Russian Vine, what a creep

A tree with a Russian Vine coat

How can one plant grow so fast?! It is truly amazing that this feisty vine will take on a rather substantial tree within one season.  Thanks to proper gardeners like James Alexander-Sinclair I now know that it is Fallopia baldschuanica or Russian vine.

I have also read about fairly drastic action needed to get rid of it – nothing short of Blitzkrieg tactics: cutting, slashing, poisoning and torching it. The pyromaniac in me is not brave enough to incinerate the tree. I wouldn't mind if it stuck to the fence, maybe there is a deal to be struck.

GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS

In the beginning, there was ivy.

The Rose Garden

This is my project: to return our garden to its Edwardian splendour. The challenge is significant, considering the size the property. 

I endeavour to update this blog with pictures and plans, in order to prove my worth and show what can be done with a bit of determination.

The formal path



To start with, we have weeds, ivy and other strangling plants invading the beds and trying to pull down the trees. Cutting back the summer’s growth and pruning will keep me busy quite some time, best be quick before the frost!

The herb garden -
seems only rosemary

The garden is enormous, possibly too large for me to manage alone. Still I intend to give it a go, hoping for some help from my family but more likely to get some from the trusted man who brings the lawn mower and keeps the garden outside the house. I may have to pay more people.



I do appreciate comments and advice, particularly as I am a gardener of little experience and not that much strength.

Daffodil

Daffodil the guinea pig

This is Daffodil, who now lives under a tall tree in a ramshackle Edwardian garden.   He has put it to me that, with a little enthusiasm, this could be a spectacular place.  Anything for a beloved pet, I shall do it.

There is a formal garden, herb section as well as play and wooded areas. Having a clear start and sensible planting plan for the spring must be pivotal to having any effect on the state of the garden.

What could possibly go wrong?

Flickr Tags: guinea pig cute