Archive | May, 2008

The Joy of Gardening

Gardening is one of the most popular pastimes; everyone knows we are supposed to enjoy our garden; but, do we enjoy gardening or at times does it just feel like hard work? These are some tips for enjoying gardening. Don’t Expect Perfection Some people are never happy until every weed is removed and every plant [...]

Read full story Comments { 1 }

Camellias and Acid Loving Plants

Camellias are by nature evergreen woodland shrubs or small trees. They prefer an acid, leafy soil and some shade and protection from early morning sun for the flower buds. The flowers are classed in various forms including single, semi double, Peony form, Anemone form, Rose form or Formal double. Camellia Japonica and Reticulata Camellias are [...]

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Growing Garden Poppies

A delightful pink poppy. There are a variety of garden poppies, which are generally quite easy to cultivate. They are annual plants offering an easy growing season from March/ April to flower in June and July. Poppies are generally quite easy to maintain and resistant to most kinds of pest and disease. Some of the [...]

Read full story Comments { 1 }

The Enchanted Garden

A wonderful photo of New York, Botanic Gardens, Queens by Unmesh Swanson. Notice how the bright apple blossom contrasts with the dark stone and roof. It provides a fascinating window in the garden beyond.

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Carl Linnaeus Father of Plant Classification

It is over 300 years since the birth of a Swede Carl Linnaeus(1707-1778).  His father’s garden ‘inflamed his mind from infancy with an unquenchable love of plants’ that led to a nickname ‘Little Botanicus’. In 1735 he published his first edition of ‘Systema Naturae’ a classification system for all living things followed by ‘Species Plantarum’ [...]

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Tips for Growing Iris

Iris flowers are named after the Greek Goddess of the rainbow, which is appropriate for their extensive range of colours. There are many different varieties of Iris The most common is the German Bearded Iris’ which include a range of different cultivatars. Provided they are grown in a suitable location, Iris provide a good low [...]

Read full story Comments { 1 }

Zonal Geraniums need frost Protection

Zonal geraniums are more accurately called ‘Pelargoniums’. In the North of England there can be frosts late in May. In Scotland and on high ground keep your thermometer handy whenever frost is threatened. After a few good years I got over keen this weekend and lost some good growth and suffered several set backs after [...]

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Creating A Focal Point in Your Garden

Sometimes as gardeners, we place all the emphasis on plants. However, a few well positioned ornaments and focal points can heighten the interest and drama within a garden. The above photo is from Lady Margaret Hall Gardens, Oxford. This is a sunken garden with a mixture of lavenders, verbena and ornamental grasses. The two earthenware [...]

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Definition of a Weed

Dandelion – Weed or Plant of beauty? A weed is a plant that you don’t want to have in the garden. The question is, what kind of plants fall into the category? As gardeners we sometimes fall into the trap of aiming for perfection and feel guilty about a dandelion growing in the herbaceous border. [...]

Read full story Comments { 4 }

Tips for Planting in Groups and Drifts

There is great power through planting in drifts. Sometimes as gardeners we are a bit tentative and plant in ones and twos and so our garden becomes a bit of a hotch potch. However, if we can be bold and plant in large groups and drifts, the effect can be very impressive. Even in small [...]

Read full story Comments { 0 }