Archive | March, 2009

Best Garden Colour – Yellow?

By on March 22, 2009 in Flowers and Plants

For traffic stopping colour in your garden then you need blocks of the same plant all flowering at the same time. These primula are in a near-by garden in a long row against a wall. It catches early morning sun and is protected from wind and the worst of the frost. The colouring is stronger [...]

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Combinations of Plants

By on March 19, 2009 in Flowers and Plants, Garden Design, Gardening

Some plants look right together because the gardener planned it that way. In my case happy accidents are often the cause of plant combinations that work well. In yet other gardens it is the growing conditions that are the over riding factor that create the overall effect. The Flag Iris above are in the process [...]

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Alstromeria Floral Display

By on March 19, 2009 in Flowers and Plants

As you may know Alstromeria are one of my favourite cut flowers. They are long lasting, showy and easy to arrange. The flowers in the Mothers day vase probably came from Columbia but it makes me resolve to grow more varieties locally this year. A disaster happened in the garden this week when a clump [...]

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Purple Patch

By on March 19, 2009 in Flowers and Plants

I was struck by the two pictures of  plants flowering virtually two seasons apart but similar in colour and floral form. The spring Primula has a purple outer petal getting redder by the centre until it becommes yellow. The late summer flowering Redskin Dahlia has a similar pattern to the petals with the yellow stamen [...]

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Thistle be a good Plant

By on March 18, 2009 in Fruit, Vegetables & Herbs, Green Gardening

Plants of the thistle family and close relatives are particularly good for wildlife. When in flower they attract Bees and Insects and the fine seeds provide bird food particularly for Goldfinches. In many cases the Thistles can and have provided food and medicine for human consumption. Cirsium Vulgare and Common Thistle These plants are hardy [...]

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Top Spring Bulbs

By on March 18, 2009 in Flowers and Plants

Muscari Species Look out in other gardens for great bulbs to grow for next spring. This Grape Hyacinth called Muscari Azureum is a clear soft blue that is recommended for naturalising. Muscari Valerie Finnis is also blue whilst most of the  other species and varieties flower in shades of purple. I have not tried Album [...]

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Begonia Apricot and Oranges

By on March 16, 2009 in Flowers and Plants

Because of their showy flowers and many species, innumerable Begonia cultivars are grown. The genus is unusual in that species throughout the genus can frequently be hybridized with each other and this has led to an enormous number of hybrids and cultivars.Indeed there are new offerings most seasons and Apricot Shades the variety above was [...]

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Ivy Helps Wildlife in Your Garden

By on March 15, 2009 in Flowers and Plants, Green Gardening

English Ivy is called Hedera Helix and it is a great help to wildlife in your garden. It is an evergreen, versatile and long lived plant that is easy to cultivate. The hand shaped leaves become more rounded as the Ivy matures and bursts into white flower. Ivy and Wildlife If grown as ground cover [...]

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Floral Quiz

By on March 15, 2009 in Flowers and Plants

Can you tell what this frosted yellow flower is that is starting to show colour at the end of February and now g etting into full scented blossom? This picture with the low wall in the back ground will give the game away. Tips Growing Wallflowers Plants are biennial growing one year and flowering the [...]

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Green Roof Of Sedum or Grass

By on March 14, 2009 in Flowers and Plants, Garden Design, Green Gardening

The Ecology Building Society as befits it’s brand values has a green roof on it’s HQ building. Green roofs can be a mixture of grasses or Sedums or both and all have similar benefits. Benefits of Green Roofing Improves energy efficiency with a natural thermal insulation. Green roofs remove CO2 from the atmosphere to maintain [...]

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