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Category: Flowers and Plants

Annual, perennial and interesting flowers with advice on culture, information, tips and recommended varieties

Solanum Potato Flower Climber

Solanum Potato Flower Climber

sonolium-2

The plant family Solanaceae is large and diverse from the nightshades, through tomatoes, potatoes and peppers to daturas and Solanum there is a detailed explanation of these species on hvanbalken.com

Gardeners Solanum Tips

  • The Chilean potato vine Solanum Crispum is just the  vigorous climber to give your sunny wall an exotic look.
  • It has wiry stems which need tying up to wires or trellis for support. Prune and tie in to retain the required shape.
  • The small semi-evergreen leaves  remain on the plant in all but bad winters and easily reach 6 feet tall.
  • The potato-like flowers with lilac petals around a pointed yellow centre, appear continuously from mid-summer to mid-autumn. The variety ‘Glasnevin’ is the one to choose, as it flowers more prolifically and is also slightly hardier.
  • They are pest and disease free once established.
  • Plants like a moist but well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly alakaline in pH.
  • To propagate take cuttings from summer to early autumn. If buying from a garden centre buy when in bloom as some varieties have disappointing blossom
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Green Chrysanthemum

Green Chrysanthemum

green-chrysanth

Chrysanthemum are great plants to grow for ‘cutting flowers’.  Spray chrysanthemum have been very popular for many years as they are easy to grow and last well in the garden or vase. Now there is a green flowered variety ‘Chrysanthemum Froggy’ that flowers in August with small, tight green flowers that develop towards purple.

For larger green Chrysanthemum try Anastasia Green or Balloon Green.  For a real stunner try the florists cactus type Chrysanthemum Shamrock.  These are still available in sets of 6 from Sarah Raven

Bluebells in Flower

Bluebells in Flower

bluebells

Sun creeping through the wood to the bluebells on the ground.

bluebells

Bluebells in wood

bluebells

The Bluebells flowering season is nearly over here in UK. These shots were taken in Mid May. Sometimes, as gardeners we can’t beat the beauty of nature.

Mauve Bluebell

See how to Tidy up bluebells

Anisodontea False Mallow

Anisodontea False Mallow

anisodontea

I saw these pot plants in our local garden centre and inspired by the prolific flowers wondered what they were. They are called the African Mallow Anisodontea capensis and I can see the resemblance.
According to the BBC site ‘The name might be unfamiliar, but this prolific South African plant has been grown for over a century in this country as a tender perennial pot plant. It flowers continuously through the summer into autumn, the hibiscus-like blooms varying in colour from light pink to deep magenta. The evergreen leaves are small and bright green. It needs to be overwintered under glass, but may survive winter outside in very mild, sheltered areas. May be propagated by seed in spring or by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer.’

I came across Anisodontea scabrosa, Anisodontea hypomadarum and Anisodontea capensis as varieties and I think it is a plant we will hear a lot more about as fashion and climate change impact. At the moment they are imported and I would prefer to see them grown in the UK before buying one for my own use.

Seasonal Fuchsia Tips Pink Fantasia

Seasonal Fuchsia Tips Pink Fantasia

pink-fantasia

At the Early Spring Show

Your Fuchsias should be coming along quite nicely now.They won’t be in the condition this exhibition variety ‘Pink Fantasia’ was last month for the Spring show but soon you can be winning prizes.

Seasonal Tips for Growing Fuchsias

  • The upright bush Fuchsias still need pinching out to encourage the development of extra branches.
  • Bigger pots may be necessary for those that have roots showing out of the bottom of the pot.
  • In the North of England I find it is still too early to be hardening off the Fuchsias but during the day they get plenty of fresh air and some liquid feed at the end of the day in the drying breeze. I will increase this by moving them outside during the day so they can get used to buffeting by our climate.
  • Hardy Fuchsias have been a little slow this year but they are now beginning to show some leaf.
  • Fuchsias should be kept moist not sodden to avoid flower drop – a good mulch will help.
  • It is not too late to buy Fuchsias from your garden center. The larger the plant the more they will charge and there is still time for you to grow the plants and get a great flowering display in September without paying for big plants right now.
Chrysanthemums to be Enjoyed

Chrysanthemums to be Enjoyed

chrysanth-yellow-orinoco

The National Chrysanthemum Society displayed this Yellow Orinoco Early Spray Chrysanthemum at the Harrogate flower show last month. It only begins to hints at the great variety of Chrysanthemums that can be grown with it’s vibrant colour combination of Yellow on Red.

Personal Top Tips

  • As a beginner grow only a limited number of types and varieties. The Cushion varieties or pot mums grow well in pots and borders and can be bought in rooted plants of 6 in May for growing on.
  • Spray chrysanthemum give a good return for the effort.
  • Look after the plants by watering and feeding regularly. Chrysanthemums, like me, do not thrive on neglect.
  • Give taller growing plants lots of support. The stalks can be easily broken and you can loose a lot of flowers from damage.
  • Follow a diary of action so you know when you plan to ‘stop’ (pinch out) or ‘pot up’ your cuttings and plants.
  • Grow for picking and floral arrangements Chrysanthemums last well in a vase and demonstrate your gardening skills.

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Bummble Bee Seed Mix

Bummble Bee Seed Mix

  • antirrhinum

What seeds would you buy and plant to encourage Bumble Bees into your garden?

Here is a quick seed list as a reminder

  • Borage,  Red Clover, Phacelia,
  • Verbena Bonariensis,  Nigella, Agastache anisata,
  • Larkspur , Cornflower,  Rudbeckia Cherokee Sunset,
  • Antirrhinum Royal Bride,Thyme,
  • Corn Poppy,  Marigold and  Chamomile.

Thompson Morgan have a 3 for 2 offer on some seeds at the moment.

Upside Down Tulip Tree

Upside Down Tulip Tree

I was sitting in the University Botanic Gardens when some people passed by this tree and said it was called an upside down tulip tree. Well, I don’t think they really knew because I can’t find any reference to an upside down tulip tree. I wish I had looked at label now. It can be so frustrating when you can’t remember the name of plants!

Anyway it looks nice whatever its name

Bedding Plants Online

Bedding Plants Online

flower

Now, is the peak time for bedding plants. Even supermarkets and petrol stations will have a selection of bedding plants for your garden. If you want to buy a lot then you can get some discounts from buying direct such as Jersey Direct Bedding plants

Tips for Bedding Plants

Keep an Eye on Weather. In the south of England the risk of frost is all but gone by this time of the year. In the north keep an eye on the weather forecast and be ready with some fleece should a cold night be forecast. Remember a sudden drop in temperatures can affect plants even if it doesn’t goto zero

Protect from Slugs. Other than the ubiquitous slug pellets, you could try egg shells around plants, beer traps, even nemotodes watered into the garden.

Get Right Planting Space. There’s often a temptation to squash bedding plants up forgetting how much they can grow during the next few months. When planting out Fuchsias imagine you are planting full grown Fuchsias. It will mean a bit more weeding until they are fully grown, but, it will give better value in long run.

Be Bold. Don’t just plant the many different varieties in small numbers. A good swathe of one or two colours / plants looks good. Especially, when it is contrasted with one or two other plants. Take inspiration from local public gardens, but be willing to go beyond their formulaic designs. e.g. mix Tall flowing plants amidst a bed of low growing petunias. e.t.c

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