Sweep, did you not see my pictures? It can't possibly be any more of a tip than mine is.

Come on we've shown you ours now show us yours

Karen

Your garden is lovely Steve I envy you your grass with two bitches grass is a no no - big time here.

However I have to say I chopped/slimmed down my Sundance so that should come up well this year,

Shame about your gum tree will you replant another tree there or do something else? I cut a tree down a few years ago for same thing a storm had taken it out but cut it to hip height screwed a hanging basket into it worked well until I finaly decided to get rif of the stump.

Karen

Theres actually 4 Sundances there Kazz-they're grouped in pairs to appear bigger than normal.I love brushing along side them cause of the smell released! When i bought this house 7 years ago,the gardens were bare with no plants so had pretty much an open book.

The Gum tree was 30ft high and only 6 years old before half snapped off in storm.I bought it as a little 2ft high twig and it just kept on growing...I know i can cut it off at ground level and guaranteed it will re-grow,but with all honesty-they are too big for normal gardens.This type 'the cider gum' grows very quickly (30ft in 6 years remember!) and i may have a problem with killing it off as the stump/roots can survive bush fires back in Oz!

Will need to have a look around at other tree species to see what catches my eye to replace it.I dont like Silver Birches cause the trunk always goes a greeny colour.I would like a Catalpa (Indian bean tree) cause the huge leaves are fascinating,but again-they grow hugeeeee!

Just gotta keep looking...

Yeah the scent is good, have you considered an Acer? I adore mine. Simply adore it. Also the False Acer is nice, doesn't grow to large and lovely foliage.

I am told although yet to prove it that planting a tree in a large tub like a half barrel restricts the growth.

I have a friend who had a roof garden and I am certain he had an Indian Bean Tree and he lived there for about 5 years and has since moved taking I am sure that tree with him. Maybe thats your answer the tree of your dreams in a "barrel" similar idea to a Bonzai I imagine.


Karen

Here's some photo's of mine before Daisy desolated the grass
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...5/gardenb4.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...lastyear05.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...65/b4daisy.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...peneseanem.jpg

I just love gardening and will have to set to and get it sorted...

Ok...............................here it is! It is a very long and narrow garden
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...ardenfromb.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...op/garden3.jpg

Well done Sweep! you did it. Thanks to everyone joining in on this thread, see if we can keep it going through to the Autumn.
Did go and get a few bits yesterday from a small independant who's prices were so good.

Will try to get my husband to go see the olive tree's sometime over the weekend.

Well done Sweep for posting some piccys-your garden is nice and long so you have plenty of options on which style you want! How about having a path which meanders to bottom of garden so it exagerates the length of garden even more.I think a path made out of used bricks would look everso good and instead of cementing the joints-brush soil instead so it activily encourages moss,lychen etc to grow to add more character.Is your house Victorian and if so-i think cottage style would suit this era.

ah Frizzy-you have 2 of my all time favourite plants! Gunnerra Manicata and an Australian tree fern! Great garden!!!