I have next week off work so this is the start of what is effectively a 9-day weekend for me. I will vacationing in the exotic Back Garden, with occasional, no-expense-spared excursions to the Front Garden. I will do battle with poorly staked plants, slugs, aphids, a serious backlog of planting, recalcitrant bean plants, run-away sweet peas, patches of bare lawn that stubbornly refuse to re-grow despite what is now two sowings of grass seed, and other such relaxing holiday pasttimes. For now it is time for Six on Saturday. Six things, in the garden, on a Saturday. Could be anything happening now in your garden – a flower, a pest, a problem, a success, an ancient tool, anything at all. Join in!
Here are my Six for this week.
1 – Clematis Rebecca. Young Becky here is poorly. Possibly. I suspect wilt. It isn’t lack of water. It could just be that these particularly flowers are just fading, but overall the plant doesn’t look well.


2 – Clematis, probably Nellie Moser. This one, on the other hand, mere feet away from Becky, is doing just fine.

3 – Sweet William. Bought last year as a patio pot filler, I didn’t quite get around to emptying said pots over the winter, and here they are, back again and flowering with gusto. Jolly.

4 – Digitalis, white one. Not sure what the official name is, I grew a few different kinds last year and was slack in the label department. I am ahead of the game for next year, in theory, a few more kinds sown this year.

5 – Dianthus deltoides ‘Brilliancy’. These continue to do very well for me. Grown from seed a few years ago they are still going strong. A good edge -of-the border do-er. I must look out for seed of other dianthus.

6 – The Wall of Fragrance. As well as the two purple clematis (it was a surprise that both were purple, I think they may even be the same variety), there are three roses and a trachelospermum jasminoides, or star jasmine which is a good deal easier to write. Rose ‘The Pilgrim’, on the left is going nuts, so many flowers. ‘Claire Austin’ is on the right, and doing a creditable job herself. The star jasmine is just beginning to flower. The 3rd rose, Dr Eckener, is in the middle. The clematis are not blessed with any niff, but the others! My goodness the smell walking past there is fabulous.

Those are my Six for this week, what are yours? If you’d like to have a go, just publish your post and pop a link to it below in the comments. If you also mention my blog in yours that would be fablious. For more details you can peruse the guide.
I turst you will all have a productive weekend in the garden, I certainly plan to. Don’t forget to check back in as more links get added during the day.
Stay safe, I will be back next week with another #SixOnSaturday.
I recommend forgetting grass and spreading white clover seed instead. It’s great stuff. I’m amazed at your clematis. Mine is just now forming buds. My contribution: https://wp.me/p4Y6ke-2w2
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i might just buy turf, cut out the middle man. it’s pure impatience, the existing grass will eventually spread to cover the bare patches.
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You have way more patience than I do! My existing grass is ok. I couldn’t even get grass seed to sprout on the clay I have, but clover is lush and green.
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https://dandelionend.wordpress.com/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-may-23-2020/
Great to see your post again. Here’s mine for the week.
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The white foxglove with the green spots is interesting. I haven’t noticed one quite like that before.
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no, me either. wish i’d taken note of which variety it is.
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Afternoon! Lovely job again this week! Enjoy your ‘travels’ next week; make sure you take some time to appreciate the garden as well as working in it! My six are edibles this week (partly because there’s still a lot of promise and not much else in my garden at the moment)… https://mysecretgarden61808037.wordpress.com/2020/05/23/sixonsaturday-nearly-good-enough-to-eat/
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i sat still for a whole 5 minutes earlier today. a record!
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The “Wall of Fragrance” sounds lovely! My Sweet William are biennials, I didn’t know there were ones that came back to bloom a second year.
Enjoy your vacation. I certainly hope you weren’t planning an exotic get-away with the family before all “this!”
https://lisasgardenadventureinoregon.blogspot.com/2020/05/six-on-saturday-may-23-2020.html
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it is not a strong fragrance, but noticeable as you pass by. very nice.
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Clematis wilt, ugh. I hope Becky recovers. I wish I could experience the wall of fragrance..and the Dianthus are adorable. I am not sure why I never thought of growing them from seed. I use them as winter annuals here. Here is my non floral six, thank you for hosting and enjoy your vacation. http://theshrubqueen.com/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-florida-foliage-fun/
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seems it might be wind damage rather than wilt. we had strong dry winds for 2 days here. i’ve pruned and fed her, should perk up again.
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Good, wilt is disastrous.
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A wall of scent, how wonderful!
Bird song – SonS
http://pots-and-paws.com/2020/05/23/bird-song-sons/
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it is, even if i do say so myself!
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The white digitalis is gorgeous, I only have the common purple variety, courtesy of being blown in from the lanes! They are starting to take over one raised bed, so I might have to be ruthless and evict some soon. I love the fragrant wall. As for the lawn, did you see the idea on Gardeners’ World (or was it a Chelsea program)? Where you take off the edge of the lawn and plant it in a seed tray, cover with compost and water it and let it grow to a perfect rectangle, then use that to fill in the bare patches – this way you get a perfect match for your lawn. Simples!!
https://wp.me/p79zFr-2Zf
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Cunning plan. I moght just buy some turf when I venture to the g/c in the week.
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Happy holidays, Mr P. There’s nothing like getting away from it all for while. 🙂 Your wall of fragrance sounds fab and I am wishing the clemmie well, I have a poorly one here too. And sadly I’ve just spotted the other one has been decapitated by the winds that have just ripped through the garden. Ah well, perhaps it encourage some flowers from lower down. I’m a fan of the dianthus deltoides too. Here’s my somewhat late offering – but still within the time limit! https://wp.me/p97pee-Aa
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wind damage is suspected now, rather than wilt. should perk up.
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What a fun nine days that would be for me! I love your “wall of fragrance!” Here I am today! https://thecadyluckleedy.com/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-its-finish-up-day/
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yes, should be a relaxing break.
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I finally have a Clematis to show. Just one flower, though, so even your poor Rebecca looks better than my plant.
Also, a bunch of South and Central American plants that are surprisingly cold hardy.
https://sweetgumandpines.wordpress.com/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-56-may-23-2020/
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the clematis are having a good year. i think they appreciated the wet winter followed by a warm and sunny spring.
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I’m fascinated with the “wall of fragrance.” I’m also a little jealous of your talent with clematis. Good photos. Here is my link, https://aftereden.blog/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-23-may-2020/.
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talent! hardly. i just plant em and water em.
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Sounds like you will be very busy, but in heaven! Love your wall of fragrance. I forget Sweet William when looking for/buying seeds, but they are a favourite. I will make a note on my phone so I remember in future. Have fun next week.
Here are my six: https://wp.me/pM8Y1-7OB
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i just bought a few more, and they take ok as cuttings, as i recall.
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No expense spared excursions? Excellent! Enjoy.
Poor Rebecca I hope it’s not wilt and just as a result of this ridiculous swings and roundabouts weather. My six are all about this https://digwithdorris.wordpress.com
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wind damage, i am advised. fingers crossed.
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I totally forgot to get dianthus this year! Too busy weeding to make a proper list.
Heres my contribution. https://pruneplantsow.wordpress.com/2020/05/23/sixonsaturday-may-23rd-a-may-zing/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
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easy to grow from seed, worth a bash in the autumn (can be sown then).
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I’ll give it a shot. Its hard to get the plants you want here at the best of times. This year impossible.
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I wonder if that Clematis has the dreaded ‘wilt’ – I experienced it once, long ago – a huge vine just suddenly up and seemingly died, only to spring back two years later, as if nothing had ever happened. Here’s my Six this week – it’s still spring here, although a bit warmer these days!
https://countygardening.wordpress.com/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-23-05-2020-ifs-ands-and-butts/
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Yes i lose the occasional one to wilt, usually back the following year.
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I like your expression “the wall of fragrance “! I can really imagine the smell …
My sweet williams are not yet in bloom. Nice to see them already in your Six.
I’m late to paste my link; here is it ! https://fredgardenerblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-23-05-20/
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yes it works very well. once the star jasmin is properly out it should be even better.
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Beautiful roses. I gave up on large flowered hybrids years ago due to wilt problems. Still have lots of Clematis though. I apologise for starting my six with a moan this week but my mood improves.
https://thequiltinggardener.wordpress.com/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-23-05-20/
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i don’t think i would be without clematis. in fact i have a couple i need to plant out…
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Have a wonderful time in the garden, a full nine days might enable you to clear that backlog, but you must make time for snoozes and daydreaming as well as weeding and seeding.
This week I’ve been anthropomorphising household appliances, and learning about F1 hybrids. Thanks for the insight into how tomato seeds work!
https://doingtheplan.com/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-week-eleventyillion-of-lockdown/
Jen x
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i had a very nice snooze in the deckchair yesterday afternoon. there will definitely be more snoozes.
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I love the idea of a wall of fragrance and those English Roses from David Austin often have a lovely fragrance. I especially the like the soft yellow of ‘The Pilgrim’. I’m also inspired by your dianthus from seed. We need something to edge a bed with and I think I’ve just seen the very thing!! Have a lovely break next week.
Here are my 6 this week. https://theoptimisticgardener.wordpress.com/category/6-on-saturday/
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yes they work very well from seed, definitely worth a go. i think i got over 60 plants from my original sowing! couldn’t help myself.
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Loving all the clematis again. I’m going to make sure mine get a good watering. Thanks for the tip.
Here’s my link for this week – lots of lupins and iris again as well as Madame Alfred C.
https://www.hortusbaileyana.co.uk/2020/05/the-knot-garden.html
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ooh alfie c. mine (recently planted) is putting out lots of new growth. i am hopeful that between it and generous gardener, they will quickly cover the front of the house.
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They should look fabulous together
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Sorry about Becky. I’m reminded of when I trained a fuchsia to be a standard only to have it die of wilt immediately. I think. Dianthus are such good doers: even here they put on a great show and are hardy. Here’s mine: http://janesmudgeegarden.com/hanging-on-may-23-2020/
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i now think the wilt might just be wind damage. we shall see
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The climbers on the wall look fantastic, and I can just imagine the heavenly scent you get when passing. Your first Clematis looks just like mine does at the moment, but we are in autumn here so I am hoping for it to revive in spring. The white foxglove is lovey. I forgot to put in any seedlings for spring so will be without foxglove blooms in September. Enjoy your long weekend. I’m sure you achieve lots while on vacation.
Here is my Six for the week – https://hairbellsandmaples.com/2020/05/18/six-on-saturday-w21-new-plants-in-may/
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If it is clematis wilt it should be back next year
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The plant is hanging in there, so I’m hoping that come spring it will flourish. I also moved its pot to a sunnier position, which might help.
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I don’t seem to be able to comment on your post, it wants me to log in, but I already am. I’m feeling bemused that I should have influenced a plant purchase on the other side of the world. Does that make me an influencer?
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Thanks for letting me know about the comments. The comment problems is probably due to a recent upgrade. Sorry about that. I will try and sort it out. (Another ‘help’ call to my son. Ha ha!)
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Influencer in a good sense!
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I think I have fixed the issue….
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How nice to have a fragrant wall – I notice that you have them all growing from nice neat containers. You’ve given me another to mull over as I don’t have any climbing plants against any of the house walls.
I hope you can nurse clematis Rebecca back to health as she looks a rather pretty one.
Here’s mine for this weekend.
https://notesfrommygarden.co.uk/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-2020-23-05/
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PS – Enjoy your holiday!
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Yes, just need some decent depth in the containers. Mine are a couple of feet deep. Made from pallets, don’tchaknow.
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Enjoy your staycation! I bet the garden will look fab at the end of it.
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Good morning. Rather a windy day in store, I’m afraid. I need to tie up some of the leggy plants that are bent already before the gales that are due this afternoon. The other job today was going to be clean/clear/repair/paint the garden shed – all or some or, as it happens, none of the above. Yesterday, when I was cutting some of the Swiss Chard for the Potato and Spinach curry (have I mentioned that before?), I heard some quiet twittering from the bird box on the wall of the shed.I’ll leave the little blue tits in peace, the shed can wait. Hope you are all well. Here are my Six-on-Saturday for this week.
https://grannysgarden229242407.wordpress.com/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-23-05-2020
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Yes it is a bit blowy here too. Feeling smug as I put supports in for some of the leggier plants yesterday. They remain admirably vertical.
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Still not sure how you’ve managed week after week of clematis must have run out of fence by now. Nice to see the pilgrim doing well. My climbers are starting to open and now in their 3rd season it’s looking to be a proper show.
This weeks six with the first of the alliums and geraniums.
https://30daysofwildparenting.wordpress.com/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-23-5-20-hardy-geraniums-and-alliums/
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I still have several clematis to show off, plus a couple I haven’t even planted yet. I expect I will also take cuttings…
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I love the look of your smelly wall – that clematis is in just the right place to set off the roses. Is everything in planters (which I assume you made)? By all means, get more diainthus! They’re great little workers. https://lorahughes.blogspot.com/2020/05/heat-wind-dead-of-night.html
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Yes, all in planters (wot I made) as the alley is all concrete.
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I got seed of Dianthus deltoids Arctic Fire to mix in with a solid pink, I could collect seed for you later. White with pink centre. As you say, useful along the edges. You’ve brought me back to considering a climbing rose again, I do like a bit of scent. https://wp.me/p6bCCa-2hM
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Always very happy to receive seed Jim! If it crosses your mind at the time then fab.
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He’s back, it was true! Would have been earlier but WordPress went all modern on me. Loving the wall of fragrance and the white foxglove is a beauty. Off to the shops now (wild child) will catch up with everyone later. In the meantime here is mine https://offtheedgegardening.com/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-a-catalogue-of-errors/
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Hope you will be wearing fully body armour.
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My loins are girded.
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Love the idea of a wall of fragrance. Here are my six https://basia329.wordpress.com/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-23-05-20/
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I’m a sucker for ‘wall of fragrance’ brings back childhood memories. Never planted fox gloves. These plants seem to grow in my garden everywhere. Love them tho. Unless bought, I probably will.keep the label for future reference but most of my plants are freeplants. No idea of their variety what so ever. Enjoy your holiday. Hopefully, it would.be a lovely weather for you.
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Yes the forecast is pretty good, warm and sunny. No rain though.
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Oh what a poorly Clematis. Can it be saved next year? Loving the wall of fragrance!!! Here is my 6 that might have morphed to a 7 but there is a lot going on! https://sedumsdahliasandhayfever.com/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-23rd-may-2020/
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Probably, yes. If it continues to deteriorate I will cut it back, should regrow from the roots next year.
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Your Dianthus deltoides is looking great. I grew some from seed obtained from the Alpine Garden Society seed exchange last year so it might be worth checking that next autumn.
Here’s my Six – I almost didn’t post as I was in a bit of a funk yesterday but writing this really cheered me up and reminded me how much I love my garden. Happy weekend everyone.
https://www.teabreakgardener.co.uk/the-garden-starts-to-motor-six-on-saturday/
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Oh good, happy to have helped!
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Rosa Pilgrim looks fantastic with that purple clematis running through. What a shame about your other clematis. We have the same lawn problem – I think it is lack of rain. Also a similar foxglove – my first as you will see:
https://carrotsandcalendula.co.uk/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-whats-your-poison/
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i think the clematis will be ok, probably just wind damage.
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https://tonytomeo.com/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-rhodys-rhodies-ii/
The sixth of my six is probably the most important picture this week! You will not want to miss it! It will take your mind off of how Becky sags. It is not the best of pictures, but it goes well with your sixth.
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Excellent, look forward to it.
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Good morning, old chap. Nice to see things ticking along nicely. Thought I’d pop by over at https://rivendellgarden.blog/?p=4408, Can’t hide for ever. The cure for grass that won’t regrow is simply other planting. I’m actually surprised to see that you still have room for grass!
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He lives! How lovely and indeed how prodigal to have you back in the fold.
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If in drought…dig up the grass. But you have children and some people do like their grass. Lovely to have that wall against which you have planted some lovely fragrant roses. Here are my six: https://noellemace.blogspot.com/2020/05/six-on-saturday-23-may-2020.html
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I think I will probably always have some lawn, although after a few more years of nibbling away I might get to the point of diminishing returns.
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I can’t grass. I’ve tried a few sowings on some bare batches of lawn this spring. Nothing. Can I blame a lack of rain? Great selection of plants there. I love Sweet Williams, I’m not sure why I haven’t included one this week. The rose/clematis combo looks lovely https://onemanandhisgardentrowel.wordpress.com/2020/05/23/six-on-saturday-23-may-2020/
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I can’t grow grass even! I’m sure I proof read that before posting.
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I just ordered a few more pinks from a specialist nursery. Not sure where they’ll go…
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