Tuesday, October 08, 2013
Mark and Gaz
It's that time of the year again when we have to start thinking about where to put plants away for the cold months ahead. The greenhouse at the bottom of our new garden (past the koi pond) will be the main home for those that will need some extra protection for it will be gently heated to keep it above freezing for the entire duration of winter.
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| Nearly all have gained size and done well since the start of the summer |
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| But before you gain entry you'll have to feed these fellas first... |
We've got loads of plants and space is a premium so we better start thinking about how to position all of its winter residents to maximise use of its limited space. Which means lots of planning...
But before that I better take a look at what's there already.
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| It's pushed out some new growth so I'm hoping that this Yucca thompsoniana is re-rooting nicely |
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| The photo betrays how blue the Nolina nelsonii at the front is. |
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| Clockwise from lower left - Beccariophoenix alfredii, Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera, Chamaerops humilis, and a Cycas revoluta |
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| Another one that is very blue in the greenhouse - Yucca schottii |
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| and its neighbour Solanum pyracanthum |
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| Whilst not looking one of our Agave montana has thrown out some variegation. To core it or not to encourage variegated offsets, that is the question... (sorry for the weeds!) |
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| New growth that gladdens my heart - from a previously flowered and rootless Yucca rostrata |
The current residents have pretty much stayed as they were since we've put them there at the start of the summer. We've barely had time to do any gardening recently and the most I've done here before was to give everyone a quick check that they are fine and watered as and when necessary. So far so good and a majority have done well despite the minimal attention we've given them. There were a few casualties and there are some weeding to do now but overall the residents are in a good state.
We lost nearly all of our power tools during the fire hence we weren't able to build any greenhouse staging in the past months. To be honest, lost tools or not I doubt we would have been able to build those stages anyway with our spare time severely preoccupied by the house renovation. So I'm pondering on just buying off the rack ones which I'm currently looking in to, seeing what's available out there that's sturdy but won't cost the earth either.
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| The vignette just outside the greenhouse - how many can you identify? |
And speaking of lost tools, they have all been found again as replacements have been sent (and premium ones too, yay!) which means that once the house is done garden DIY can recommence.
And back to the greenhouse, apart from the staging we'll have to put some insulation in too, to keep the warmth inside and consequently reduce heating costs. Then once that's done we can start putting more plants in, all part of the big ritual of tucking the garden to bed for winter.
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Your fish look quite intelligent, and I love your greenhouse! I think you must have some sturdy, long sleeve garden gloves to work around all those spiky plants. Yet they are all so beautiful. Personally, I like the variegation on your Agave montana and would encourage it.
ReplyDeleteBecause our winters are so short and mild, a greenhouse has never been on my priority list, but now that I am growing more tropicals during the summer, I wish I had one. Lou's office serves as our winter home for tender plants, and before long he will be working in a jungle!
Lou's office is potentially going to be very lush in the winter Debs :) Funny enough I rarely wear gloves now even when working with spiky plants, I just learnt to be extra careful and avoid getting into bad angles but a little scratch here and there still happens. Grasping them directly still warrants wearing tough gloves (or lots of newspaper).
DeleteGuard carp! And a dinosaur inside - Solanum pyracanthum - that does look fierce. Wish I could impress you by listing all the plants in your collation but . . .
ReplyDeleteIs that fish really transparent?
Guard carp, I like the sound of that Lucy! Not sure about the transparent but the black markings does blend in well with the colour of the pond fibreglass.
DeleteI'm really curious how you go about insulating a greenhouse without blocking the sunlight.
ReplyDeleteNothing sophisticated Alison, just good old bubble wrap does the trick nicely :)
DeleteYour plants are as pampered as any baby, and they aren't even acting spoiled. The leaves in that vignette outside the greenhouse create a wonderful tapestry. I won't even try to identify them...just enjoy.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Ricki, sometimes it's just nice to look at them together :)
DeleteI admire the energy that goes into securing frost-sensitive plants for winter. I can only imagine what would happen if I had to add that to my garden chores.
ReplyDeleteCount yourself lucky Kris, living in that lovely mild area of yours :)
DeleteI want to know what every plant is in that vignette so I can duplicate it. What a gorgeous combo!
ReplyDeleteThe three main plants there are, left to right - Broussonetia papyrifera, Magnolia maudiae, and Schefflera rhododendrifolia :)
DeleteOh my yes, it too soon is time for the autumn migration once again. My thoughts always turn to living in a warmer climate this time of year! I'm very curious about the rear center plant in your picture. Looks a little like a cotton plant but not quite. Still looking forward to the grand pond project unveiling!
ReplyDeleteCould it be the Magnolia maudiae Peter? I really ought to post pics of the pond soon. So many photos to go through, will need to select a few. Might be able to do that over the weekend especially now that the main computer is more accessible.
DeleteNot the magnolia as I recognized that as such but the plant with palmate leaves. The spaces between the leaves look like two bunnies facing each other.
DeleteIs it really time to start stashing everything away already? How did that happen? Solanum pyracanthum looks like something you'd find in a medieval dungeon. Remarkable. Dave
ReplyDeleteI know, time certainly does fly so quick doesn't it Dave? This solanum is apparently very easy from seed. Will try for the first time to overwinter one, we'll see how it goes...
DeleteYay for new tools! So many plant treasures, so little greenhouse space. Good luck in your hunt for staging. I still haven't made it past the concrete blocks and wooden planks style...so college dorm room! (i.e. not classy!)
ReplyDeleteConcrete blocks and wooden planks, you've just given us a Eureka moment there Loree! Especially as we have loads of that lying around at the moment.
DeleteWell, you two are never bored or idle, are you! I'mimpressed at how well you have managed to keep your plants given all the drama - planned and unplanned - this year. I love the blue of the Yucca schottii - and the Solanum pyracanthum, though as others have commented, it does look slightly scary too! Great to see a shot of the koi too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Janet! It has been a dramatic year for us indeed, whew what a year! Ultimately it was the 'planned' one that took most of our time thankfully, the 'unplanned' turned out to be just a big nuisance (which still needs sorting out). There were a few neglect casualties but on the whole most just got on with their usual business :)
DeleteWell not sure if my post is sitting there or not. Google seems to have had problems again while trying to post here. But you are worth rewriting a post. :) Like the gravel in your greenhouse. It helps retain heat in there also from the sun. A couple of those plants have wicked thorns. Would hate to be the one that had to repot them at some point.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Yikes, google having trouble again eh! How annoying when that happens but glad that you comment still went through :)
DeleteHaha, Loree beat me too it...cinder blocks aren't especially pretty...but they have so many uses!
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike :) and yes they do have so many uses!
DeleteLooks like your plants are getting along very well. Solanum pyracanthum is scary!!! Those thorns really don't want anyone to chew on those leaves! I was glad you got some new tools. Tools are really invaluable. When I divorced my first husband, I said take the desk - but leave me the saw! ;)
ReplyDeleteHehe, that made me smile Holley :) and yes those thorns do look really vicious!
DeleteBeccariophoenix alfredii - yet another plant I had never heard of before, and what an exciting one!
ReplyDeleteRelatively quick growing too :)
DeleteHope that you are able to find some suitable off the peg staging - it will save you from a job that you could no doubt do without. Unable to identify any of the plants in the attractive vignette. Would love to know the name of the one with the dark foliage :)
ReplyDeleteThe dark one is Schefflera rhododendrifolia Anna :)
DeleteYou are so lucky to have a wonderful greenhouse. And I sure hope that your insurance is paying for your lost tools. Can't wait to see have more of the renovation is gong. Take care!
ReplyDeleteThanks Candice! The insurance did replace everything we lost thankfully :)
DeleteYour plants are more lucky than mine! My tender plants go to the unheated garage. The main problem is very low light. Not all the plants make it. I wish you a mild winter!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tatyana! The greenhouse will only have minimal heating, mainly just to keep it frost free :)
DeleteI admire how you dug your heels in after the fire and just got on with it. I guess we are talking pollybubble, must have got the spelling wrong as a google search says its a tea maker! Hope all your plants in the greenhouse come through the coming Winter, do keep an eye on those heating bills.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alistair! Yes it will be pollybubble (bubblewrap) indeed. And yes, we're keeping an eye on the heating bill especially as we got stung a few winters ago so now we're more cautious :)
DeleteHi Mark, i am already familiar on yours and Gaz's style of writing,i can already guess at the beginning who is currently writing. I am also glad that i am not living in the temperate clime as it is too difficult to put them in and out depending on the season. And they are so heavy, not to mention that Solanum which is full of thorns! Oh how very difficult.
ReplyDelete