Flowers to Take Over My Garden ?

[JennieAtkinson]

I've got a montana Clematis that is rampant it's a dusky pink double called Broughton Star grows about 2' a week !!! I'll root you a cutting of it JA see what it makes of Shetland.

Thanks NTG I would be delighted if you could root me a cutting - 2' a week - WOW. Nothing grows that fast here (well ......... except for rhubarb).

And Andrew - a clematis with fab seedheads. Sounds great. Sorry to both of you, not to reply before, been away and now off again! Packing in all my visiting kids and relatives before the frantic seed sowing in May!

Bit worried about the sycamore news - one of Shetland's few trees that grow to any size. My OH turns alot of items from sycamore (not very much local wood though), it really is a wonderful wood - sometimes wild with spalting, other times, quite light. But you can't beat oak .............

[GardenFan]

Crocosmia is a utter pain in the rear, I agree with a point here that no matter how much you dig it up it comes back. I have had a two year battle in one my borders trying to be rid of this. If anyone does buy this then use the same trick for Mint and Bamboo and sink a pot into your border and plant into that. Well contained it won't spread and does look amazing in August\September time when it flowers.

[fruit&vegvirgin]

I love crocosmia!
euphorbia now - that's a b*st*rd thing!! (just spent 2 hours trying to dig it out...)

[nick the grief]

& the sap is a bad as well. Make sure you don't get it in your eyes or swallow it.

Having said that I've got two that aren't too bad. I hsvnt got a foto of them unfurtunatly

[JennieAtkinson]

Not tried euphorbia - anyone know of one I could start with? There seem to be an awful lot of them out there.

[SueA]

I can't remember the variety I've got but it does spread about if you don't keep an eye on it - seeds & runners - my neighbour has been invaded by mine but luckily he likes it. You do have to be careful with the sap so wear gloves if you are cutting it. I wear rubber gloves so I can wash the sap off them after.

[JennieAtkinson]

Hmm looks rather nice SueA - anyone know what it is? somewhat the same colouring as Alchemilla Mollis, which I pull out by the handful, but I quite like it.

[Tigger]

Nicos - it's bound to be one of the euphorbias. I suggest you have a look on Sarah Raven's site and you'll be able to identify it. It's great for flower arranging but don't pick it without gloves - the sap is a serious irritant.

[SueA]

The plant in my pic. might be euphorbia robbiae (not sure if that's how you spell it) it was from a local nursery & I lost the label but it was a fairly common type.

[Nicos]

Tigger- it turned out to be loosestrife and I've sent some up to Jennie! If it takes over Shetland.....you know who to blame!!!!

[JennieAtkinson]

Got the loosestrife potted and can't wait for someone to say - whats that in your garden ! I'm sure I have never seen it growing up here.

There was quite a bit about euphorbias on Gardeners World last night - obviously Sarah Raven (is that who you refer to as "the coat" NTG?) has a passion for them. She was talking about the sap, sounds quite nasty if you get some on your skin.

[nick the grief]

Yep Thats "the Coat"

[fruit&vegvirgin]

also bergenia, which I think is also known as elephants ears. bloody thug!!!

[sewer rat]

Mustn't forget Aqualegia - self seeds like crazy.

[nick the grief]

How about Dandelions