One decision, anyway, and that is that the Parottia persica can stay where it is – having looked in my books I see that it can grow upwards of 50 feet tall, and having nowhere suitable for another tree of that of that height it can stay and be stunted where it is, with or without its autumn colours and pretty bark. I can’t imagine why I chose that position in the first place and certainly can’t have realised how tall it might grow. Hey ho….
Some other decisions may become easier following the arrival of The Bold and Brilliant Garden, not an overnight transformation of our plot but a book by Sarah Raven thoughtfully recommended by Anna at Green Tapestry – thanks Anna. This is a lovely book to dip into and will provide lots of ideas to improve my hot borders. I feel excited by the prospect already!
A decision nearly made is to allow the return of selected euphorbias into the garden, having grubbed several out perhaps 7 or 8 years ago after a period of being in favour as they were seeding themselves around too much. Astonishingly they still keep reappearing in the garden even now, and the healthy plant living alongside the raspberries in the fruit cage will probably be allowed out to play in a proper border again. More than likely Euphorbia characias, or something else quite ordinary, it will be given another chance after seeing several euphorbia comfortably providing structure in other bloggers gardens. If it misbehaves it can always be given the boot again…
Rambling in the Garden 
That looks a tempting book. Yes, Euphorbias do seed themselves around but are very easy to remove if they are in the wrong place; I wouldn’t want to be without the ones I have. They ask nothing and repay with looking great all year.
It may have been over the top taking them all out before, but they must have been really irking me at the time!
Sounds like a book I’d like – must keep an eye out for it. I’ve rid my garden of all Euphorbia except Silver Swan as it’s been looking good all year. I wonder if my opinion will change once all the surrounding plants disappear!
Are you trying to get me swithering about the future of euphorbia in my garden, Angie…?!
Hi Cathy, that looks a scrumtious book, Sarah Raven has a gift for dramatic planting combinations, and beautiful photography to illustrate them. I rarely buy from her any longer, but I do still relish the catalogues because the beautiful images give me so many ideas. As for the euphorbias, I hope that if you decide to give one or two a second chance the behave themselves and provide more pleasure than hassle!!
I have looked at Sarah Raven catalogues in the past but thought them very expensive. Have started dipping into the book and will definitely have lots of ideas to take forward next year.
Oh thanks for the mention Cathy 🙂 I do hope that you find the book both useful and inspiring. Sadly I suffer from skin allergies so dare not risk euphorbias but enjoy admiring them from afar. I hope they behave more considerately this time round.
The euphorbias will be out on their ear if they don’t! I am aware that they can cause allergies an even though I have minor skin issues occasionally myself I don’t recall this being a problem – but I will be careful 😉
I’ve tried a few different euphorbias but all except one has decided that they don’t like living here! The only one to stay and seed itself about is Euphorbia melliferra, it grows to about 5 ft tall and wide and has the most beautiful honey perfume in May which wafts about the garden and can be detected about 100 ft away. Seedlings get potted up and sold when we have the garden open.
E melliferra sounds lovely – I don’t think I have anything in the garden that smells as much as that – if a little tall. I will have a look out for it and see it deserves a space here.
E. mellifera is a stunning plant Cathy, it was one of the first things I planted here. Fabulous foliage, and that scent to look forward to as well.
Thanks for confirming that Janet
Lots of inspiration to be had from that book, Cathy – I have several Sarah Raven books on my bookshelf. I’m so thankful that euphorbia self-seed so readily; one of the other tenants here at York Rise decided to dig up and throw away our ‘tropical bed’ – kniphofia, phormiums and euphorbia all gone in one afternoon! Caused an outrage I can tell you! However, all the euphorbia have crept back again and we’ve forbidden that particular tenant to go near the border! (He wanted it to plant his spring onions in!!!)
Good grief! What a shame, for the spring onion lover and the rest of you!! I am feeling quite inspired already by SR’s book and look forward to getting stuck in there next season!