Good morning and welcome to my first SOS of 2019.
I worked all over Christmas but mad up for it at New Year and Last weekend I was in the Cotswolds for my Cousins wedding. Congratulations Sarah and Ricky.
Gardening opportunities have been few and far between but as the weather forecast is favourable this week I am determined to change that this weekend. I have some Cacti and some Crassula to plants and I am going to check my Dahlia Tubers.
There has been a lack of rain the last month soon and the garden is decidedly dry. Frost’s have been at a minimum but this might change next week. Hopefully we will not get it as bad as continental Europe are having it.
Here is my SOS.
1. Free Seeds from Branklyn Gardens Perth.
When I was at Branklyn Gardens last October I picked up some free seeds. I have never grown Lilies from seed before. I will be reading up on what to do this weekend but any help and tips would be appreciated.
2. Mini Gravel Garden
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After great success with my mini gravel garden last year. I am looking forward to see how this does this year. I am not going to plant anything new just let nature take it’s course and see what happens. To the right of the picture you can see Aeonium Emerald Frame which subtly changes colour frequently. Top right is an Echeveria Pearl van Nuremberg.
3. Dry trough sleeping for winter
Again another success last year was this dry trough in the dry conditions last spring and summer. So much co I am planning another 3 mini dry troughs this year. Above we can see lots of Sedums and Semps hankering down for winter. As the plants don’t grow that fast in here I use this as a nursery for new plants in September.
4. Sedum Dasyphyllun (Corsican Sedum)
A low growing luscious Sedum this plant is a winner. Not a fast spreader it is a compact plant that grows throughout the winter. I have this in 2 places in the garden and I am sure this will be a staple for years to come.
5. Hyderageas fascinate me
This picture is for reference purposes. It always amazes me how something this dead looking can spring into life all of a sudden. This plant is on partial shade but it seems to thrive. Hopefully more of the same this year. I will soon be mulching this with some manure. Waiting for it to wake up.
6. I am falling out of love with Wallflowers!
I bought this Bowes Mauve last year and it looks again like I will only get a couple of years from it. Although classed as Perennials they only last a couple of years before they go woody. Hopefully I will get some cuttings off of this one this year and plant them on for next.
Well that is my SOS for this week. I hope you have enjoyed it.
With the nights getting slowly lighter hopefully I will be spending more and more time in the garden. Weather permitting.
As always to find out how six on Saturday works please follow the following link The Propagator. The don of Six on Saturday
Until the next time.
Sedums, Dahlias and Hayfever 
Beautiful sets of succulents. About lilium seedlings, I can’t help you because mine were in bulbs. Just a tip for them, watch out for the red and black bugs ( firebugs aka Pyrrhocoris apterus ) that will eat ALL your plants so fast that you’ll regret not taking a look at them regularly. You probably know them.
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Cheers Fred. I have some Asiatic Lillies in the garden already but don’t seem to suffer from them bugs. I will keep an eye out for them.
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Love your gravel beds. The Prop is copying you too, but has gone all arty with it! Hydrangea buds are so luscious, right? With the Bowles Mauve, they do just flower themselves to death. Live fast, die young. Cuttings in Spring is your best bet!
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Thanks Tim. Yes with the dry conditions we seem to be getting kver recent years in the East the gravel beds maybe the way to go. Having said that we live in Britain so perhaps I should not make plans when it comes to the weather.
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The dry trough is a great idea! Everyone is putting my little succulent collection to shame… but thankfully my succulents thrive on neglect!
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Thanls that is why I grow succulents. They thrive on negelct
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That is how wallflower is. It really should say so on the label. So many purchase them believing that they will be permanent. We have a few at work, and I am none too keen on them. Although they were pretty in their first year, I know what to expect from them.
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Do you cover your gravel garden and trough? Or let the succulents take their chances with the weather? I lost an Echeveria Pearl a couple of winters ago, luckily I had taken a couple of plantlets from it and kept indoors.
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No I don’t cover the gravel gardens as most plants are hardy. However I have planted 2 more troughs today with semi hardy succulents and I have covered these. More photo’s to follow….
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Amazing Sedums – as always. Lovely Six. Good to see you back.
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Love the Corsican Sedum. Inspired by your troughs as well. I must display my succulents better this year.
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I also love the dry gravel beds, especially the stone trough. I’m wondering if it is possible to make the troughs. I am always looking for ways to display succulents and cacti.
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Yes there is videos on You Tube how to make them. https://youtu.be/LZt1_g6cKmE
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Succulent envy! My new semps are planted in gritty soil then top dresses with gravel. Hopefully they’ll be ok. I’ll see how they do this year before investing in any more. Happy New Year Paul.
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Thanks mate it is good to be back although to be fair I have not really been away just earned a little bit more for my coffers.
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