Archive | December, 2009

Wood Sculptures for Gardeners

By on December 18, 2009 in Books, Flowers and Plants, Garden Design

Part of the display at RHS gardens Harlow Carr nr Harrogate Carvings out music on Otley Chevin Yorkshire Not all climber are live plants. The only snail I would tolerate in my garden Oak boss from outside a 17th Century church hall in York. Modern carving at Thorp Perrow arboretum summer 2009. Books on Carving [...]

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Frosty Rhododendrons without Rhyme

By on December 17, 2009 in Trees and Shrubs

This picture shows what I call the rime of the ancient mariner as I groweth one of three. Most Gardeners look after the  great and small, both bird and beast…… Farewell, farewell! but this I tell To thee, thou Wedding-Guest! He prayeth well, who loveth well Both man and bird and beast. He prayeth best, [...]

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Skimmia for Buds and Berries

By on December 16, 2009 in Flowers and Plants, Trees and Shrubs

Skimmia is a slow growing, aromatic, evergreen shrub with a compact habit. Skimmia Japonica grows in a dome shape with leathery leaves and the flowers can be followed by red or black berries. Skimmia laureola has dark green leaves which smell when crushed. The flowers on this variety are clustered on the end of the [...]

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Bonsai Lessons and Hinokicypais Obtusc

By on December 13, 2009 in Trees and Shrubs

My attempts at Bonsai have not been as successful as I would have wished. After a talk and practical demonstration at our local gardening club I was fired with enthusiasm but not patience. I bought the training pots and wired some trees two seasons ago and they look similiar to when I planted them. I [...]

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RHS Recommended Lilies

By on December 12, 2009 in Books, Flowers and Plants

Each month the Royal Horticultural Society offer a plant collection or two for sale with the Garden magazine. This month the RHS Lily collection included three varieties. Lilium Vico Queen with orange, trumpet shaped flowers up to 6 inches long on plants 6 feet tall. The outward facing, slightly pendant blooms are well scented and [...]

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Moss is Green and Environmentally Friendly

By on December 10, 2009 in Environmental Gardening, Flowers and Plants

Whilst I am on an environmentally friendly kick I thought I would comment on Moss. Mosses are bryophytes and there are over 10,000 species that grow from spores. Moss can grow on rocks, roof, lawns paths and many other places. Beware raking or removing live moss as you only spreads the spores. Sphagnum moss is [...]

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Green Environmentally Friendly Grass

By on December 9, 2009 in Environmental Gardening

Assuming you have elected not to leave your grass to become a wild flower meadow, or a rough patch as a haven for wild life, there are still measures you can take to be environmentally friendly. Green Watering Tips Save water by selecting a tough grass mix including Rye, fine Fescues and other seeds. If [...]

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Trees and Carbon Capture

By on December 8, 2009 in Environmental Gardening

I am a bit unsure about carbon emissions and the impact of humans on the environment. There is a finite amount of carbon in our world and it cycles around in solids, dissolved in water or in gaseous forms. Plants helped convert the primordial carbon gasses and from more recently from volcanoes and trees now [...]

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Dog Woods are Funny

By on December 7, 2009 in Articles

You are not barking up the wrong tree with this Cornus Siberica the Dog Wood. It was not on show at Upper Crufts but at the RHS. If you buy one from their shop it will have a bark code. No matter what you have done wrong in the garden try to make it look [...]

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Primula Kewensis One of the Worlds Top Ten

By on December 1, 2009 in Alpine Garden

It is believed that the Kew Primrose, Primula Kewensis was bred from Primula verticillata and Primula floribunda around 1905. It should be high in the world’s top ten Primula varieties. It flowers yellow or lemon-yellow and has these attractive leaves when grown in the cold Alpine house.The downy powder is called meal or Farina and [...]

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