Archive | October, 2009

Cyclamen for Woods and Shade

By on October 7, 2009 in Flowers and Plants

Cyclamen are happy in dappled shade and grow well under trees. If you want to imitate suitable conditions use uncomposted bark chippings as in the photograph. Ivy-leaved Cyclamen or Cyclamen hederifolium also called Cyclamen neapolitanum have numerous scented, white or light pink flowers in autumn before the leaves grow. This species readily naturalizes and seeds [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Black Eyed Susan or Susie

By on October 6, 2009 in Flowers and Plants

This simple annual climbs or clambers upto 2 feet tall. Provide a simple support with a triangle of hazel twigs or canes. Black Eyed Susan do best in a sheltered position or as a conservatory plant. Also called Thunbergia Alata they are annuals that should grow easily from seed. The late summer flowers are intense [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Ginkgo v Cherry Tree

By on October 6, 2009 in Shrubs and Trees

‘I can not tell a lie I chopped down the….’ Ginkgo Bilboa after I chopped down the Cherry Tree. What George Washington did for Cherry Trees, Americans are now doing to fruiting Ginkgo trees. The putrid smell of the rotting fruit and pungent seeds is causing their delicate nostrils to twitch and the power saws [...]

Read full story • Comments { 1 }

Growing Begonias that Beggar Belief

By on October 5, 2009 in Flowers and Plants, Tips for Growing Series

This backend the Begonias have given a special show in fact it beggars belief how well they have done. I am not an out and out favourite of the lard show begonias that tend to be one sided and fragile for my wet and windy window sills (outdoor). However for massed planting the pink too [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Red Poppy Flowers

By on October 4, 2009 in Flowers and Plants

I was surprised to see these red poppies still flowering into Octobers. Simple to grow, these red poppies offer a dazzling display of late season colour. Red Poppies from Seed Red poppies are easy to grow from seed. Annuals grow quickly and tolerate a range of soils, preferring a sunny position. Perennial red poppies are [...]

Read full story • Comments { 2 }

Rose Hips Tips

By on October 3, 2009 in Gardening, Tips Hints and Ideas

Roses produce hips to carry seeds if we do not deadhead. The colour of the hips (aka heps, haws, Pixie Pears or even Pig’s Noses) vary with some strong reds and bright orange varieties. The wild varieties and species rose are often better hip producers as other roses have been bred for floral purposes. Tip [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Himalayan Gardens at Home

By on October 2, 2009 in Gardening

In Yorkshire we are lucky to have several gardens designed using the theme of a Himalayan Garden. Near Ripon at Grewlthorpe is   ‘The Himalayan Garden’ with all the plants you would expect in such a setting including Rhododendrons both Hybrid and Species over 50 varieties Evergreen and Deciduous Azaleas Eucryphia varieties growing 10′ – [...]

Read full story • Comments { 2 }

Autumn Colours

By on October 2, 2009 in Flowers and Plants

Sun creeping through early autumn colours Light and dark Late season Asters

Read full story • Comments { 0 }