Archive | June, 2008

Why Grow Hebe also known as Veronica

By on June 30, 2008 in Flowers and Plants, Gardening, Tips Hints and Ideas

Plus Points for Hebe Evergreen shrubs keeping shape and form through winter Ornamental planting invaluable at the seaside and as an ornamental hedge Long racemes or spikes of flowers that attract bees and hoverfly Colour range from purple, lavender, blue and stunning white due to the volume of flower from June to late summer depending [...]

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Organisations working to save gardens

By on June 30, 2008 in Books

In addition to the RHS here are some web links to organisations maintaining gardens or retaining documents relating to gardens include: Garden History Society (www.gardenhistorysociety.org Kew Gardens http://www.kew.org/library/ English Heritage http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.2 Museum of Garden History (www.cix.co.uk/~museumgh/index.htm National Trust (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/ UK Database of Historic Parks and Gardens (www.york.ac.uk/depts/arch/landscapes/ukpg/database/index.htm Scottish Archive Network (SCAN) (www.scan.org.uk/ Association of Garden [...]

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Mixed Penstemon Plants

By on June 29, 2008 in Tips Hints and Ideas

Penstemon’s have been an excellent, low maintenance plant for me. They can start flowering in June and still be flowering 4 months later in October. They mostly require well drained soil and protection from heavy frosts. Dead heading is advisable as it will encourage new flowers. Once or twice a year, I would recommend adding [...]

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Hydrangea a Gardeners Shrub and Houseplant

By on June 29, 2008 in Flowers and Plants, House & Greenhouse plants

Red, White and Blue the patriotic colours of the Hydrangea are augmented by pinks and purples like H. Ayeshia above as a variation on those themes. Flowering from mid-summer these shrubs give a magnificent display with very little effort. Did you see Hydrangea maritima on seaside holidays in large displays of sugary pink and sometimes [...]

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Top Ten Plants for Fragrance

By on June 29, 2008 in Flowers and Plants

It has been difficult to finalise a list of the top 10 fragrant plants. So I have elected to chose my ten favourite flowers with a selected variety. I have cheated by including two roses but could easily has 10 or 100 roses in a list. Your choice will vary and the result will depend [...]

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Verbena Bonariensis Plants

By on June 28, 2008 in Flowers and Plants

Verbena Bonariensis is one of my favourite plants. This is actually poking up from some cracks in the patio; giving an impact of meadow planting. It like its informality, height and delicacy of flower. I think it is best when grown in random clumps. Generally verbena bonariensis grows well from seed. Scatter some on the [...]

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Tips on Making A Compost Heap.

By on June 28, 2008 in Articles, Tips Hints and Ideas

A compost heap is an excellent way of recycling dead plant material and generating the best possible soil fertiliser. A good compost heap also gives a feeling of satisfaction because it helps the gardener to become part of the natural cycle of growth, decay and regeneration. Using a compost heap will also save many unnecessary [...]

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Fragrance of Flowers

By on June 27, 2008 in Flowers and Plants

Floral Fragrance – 30  Flowers and Scents There are several perfume groups which have been classified by comparison and contrasts. Similar groupings are used in the perfume industry and arise from the mix of alkaloids and chemicals in the flowers. There are many variations and combinations and these groups are a guide as to what [...]

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How to Attract Butterflies into your Garden

By on June 26, 2008 in Flowers and Plants, Pests, Problems and Health

Create a paradise for butterfly and you will benefit from colour twice over. A garden full of eye and butterfly catching, fragrant flowers from spring to autumn can be achieved by selecting some of the following plants. Butterfly feed on nectar and need this energy giving resource. They also need water from moist soil to [...]

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Growing Acer Palmatum

By on June 26, 2008 in Flowers and Plants

The acer Palmatum is a popular variety of hardy tree, ideal for growing in small gardens. The colour and size of Acer Palmatum’s vary considerably depending on the variety. The leaves often turn a different colour in autumn giving a blaze of late season colour. The tree in my front garden goes a deep red [...]

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