Archive | March, 2010

Old-Fashioned and David Austin Roses

By on March 31, 2010 in Books, Flowers and Plants

Old-Fashioned and David Austin Roses by “Barbara Lee Taylor Instead of the usual division into Gallicas, Damasks, Albas, Centifolias, Moss roses etc. the chapters are divided into History, once-flowering old-fashioned roses, Repeat-flowering old-fashioned roses, David Austin roses, Cultivation, Landscaping with old roses and the book contains over 160 rose varieties. As you read this book [...]

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Bud Blast Rot and Botrytis on Roses

By on March 30, 2010 in Pests, Problems and Health

Roses are very susceptible to fungal diseases. Whilst you can cope with a bit of  mildew a bud that fails to open is somehow more annoying. These buds had been hit by a lot of rain and a long period of humidity and nothing was going to help them. Try to water roses in the [...]

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Russell Lupin and Lupin Origins

By on March 29, 2010 in Flowers and Plants, Gardeners

Photo cc by Magnio Originally Lupins (Lupinus polyphyllus) were introduced into Britain from North America in 1826. They had the blue flowered spikes we occasionally saw on railway embankments with some whiter flowers. Fast forward to 1937 and the RHS awarded its highest honour to a ‘ jobbing gardener’ George Russell for developing a strain [...]

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Quirky One Off Gardening Tips

By on March 28, 2010 in Flowers and Plants, Tips Hints and Ideas

Gardeners Tips want to live up to its name but it is hard to make a full post out of some small tips. So here is a few uncodified items that may be of use. Why not pay a visit to ‘the less fattening flower show’ your own Lo-cal flower show. Vegetables Parsnip seeds are [...]

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Tips for Growing Hydrangeas

By on March 27, 2010 in Novice Gardeners Advice and Pointers, Tips for Growing Series

Hydrangea are easy to grow, voluminous shrubs with long lasting flower-heads. They can grow to be handsome 6 foot high and wide shrubs. Growing Hydrangea Early autumn is the best time to plant new Hydrangeas. If planting in spring take more care with watering and mulch the plants to keep the soil damp. Hydrangeas grow [...]

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Tips for Growing Spring Iris from Bulbs

By on March 26, 2010 in Flowers and Plants, Novice Gardeners Advice and Pointers, Tips for Growing Series

These Iris  bulbs are a series of low growing, early spring flowering plants named after people like George, Natasha, Joyce, Pauline, and Katherine Hodgkin. Iris reticulata are early flowering Iris that usually appearing from late winter to early spring. The blooms vary from pale blue to deep violet with central yellow splashes down the middle of [...]

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Patterns with Succulent Alpine Plants

By on March 25, 2010 in Alpine Garden

Getting up close and personal is one of the main ways to enjoy Alpine plants and succulent species. Houseleeks seem to grow for the sake of making patterns from Hens and Chickens through to this rapidly reproduced colour scheme.  Other images on Google Bukiniczia cabulica makes a strange pattern with a mottled effect in  blueish-greenish [...]

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Why Grow Heathers – Ericas, Callunas and Daboecia

By on March 24, 2010 in Novice Gardeners Advice and Pointers, Trees and Shrubs

If you grow heathers you will know the answer as these recommendations come from other Heather growers. Reasons for Growing Heather Heathers can provide a rich and changing variety of colour from both foliage and flowers all year round. Many of the easiest heathers are at their best in the drabbest months. Heathers are versatile, [...]

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Tips for Growing Gazania

By on March 24, 2010 in Novice Gardeners Advice and Pointers, Tips for Growing Series

Gazanas are brightly coloured flowers that are easy to grow on dry sunny sites. Many of the plants flower with a striped effect on the petals that open to resemble a 6 inch daisy. The leaves are a narrow grey-green or silvery and the plants grow 6-10 inches tall. Choose the right variety. Seed is [...]

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Tips for Growing Lobelia

By on March 23, 2010 in Novice Gardeners Advice and Pointers, Tips for Growing Series

Photo cc by storebukkebruse Lobelia annuals can be excellent fun to grow. Given the right conditions they can grow quickly after a slow start and   flower from June until late autumn. The blue or purple Lobelia are often coupled with Alyssum for the edge of borders to give a cottage garden effect Choose the right [...]

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