glory does not survive the winters.
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I have been trying vinegar on weeds, no success yet. Please let me know how you get on. I heard it has to be sunny for it to work.
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Oh, good to hear about the sunshine. It’s rainy here today. My informant said to use pickling vinegar, because it’s stronger than the regular kind. We’ll see.
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Oh, I will try that, thanks for the top tip!
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You’re right; and I also like small Erodiums, so much that I had none right now :)) I shall take care of the situation.
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Get that sorted straight away!
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