Archive | October, 2008

Brunnera Tips

Brunnera Tips Heart shaped variegated leaves followed by blue, forget-me-not look alike, flowers make this a very attractive plant. Brunneras like a moist soil Brunneras also like shade and are useful in a woodland setting Grow in containers or as ground cover these 18inch high plants are versatile. A new golden leaved form is available [...]

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Honeysuckle or Woodbine

Tips for growing Honeysuckle A twining, climbing plant most honeysuckles need some support as they shoot skywards for up to 30 feet. Try trellis or and old tree for support. Most varieties of the honeysuckle are famous for the scent of the flowers which is sweet and powerful. Aim for a red Lonicera tellmanniana or [...]

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Parsley

Parsley Tips I have grown this parsley from spring sown seed. Germination can be a bit erratic as warm temperatures are needed. After a summer in the herb bed I have potted a clump up in the greenhouse. Before the worst frosts I will bring a pot into the house for snipping onto potatoes and [...]

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Purple, Pink and Lighter Shade of Pale

Verbena bonariensis looks to be a special purple in the fading light of autumn. It is strange how flowers look different in different lights. When laying out a garden for colour consider the position of the sun, in spring and autumn, which will dictate the colour temperature and saturation of the light. This verbena is [...]

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Moneymaker The Tomato to Grow

What Tomatoes to Grow New growers need to select reliable varieties to grow to develop their enthusiasm. If you are a regular grower you may be tempted to something different and there are 280+ varieties of Tomato at Totally Tomatoes Moneymaker crops so well and regularly in my greenhouse that I will be growing it [...]

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Floribunda Roses

Tips Growing Floribunda The term ‘floribunda’ meaning large clusters of flowers has been taken over by rose trees with these floral characteristics. The flowers are usually borne over long periods and are more tolerant than Hybrid Tea roses from which they were crossed with polyantha varieties. When planting prune the roots back to 8 or [...]

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Gunnera Tips

Massive Gunnera Tips Gunnera with giant green leaves grow over 6 feet tall and spread even wider. They are not for small spaces! Gunnera are moisture loving, herbaceous plants best suited for stream or lakeside positions. They make specimen architectural plants for a bog garden but control the size. Cover the plant to protect from [...]

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Growing White Hot Pokers

Tips for Good Pokers Kniphofia known as Red Hot Pokers come in a range of colours including reds, oranges, yellows and white. The sword like, strappy leaves, clump together well. The plants look good when massed together in clumps. Pokers are generally hardy herbaceous perennials -try Kniphofia Citrina a 3 foot lemon colour or giant [...]

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Cheap Rockery Tips

Save Money on Your Rockery Less is more so have fewer, quality plants that you maintain to high standards. Scavenge rocks from tips and waste land. Don’t take them from walls or important natural habitats. Each rock will be like treasure trove with many memories attached. Make your rockery small, very small or minute. The [...]

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Peace the Top Rose

Named ‘Peace’ after the second world war this ‘Peace Rose’ could have been named not for the absence of war but for the tranquility of a peaceful garden. History In 1935, Francis Meilland cross-pollinated a french  rose with Margaret McGredy, from which was born a seedling of unknown qualities. Some eyes were budded in 1936, [...]

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