My changing garden

@JimboSaturn Wet boots sunny hat - clematis usually take a year or two and plenty of watering. How long have yours been in the ground ?

@Captain I think that is my problem, their feet aren't wet enough. I'm thinking of putting some mulch to help retain water and then water it much more. I'm going on my fourth year so I think it should have started taking off by now,

@JimboSaturn You can shade the area around the root or even put down stones around the roots - or of course both. You can also put it in a bottom of a hollow but if you have an arch - its probably too late for that. Mulch is temporary stones and rocks are a better bet,

@Captain Thanks! I never thought of stones, good idea!

@JimboSaturn That was a tip form my dad years ago.

@Captain Well although I have been gardening for many years, I made the rookie mistake of planting a plant where I wanted it instead of where is best conditions for the plant. Nice to have a gardener dad!

@JimboSaturn I remember when we bought the house it had a north facing garden and I was a but disappointed but hey -ho nice house. Then my mother said you'll want the shade as global warming increases - we've been greatful of the shade. Th real bonus though is I look out at the garden and the back of it is always in sun - in a south facing garden th ebototm of your garden will always be in shade. There's another tip if you ever buy another house. Norht facing gardens are good. Plant camelias and other plants with tender buds on an east wall so they are sheltered from direct sun until the frost thaws and clematis on the norht wall so they get full sun. Good luck ! Capability Brown - work with nature not against it.

@Captain I try to do the same. I'm very much into native species as well that are adapted to my area. Good tips!

@JimboSaturn Alpines are actually my favourites and yet never in my photos but the beds are crammed full of them, they are no challenge to grow, self set and spread like mad creating massive splashes of colour that last for months rather than weeks as the shrubs do and it gives you something new to marvel every two or three steps you take...

@Captain Your garden looks like an alpine garden. I think that is next on my to do list. My wife likes the little alpine plants! That's what I love about gardening, there is always something to do , or a new creative outlet!

@JimboSaturn Exactly the same for me. I like to create the big picture but its the small details you always notice when you're outside and in it.

@Captain Infact every time I wander in the garden I end up in the shed finding a tool to go out and fiddle with some details that are bugging me because they could be better

@Captain haha typical. We never sit still do we? Monty Don says we don't really sit and enjoy are gardens enough, we are always seeing something that needs to be done!

@JimboSaturn I think thats in the psyche of the "born" gardener. My wife fiddles with her model railway, I fiddle with the garden. We all have this inner need to create beauty and gardens and model railways certainly fulfil those needs