A favourite shrub this Pieris provides colour and scent from the flowers in winter. I spotted this at the beginning of December and expect the flowers to last until February. Eventually the blossom will be replaced with the famous bright red showy leaves that have rightly made the Pieris much sought after.

Tips and Hints for Great Pieris

• Pieris are happy in light shade. If you place them near paths you will get the scent from the drooping winter flowers early in the new year but allow space for the plant to grow. This years December blossom is very early for the north of England
• Pieris are ericaceous shrubs loving the same slightly acid soils preferred by Camellias, Rhododendrons and Azaleas.
• Prune or deadhead after flowering but take care not to remove new leaves which are a delight and the main reason for growing Pieris
• There are  two main species the Pieris japonica and the Pieris Forrestii. I grow the Forest Flame and Katsura hybrid.
• Leaves start a bright strong red and mature to green making a startling sight.
• If the leaves tend to yellow and appear sickly it is because of alkaline soil and an ericaceous feed and a peat mulch would help.
• The shrub is slow growing but may reach 8 feet. However it is still useful under larger trees if it can get good moisture.

I will enjoy these Honesty plants three times over. Honesty also called Lunaria annua, Money plant or in America, Silver dollar plants are bi annuals grown from seed in one year to flower in the next.

1. These leaves have attracted a heavy covering of frost but they will come through even in a hard winter to grow away strongly next spring. They are a bit prone to mildew next autumn but for now they provide shape and texture in a natural part of the garden.
2. In spring the grey -green plants will branch and produce a profusion of lightly scented, single, small purple flowers. There is also a white variety great for cottage gardens.
3. The reason these plants are famous and one reason for there names is the seed heads. A coin sized translucent papery seed head is uncovered as the seeds are self sown by the plant in late summer. These multiple seed heads are very popular as dried flowers and in flower arranging and look eerie in a dark corner of the garden through winter.

This Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum) houseplant is being killed with kindness by the family waterer. Too much water kills quicker than too little.This plant likes humidity from a mister or being stood on a damp gravel base but doesn’t want to be flooded.

Watering Houseplants

• Plants that transpire lots of water from large fleshy or soft leaves need more watering.
• Plants with frail, rubbery or sticky leaves are generally conditioned to survive with less water. Look at the leaves to learn what works best.
• Most cacti & succulents with juicy leaves are often able to survive dry spells.
• Plants that are actively growing need more water and the converse is true in winter when growth is slow they need little or no water.
• Try aim for evenly moist soil from top to bottom after watering
• Good drainage in needed for the majority of houseplants so if in doubt err on the side of an open compost
• Stagnant water is a no-no causing chills, decay and harbouring potential pests.
• The tepid water with no chemicals is OK or try rain water.
• Ailing plants should be given only little water and no fertilizer.

Expert Watering

• Consider each plant as an individual and treat it according to need.
• Read the rest of this entry »
  

The hoar frost this morning in Yorkshire was quite thick. This Calendula was flowering long after its sisters and brothers and the rime of ice made an interesting study.

No matter what the season there is usually something of interest in a well stocked garden. Keep your eyes open and your camera ready.

I like the free seeding Pot Marigold called Calendula. A good seed to add to your winter seed order from a catalogue near you.

Many retailers are selling bulbs at half price to clear their stocks to make space for Christmas goods. I have just bought 80 Dutch Iris of a particular shade for less than £2.

Tips on Cheap Bulbs

• Tulips, Alliums and Anemones can be planted later than narcissus and I would go for them up till Christmas.
• If bulbs seem to be stored in a draft they will be drying faster so leave them. I even saw bulbs under a hot air blower that was shriveling the poor hyacinths.
• Size can be important so if they seem small leave them alone.
• If bulbs are damaged, moldy or light leave them at the shop.
• If the bulb is sprouting but not ‘forced’ ie too long thin and pale then I am happy buying them
• Plant as soon as you can and get them into cool conditions.

Amaryllis Hippeastrum

• These large bulbs in gift boxes are often sold off after Christmas in the sales.
• Any you were given or gave at Christmas were not going to be planted until after Santa had visited so buying them in January isn’t a problem
• If you see them at a discount before Christmas you could buy them, plant them and give them as a growing present rather than in a gift box.

This Aloe vera plant has been grow in a mixed medium of gell to make a welcome novelty gift.

Easy Growing Tips

• Aloe vera are succulent plants made up from 90% water and hold the water for long periods.
• In winter they do not need much water as they will grow much slower due to low light conditions.
• Aloe grow small plantlets as offsets to increase your stock. Also a young spikey stem will root quite easily to grow more plants to pass on to others.
• There are several uses for the Aloe sap but do not crop a young plant too often.
• Aloe variegata have a better leaf form with a triangular V section
• Aloe brevifolia forms a large rosette of leaves in little colonies of small plants
• Some aloe flower indoors but the shape and form is the main reason for their cultivation.

Copper beech is not copper coloured until autumn when the leaves turn to a burnt brown colour. The leaves stay on the tree until spring when new buds are fit to burst.

Hints about Copper Beech

• The leaves can be a dark purple colour or a bright green but both turn to a similar shade of brown.
• Beech can be pruned hard and shaped in to hedges or loose topiary.
• Beech is also sold as Fagus sylvatica (purpurea for the purple leaved variety)
• Young whips(single stemmed saplings) or 2 foot high trees can be bought inexpensively for hedging or to turn into bonsai.
• This is my favourite poem about Hedges

REG WAS A LONELY GLOW WORM by Les Barker Reg was a lonely glow worm, All alone in the big city night; Lady glow worms didn’t like him, Never really thought him too bright. She was just a red glow in the gutter, Alone, perhaps lonely like him; His heart simply melted like butter; Her light made all others seem dim. But tonight he would not be requited; Her warm love could never be Reg’s For he was a lonely glow worm And she was a Benson and Hedges. He asked did she come here often, Asked if she fancied a drink; She might perhaps like a light ale; No reply; not a nod; not a wink. She was just a red glow in the gutter, Smouldering; sultry; aloof. Not one single word did she utter, And Reg never guessed at the truth. His heart was aflame with desire, But her fire was a pyre; it was Reg’s; For he was a lonely glow worm And she was a Benson and Hedges. He desperately wanted to know her, There in the big city night; And there, like a moth to the flame, Reg was drawn to the light. She was just a red glow in the gutter, A beacon of love in the mist; She lay where some smoker had put her And Reg could no longer resist. He burned more than his fingers that evening; Now he carries a torch with scorched edges, For he was a lonely glow worm And she was a Benson and Hedges. He fell like a fool for a cigarette, For passion can have strange effects And his contact lenses were missing, And a tortoise had trod on his specs. She was just a red glow in the gutter, Unmoved by wit, wisdom or wealth, Sat a firefly on fire and a-flutter And seriously damaged his health. All she left was a small pile of charcoal; Remember those embers are Reg’s, For he was a lonely glow worm And she was a Benson and Hedges.

Visit Les Barker’s Website http://www.mrsackroyd.com/

The best Bergenias have leaves that turn  a strong colour in Autumn. These purple leaves look good in the December garden when compared to the Elephant ear green varieties of Bergenia.

Easy Bergenia Growing

• Bergenia ciliata make good ground cover plants 1 -2 foot tall depending on the variety.
• Cuttings from the rhizomes are easy to root and plants spread naturally in most conditions including shade.
• Bergenia cordifolia varieties have smaller leaved varieties that appeal to me for this red and purple winter leaf colouring.
• The lime green varieties may be larger leaved and more robust if you wish to cover large areas.
• They flower on stems of pink bells in clusters. Begenia Eroica is said to flower for longer.
• Dead head the flowers for a continuation of flowering.

Plants can go in to your borders or patio pots now for an early spring show and a bit of early colour. My choice would be from Winter Pansy, Polyanthus and the Red, White or Pink double daisy shown above Bellis Perennis.

Plant now for Spring Colour

• If you haven’t grown your own plants from seed buy them from a nursery where they should have been hardened off a bit.
• If buying from  a supermarket get them used to outside conditions and give them some protection or cover in bad weather for a few days before planting out.
• Pick a day when the ground isn’t frozen.
• If it is dry for long periods give the plants some water. (Not a problem in Bradford above)
• Generally it is too cold for pests but slugs and aphids may make an appearance when it gets warmer.
• All these plants can flower through winter but should get stronger as the snows disappear after February

Cyclamen are easy and rewarding houseplants to look after as long as you control the watering.

Watering Cyclamen

• Keep indoor Cyclamen moist but do not stand them in water.
• Water from the bottom and let plants soak up what they need
• If using the immersion method do not get the crown of the plant wet
• Keep indoor cyclamen in humid conditions by putting the plant on   damp gravel or special clay granules.
• Put the Cyclamen, pot and all into a larger peat filled pot and keep the outer pot very damp.
• Fertilize every fortnight if you want to keep the tuber for next year

Choosing and Caring for Florists Cyclamen

• Pick a pot with good fresh leaves. If the pot end is heavy it has some water in the compost.
• Indoor or florists cyclamen are more tender than outdoor cyclamen. They are usually periscum varieties in bright colours.
• Twist off yellow leaves and spent flowers near to the stem.
• Keep cool about 50-60° and away from direct sun and strong drafts.
• Do not let them freeze
• Soft leaves are a sign of needing water or having too much water. If the later stop watering take out of the pot to help drying and leave to refresh itself before repotting.
• Plants should flower through December and January then can be rested on their sides until autumn to flower next year