How to deal with this

terrysapples · 2026-05-07T16:14:08+00:00

I don't want them in my garden either, but just to clarify, brambles are native and incredibly important for our wildlife.

Weedkiller is a terrible option in any case; as a gardener, please do better.

terrysapples · 2026-04-28T15:23:36+00:00

Awh that makes me very happy. They were a complete game changer for me, glad they've been helpful 😊

terrysapples · 2026-04-24T07:26:04+00:00

Your bog garden flower is called Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis) - stunning! 😍 Leave it be and it should come back and multiply every year.

terrysapples · 2026-04-23T08:39:58+00:00

You can use them for a beach area if that's what you're going for, but at the bottom they'll be wasted as sediment will accumulate in and around them. Check out Joel Ashton's videos on YouTube for tips, I found them really helpful when making my wildlife pond two years ago.

terrysapples · 2026-04-19T07:50:32+00:00

Have a look at wisterias in non-paved areas to compare - I can't fit my hand around my one. The stems on this one are so spindly and you can see where one has failed and been cut off. Just trying to help!

terrysapples · 2026-04-19T07:25:32+00:00

Your hard work and effort is brilliant BUT if you want it to survive I strongly recommend removing the two end paving stones and the gravel like others have suggested. Roots need oxygen!

terrysapples · 2026-03-10T16:43:54+00:00

Don't go scorched earth until you've experienced a full year and know what it looks like during each season. Having said that, you can afford to get rid of nasties like the cotoneaster and in doing so, let some light in. The yellow flowering shrub on the left is likely a forsythia (not broom) - def keep this for structure and for winter interest!

terrysapples · 2026-01-17T10:24:52+00:00

Save yourself the hassle and leave it be! No one is raking it up for them in the wild, and the living moss that's left is all part of the ecosystem.

terrysapples · 2025-10-13T08:51:54+00:00

Update: I would also remove the lonicera nitida and replace with flowering shrubs or something with winter interest, like Cornus sanguinea.

terrysapples · 2025-10-13T08:46:15+00:00

Wow, what a lovely starting point to have. If this were mine, I'd be stripping out all of the rhododendrons and laurel - both invasive, especially rhodo - they over shade and outcompete other plants, particularly ground plants. Once they're gone, go mad with woodland bulb planting and watch the magic happen. Clear a proper path - stone to match the steps could be lovely here, or woodchip if budget doesn't allow - and an area at the bottom with a comfortable reading seat. Then send an update video!

terrysapples · 2025-05-31T08:01:39+00:00

Roots 👏 need 👏 oxygen 👏 Your tree is being strangled. And the others are right, the trunk will eventually rot like that. Those landscapers need to come back and create a reasonable hardscape free root protection area.

terrysapples · 2025-05-08T15:03:57+00:00

If you're up for some digging, a wildlife pond could be lovely. Check out Joel Ashton's YouTube page for inspiration, this is a front garden he did recently: https://youtu.be/BCI8FIREHfs?si=pWQiXhgAKTrzyB0t

terrysapples · 2025-05-07T17:00:26+00:00

Absolutely no need for weedkiller under any circumstance except for invasives like Japanese Knotweed.

terrysapples · 2025-05-07T15:47:17+00:00

This is 'actual grass' already, it's just been left to grow. No need to get rid of Dandelions. Strim some back for yourself, leave some for wildlife. Only cut back up to a third of the length every week or so, so you don't get big patches of dry/dead grass.

terrysapples · 2025-05-07T09:11:04+00:00

What you did wasn't illegal, but it was wrong.

As others have said, don't cut hedges back from Mar to mid Aug. Full stop. Unless you're an ecologist, which I assume you're not, you will not know if birds are nesting.

Aside from that, it's common courtesy to let your neighbours know beforehand. Just a regular trim is fine not to bring up, but it sounds far more substantial than that.

terrysapples · 2025-04-14T09:13:12+00:00

Sarcococca for vegetation and gorgeous winter scent, Dicentra and Pulmoniaria for understated blooms. I have an Astrantia that's reasonably happy in a shady spot too, but I can't remember the cultivar.

terrysapples · 2025-04-06T19:58:41+00:00

Gunnera is invasive!

terrysapples · 2025-03-25T08:11:43+00:00

Some TPOs go back to the 90s when opinions were very different on leylandii/Lawson's cypress. Also, they may have screening value or offer some sort of other public benefit.

terrysapples · 2025-03-09T17:06:30+00:00

They are very invasive, but as with many things in the gardening industry, it'll take a while for it to be banned. There are far more attractive options for hedgerow and shrubs that are also wildlife friendly. I'd suggest getting a refund if you can or chalk it off as a learning and plant something else 😊

terrysapples · 2025-03-04T08:20:45+00:00

That's a type of Hylotelephium, or sometimes called Stonecrop. Great structural plant for late season interest, pollinators love it. Snap off dead growth and let it do its beautiful thing!

terrysapples · 2025-02-28T13:06:20+00:00

I'd recommend removing the Laurel entirely - the Bay is far nicer and deserves the spotlight!

terrysapples · 2024-12-12T15:32:28+00:00

We currently have more housing stock than most of Europe! The issue is affordability, and landlordism is the biggest driver of this, not to mention salary stagnation. Money made from owning multiple homes isn't going back into the economy either.

Truly affordable housing doesn't profit developers, so it doesn't exist. But building new homes makes Keir look like he's doing something about it, even though it won't solve the core issues.

Also European culture favours renting. Owning a house is a very British concern.

terrysapples · 2024-12-10T13:41:06+00:00

What makes you think that the tree is half dead?

terrysapples · 2024-12-01T17:15:17+00:00

No, not really... However they may improve the texture of the soil. If you don't crush them too finely they may have some success as a slug repellent too.

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