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Too late to plant?

PostPosted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 2:54 pm
by kaz
I'd like to plant some acers but have I left it too late?

PostPosted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 10:21 pm
by Anyanka
Not totally sure, but I always thought that this is the best time of year for planting leafy trees, because they're dormant, so less vulnerable.
Go plant!

PostPosted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 11:28 pm
by alison
If they are in the garden centres then they are okay to be planted. At least that is how you can be sure it is the right time :D but I think autumn is a good time to plant as like Anyanka says, they are getting to the dormant stage where they do not have to put a lot of effort into keeping their leaves or flowers going. Of course they won't grow either :P

PostPosted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 7:23 pm
by kaz
Many thanks for views. I'm wondering whether Sam comes to this section... I'd like some ideas on a good 'cluster' of acers.

PostPosted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 7:46 pm
by whis4ey
I would normally have no difficulty in planting acers at this time of year
Mind you, they are warning us about the 'coldest winter' for years ????
My own 'group' plantings were designed to give a mix of colour in autumn splendour
Is this what you have in mind?
If it is ... Senkaki for yellow, Okagami for scarlet, Osakasuki for crimson, Seiryu and Flavenscens for orange/yellow, Garnet for bright red (or Crimson Queen or Inabe Shidare) ... the last 3 also being low laceleafs so balancing the planting well during the year
I also planted a Butterfly to retain a bit of variegated green. really just a matter of choice I suppose :)

PostPosted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:47 pm
by kaz
Thank you Sam. So due to the potentially colder winter, do you recommend that I plant in Spring? I am looking at colours and textures that compliment, so grateful for your suggestions :D

PostPosted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 4:45 pm
by whis4ey
Do you have the plants Kaz?
JM's look remarkably tattered in Garden Centres at this time of year. However if you get any at half price which are healthy looking otherwise, then don't miss a bargain :)
If they are not cheap, then let the Garden Centre overwinter them and buy in Spring when you can see what you are buying
I guess I would always plant them out, because I am notorious for forgetting to water plants overwintering in the greenhouse or inside somewhere.
And if they are outside, the roots would be much safer and warmer under the earth than in a pot
Just my opinion you know :)

PostPosted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 7:24 pm
by kaz
Sam, I haven't bought the plants yet. The bottom garden was landscaped last Oct / Nov time and I've let it run a year so I can see how things look once in bloom etc. I don't like the planting beside the large pond and also think the fern should be moved from the new pond area.

I do like jms and am considering them at the moment.

PostPosted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 4:58 pm
by alison
I really like japanese maples. I have two, but both the same variety. There are so many lovely ones and I think they will look lovely in your garden Kaz. Sam has some lovely specimens.

PostPosted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:42 pm
by kaz
I realise where I go wrong... my garden has no theme :shock: Its not one thing or another!!! I need to sort myself out!

PostPosted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:57 pm
by alison
I don't think you actually have to have a theme really. Even though I would like my garden to be a cottage garden with lots of flowers I still have shrubs in it and other plants I like. That is the front garden. The back is also a mishmash of things I like but I think it needs lots more colour.
I think what you could do is get pictures of the things you like the best. Make a mood board kind of thing with the pics and decide from there which you would really like in your garden and you may just find that you have a theme staring back out at you or a colour scheme. No matter what you choose it will be what you want, and so it will look right for you.

PostPosted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:07 pm
by kaz
That's a good suggestion Alison, about the mood board. I get ideas but am held back by maintenance considerations :? I struggle enough with it already :(

I think your garden is wonderful... sometimes, when I'm feeling a bit flat, I watch your short video :D Not been able to since using Scott's laptop :cry:

PostPosted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 12:04 am
by alison
How come you haven't got your computer mended yet? Or is it in the bin by now? :cry: Sonny generally mends all in the neighbourhood. As to the garden maintenance I feel a little like you sometimes as I look and think Yes I would love all the beautiful herbacious border cottage plants like tall hollyhocks and delphiniums and lupins etc but then they would all disappear and without the shrubs I would have nothing to show for many months. Also the earth would be bare whereas at the moment I have pebbles covering most of the borders. I want to put the marine cobbles down soon and if I have those then will anything be able to make it's way through them. All things to think about and so it ends up staying much as it is now, but I would really like some more colour in it. I have cut back most things now for the winter months and I am in two minds about the shrubs at the hedge side of my garden. Some are squashed together and others are getting too big for their position. I will have to make up my mind soon as to whats happening with it. The front looks okay still as most of it is still a nice green with plenty of foliage.

PostPosted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 7:28 am
by kaz
Still using Scott's laptop :? We think the problem is something to do with electricity and power surges (got the anti-surge thing though). Computer turns on but doesn't kick in. It happened to my last puter too and electricity seems to be the only common denominator. I'm writing this message from work... got a nice hot mug of espresso coffee and a member of staff has gone out to get a round of bacon sarnies. Its 7am :D - we are a crazy bunch, none of us need to start until 9am, but 4 of us are in already!

Pretty gardens = hard work :(

PostPosted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:50 pm
by AJC
I agree with Sam, no problem planting at this time of year, but, they are forcasting a bad winter, so i would be inclined to buy them now and store them over winter ready for planting in the spring.