Finally getting in to Gardening after many years of just having grass in the back garden.
My Sister gave me a Peony plant 2 years ago to add to my one Rose bush.
First year took root but not much to show.
Last year a bit more growth with a few buds, but no flowers.
This year it's gone from a few shoots at the beginning of April, to full flowering in only 7 weeks :)
3 pics, Apr 5th, May 5th, Today
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Wow that's pretty impressive Lee
It does give me inspiration to add more things
Although a bit hit and miss at the moment ::)
Bought some Gladioli bulbs at the start of the year, were doing well in pots but after planting out only one of 9 is still alive :no
Alium bulbs planted last year and nothing happened, this year about half have grown and flowered.
Another rose given to me in April seems to have established and might flower soon.
Box of £1 from Poundworld Butterly/Bee seeds seem to be growing but it's a mystery selection (might just be weeds) :)
Reached that age :rofl1
Peonies are susceptible to ants.
They build in the roots and kill the plant.
It's a myth that they need ants to flower.
Perennials have it tough in our harsh winters in Canada.
My sister has a holly plant that was devastated last winter. It's making a comeback.
Geraniums have to be grown indoors here. I have had success with cuttings in water.
Ants really do love them, every bud last year was covered in them although it didn't stop any from flowering.
Just washed most of them off with the watering can every day, but were back the next day.
Just bought two more, but have to dig over an area before planting so might not see much this year?
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Maybe put a ring of ant powder around the root area, not sure if it affects the plants though
Sometimes think my house is built on a enormous ant nest ::)
Took up some slabs in the garden and every one had large ant nests under them.
Sitting pulling up weeds in path cracks and was suddenly covered in ants, amazing how quick they run up your body :no
Found ants inside the house last summer near the front door, took up the carpet and it appears they had eaten their way through the mortar to gain entry. Poured neat bleach down holes and sealed all the cracks with silicon sealant which will hopefully keep them at bay for a while?
Got through a large tub of ant powder and ant spray last year, the gel stuff doesn't seem to be any good (ants can't read instructions) they are supposed to take it back to the nest, but my ants just eat it where it's put until it has a covering of dead ants which the others run over and carry on.
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I'm not sure if they have a preference to some types of soil or not, but I'm guessing that the softer the soil is the better for them...I could be making that up of course :)
There are varieties of ants.
Carpenter ants eat cellulose and will destroy wood like termites.
They love damp wood. You can't tell they are there because they work from underneath.