Thanks Spring! No, the rockery is the only thing that will be staying. It's hard to see from the pictures but the right hand side of the garden with the shed and green house is about a foot higher than the left side. When it rains the water gathers above the path, then cascades mud onto the path, builds up there then floods over the other side. I want to stop the waterfalls, and more importantly all the soil they take with them. I lost count how many times my washing brushed the floor while I was pegging out this summer, and every bit had to be re washed because of the accumulation of clay on the path, how ever often I brushed it. Plus it looks messy.

Thank you Paddy, yes it's local pennant sandstone, but limestone works well in a rockery too,I had some in a previous garden, mostly pieces with fossils in that I collected myself.
I picked the baths up on ebay, it's worth keeping a look out on there for some that are local to you. The plants were just dumped there when we moved in, I've since arranged them a bit better lol. I took the semps out of the baths to go in the rockery and now there are daffodils, iris and snow drops in them ready for spring. I'm not sure what I'll do with them next year, it depends on where they end up in the new garden arrangement.

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas .

but mine will be quiet time as I will not be standing in any airport this year...

Yes, that is what I told my son who is in Illinois. Please come in the summer, more to do and less worry. We will Skype them in to the Christmas party.

Wow Kate lovely!! Its going to be amazing once more established!
Paddy what is the orangish plant in the background looks really interesting. Also I like your sedum spathofolium even your semps look good very green!

Greg,I think it's a sedum but not sure . The orange is the result of the bad weather (it's half dead ) .Now under close security with netting , ho ho ho .

Paddy,

'Christmas Time' was a hybrid I made when I was 10! Am glad it's hapy in Ireland!

Kevin

Kevin , unfortunately I don't have that semp (yet). The photo by Patty I "borrowed " from the data base .

Greg this photo didn't upload when it should.
Here's the orange coloured plant under the hi tech security cover . Maybe you can identify.

Paddy said:...Here's the orange coloured plant under the hi tech security cover .

Nice Paddy...I can't tell what it is...a clearer photo please now I'm curious

The green one liverwort species. I do not like because it is not vented to the ground. The yellow do not know what.

Yes it's Marchantia! I actually did some studies of the sperm cells of that plant (they make motile sperm instead of pollen) when I was working on microtubule disrupter herbicides with the USDA.

From my experience you definitely want to get rid of it before it takes the place. it is a scourge to nursery people that use lots of pots.

Kevin

PS MERRY XMAS ALL!

That is so odd, for years I've wondered what this was! Thanks Kevin for the name!! Its all over Seattle gardens, I actually like the looks of it, but I'm sure it could take over quite readily! Now I'll go read up on this plant
@Paddy when I commented earlier, I'd looked at your photo on my phone, but now that I'm on my computer, I can see it fine!
It is a familiar plant, I just can't remember what its called - its not a sedum I don't think.

I'm kind of fond of liverworts too! But I can see how it could be the bane of nurserymen. Anyway, liverworts and moss make me feel like I am living in the woods instead of the city!

Wishing all my sempy friends here a very merry Christmas!

Greg, Yeah one of the few times when a PhD in botany is helpful! the little cup like structures contain gemmae that are tiny Marchantia plants. These spill out in a hard rain and go EVERYWHERE!

Connie, I like liverworts and hornworts too. I did a lot of studies on them as they are very primitive land plants. in fact liverworts are now known as the FIRST land plant.

Kevin

The next time I see a liverwort I must look closer... tiny plants in the cups, huh.

A little story... back in the early 70s my husband had a task of finding some liverworts for a botany project in college. We drove all over the place on dirt roads, in the woods etc up in Washington. We went days looking for this critter and time was getting short! We did finally find some, don't recall just where though. But in retrospect if I knew then what I know now we could have just gone to a nursery that had somewhat old stock in gallon containers as that is where I find liverworts now!

I used to spray against Marchantia. Hazardous spray. Unfortunately, moist environment is very fast. Fortunately, the herbs should not hurt the spray. Merry Christmas!

Happy Christmas everyone from the Emerald Isle .
I feel so privliged to have the pleasure of meeting so many new friends.
May your God go with you .

Trying to quickly catch up on this thread. What fun seeing all that you posted. We have a house full of family, 4 generations. What a joyful time.

Wishing each of you a wonderful Christmas day filled with blessings. Hugs to you all.