Life must be filled up

Alchemilla is stunning: I love the way that water drops sit on the leaves, and they are such a beautiful shape. It grows like a weed but it is so useful for difficult spots in the garden. It gets my vote.

Also the Heuchera with its copper leaves; my Mother can never resists a Heuchera plant! They don't grow so well here, but I do have a couple.

I miss my acid soil and the Azaleas I used to grow, and the Camelias. On the upside I can grow Rosemary here and Lavender, but this limey soil is still alien to me!

There's too much alchemilla but I wouldn't be without some. Later on, it's so useful to put a few sprays in a vase with roses.

I see heucheras and think, 'vine weevils!' but they obviously like it here, there's lots.

My neighbours have camellias and magnolias: why haven't I? I'll do a soil test some time.

Grow your tulips in pots, then. I always plant up tulips in pots in the autumn, and then dot them around the garden when they come up. You can then put them where they look best.
Margaret P