Buys, Buds and a Bold Move

Arisaema sikokianum

It is often said that "good things come to those who wait" and it seems as though that may actually be true.  On seeing the above Arisaema at RHS Cardiff 2009 I knew I had to have it.  As with most plants you covet at shows they are either not for sale or the nursery has sold out as everyone else wants them too.  These plants end up on my plant wish-list and then I wait for the next chance to buy them.  When it came time to visit RHS Malvern this year I was determined to find this particular plant and it just so happens that I managed to buy one.  I was absolutely thrilled as I needed a plant for a shady corner and I really did not want anything else.  The Arisaema is now in pride of place and as you can see it's in full flower.  

Another saying that has rung true this week is "good things come in threes".

Aloysia triphylla

Given the Winter that we have just endured I thought that my Lemon Verbena (Aloysia tryphylla) was for the compost heap.  Up until now it has looked absolutely lifeless and then suddenly buds formed and broke.  If you do not grow this plant for yourself then I would urge you to do so as it has to be one of the best, if not the best, garden plant to grow.  Okay, it's no show stopper and the flowers are fairly inconspicuous, however, the scent is absolutely astounding.  A scent similar to sherbert lemons this plant has many uses and is particularly good in the bath bouquet.  If I were to urge anyone to grow a single plant then this would be it.

Finally, the last piece of good news is pictured below.

My new allotment

I have finally joined the masses of allotmenteers around the country!  Since moving house a few years ago I have lacked adequate space to grow a decent crop of anything and so I put my name down on the local allotment waiting list.  Last night I 'phoned the allotment secretary, something that I have done religiously every few months in an attempt to grind them down and she informed me that she had been trying to call me on my landline all day as a space had become available.  I was thrilled with the news and arranged to meet her today at 11:00am.  Most of the day has been spent on the plot clearing the area and salvaging what there is left to salvage.  The good news is that the last plot holder has left a massive rhubarb plant, two berry bushes (yet to be identified), raspberries, chard, several rows of onions which must have been planted last autumn and a small cherry tree.  There is a lot of hard work needed to get the plot up to standard but it will be more of a pleasure than a chore.  All I need now is a decent shed, vegetable seeds or plants and a new bench.  

There is no doubt that the blog will evolve from here on in and combine the ornamental with the edible.  I will also post regular updates on how the plot is coming on and seek advice from other experienced allotmenteers.  Ryan's Garden has become a little bigger!