Having a wish list

Over the past couple of weeks I've been working on a border design for a client and putting my thoughts on paper; sourcing various books that will assist in helping select the plants for the conditions, simultaneously pulling on my own experience over the last few years.

As with most wish-lists, the plants that could work are pretty extensive and it's always easy at this first stage to rattle-off a list of potential specimens. The difficulty is trying to reduce the list.

This is the first draft: Dryopteris wallichiana, Japanese anemone 'Honorine Jobert,' Brunnera 'Jack Frost,' Geranium 'Rozanne' and Gillenia trifoliata. To achieve a long succession of interest other layers such as bulbs and incidentals are yet to be added. Project ongoing!

Surprise, surprise

Despite the frenzied unwrapping of presents on Christmas day (not forgetting a birthday 3 days earlier I should add), one could say 'that's your lot' for a wee while. However, with the auricula season soon upon us I couldn't help but take a more detailed look at Woottens of Wenhasten to see their extensive list of these little beauties.

It wasn't long before 'viewing' on the website, became 'purchasing' and the speedy arrival of the parcel within 2 days. Well impressed!

Packaging was pretty expensive but the contents inside were superbly protected with some biodegradable corn-starch chips.

So, in addition to the auriculas, I also persuaded myself to get some more species pelargoniums to try; interestingly, pelargoniums were a hot debate on the BBC series 'Garden Revival' 

All unwrapped and ready to go. Sadly, there was one runt of the litter but I'm sure he / she will do fine and soon catch up with their fellow offspring.