Idea for Christmas Gift

Hi
Im looking for a gift for my wife for Christmas. Im looking for ideas for something to be sown outdoor and that gives a good beautiful flower. Ive looked at magnolias and rhododendron....but am looking for other ideas too. Something beautiful that my wife will enjoy when in flower.

We have a good sized 1/2 acre garden so space isnt really a problem. We are less than 1km from the sea but the site is relatively sheltered. Soil is poor enough but I have ready access to well rotted horse manure that Ive been rotavating into bedding and growing areas, as well as covering with bark mulch.

If you could add a link or a pic of any ideas please.

many thanks.

cheif kaiser

Passion Flower! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passiflora

Many different types, all are beautiful and have a lovely smell. The name also says it all really

makeandcreate

I love magnolias - particularly the Japanese ones, the flowers are exquisite - for something more fleeting and ethereal, there's always the white Japanese blossom tree as well or a Wisteria once it is established is stunning as well.

monkeynuz

Get a load of barefoot David Austin roses, their mail order service is very good and the choice of plants fantastic get something heavily scented.

lazybones32

monkeynuz wrote: »

Get a load of barefoot David Austin roses, their mail order service is very good and the choice of plants fantastic get something heavily scented.

Damn you anyway....something tells me I'm going burn a hole in my card after seeing the roses on that site. Now I need a bigger garden.

looksee

Mr Middleton in Dublin has an offer of 5 David Austin roses for €50, at the moment. Random selection, but they are all gorgeous.

monkeynuz

looksee wrote: »

Mr Middleton in Dublin has an offer of 5 David Austin roses for €50, at the moment. Random selection, but they are all gorgeous.

Personally I would prefer to get bare root direct from the grower than an end of season sell off of potted roses assuming that's what they're doing.

I know that I've heard my wife mention the beauty she finds in a Silver Birch tree.
Could anyone recommend somewhere that would deliver a tree 1.5-2m ?


Edit: Has anyone used these people? http://www.caraghnurseries.ie/trees

Further edit: They are looking for €50 for delivery so I'll give them a miss

makeandcreate

makeandcreate wrote: »

I love magnolias - particularly the Japanese ones, the flowers are exquisite - for something more fleeting and ethereal, there's always the white Japanese blossom tree as well or a Wisteria once it is established is stunning as well.

Could you post a link for where Id get a Japanese Blossom?

monkeynuz

TheTorment wrote: »

I know that I've heard my wife mention the beauty she finds in a Silver Birch tree.
Could anyone recommend somewhere that would deliver a tree 1.5-2m ?


Edit: Has anyone used these people? http://www.caraghnurseries.ie/trees

Further edit: They are looking for €50 for delivery so I'll give them a miss

http://www.johnstowngardencentre.ie/p/betula-jacquemontii-trinity-college---white-stem-silver-birch-tree/betula_trinity_college

I think delivery is a fiver and all the plants we've had from them have been fantastic worth giving them a call to check it applies to the tree.

monkeynuz

TheTorment wrote: »

Could you post a link for where Id get a Japanese Blossom?

Magnolia stellata

http://www.johnstowngardencentre.ie/p/magnolia-stellata---star-magnolia/magnolia_stellata

Thanks Monkeynuz. Much appreciated

looksee

monkeynuz wrote: »

Personally I would prefer to get bare root direct from the grower than an end of season sell off of potted roses assuming that's what they're doing.

They are bare rooted

monkeynuz

looksee wrote: »

They are bare rooted

I saw that after posting, I'd still rather choose my own roses though rather than the predetermined selection.

Nothing better than thumbing through the catalogue.

looksee

My roses arrived - appear to be in excellent condition. I got Winchester Cathedral, Crown Princess Margaretta, Graham Thomas, Abraham Derby and Gertrude Jeckyll. Plus a freebie of species crocus bulbs, narcissus bulbs and two packs of Thompson and Morgan seeds. Delighted!

monkeynuz

monkeynuz wrote: »

http://www.johnstowngardencentre.ie/p/betula-jacquemontii-trinity-college---white-stem-silver-birch-tree/betula_trinity_college

I think delivery is a fiver and all the plants we've had from them have been fantastic worth giving them a call to check it applies to the tree.

Thanks Monkeynuz. She really really loved it.

monkeynuz

TheTorment wrote: »

Thanks Monkeynuz. She really really loved it.

Fantastic! That's great to hear, merry Christmas to you all.