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I’ve neglected this blog for far too long, I know. It’s been because of the distraction of writing for Garden Rant, and if you’re desperate to read more of my wonderful words, you’ll find them there. And much more besides. I’ve resisted the temptation to publish the same pieces here, so as not to annoy those who subscribe to both. But tell me in the Comments below if you’d like me to put them up here, to save you wandering off on a cyber trip to America?

Though it’s not far or difficult….

Meanwhile I’m about to bore you with thoughts about growing ivy all over your house, just to avoid being controversial today. We attended a lecture not long ago by a man who builds and repairs dry stone walls, who finished his lecture with a diatribe about ivy. Which, of course, can do enormous damage to a wall. If you don’t look after it.

We’ve grown ivy on our walls since we came here 33 years ago, partly because the old stone cottage had had a rendered extension added on which was an unattractive combination. Added to which the whole assembly was rather ugly, so covering it with greenery seemed a great idea.

Since then we have discovered that it keeps the house warmer in winter and cooler in summer. And I love watching the rain run off it. You just have to maintain it properly, which means cutting it away from the windows, doors and eaves, and treating the face like a hedge. Regularly.

Keeping the house warm ish

We do sometimes fail to notice it creeping cheerfully into the windows, and then cutting back can on occasions damage the paint on the woodwork. So I was cheered to read recently that not only has recent research confirmed the assertions I’ve just been making, but also offered a way to help contain it. See here. RHS no less.

Apparently an anti graffiti paint helps to restrain its clinging. Though I’m a bit sad to see that it says you need two coats. We have just applied one! Hmm..

This is experimental and not especially cheap, so we will see how it does. Maybe we will have to add a second coat……(Bother, said Pooh)

And because that may have been a bit boring for lots of you, here’s flowers… O – and barring new disasters, we will be opening the garden this summer, see here.

Erythoniums in the woods at Veddw

And here’s news about a charitable gesture by WireFence.

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