Letters to Wendy: from AG readers

Write to us: Letters, Amateur Gardening magazine, Future Publishing Limited, Unit 2, Eelmore Road, Farnborough, Hants GU14 7QN (please include your address). Email us: amateurgardening@futurenet.com

Star letter

Vanessa’s rhubarb leaves are enormous

Giant rhubarb

I THINK all this rain we have been having in the South in the last week has done wonders for my rhubarb. Vanessa Eden, Southampton

Gloria will be taking a closer look at different bumble bee species

Bee grateful

DIDN’T know much about bumble bees until I read Val Bourne’s feature (AG, 15 May).

INow I will give them the respect they deserve for all the hard work they do pollinating our plants throughout the year, sustained by regular sips of nectar as they go on their travels.

I shall look out for the beautiful colours of each species and glory in their different markings. Without these little creatures of beauty, our gardens wouldn’t flourish. Mrs Gloria Wilding, Prescot, Merseyside

Wendy says Don’t miss Val’s fascinating article about bees in next week’s AG, where she discusses the different ways bees store and transport pollen

A good ‘do-er’

BIG or small, our gardens have been our haven and a place we have felt so safe during the last year or so, even more. I have never known this Camellia ‘Anticipation’ to keep giving and giving for so long, it started flowering before Christmas and mid May still blooms galore and looking stunning giving so much pleasure. Sylvia Monk, Hayling Island, Hants

Wendy says Snap! My Camellia ‘Donation’ has been the same – I’ve never known it to bloom so prolifically and it’s still in flower on 1 June

Long-flowering Camellia ‘Anticipation’ has provided so much pleasure The tree peony thrives in its container

Petite peony

I THOUGHT readers might like to see this photo of my beautiful tree peony. It’s been in the same pot for the last five years. As my garden is small, it has had to stay in this same pot, so each year, I take off the top 4in of compost and replace with fresh. During the summer I feed fortnightly with a seaweed feed and it has rewarded me with nine blooms, 8in in diameter.

The empty pot in front is waiting for coleus plants I’ve grown from seed in the conservatory. I’ve already given some away and once hardened off they will make a colourful display, ready to take over once the peony blooms have faded. Mrs Joy Robinson Gravesend, Kent

Write to us: Letters, Amateur Gardening magazine, Future Publishing Limited, Unit 2, Eelmore Road Farnborough, Hants GU14 7QN (please include your address). Email us: amateurgardening@futurenet.com

Photo of the week

Judith’s supermarket tulips –“I’m delighted with the colours”

Hot-coloured tulips

HERE’S a photo of my peony tulips. I bought the bag of them at the local supermarket. I’m delighted with the colours. I planted the giant daisies on top in the autumn.. grown from AG seeds! Judith Simpson, Belfast

Reader’s Tip

THESE very handy and clever items my daughter made for me. I have very little sight and also very forgetful, but I’m sure everyone could make use of these. The first small pot holds my string – all I do is pull the string from the bottom and it doesn’t get in a tangle. The second tip shows a large black plant pot with the bottom cut out so I can support all my canes and stakes and I’m not falling over them all. Debbie Bolas via email Each week we publish a reader’s poem about a favourite plant or gardening experience. This week, Gill shows that a gardener’s work is never done... Time flies

WIN £20

How many times I’ve been known to say, “Got a job, take five minutes, no more, ” My husband just smiles and nods his head knowing Fine well he’s heard all that before!

I’ve only gone to water the plants, I’ll be done in less than a second. But wait, the seedlings are ready for pricking, This may take longer than reckoned.

I prick out the plants, 10 minutes pass by And I’m just about to go in... When I spot the trug is full of detritus Which is destined for my compost bin.

After turning the compost , five minutes have passed, And I’m making my way to the gate... When I notice the cosmos and roses and pansies Need deadheading and this job can’t wait.

Ten minutes later I’m at the back door... When I spot pesky weeds in the paving, Grab the trowel and the kneeler, and five minutes later Notice untethered sweet peas are waving.

Grabbing my string and tying them in, Only one or two minutes it’s taken, On the way to the greenhouse with the string In my hand... I Spot all the dahlias need staking.

Just about to go in for a cuppa I’m almost finished at last... But the pots need a mulch, a feed and a drink, And by then half an hour has passed.

After sweeping the path, checking the greenhouse, And filling the cans with water... My hubby has finished watching the rugby, I’ve been out there an hour and three quarters!

Gill Gornall

Iona has found many plants in her garden are magical when adorned with beads of rain water

Suddenly the rain came down

WHILST folk may feel inclined to head straight indoors in a downpour, we gardeners know that the water not only quenches the thirst of our plants so that they can flourish, but it can also highlight features of the plants in our gardens.

A plant well known for its ability to capture water is Alchemilla mollis, traditionally one of the best plants to enjoy following a downpour, it’s fluted leaves hold onto droplets of water, making it look like the leaves are holding bundles of translucent pearls.

At present, the starry leaves of the lupin shine out, holding perfect spheres of shining water at the centre of each star. There’s nothing growing more vigorously than the lily and as it shoots skywards, the clusters of hairs surrounding each bursting bud cling on to silver drops of water after each rain shower.

Something to look forward to in the summer is the sight of suspended raindrops along a flowering sweet pea. Its tendrils and flower buds are the perfect home for masses of suspended globes of water which reflect the light beautifully.

Why not take a walk around your garden next time it rains and celebrate the magical appearance it brings to the borders. See how the rain sticks to furry leaves, streams and pools down thin, strappy foliage and gives a new vibrancy to glossy leaves. Teasels and the castor oil plant can collect deep wells of water.

All sorts of flowers take on a different appearance when dusted with water baubles reflecting colour and light in an interesting and uplifting way. Do write in and send photos to let Amateur Gardening know what you have seen! Iona Chisholm

Wendy says Thank you Iona, I will appreciate the glistening raindrops on various plants and flowers much more after reading this

WHEN my daughter left home for an early shift she was in a hurry and forgot to take her key. I knew she would return about 4pm before I had come back from the dentist so I left the key where I hoped she would find it, she is a keen gardener.

I left a note on the doorstep that read “Key with Veronica” . I wrapped the key in a piece of plastic and hid it under the large veronica bush. Did she find it? Yes, but it took a while! Dr Rhoda Pippen, Cardiff

Veronica to the rescue

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