poollounger

Hoping that if all the construction work is done by the time I return in a few weeks time, I can get stuck into the garden. Fortunately it's a flat site, so easy from that point. Are there any keen green fingers out there who can advise or point me in the direction of books etc ? I want to plant a palm tree, lots of oleanders for a start. Has anyone come across Cytisus Battandieri in Spain ?? the Moroccan broom with pineapple scented flowers ??
Easy to find in Britain, but I haven't seen it in the Spanish garden centres. Can I bring one over ?? Any advice on planting say, an 8ft palm tree ?? I know there are many different kinds and shall bring my encyclopaedia over next time. Also automatic irigation systems...the kind with a battery/solar panel that fits over a tap ?? best places to buy around Chiclana.
Muchos Gracias..

EsuriJohn

Hi poollounger,

I attended a seminar at a recent exhibition given by Clodagh and Dick Handscombe. They came across as very good and genuine gardeners.

As ever at the end they produced their new book :-


I bought a copy it was about £20 and it is published in Spain by Santana books who's web address is :_

www.santanabooks.com and email is

[email protected]

It looks to be very well worth the price but of course we have not put it to the test yet on CE. It is well illustrated and has sound advice on where and what type of plants to buy.

Lidl this week, 6th March have a gardening extravaganza and have 2 types of watering timer on sale and also a seepage type watering hose and lots of other stuff get you self down there the price is right or so they say.

Regards,

John.

Arco-Iris

Here are some other suggestions, Poollounger: the Cytisus is mentioned in "Mediterranean Plants and Gardens for Everyone" by Vicomte de Noailles & Roy Lancaster, ISBN 0-903001-64-0; "Gardening in Spain" by Marcelle Pittt, Santana Books again (as in previous post) and the very learned Heidi Gildemeister's "Mediterranean Gardening - a Waterwise approach"` ISBN 84-273-0749-7. She specialises in drought-resistant plants.

This is a very good time for planting and there is such a variety in the viveros. Paloma at Infraplant speaks English and might be able to order your Cytisis - it's such a pretty blossom. As for your palm, bind up the fronds, dig a deep hole, stake it out against the late May/June winds, have a little trench round the plam and water regularly. If you're buying it when you're here, the supplier could arrange the delivery and planting.

Happy gardening.

Chiclanagir

Okay, can anyone answer this. What plants do animals not like? My dog chews several of my plants and especially likes roses and carnations and bourganvillia and any kind of palm. Has anyone else had this kind of experience>

poollounger

Ah John and Kath...sadly in a cold England at the moment...presume you mean Lidl in Spain and not here ?? Iris where is Infraplant....I know the one at the Florin roundabout and the one on the road to Conil. Ta

NicCol

Just looked on Amazon, Gardening in Spain is there for £13.50 if thats any help.

EsuriJohn

Hi poollounger,

No I did mean England but maybe the offers are the same all over Europe.

I have seen stuff that has been on offer in UK a week later in Tavira Portugal at what seem to be the same cost.

Regards,

John.

Arco-Iris

Yes, Infraplant in the one at Florin roundabout, then there are the two viveros on the right on the way to Conil, another past those on the left, a little one - Vivero Carmen - near the bullring, and one heading away from the bullring towards La Barrosa on the left. Between El Paseo in Puerta de Sta. Maria and the road to Rota there's an exceptional one - plenty of variety and cheap and they do the most amazing home-produced honey.

Hope you're over the flu soon, ready for your trip to Chiclana.

poollounger

Have several near me in souuth London...when I can venture out will go and have a look. Thanks.

NicCol

I don't supose you know the name of the one heading toward Rota do you? Is it easily found?

Arco-Iris

Sorry, NicCol, haven't got a clue. It's about 8-10 kms on the left from El Paseo shopping centre on the Rota road. As you see it above the other side of the road, you exit and turn left, up to a mini roundabout (where there's a venta) and turn left again.

susique

Hi, re Lidl if you go to www.lidl.es you can see whats on offer in Spain.

Mercedes

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My dog went through that during her puppy stage, I sprayed pepper onto the plant, didn't do any harm to it but made my dog sneeze like crazy...lol. There are also sprays you can get from the garden centre which again you can spray on it.

susique

Oleander is a great plant and its everywherein Spain but are you aware its very poisonous? I am currently dithering about using it. I fancy a hedge mixture of conifer and oleander, so that we get a bit of shape and colour interest.

I have also been advised that the best time to plant is actually autumn as plants get a better chance to establish before the hot summer sun burns the young plants. In two minds as to whether to settle for a brezo fence for this season and add hedging later. Although we can provide water, via automatic irrigation, the sun and wind will be punishing to young plants. Get advice from someone at a local garden centre, that is probably what we will do. We're out again later this month.

susique

Arco-Iris - can you tell me why we need to bind the fronds? Our palm was moved several weeks ago but we didn't do anything other than dig it up and stuff it back in another hole !! Didn't have a chance to take much more care as it was in the way of our swimming pool, and the digger was the only way of moving it. Its been in its new hole over a month now and looks ok so far....