Gardening errors.....

BenDover

I've just completely decked my Kerria Japonica to the ground as it was looking a right mess.  Ive now got quite a substantial gap in the border.  Now I'm wondering if I've done the right thing.  Only time will tell, no doubt!  I did read that they are pretty rugged and probably a bit thuggish so I don't think I've killed it! 

 

Anybody got any of their own stories of gardening disasters they wish to share and whether it came out alright in the end, or it was a complete disaster!

 

 

lindsay2610

In my very early gardening days, I pruned a standard fuschia to the ground. Safe to say, it didn't turn out okay 

nutcutlet

I'm more likely to nurture something that is rubbish

Jaz

Planting Chamerion angustifolium 'Album'/ White Willow Herb in a border after reading that is was 'gently invasive'.  Don't believe a word of it, within a year its roots had spread out to at least a meter all round the original plant and I am still digging bits out now after removing the original plant!!!

You +1'd this publicly. Undo

reiver

Hi

Iam very new to this gardening and Greenhouse mallarkey. At the moment I have more disasters than successes. Bought lots, planted lots, drowned most , over crowded others chilled the rest.

Can't understand why I enjoy it so much!! Had to replant so many seeds I over did it- now have  several acres of Sage in full growth (OK 2 dozen little pots- still over kill)

Herby Lou

Hi reiver, I'm in the same boat as you. I've just started about a month ago. So I'm learning. But I have found my lavender, sage, strawberries, rosemary, mint, lobelia, clematis, carnations, are doing ok. But I had 2 basil plants and the slugs had a huge feats and now they're working their way through the other herbs in my mini herb garden. I think we both have a lot to learn. But I really think strawberry plants are so rewarding for us beginners. I'm very excited to see fruit forming and runners.

reiver

Hi Herby Lou

Yes early SBerries doing fine-They have to Gdaughter will skin me otherwise- Outdoor Basil is a No-No up here. The last planting is OK so I will have some for the GH. Rosemary cuttings OK but slow compared to neighbours(From MY plants) Mint and Sage ok Lemon Balm a great success. Lavender just decided to cooperate. Parsley is fine. I need to go buy some pinks to use as donors for cuttings. Don't grow Clematis but "Darcy Bushell" roses are budding up nicely.

As you say, lots to learn. I gave my neighbour a cucumber at 6 inches. She left it in her conservatory whilst sorting out what to do with her garden. It is now 18" high and glowing with health. My wizened little offering is an embarrassment.

Tomorrow a dawn raid on the weeds, then off to buy MORE pots. I feel the need for a leisurely lunch with  a bottle of Pinot Grigio. I find my garden looks better after that.

Wintersong

Easy plants that won't let beginners down (if they can help it)

• Geraniums of any kind but not Pelegoniums.
• Ferns, so long as you don't bake them in the sun
• Bulbs, ready-made flowers looking for a hole.
• most herbs don't mind being baked dry in the sun
• Some herbs like moisture, mostly those that have soft, large and/or fleshy leaves. Never let mint get out of the pot!
• Trees of any kind will really try hard for you,just check their mature size for your garden and remember that the leaves you can see on top is the size of the roots underground
• Wild flower meadow planting is a win win. Just cut it all down at the very end of summer.
• Sedems are mostly quick off the spring starting blocks, grow rapidly up or outwards and will even root from damaged pieces.
• All plants want to grow and look their best. Failure happens to us all for one reason or another. Don't be sad, learn what not to do next time

Lupin 1

Read that if you kept a Eucalypus tree well pruned it would retain small silver leaves. Stated that it would re-grow even from the base. Mine died after severe pruning.

reiver

Hi 

1st I love your forum name.

2nd thanks for the advice. I had geraniums in a couple of large tubs- very seccessful but not really to my taste, so they are out. I have several pelegoniums coming along slowly and Regal that has donated several cuttings.

The Galliardi and Tulips planted in pots late last year were a great success as was the apple tree planted last month.

The little rockery has been the best part of the garden. I bought in sedums and saxifrage and other alpines and they have settled in and made themselves at home. I am so impressed that come winter/spring I intend to plant up lots of individual pots as an alpine display outside the gh.

Apart from developing my gardening skills I really need to develop patience. It's the frustration of not really knowing what I am doing that annoys.

 Still- I am reminded that the man who never made a mistake never made a damn thing.

PS I planted several ferns in the border. They seem to be manageing but the Maidenhair gave up the ghost. Could I grow this in the GH under the staging( No direct sun until late evening)?

Wintersong

Maidenhair ferns are more tollerate of sunlight. There is always an exception to the rule and I forgot this one in my easy gardening bullet points.

Glad you are growing Saxifrage and alpines, I especially love alpine phlox and have several very sprawling plants from one plant in just a couple of years! But I didn't include them because most alpines don't like being soggy in the winter, so you must have great natural drainage in your soil

 

Oh I just remembered, you can't go wrong in dry shade with any Dryopteris fern..I love that the clue is in the name