Forest Flames

Mine is fabulous and the one next door to DD3 even more so.

I live in Hampshire and when I moved here two years ago I was delighted to find some established shrubs in the garden that I’d never been able to grow in my alkaline Fenland soil. This Pieris was bedraggled and neglected but soon responded to some TLC. I didn’t dare move it but would prefer it against a darker background. Repainting the walk is at the bottom of a long list of design ideas!

We have a pieris that we planted over 20 years ago, never flowered, never grew much. Then this year it was covered in flowers and looks really good.

Everything seems lovely at the moment here, I'd like to put it down to my gardening skills but suspect it is the mild, wet winter.
I grow a few ericaceous plants in pots and they're definitely looking better because of all the rain as compared with their usual diet of tap water with a dash of acidic feed.

This was taken a month ago, and is now more colourful.

When my mum had to go into care due to Dementia and we were clearing out her house I went into the garden one last time and there was a poor looking wee Forest Flame. I thought 'I'll take it home and try to bring it on', it'll be a reminder of our home and my Mums garden. I put it into the biggest pot I could find in B&Q and it's been there ever since ... that was 24yrs ago! it's still going strong and looks gorgeous this year for some reason.

Blue54

When my mum had to go into care due to Dementia and we were clearing out her house I went into the garden one last time and there was a poor looking wee Forest Flame. I thought 'I'll take it home and try to bring it on', it'll be a reminder of our home and my Mums garden. I put it into the biggest pot I could find in B&Q and it's been there ever since ... that was 24yrs ago! it's still going strong and looks gorgeous this year for some reason.

Wow! I would love mine to look that. Never mind. I just have another 22 years to go!

I was just saying to Mr P yesterday that the Forest Flames are particularly magnificent this year. I don't have one in my garden just now but I will have to get one.