h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Guerilla Gardening - the pleasant pursuit of planting flowers where they shouldn't be (says who?).

Weed - a plant which grows where it isn't welcome.

Weed - a plant which grows without help, for its own reasons.

This is the true story of the weeds: the origin of the species. A story of cultivation, exploitation, civilisation. Found flowering on wasteland, unnoticed, unofficial, accidental. In the cracks of the pavement the weeds will grow. But weeds must be kept under strict control or they will destroy everything in thier path.

This summer its gonna be poppies, white ones if such things exist in nature. And probably lots of hemp.

Found flowering...? They do that on their own. And you don't fond them until it's too late. Himalayan balsam?

Oops! For fond, please read find...

I'm rather fond of the flowers i find

It's fine to be fond of the flowers you find.

When we were waiting to move in to our current house the beautiful back lawn started sprouting sycamore trees (their seeds do get around a bit). They could have become the biggest weeds in the world (almost).

Did i see on your page that you are part of the Manc Writers group? if so, you might know my cousin Susie Singfield...

I'd never dare to call her Susie, but I certainly know her. And a fine writer she is.

...and I mentioned to her that you'd mentioned her to me, and she was confused that we knew each other (a slight overstatement?). I've emailed to explain. Hope it works.

hoho. i dunno if she ever even heard of h2g2! I've not spoke to her in a while, think I'll give her a call. I'll see her soon at the annual Singfield Family Gathering which is erm, an EVENT!

Hi again.

Guess what I'm cultivating at the mo.

Now that is what I call an open question.

Winter daisies?

A baby?

Small people cut out of paper that sprout interesting mould when you leave them in damp conditions?

*chuckle*

It is an open question innit? I do tend to assume everyone knows exactly what I'm on about by some kind of unlikely osmosis.

Anyway, i'm developing plans for a number of gardens. I'm trying to find white poppies to sow at military bases, considering companion planting, and have about 3 gardens to idly think about over the winter. And I'm growing a nice big bulb that will make big red flowers in about 6 weeks that I've thoroughly forgotton the name of.

>Small people cut out of paper that sprout interesting mould when you leave them in damp conditions

I might do that as well!

Is this a professional pursuit? I know someone who loves to plan gardens (in a rather more "organic" way than certain TV programs).

Are white poppies easily available? I've seen yellows and oranges. Companion planting in such circumstances might be nice berberis horizontalis, with spines that make it hard for hostile types to reach the poppies in the middle.

The nice big bulb sounds like an amaryllis, or is that too simple? We have a few of them, but they go out into the garden for the summer to gather strength, and then they gather slugs instead... I have planted a surreptitious lychee seed/nut/whatever in one of the pots to see how it goes.

The small paper people could be sold as a really tacky Christmas present.

hey clever clogs. You do know exactly what i'm on about by weird osmosis, cos it is an amaryllis I'll remember what u said about them gathering slugs. I'm not a professional gardener, just like to do them for freinds sometimes.

I've so far had trouble finding white poppy seeds, and I think I'll have to start investigating speicalist seed catalogues. Ive seen mixed packs with oranges, yellows and whites, and John the Gardener says that there are such things. I'll keep on looking, and try to find some for spring.

I like the idea of the spiky berberis! But i think only some of my odder pals would appreciate the mouldy paper people.

Hi

Poppies are weirdy things. The yellow ones (the Welsh ones, Meconopsis Cambrica) grow like weeds in our garden are as tough as old boots and will grow in any old crack or crevice, the slugs don't eat them and so long as you don't let them get too rampant they look very pretty.

I once threw a whole pack of out of date red poppy seeds round the garden and not a single one grew! (Perhaps they'd been heat treated) I'd love to be able to grow the blue Himalayan ones but the seeds won't grow or if they do the slugs get them. Perhaps they are evolved to repel yaks but have no defences against molluscs?

The californian poppy which has a name which sounds like someone sneezing which I can't spell (something like Eschschalzozia) grow pretty well and self seed a bit. They are mostly orange though.

I'm so amazed this year that I've grown some big poppies and lupins and the slugs haven't eaten them yet. They are probably waiting til the spring and have a feast then.

I'll keep my eyes open for the elusive white poppy. That sounds a lovely idea for peaceful thoughts especially at times like these.

I think those all white gardens are quite effective. Was it Vita Sackville West? Sissinghurst. Can't remember - get all those great gardens muddled up

Hi Purplejenny

You could try Chiltern seeds, they have a site.

I had a look and they stock the following which might be of interest in the search for White Poppies.

CAT NO 533K Eschscholtzia, Californica 'Ivory Castle'
952Q Papaver somniferum 'White Cloud' Paeony Flowered
951P Papaver Sendtneri
951F Papaver Burseri

Hope that helps. I think it's a lovely idea to have white poppies for peace.