A Jungle Stream Garden Transformation & Growing Hardy Exotics with Shane Bilson

[@mrchuffy6535]

Absolutely love it, after seeing loads of people say we are moving to more and more hardy plants and planting, so refreshing to see a good northerner saying Ill smack the weather in the mouth if it comes round here! Brilliant stuff and what a garden

[@staffordshireShane]

@@mrchuffy6535 it was great spending a day with george sharing ideas ,talking about different challenges we have both faced .George has so much knowledge i could have chatted all day with him,he is a really nice fella .

[@staffordshireShane]

@@mrchuffy6535 its been a challenge but we have finally found enough plants that can tolerate the cold here .luckily its always a short winter here .we only really get the deep cold in december and january thankfully . So most plants can handle that .

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and apologies for the delayed reply @mrchuffy6535 - Shane, you are too kind! Carl, I think you're absolutely right in what you're saying. Where I think Shane's got it bang on is that he's not just run off to a tough but relatively boring mix of plants and he's also not just ignored his colder climate and gone for a risky blend of half hardy exotics. He's chosen the coolest, toughest plants and really done everything he can to give them the best chance where he is. It really is an eye opener for what is possible in consistently colder areas!

[@wendigocellar5950]

One of the best bits about being shanes friend has been seeing his posts on facebook, seeing these beautiful plants and how much work he puts in. The passion and the knowledge is so lovely. This video really shows it well! 🥰

[@staffordshireShane]

Pleased you liked it .if it involves dogs or plants i can talk all day 😂😂😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you so much and you're absolutely right! He's such a friendly and helpful guy and the beauty he's created in his garden in such a relatively short time really does show his knowledge and effort. I had a great day out and getting to share that with this video is a bonus!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I still can't believe you were nervous @staffordshireShane - next time we'll get you fired up on coffee for a 3 hour summer special haha!

[@staffordshireShane]

@GeorgesJungleGarden welcome back anytime, mate . kettle is always full here if you're ever close by 😃 you need to visit my mate tony. He's growing some rare and unusual plants his garden is amazing .

[@juliankemp-r2j]

i lose interest in my tropicals sometimes re the rubbish summers !! but george you pop up with another BRILLIANT video and !!BOOM !! i want to get back outside and get back into it ha ha thanks george you really are a keen tropical gardener who loves to share your interest ... take care George .. all the best Julian

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That’s perfectly normal Julian and summer isn’t my favourite time for actually ‘gardening’ either, particularly when it’s muggy and grey. Happy to provide a break and a burst of enthusiasm, I’m sure your garden will be waiting for you to head out this weekend! Cheers and all the best to you too 😊

[@staffordshireShane]

Pleased it got you back outside julian . Yes this summers been pretty damp and dull here too this year. hopefully we get a great september and october with lots of sun mate .

[@juliankemp-r2j]

love Shane,s knowledge and planning of his garden also get a feeling he is a really good guy ..

[@staffordshireShane]

I try to be mate,pleased you enjoyed the vid.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Julian, yes, Shane is a top guy and enjoyed my visit there!

[@stevejacobs7218]

Really enjoyed that, Shane is a great gardener and the transformation both front and back is inspirational , i used to do landscaping know just how much effort goes in to what he has achieved in such a short space of time. The use of more common hardy plants to keep interest throughout the year is something every exotic gardener should consider as it really can lift the garden in the winter months. One word of advice though, schedule at least 3-4 hrs if you ever get the chance to visit or if he visits you... the man is able to talk for ages about plants, gardening, dogs and a number of other subjects.... Great video George :)

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Steve and I completely agree, the amount of work that’s gone into the foundations, the levels, the concreting, the rocks before any soil or planting really is phenomenal and as Shane says, you can’t see any of it which is I guess testament to his success! I’m pleased you agree on his use of common hardy plants, for me it’s not just winter but also that late spring - early summer gap where in a cool year a lot of the exotics are just slowly moving but Shane’s garden is still a beautiful blend of lilies, daylilies, perennials and annuals etc. They add so much! Yes, you are absolutely right - I now know Shane was a bit nervous about filming but you’d never have guessed from the vid, once he gets going, there’s no stopping him and I learned a lot that’s also a privilege to share on here!

[@staffordshireShane]

😂😂😂 il not stop long iv got to get off 😂😂90 minutes later

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yep, something like that! Good times!

[@paulineellison9047]

love this with all the water iv got a large pond but i have to grow everything in pots and the plants in this give me lots of ideas of what i can do round my pond thanks

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Pauline and apologies for my delayed reply, I'm so pleased you enjoyed seeing Shane's fantastic garden and all of the amazing planting ideas too!

[@ianj1698]

Nobridge nurseries is absolutely amazing. I go each year to spend a fortune! And see the parrots!

[@staffordshireShane]

They are such nice people and the owners will give every customer the time ,i love it there .

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I'll definitely have to get over one day, too many people have recommended it for me not to make it happen!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That friendly customer service and knowledge makes all the difference at plant nurseries and garden centres doesn't it Shane.

[@staffordshireShane]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden it sure does ,i mentioned to them last year id like more different hardy begonias ,like magic they had sourced 2 new hardy varieties .😁 so they listen to there customers .im off again tomirrow picking a few plants and a palm for a job at work . No other place like it around the westmidland ,tress ,palmas ,exotics ,ferns and desert plants they stock it all .

[@GrowTropicalMK]

Loving it ! Amazing garden and a spectacular transformation. It was really useful to understand which plants have managed to survive the harshest of temperatures.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, it really is! So much hard work and effort delivering spectacular results and a genuinely beautiful space that’s only going to get better. I was amazed at how tough some of the more unusual Schefflera and Brassaiopsis plants were!

[@staffordshireShane]

pleased you enjoyed it ,i wanted to talk abit about tiny palms and palms with a foot of trunk and hardiness but never got around to that ,to many plant to talk about in an hour.

[@mariaedwards8011]

You two are like kids in a sweetshop...love that pod...love you two ..thanks boys x❤

[@staffordshireShane]

We had a good laugh George did a great job .

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha thanks Maria, we absolutely were - there's just so much to see in Shane's garden and his passion really is evident! I'm so pleased you enjoyed watching it!

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

Really impressive. Loved the tour. Plants are incredible. All that landscaping knowledge also about putting together the perfect stream and the framing it with all those great exotics. Fabulous tour. Cheers guys

[@staffordshireShane]

Youre welcome,im pleased you enjoyed it . I just cant wait for all my small trees to grow but you cant rush time . In another 3 to 6 years ,it will have a real jungle feel .this is my retirement home im not moving again so iv planted every plant iv ever wanted in the garden think its over 8000 plants 😂😂😂 and iam running out of room quickly 😅

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Cheers, once again I'm pleased to hear you've enjoyed a garden tour and what a garden indeed! Framing is a good word and probably what I was searching for when talking about balance. Most of my garden is unashamedly me wanting to grow the plants I want to grow irrespective of creating overall views but I do enjoy gradually tweaking areas and working on the framings, composition and balance over the years. For Shane to have achieved what he has in such a short time really is a testament to his knowledge, hard work and practical skills!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Only 8000 plants @staffordshireShane and with such a large space left over for your lawn too?! I can see some more exotics creeping in! It'll be really amazing to experience how the feel of the place changes with as everything grows - the bamboo and palms especially, we'll definitely have to do a follow up vid in a few years if you're up for it!

[@staffordshireShane]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden i can dtill squeeze a few more in . Tony has me another very special rare bamboo i cant live without 🤣🤣🤣

[@staffordshireShane]

@GeorgesJungleGarden i went down oxford yesterday and came home with another van full of rare plants and a decent division of the vivax aureosulcata spectablis bamboo no idea how you spell it but it was there and he offered it me "for free" 😉🤣🤣🤣 wrestling with 17ft of bamboo driving all the way back that i couldnt live without 🤣🤣🤣

[@SimonOlpin]

A great video!! Very entertaining and informative and with a stunning mix of colorful flowers and foliage with some real rare and exotic beauties. Amazing that Shane has established this super garden in only a handful of years in what is a high altitude, high rainfall garden which suffers with very significant cold in winter. Very inspirational!! Not only that but the ease of flow of conversation, the humor and gay repartee make this a must watch jungle garden video!!!

[@staffordshireShane]

@@SimonOlpin thanks simon you are my inspiration mate . I have learnt so much from our chats over the last few years . Im Pleased you enjoyed it ,i was a little nervous talking infront of camera as iv never done it before 😁

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you so much Simon and yes, Shane really has done such a terrific job putting this garden together in such a short time. I know in my garden, I often go through a few years of experimentation and changing my mind with newly planted areas but for Shane's to look so balanced and beautiful so quickly, it really is impressive. It must give you satisfaction to see some of your plants settling in to their new home so well. Your kind words are appreciated Simon and yes, Shane did great on camera - we had a real laugh that day and I'm pleased the video captured it!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

You did great Shane and I look forward to seeing parts of your garden evolve and take on the appearance of Simon's jungle over the coming years (potentially with a more floral edge and cloud-pruned conifers though!)

[@SimonOlpin]

@@GeorgesJungleGardenHi Geirge Thank you for your kind generous comments. The video of Shanes garden really is excellent as it brings out so much about Shane as a super character and serves to chart his journey through the early evolution of his lovely garden. This is all done with a super friendly badinage which makes for really good entertainment. You have a real talent for putting people at their ease, bringing out the best in them and conducting the conversation so skillfully. Clearly your video editing and presentation is outstanding!! You always do such a great professional job!! 🙏👍👍

[@richardjohnson7984]

What can I say? Another brilliant video, thanks George! Wasn't Shane just the loveliest chap. I thought my favourite garden was 50 shades of green now I am not so sure! Lovely use of water and stone alongside traditional and more exotic planting. Shane's practical tips were some I hadn't thought of and definitely food for thought! I love you are featuring gardens with water as I do think they are sometimes overlooked in the tropical/exotic garden set up 🙂

[@staffordshireShane]

I love gardening ,not so much being infront of a camera ,but george made it a fun day we never stopped laughing 😊

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Richard and apologies for my delayed reply! Shane's practical tips really are very insightful and yes, his stream and stones absolutely compliment and add another dimension to the lush and leafy exotic planting. There's no need to pick a favourite is there, just borrow the bits from each one you like, learn from other people's experiences plus knowledge and then enjoy your garden more - that's what it's all about! That said, you've chosen two beauties with amazing use of water and planting!

[@darrenhobbs7810]

Blimey Jordan unbelievable you're into what I'm into. Collector of vintage Diecast, urban exploration, paranormal and now van living. Excellent channel and I will definitely watching.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Darren, I think you’ve commented on the wrong vid!

[@darrenhobbs7810]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden sorry George I don't know how the hell that happened 😅

[@helenazzopardi1713]

Love the comedy !! Thanks Shane for sharing your amazing garden. Hard to believe its only a year old. Great specimen plants. George, appreciate you going out and about again to show us these magnificent gardens. Just love it

[@staffordshireShane]

You are welcome,it was great spending the day with George he is such a nice fella. We Spent all day laughing ,it probably made it hard work for him with editing but we had fun with a few sensible bits in 😂😂😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you so much and as Shane has said, we had a fun day chatting and I'm pleased the light-hearted banter came across in the video around Shane's top tips! It really is a beautiful garden and a privilege to share. These videos can take a while to put together but I enjoy making them and it's great to hear they're appreciated - thank you!

[@Omlittlebuddha]

What a lovely man! Splendid garden, you are spoiling us with all these amazing gardens George ❤

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks - he absolutely is! He knew today was my birthday and going to visit him last week was my birthday ‘treat’ so he got some cool Begonias for me! Hopefully it comes through that we both had a fun time filming and sharing his fantastic garden and knowledge 😃 It’s great to speak with somebody who is a professional gardener with a lot of insights and also has a passion for pushing the boundaries and growing the unusual in their garden!

[@wesleyhackney]

This was a great video. This guy has accomplished so much with his garden. Loved hearing his thought process and perspective. Thanks so much for sharing it

[@BobbyBrown-re9kw]

Another stunning garden, and another great video. Like the banter as well. Great stuff, keep up the good work. Just learned how to comment on KZbin after all these years.🤪🌴

[@staffordshireShane]

Thanks for your comment,im the same.it was only about 12 months back i altered my settings so i could comment and iv been watching things on here for years .😂😂im more into plants than computers 😂 but its great that george does this and we can see everyones garden ideas . I love his garden tours section and watching his own garden progress , since he moved there 4 years ago .

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Bobby and thanks, I'm pleased you enjoyed seeing round Shane's amazing garden and I appreciate you taking the time to comment (now you've learned how!). KZbin definitely seems to value viewers 'liking' videos and leaving comments, I imagine they recommend videos more to others when they're appreciated by the initial audience so it does help my videos reach more people who will hopefully enjoy them. All that aside though, I think it's great to have a community enjoying them over here and I get lots of tips and inspiration from the comment sections too! I try to get back to every comment, just bare with me when things get busy haha!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Cheers Shane, you're better off being into plants than computers - I tend to just scrape by with both! I'm pleased to hear you enjoy those vids too, I really like making the garden tours as well and it gives me something to share while progress on my garden is steady (partly because I'm filming and editing...)

[@fraserdavidson2366]

Excellent Video George, and what a garden. Truly beautiful, you can see the amount of work this has taken, just so worth it. I am sure this garden will inspire others. It has inspired me. Thankyou.

[@staffordshireShane]

Thanks for watching and your kind comments ,george is such a nice guy ,i struggled being infront of his camera but george was great at helping me relax and just to be me .we had a great day making it and we both love gardening and plants . we didnt stop laughing all day.😂😂

[@fraserdavidson2366]

@staffordshireShane Thanks Shane. Beautiful Garden. Love the stream and that small section of grass 😃 You have an amazing amount of plants and they all work together so well. Excellent Video mate.

[@staffordshireShane]

@@fraserdavidson2366 🤣🤣 the lawn is something else hey 🤣🤣🤣

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I'm so pleased you enjoyed this one Fraser, I've been chatting to Shane for a while but it's the first time I met him and saw his garden in the flesh - it was a top day out and yes, so many great ideas that I might be borrowing too!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@staffordshireShane It's unfortunate there's now video proof of how large and expansive the lawn is before you really have to start cutting into it when the Borinda starts moving!

[@charlottewebber2994]

LOVE IT ALL

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Charlotte, I’m so pleased you enjoyed this one - Shane really does have an amazing garden!

[@staffordshireShane]

Thanks

[@irismoles9369]

What a great garden thanks for sharing George

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Iris, I’m pleased you enjoyed it! Shane has created a beautiful garden with some very exciting plants 😃

[@staffordshireShane]

thanks for your kind words .pleased you enjoyed seeing it . the plants have really grown well since george visited in july . everything is so much taller now after another very wet summer .

[@shineamenmbs3107]

What an amazing job Shane has accomplished! I like the wild atmosphere, the colours (Agapanthus, the Lilium, the Borinda...), and the diversity (so many beautiful species).Your description is so perfect George, i have nothing to add to it. Big up to Shane, the creator of that Garden of Eden and to George the film Director!💙🏵🌿

[@staffordshireShane]

@@shineamenmbs3107 thankyou for your lovely comments a pleasure to share it with you all, im amazed anyone wanted to listen to me and my strong northern accent 🤣🤣🤣

[@shineamenmbs3107]

@@staffordshireShane It was my pleasure! Nice accent actually... how about George accent??😁 hahaha! Cheers!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you so much Bernard and you summarise Shane's beautiful creation so well. That balance of wildness and structure, bright colours and relaxing greens really does just work fantastically! Haha yes, two northern accents in this one, thank you for putting up with us both going on and on...

[@WildWoodlandsSW]

Another great video,I learn a lot and enjoy your passion. Thanks George and Shane,amazing garden!

[@staffordshireShane]

pleased you enjoyed the garden . everything has grown so much bigger now we are at the end of summer since george visited .

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks a lot, I'm so pleased you enjoyed the vid!

[@tetrapanax1]

So good. What an inspirational garden. Water and tropicals. You and Shane made a great double act too! Thanks for the videos George.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you and yes, it certainly is! I’m pleased you enjoyed the video, it was a good laugh to film and I’m pleased that came across! I’m hopefully filming some more tours very soon 😃

[@SuperSteve916]

Awesome garden 👏

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It really is, I'm pleased you enjoyed seeing it!

[@staffordshireShane]

Thanks steve

[@Berzyberz]

Stunning garden. What a knowledgeable and insightful chap! 👋🏻 from Tasmania, Australia

[@staffordshireShane]

Thanks @Berzyberz .im pleased you enjoyed the tour of the garden .iv never seen myself before talking gardens ,its funny watching yourself back. I hadnt realised i talk with my hands so much using hand gestures to finish my sentences showing how leafs curl up if they dont get water everyday how my bullmastiffs cant rip my stream with there paws dipping my paw in the stream 😅😅

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and apologies for my delayed reply. @staffordshireShane is a cool guy and so full of friendly advice (so don't buy into the tough guy image he pretends to have!). Yes, I didn't realise how much I do the hand gestures either until I started filming too Shane haha!

[@TonyField]

Another fantastic Garden and a bit of banter. What more do you want to cheer your day up 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Tony, I'm pleased you enjoyed it! It was a great chat with Shane and I enjoyed seeing and sharing his garden.

[@TonyField]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden thank you . Thing thing is these are proper people doing gardens on budget 😎👍

[@staffordshireShane]

Thanks Tony

[@39chevy44]

Another great garden, lovely to see Shane using everyday plants to get the overall effect and boy does it work, and hard to believe it’s taken just a year to complete. Thanks for sharing. Cheers Paul.

[@staffordshireShane]

Thanks for your kind words paul,pleased you enjoyed it .

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Paul, I’m really pleased you enjoyed this one! You’re absolutely right and for me the ‘everyday’ plants completely make it and I’m sure we’d all rather see those than maybe some other exotics which might be struggling - combining them with the hardy exotics is certainly where the skill comes in. It’s definitely an inspiration lesson in how you can create an overall exotic effect and a lush, colourful garden even during a cool summer following a wet winter in a cold area. To achieve this after such a short time is pretty amazing!

[@YorkshireTropics]

What a garden! Great video again George. I'll definitely be pinching Shane's Musa Basjoo winter protection idea with the land drain pipes.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you so much, I'm really pleased you enjoyed it! I might just be stealing that idea too, it'll look neater than loads of fleece for sure!

[@staffordshireShane]

Pleased you enjoyed it and got something from it mate .

[@wesbroom68]

Can anyone confirm how much of the Musa leaves should be cut back before using the land drain? Thanks.

[@YorkshireTropics]

@wesbroom68 cut off all the leaves from the pseudostem leaving only the stem itself and then simply pop a land drain pipe over the top of it and place a pot over the top to stop moisture getting in from the rain. Ideally use 2 pots and twist so that one pot blocks the holes of the other. Hope this helps.

[@wesbroom68]

@@YorkshireTropics That’s really helpful thank you. Look forward to seeing the results next year.

[@carolebaines4075]

Stunning garden, well impressed! You find all the best places george!

[@staffordshireShane]

pleased you enjoyed having a look around our garden . i love seeing frogs, newts ,dragon flies, and the birds coming down for a drink, so iv plenty of water in my garden.😊 with the plants dotted around the water

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Carole, it was a pleasure visiting Shane and I'm pleased you enjoyed seeing round!

[@DIMMOCKS1]

Wow... Just wow. Right up our street Shane... What a great achievement in such a short account of time. We love all of the water.... No surprises there!!! Your specimen plants are wonderful. A great choice. Like you, we believe in planting a bit of the 'normal' to enhance the extraordinary. A great walk and talk with the fabulous GeorgesJungleGarden. Another fab film George. Well be watching this one a few times for sure. Great job Shane. We'll have to come and say hi 🌿💚🌿

[@staffordshireShane]

More than welcome to come for a visit ,the kettle is always warm at our house for fellow plant enthusiasts.😊

[@DIMMOCKS1]

@@staffordshireShane Shane... That's so very kind of you. Well definitely take you up on your kind offer!! Happy gardening 💚🌿💚

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Just getting caught up with comments (again!) Annmarie - I thought you'd really like Shane's garden! Thanks for your kind words! Like your beautiful garden, Shane really has created such a flowing mix of the normal and extraordinary plants as you put it so well and it works magnificently. How natural and established does that front pond look already!?!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

You're a good man @staffordshireShane - just beware @DIMMOCKS1 - you'll both be there for hours!

[@missdimples1982]

Another amazing garden, loving these videos George, thank you

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Ahh thank you! I'm trying to focus on the garden tour vids over this summer, I find visiting others so inspirational and Shane's creation really is special!

[@staffordshireShane]

thanks pleased you enjoyed watching it .

[@samiecain1244]

Wow ! Very inspiring Garden , Thank you George

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it!

[@brenmuk]

Another great video George! We're certainly getting treated to some great garden visits this summer.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! I really wanted to make the garden visits more of a feature as I enjoyed doing them last year and it's great to hear they're appreciated! There's more coming up over summer too, I hope you like them.

[@karlsorchidparty2395]

Another nice garden. Thank you! Double nice! ❤🎉

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Karl, great to hear you enjoyed this one!

[@karlsorchidparty2395]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden again! Thank U!

[@Lain3695]

This is beautiful!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, Shane really has done an amazing job in such a short time!

[@staffordshireShane]

Thanks

[@BlessedSaved-1x]

Loved watching this. We're building a Japanese garden in Stoke.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Fantastic, I’m pleased you enjoyed it! Nice one, I imagine water will be a feature in yours too? Shane’s stream would look equally beautiful with some Japanese maples wouldn’t it!

[@shazodell7922]

Brilliant video. ❤

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much!

[@daphneking3954]

Great video and what a lovely down to earth man is he!! Now lusting after some bamboo…….

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Daphne, he really is! We had a great time chatting and I think some of Shane's practical ideas and approaches are such a breath of fresh air in creating a garden as beautiful as this in a challenging area. Oh yes, the bamboo will no doubt be some of the real stars of Shane's garden as they establish - there's some beauties for sure and I think you'd enjoy growing them too!

[@DJSupaflyguy]

Seriously loads of plants I want from this garden and it’s making me really want to somehow add a stream to my garden.😂

[@staffordshireShane]

Go for it ,you cant beat a bit of running water and its pretty easy to do . I love seeing all the dragonflies and birds drinking in summer

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It makes me want a stream too - plus loads of those cool plants! A properly amazing space which already looks great in it's infancy!

[@NinjaTeaDrinker]

Very clever about planting petunias and geraniums in that first winter! Still think Shane should join you and Mark for a walk around of Mark's garden though! 😂 Right plant, right place/I got this plant for free/Gunbrella

[@staffordshireShane]

😂😂😂 if i go to marks im expecting some free spanish moss to hang from my trees ,he appears to have loads in that greenhouse😂😂😂

[@NinjaTeaDrinker]

@@staffordshireShane he does! It looks so jealousy healthy too 😬

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@NinjaTeaDrinker The petunia tip is a great one for sure - well, for the more patient of us experimental gardeners at least! We'll see what we can do if Shane is ever over this way, I'd love some of his input on my garden!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@staffordshireShane I'm pretty sure you could half fill your van with the stuff and Mark would never realise!

[@staffordshireShane]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden 🤣🤣🤣

[@Tminus89]

Great example what a huge difference a high evergreen backdrop provides, it all looks extra lush. I am filling the edges out with high plants, but more patience is needed :)

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Very true, having that height really changes the atmosphere doesn’t it! Yours will come together I’m sure, faster than you expect and you’ll be able to choose exactly what taller plants you’re using 😊

[@staffordshireShane]

Yes we cant rush time . Im excited to see how mine develops over the next 3 years . Alot of my plants are still tiny iv alot of plants and trees im growing from seed .all part of the fun of a new garden .

[@bishbashash5319]

A fellow Stokie! Ayup duck

[@staffordshireShane]

Ayup mate 😂😂

[@ЗокирРахимов-о3ж]

Да уж просто вликолепний сад!!!!!

[@staffordshireShane]

Thankyou

[@irenakretschmar7325]

great video and fantastic garden. where do you buy the brassiopsis mitis from?!

[@staffordshireShane]

i got mine from someone who had taken cuttings from there own plant . I found them through friends on facebook. Quite a few of my friends grow rare plants . im growing scheffleras and podocarpus from seeds this year. that il swap with other growers next year . That way we all get different plants . visit each others gardens and exchange plants .

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks a lot Irena! As @staffordshireShane has mentioned, it's well worth joining a few of the tropical style plant groups on Facebook and I'm sure you'll find other individuals swapping or selling some of the plants you can rarely get commercially.

[@155stw]

Is it possible to plant a rambutan tree and put a covering during the winter? OK maybe not in York, that might be pushing it, but in Cornwall.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, apologies for my delayed reply. It's not something I've tried or know of anyone trying but I suspect that even Cornwall is too cold to try it, a quick Google search suggests zone 10a is a minimum whereas even the sheltered parts of the UK are around a 9. Whilst you can protect from frost, a lot of real tropical plants would still unfortunately succumb to our long and cool winters even with wrapping unless it was heated. If it's a plant that excites you though, then maybe it's a good candidate to grow inside and bring out for summer?

[@Tminus89]

13:30 Yellow tree ....? Can you name the species? I'd love one in the future!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It’s a yellow tree peony, I’ll ask Shane for the variety later on 👍

[@Tminus89]

​@@GeorgesJungleGarden thanks!

[@craignorthern9480]

Wow that's a beautiful garden. George just a quick question. I've got a new tree fern it's been in the ground for 2 weeks but still no movement is that normal? Am I just being impatient? 😂

[@staffordshireShane]

@@craignorthern9480 just keep watering it twice a day Craig ,it will soon spring back into life if its a newly imported plant .

[@craignorthern9480]

@@staffordshireShane OK thanks Shane 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Craig, it certainly is! As Shane has said, watering is key and yes, it's perfectly normal (and even an advantage) that it isn't already growing in transit. At this time of year, I'm sure you'll have enough time for the fronds to emerge and harden off before cooler weather, just prioritise the watering until all the beautiful autumn rains take over!

[@craignorthern9480]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden nice one thanks George 👍

[@DJSupaflyguy]

👌👌👌👌

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks!

[@jennifermac8439]

Hi George I was wondering do you use the same protection for a baby tree fern as the large ones thanks

[@staffordshireShane]

If it was potted Id pull a small one into a sheltered spot for the very cold weather then move it back out after. or if it was planted out id cover it with a good straw layer to save it freezing like 8 inches deep so hard frost doesnt freeze the growing point and roots completly But it gets very cold here .i only protect mine during the real cold weeks . Small ones with no trunk are very tender and not as hardy in my location so i really need to pile the straw onto them up here,If we are forecast a cold spell.a fleece bag on its own is not enough if you get weeks of cold for a small plant.

[@jennifermac8439]

@@staffordshireShane cheers I’m in Scotland and our winters do get really cold ,it’s in a pot I might bring it in the house over winter thanks for the advice

[@staffordshireShane]

@@jennifermac8439 needs to be a cool unheated area really dont put it near a radiator or a heat source .they like cool damp frost free enviroment so in a porch or garage just for real cold spells and back outside during milder spells .

[@jennifermac8439]

@@staffordshireShane ok I understand I’m new to the tree ferns I’m just starting out ,even tho if I cover it with straw and a fleece won’t the dirt inside the pot still freeze,just I’m trying to I understand so I can protect it properly without it dying

[@staffordshireShane]

@@jennifermac8439 yes little ones at work really suffered that were left out and fleeced at around -9 a few of them maybe dead so id protect it if you can by pulling it into a frost free place say when we get those real cold weeks . Once they have a visible trunk that you can wrap then they get through winter ok . Mine at home got through a -13 winter when it only had a one foot of trunk with about 10 layers of fleece wrapped around it .

[@garethvanderwesthuyzen6420]

Slightly off topic, but with all the mention of raising soil... When mulching a bed and covering rhizomes such as cannas and gingers, as well as plants such as hostas which die back, are you not technically increasing the depth at which they sit in the soil, and therefore affecting their regrowth the next season?

[@staffordshireShane]

No it all gets taken under eaten my soil is alive its amazing how quickly it all dissapears over a winter . I bring in huge builders bags full of leafs from some of the huge gardens i work in at work and there is almost nothing left by february and as it slow over years if it increases an inch a year its not hurting any plant they adjust and grow as the soil changes just like in a woodland . This is what happens in nature in autum go to a forest there can be 2 feet depth of leafs on the floor then go back in spring . It has all been taken back by the flora and fauna

[@garethvanderwesthuyzen6420]

@@staffordshireShane thanks Shane, that's great to hear and cheers for the advice. I'm in a newbuild and am thinking of mulching the beds with 3 inches of well rotted farmyard manure this autumn. Was worried burying exotic rhizomes would lead to slower growth come spring

[@staffordshireShane]

@@garethvanderwesthuyzen6420 that is exactly the right thing to do . I add mine the day i cut everything back once i know we are going to get consistant cold .

[@garethvanderwesthuyzen6420]

@@staffordshireShane I've never cut back before. Always let things rot where they stand.

[@staffordshireShane]

@@garethvanderwesthuyzen6420 yes i do that at the back of my pond on the front i dont cut anything as dragon flies lay eggs in the stems and alot of insects overwinter in them just sprinkle it around the stems in november .

[@Margaret-hr3si]

Why is my torbay palm getting yellow yellow spots

[@staffordshireShane]

It is Probably due to all the wet weather. I had to cut all the leafs off of my yuccas due to fungal issues a week before george came. I left only the leafs in the growth point . Mine looked terrible i know its a different plant but they do act similar. I wont spray fungicides here as there are so many benifical ones i wouldnt want to kill, so i trim off the infected leafs

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, apologies for the delayed reply and thanks for stepping in with a helpful response @staffordshireShane - I completely agree. Some individual plants are more prone to it than others and a bit of spotting up close on the older leaves isn't a great cause for concern but I'd put it down to an exceptionally wet year too and hope the plant outgrows it with healthy new growth very soon.

[@hoganalexander9287]

What a laugh, Is that sugarcane grass next to the butchered conifer ?

[@staffordshireShane]

Its miscanthus giganteus ,it grows to about 3m here .

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, I'm pleased you enjoyed our vid!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks for stepping in with the ID Shane, it definitely has the look of a sugarcane doesn't it.

[@staffordshireShane]

@GeorgesJungleGarden yes it does mate .

[@EPErnst]

What is it with wifes and lawns? If it wasn't for her, then I would have removed the lawn completely. Overall I still use most time on taking care of the lawn, so would prefer it without it.

[@stevehill9981]

Remember Happy Wife Happy Life, Keep The Grass ;-)

[@staffordshireShane]

Haha i feel your pain mate top tip i used was ,i just kept stealing bits of lawn anytime she went away visting family or friends 😂😂 stole another 2 feet of lawn they usually dont even notice 😂

[@staffordshireShane]

​@@stevehill9981,you are correct. i kept plenty of lawn until the kids got older .you have to keep the wife happy . 😊

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It definitely seems to be a universal issue doesn't it! Keeping a small area of lawn is also a priority here too haha! We'll say that officially a bit of lawn gives more balance to Shane's borders and pond but lets face it, I know he's just waiting for the opportunity to get some more Aralias in!