Archive | January, 2009

Espallier Fruit Trees

By on January 20, 2009 in Fruit, Vegetables & Herbs

source Easy Espalier Trees Buy a tree that has two tiers already trained and in place. This will fruit earlier and benefit from the work already done by an expert. Make the most of your wall space by planting apple and or pear trees to be trained against the wall. Before planting stretch three or [...]

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Bright Bromeliads Indoors

By on January 19, 2009 in Books, Flowers and Plants, House & Greenhouse plants

This Bromeliad is a relative of the pineapple and as it is easy to grow indoors it makes a fine house plant. There are a wide range of Bromeliads and a society dedicated to there culture the Bromeliad Society Bromeliad Tips Grow the Bromeliads for the coloured leaves that spring from the plants center. If [...]

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Succulent Indoor Kalanchoe

By on January 18, 2009 in Flowers and Plants, House & Greenhouse plants

A popular indoor succulent at this time of year the range of Kalanchoe plants available from florists and garden centres continues to grow. Often blooming from autumn through winter these clusters of red flowers are set off by thick dark green leaves. About 12 inches tall these plants are easy to grow if the temperature [...]

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Golden Winter Colour

By on January 15, 2009 in Gardening, Trees and Shrubs

What colours predominate in the grey winter days when greens seem muddy and mud seems very grey. Well I like golden yellow colours and here are a couple of January examples that didn’t take much trouble finding in the garden during a short sunny spell. Lonicera nitida ‘Baggesen’s Gold’ tips you off in the title. [...]

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Different Pots for Plants

By on January 13, 2009 in Garden Design

Unusual plant pots can make a different and eye catching features. These old steel capped boots should have had holes in the soles and the alpines are a good choice of plants for this display.  I like the moss beginning to grow on the right boot, I bet the old gardener didn’t let the grass [...]

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Fooled by Gooseberries

By on January 13, 2009 in Fruit, Vegetables & Herbs

Gooseberry Invicta Gooseberries are fine soft fruit and in line with my plan to grow more fruit I have just bought a new shrub of the Invicata variety. It is said to have large green fruits and be mildew resistant. I will test the mildew resistance to the limits as I threw out 4 large [...]

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Garden January 2010

By on January 12, 2009 in Garden Design, Trees and Shrubs

What is looking  good in your winter garden or locally at the moment? Look around now because you can start on next years garden so that January 2010 will be a sight to behold. Locally I saw several dog woods that would make an interesting winter feature in my garden if I can find the space. [...]

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Water Features and Planting Schemes

By on January 11, 2009 in Flowers and Plants

Water features offer one of the most effective ways to create a new dynamic in a garden. They add movement and dynamism and subconsciously help create a feeling of relaxation and lushness. For the photographer or garden enthusiast, a water feature can provide a key focal point, which enables the plants to be effectively displayed. [...]

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Growing Alstroemeria – Quick Tips

By on January 11, 2009 in Flowers and Plants, Tips for Growing Series

Growing Alstromeria can be easy and rewarding. Long short and intermediate varieties in many colours create grand cut flowers

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Raspberries Spring, Summer and Autumn

By on January 10, 2009 in Fruit, Vegetables & Herbs

source The raspberry season can be extended by careful selection of appropriate varieties. I can’t promise snow resistant varieties but the following list gives some idea of what raspberries to select for sequential seasonal picking. Early Raspberries Malling Minerva may win the competition for the earliest raspberries fruiting from the beginning of June. Picking will [...]

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