Garden inspiration permalink
suggestions please
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Message 1.Â
Posted by dean (U14573096) on Monday, 2nd August 2010
Hi! I am new on here. I am not a very good gardener, however, despite my gaps in knowledge, I am a keen potterer, if that makes sense.
But enough about me, as I want to get to my question.
To give a bit of background, my next door neighbor and friend has recently been diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer, and his life expectancy is between six and nine months.
I have been doing a few small jobs for him to try and improve his surroundings to make his remaining time a bit more pleasant. This includes repairing and re-painting an ugly wall that he looks out onto when he is in his chair.(not a very inspiring view).
What I'd dearly love to do is transform this wall with some trellis, and plants that would brighten up his view, and give a bit of colour.
Now, as time is short, and he may not survive until next spring, I need plants that grow fast, climb trellis fast, and give some flowers during what will be his last winter. Am I asking the impossible? Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated.
dean -
Message 2
Posted by As_Iff (U13951957) on Monday, 2nd August 2010
Because you need it fast, there is not enough time for a permanent plant to grow up a trellis and flower, so I would suggest putting containers of flowering plants at the base of the trellis, and using baskets of summer bedding plants at the top of the trellis, to hang down.
At the moment garden centres may be selling off their left-over summer bedding which they haven`t managed to sell in summer.
I know my local nursery has some right bargains going at the moment.
Good luck with what you are doing. He will appreciate it.
When a person is so ill, they often take great pleasure from the simplest of things. -
Message 3
Posted by jo4eyes (U13654107) on Monday, 2nd August 2010
Yes, try GC & local markets as well. There are often stalls selling ready made baskets/tubs at not too great a price, or you may have some spare containers of yours/other neighbours that you could fill quite cheaply. The previous idea of some at top & some at bottom should work well.
Dont forget that containers need regular water & dead-heading, but it sounds as if you are such a neighbour to be able to do that as well, or ask others for their help if needed. Good luck. J. -
Message 4
Posted by garyhobson (U11055016) on Monday, 2nd August 2010
Elderly people sometimes enjoy watching birds feeding, if he likes that sort of thing, and if that's feasable.
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Message 5
Posted by claire (U14571809) on Monday, 2nd August 2010
I dont have any gardening wisdom as i am very much a begginer, but the suggestions already made seem like a good idea.
I just wanted to say that i think you are a thoughtful and wonderful friend to your neighbour.
Claire -
Message 6
Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Tuesday, 3rd August 2010
There is a long bird feeder which is marvellous for dozens of birds feeding all at the same time if you keep it full with nuts, made of metal with space to peck through.
They are quite expensive but that would be the instant answer to imminent death with instant bird life.
The nuts are not that cheap, and they probably eat quite a lot of them, for it to remain lively. -
Message 7
Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Tuesday, 3rd August 2010
It is the shape of a cylinder, and about three inches across the ends, as much as two and a half feet long, seething with birds, successfully trying to get the nuts, with lots of small bird noise.
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Message 8
Posted by dean (U14573096) on Tuesday, 3rd August 2010
thanks for your kind suggestions, I am going to incorporate these into my plan, and let you know how it goes. today I bought a piece of trellis and am painting it cornflower colour to liven the place up as I live in a close with lots of magnolia painted modern houses. shall not be able to leave this project alone now.
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Message 9
Posted by mister-grow-it-all (U14591945) on Tuesday, 12th October 2010
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Message 10
Posted by mister-grow-it-all (U14591945) on Tuesday, 12th October 2010
click post by mistake i was reading old post still getting hang of this
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