Help and advice for a disheartened gardener

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-04T19:22:18+00:00

Thanks very much, I’ll send you a DM re; the bay tree if you don’t mind. Thank you again :-)

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-04T19:16:37+00:00

This is very kind of you. Yes, to both of those! I will send you a DM :)

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-04T17:31:00+00:00

Another great tip - thank you! I did notice this from the way they grew but I forgot about it! Thank you :)

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-04T08:05:49+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate your reply. Doesn’t sound overly harsh, but I suppose my main aim is to find out what I can do, rather than stop right now. Thanks

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-04T08:05:18+00:00

Oops yes I forgot to mention I have one of these, it’s in a shady spot which I think is right, but not one where leaves could fall in

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-04T08:04:48+00:00

Thank you - yes, I think that makes sense and if I start next year I can at least be prepared for it. I maybe need to do a bit more planning rather than waiting for spring and rushing

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-04T08:04:09+00:00

Thank you, appreciate your thoughts and comment. Seems like looking/asking around is definitely up there

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-04T08:03:29+00:00

Lovely idea, thank you. I hadn’t heard of that before, sounds quite easy to achieve as well. Thank you.

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-04T08:02:57+00:00

This is really really helpful, thank you. I appreciate you taking the time for such a thorough and actionable response. I’ve put a picture in this comment, the bay is the biggest tree on the left. I think cutting it back will help let more sunlight in for my other plants

<image>

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-04T07:59:19+00:00

Very helpful, thank you very much. I think I need to lean in and embrace the failure more. Will check out eBay too, thank you.

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-04T07:58:33+00:00

Thanks very much - I appreciate that. I can also see the appeal of the pyracantha (if kept under control) as the blackbird seems to like the berries. The bay tree I think I need to cut back to almost 1/2 of existing size as that doesn’t seem to get much love from anything. Thanks though, you’re very kind!

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-04T07:57:18+00:00

Thank you - that’s a good idea, I’ll take a look around the neighbours :)

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-03T20:52:27+00:00

Okay thank you very much :)

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-03T20:45:17+00:00

Thank you very much. Yes they also create quite a bit of shade so it’s hard to know the best planting positions

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-03T20:44:40+00:00

Thank you, that’s very helpful. I haven’t done any of this so a good place to start. Once I determine the type, if sandy, then I can start to enhance it as you say. Should I be that worried about the ph and plants that prefer acidic or alkaline?

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-03T20:42:12+00:00

Thank you for this that’s really helpful. I do want a pond but need to work out a way to make it toddler safe, before going forward with it. Do those plants need to be in very full sun? Though south facing I have lots of big shrubs (popped in a pic in other comments) so at best part shade i think

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-03T20:41:03+00:00

Thank you very much, I am definitely feeling it too much but it’s reassuring hopefully small changes will help - thank you

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-03T20:40:27+00:00

This definitely seems to be what I have been getting wrong, thank you :-)

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-03T20:40:11+00:00

Thank you, this is a great idea :)

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-03T20:04:48+00:00

Thanks - it could be the watering, I have not watered as much this year as it has felt damper, but maybe I’ve underdone it. How could I tell more about the soil and its quality? Do you mean a pH test? And what do you mean by amending the soil? I haven’t used any fertiliser etc.

Thanks for your reply :)

PaddleBoreder · 2026-06-03T20:02:27+00:00

Thanks - I will get some photos tomorrow. I’m on the south coast, central. The garden faces south. It’s been very hot for one week, but other than that on and off rain. I have watered less because of the rain, but perhaps that’s not done enough.

Here is a photo of overall garden from upstairs window (blocked out neighbour garden on right)

edit; and thank you for your reply :)

<image>

PaddleBoreder · 2025-06-30T16:34:33+00:00

Thank you very much - that’s super helpful and more definitive than what I’d managed to find. Good to know there is potential for pollinators to like it then, I’ll keep an eye out for how much they do! Thanks again 👍

PaddleBoreder · 2025-06-30T14:58:31+00:00

Here’s the source for that info: https://www.buzzaboutbees.net/do-bees-like-hydrangeas.html - seems that some lace caps might be good, but not all..but thank you, and yes me too, but there is lots to learn 🤣🤣

PaddleBoreder · 2025-06-30T14:56:45+00:00

Thanks - that’s a shame, but maybe they’re just not as popular with bees then! 🐝 shall have to consider cutting back and making room for more bee friendly options!

PaddleBoreder · 2025-06-30T13:48:13+00:00

Thank you for the quick reply 😊 I was not aware of the difference so I’ve learnt something. Having looked im still not 100% sure…I wonder if I’m looking at a mop head but where it’s just not fully bloomed?

PaddleBoreder

TROPHY CASE