I know nothing about flowers; I don't know their names, I don't know what likes to go where, and I certainly don't know anything about their cultivation. It's all pure hit-n-miss (or looking in a book).
So when something 'goes right', I am justly proud of myself; it's as if a small miracle has happened.
When I built our 'tower' I knew that I wanted foliage and flowers, I wanted it to be a mass of green with a few dots of colour thrown in, and that's (amazingly) what I've got. It's early days yet, but it will be seriously covered in a few weeks time.
OK, it's swathed in rather junior 'starter' plants; I'm not pretending to be a great horticulturist. I'm just happy that anything has survived at all, and it's all my own bloody work!
But not everything's perfect. This climbing Hydrangea (above) on the North facing wall is behaving in a very strange way. There are leaves at the bottom, and nothing elsewhere. I imagine that the upper part was frosted some while back, and is taking its time to recover. I don't think it's dead; or maybe it is! We didn't even have any serious frost this winter.
Some you win; some you lose!
The wisteria and clematis are looking good. It seems very early but perhaps not in your part of the world.
ReplyDeleteIt's already much greener than the photo.
DeleteHow stunningly beautiful. "Suck it and see" is my method of gardening and yours looks like a big success. Lucky you, having a tower.
ReplyDeleteIt's not really a 'tower'; only in name.
DeleteI could write the first 5 lines in this post. The bloue flowers are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWe are probably in the majority, Yael.
DeleteMaybe the climbing hydrangea is like our climbing roses and need to be pruned back to nothing (just little stumps) in the fall. Each year it would still grow over 6 feet tall. I am not a plant expert but Google is all knowledgeable. As for the wisteria …good choice, it is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI've known them, back in the UK, covering entire houses, and never cut back. Maybe here it'll need to be.
DeleteI only saw wisteria and then you wrote about hydrangea. I thought no, he doesn't know anything about flowers. Just to confuse me I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI REALLY don't know anything about flowers; vegs yes, flowers no.
DeleteI reflected that my comment sounded a bit harsh. I didn't mean it to.
DeleteI think I can see live buds in the photo of the hydrangea. Climbing hydrangeas can take a while to get going and understand they have a climbing habit. So more patience is needed (often in limited supply among gardeners). They won't like it if they are a bit dry at the foot of the wall so a bucket full of water now and again might be welcome.
ReplyDeleteIf I scrape the bark it's still green underneath, which gives me hope.
DeleteWisteria - my fave.
ReplyDeleteEvery gardener's saviour.
DeleteWisteria is not all that easy to grow Cro and often takes years to be mature enough to flower well - so don't belittle the success you have had with it - give yourself a pat on the back.
ReplyDeleteIt grows like a weed here, which is why I chose it. People also grow it as a hedge.
DeleteIt looks delightful. I can't stop thinking of Rapunzel.
ReplyDeleteCro your castle tower is straight out of a fairy tale.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of a climbing hydrangea, so now I am on the lookout for one so can't even offer any advice about growing one, not that I would. But i know that Clematis like their "feet" in the shade to grow and that Wisteria need a sturdy support so I think your beautiful tower offers both to those wonderful plants. I am totally envious... not something that I usually am.
ReplyDeleteJo in Auckland, NZ
They're all looking better by the hour (except the Hydrangea).
DeleteIt's gorgeous, Cro. I'd be so proud of that. :)
ReplyDeleteGood!
DeleteGorgeous Wisteria!! I think that Climbing Hydrangeas like to have their roots in the shade - as someone once told me 'the clue is in the name Hydrangea - they like to be well hydrated'.
ReplyDeleteIn which case it should be in the perfect position. It's been wonderful up until now!
DeleteEven though you know little about flowers, you did a fine job with picking out lovely plants to climb your tower.
ReplyDeleteIt is gorgeous. That said, the wisteria might be soon invading the attic, the wiring, etc. Maybe you can train it into an attic swing. It is very invasive over here, but again, looks like a fairy castle.
ReplyDeleteI get up a ladder about twice each year to cut back anything that is growing under the tiles. 10 mins work; no more.
DeleteI love, love, love wisteria! So beautiful, and it smells good too. Everyone talks about it being invasive here in the states, but I've seen huge trees that fairly drip with it year after year, and you don't seem to notice it after the blooms are done. And it the trees don't seem to mind...I don't think I've ever seen a tree killed by it. I love seeing masses of purple flowers completely covering a 20 foot tall pine tree! :)
ReplyDeleteWisteria always looks lovely covering stone buildings - yours is magnificent - for someone non green fingered it does you credit.
ReplyDelete