Elvis is Alive and in my Garden!!!

When we went to Akamba last weekend, one of my friends, a talented man carved me an 'Easter Island Statue' out of a thermolite block. The girls have nicknamed him 'Boris', and hubby calls him 'Joe' so he is now Boris Joe or BJ for short!



After the rain he looked like this,



I don't care what you say, this is Elvis and he 'IS' in my garden!!!!

Busy & Beautiful

Well it has certainly been a busy weekend, phew! I'm plum tuckered out!

Having had a lovely day on Saturday at Akamba and spent just a little bit of money!! Oh by the way I used my garden vouchers at last!!

Sunday was so warm that we decided to plant one or two plants!
The Trachycarpus Fortunei, that has been in a pot for quite a few years and has now got to the stage where we struggle to lift it, so it had to be planted. Here is hubby in his stripes (he does like his stripes!)digging a big hole and next to him is Trachy!


Trachy, now planted, I took of a few palms and will feed it with Palmbooster

I am pleased how this looks as the far side has room for me to plant a couple of my brugmansias. I have decided to plant alot of them this year as this should hopefully reduce the need to water so often, then late autumn I will dig them up and over winter in the greenhouse!

My Tetrapanax Papyrifera 'Rex' which has been overwintering in the greenhouse has speeded up its growth rate, so for the last week I have had it sat outside to harden off. At long last after much deliberation and tea drinking I have decided where it should be planted.



I have taken a pic of it with a standard unit of measurement you will all recognise and we can all watch it grow!I hope to do this about once a month, as I believe these can shift!!!!!

Sassy was exhausted with all this going on and found somewhere cool to lie down!



The Borneo Giant unfurling another leaf! I hope we get some good weather soon as I want to move this up onto the patio where its nice and hot, or should be if we get a good summer!!


Sparmannia africana,(House Lime or African Hemp) probably not the most sensible buy, but these leaves are soft and fluffy! Another one that will need to be lifted in for the winter, maybe a bit tender but should be ok on my south facing patio!



You will like these......did you know there was such a thing as Hardy Impatiens? (Busy Lizzies) not that they look like your standard Busy Lizzie

on the left we have Impatiens omeiana and on the right Impatiens tinctoria now aren't you jealous!!!! I have always loved busy lizzies and often have them planted in my window boxes.
I was so impressed by these I bought a book about them.
Off for a cuppa and a read!!!!!

Deep in the Jungle! (pic intensive)

Hubby & I had a day out yesterday. It was a day out like no other I have been on! If you thought I liked tropicals, well think again after yesterday I am besotted with them!



There where animals running in all directions!



Under tall palms,



With animals getting closer



and closer



creepy ones



tall ones



we finally found some sign of inhabitation




where the natives where friendly and waved



and we sought shelter, coffee and bacon butties



This was the Hardy Tropicals forum meet at Akamba. What a place, I have never been to anywhere in the UK, like this before! I was so gobsmacked I only got photos of the carpark!!!!!!
I came away with lots of plants, which I forgot to take pics of!! New friends and tons and tons of inspiration!
If you happen to be in the area, of this unique Garden Centre then do pop in for a peek and a Fairtrade coffee or tea! If Easy Exotics are not your thing then just go for the experience, it is amazing!