Hi from Edinburgh

Lammergeier · #1 (**permalink**) 16-03-2007, 10:09 PM

Hi everyone.

We bought our flat up here last september after renting for a few years... we now have a garden of our own. Aside from getting decorating done etc and preparations for new baby, i've had one eye constantly on the garden.

It is actually a medium sized garden, fronting a ground floor flat, no privacy but functional. It is surrounded by a 1 meter high iron fence, which I covered with coated chicken wire (looks better than it sounds) for Ivy to key into. Considering the size of the garden we've been ambitious with planting. All native bar a few cultivar fruit bushes down the side of the house, a Buddleja and a Hebe in a pot. We've planted hedging this winter which comprises mainly Beech with sporadic Hawthorn, Crab Apple, Dogwood, Wayfaring Tree and Guelder Rose. In one corner plot is a Rowan, two Hazel, two Wild Service, two Wild Pear (classed as native?), a Sallow and a Birch. The Birch and Rowan will grow to medium sized trees and the rest will be be kept as an informal shaggy hedge. The Sallow will be given free reign and eventually coppiced if need be. In another corner plot is the Buddleja and Alder Buckthorn. Ivy is planted along the fence. I've gone a bit mad I suppose but at least the plants can be given time to settle while we do up the house. Also plan to plant Clematis Vitalba and native Honeysuckle up the side of the property sometime soon (as soon as support can be built for the wall). Also dug out a wildflower border and will work on a small pond soon as well (with screening to keep out baby). Belive it or not this will leave us with still a nice patch of lawn and a good legacy for the little one to learn about nature.

I've been inspired by a lady I read about in the Independent several years ago, from Leicestershire, who created a town garden which, eventually, went on to harbour hundreds of species of animals (vertibrates and, mainly, invertebrates) as well as many, many species of plant. An inspiration to us all and anybody who loves nature.

Deer Stalker · #2 (**permalink**) 16-03-2007, 10:28 PM

Hi Lammergeier. Welcome to WAB.

rlchew · #3 (**permalink**) 16-03-2007, 11:19 PM

Hello Lammergeier

Welcome to WAB.

That's some bird you have named yourself after!

Enjoy the website.

Richard

Lords and Ladies · #4 (**permalink**) 16-03-2007, 11:48 PM

Hi Lammergeier, the garden sounds great. You've certainly been busy with the trees

. Hope you can post some photos of it as it progresses.

buzfuz8149 · #5 (**permalink**) 17-03-2007, 07:05 AM

Hi Lammergeier,

A warm welcome to WAB, sounds like you are very keen about nature - so you will fit in fine here, look forward to some photos and more reports on your garden.

Carol.

Foxe · #6 (**permalink**) 17-03-2007, 07:44 AM

Hi!

Welcome to WAB

goosey · #7 (**permalink**) 17-03-2007, 07:47 AM

Hello Lammergeier, it sounds as if you have a lot on your plate at the moment. Your garden sounds wonderful all that size and scope - I'm so jelouse

I have a town garden which is totally planted for wildlife , It's amazing what it attracts, but it's tiny (and so is the wildlife

). Welcome to WAB, and I'd love to see some of the photo's when you have time to post any

Lammergeier · #8 (**permalink**) 17-03-2007, 08:56 AM

Will certainly post some pic's next few weeks I hope. I ordered most of the plants as cell grown, the buds are popping even now, although the plants are only about a foot high at the moment. They should establish quickly though and put on good growth this year. I've taken a chance with the Wild Service and Alder Buckthorn because they do better in the southern half of the UK. Summers up here though can be really warm, to be quite honest I think it feels a bit fresher up here compared to the midlands (coastal anyway) but it also helps to keep lingering frost away because of the sea breezes that blow over the city. The last two winters have been very mild.