Archive | Tips for Growing Series RSS feed for this section

Tips on Growing Thrift – Armeria Maritima

By on November 19, 2011 in Tips for Growing Series

Armeria maritima has many local names and is also known as Sea Pink, Cliff Clover, Ladies’ Cushions, Heugh (or cliff) daisy, Armeria juniperifolia or Marsh daisy and Sea thrift.
The colour of the 1″ ball shaped flowers varies from white Alba through pink and mauve to dark red.
The clumps of dark green foliage form good mounds useful for contrast of shape in a rock garden. The densely packed grass like leaves are up to 5 inches long. Growing Thrift is easy even in salt ladened sea air.

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Tips for Growing Clematis all Year Around

By on November 10, 2011 in Flowers and Plants, Tips for Growing Series

There is a clematis for every season, every aspect and every place. The flower size and colour range is also wider than you may imagine. Try your luck growing several clematis designed to flower at different time of the year.

Read full story • Comments { 2 }

Growing Sweet Violets – Viola odorata

By on November 3, 2011 in Novice Gardeners Advice and Pointers, Tips for Growing Series

A century ago Sweet Violets were part of the Victorian way of life. Florists and street vendors sold them and ladies carried or wore them. Since ancient Greek times and through medieval times Sweet Violets were more than a flower or scent, they were used as a sweetener, a deodorant and medicinal uses.

Read full story • Comments { 1 }

Growing Cosmos – Easy Annuals

By on November 1, 2011 in Novice Gardeners Advice and Pointers, Tips for Growing Series

Cosmos! What a stonking name for a plant evoking all the constellations in the Universe. Growing Cosmos Cosmos flowers are a ring of broad petals and a center of disc florets similar to a daisy. Cosmos flowers are 2-4 inches in diameter. There is a lot of color variation including white, pink, orange, yellow, chocolate [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Help Growing Globe Artichokes

By on October 11, 2011 in Fruit, Vegetables & Herbs, Tips for Growing Series

Speciality vegetables are worth a place in the garden and Globe Artichokes are no exception

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Local Show Tips

By on September 4, 2011 in Tips for Growing Series

Tips for showing at your local show, keep to schedule present well and have a good time…..

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Winter is Coming to Your Garden

By on September 2, 2011 in Tips for Growing Series

First the bad news! The London Met Office has warned that the winter 2011/12 will be similar to our last three winters with cold and snow caused by high pressure trapped around our Islands. Now the good news! These long range forecasts are usually rubbish and the opposite may be true. Even better news for [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Growing Phlomis Varieties

By on August 28, 2011 in Flowers and Plants, Tips for Growing Series

Phlomis yellow and purple flowers like several ruffs up a stem in candelabra style get the tips treatment

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Growing Calceolaria (Lady’s Purse)

By on June 29, 2011 in Flowers and Plants, Tips for Growing Series

  This Calceolaria is growing in a plunge bed of gravel inside a large  alpine house. The variety is called Walter Shrimpton and as you can see it is very floriferous given the right conditions. Our local nursery has just started to sell plants of Calceolaria Sunset Red and Sunset Orange and I have bought [...]

Read full story • Comments { 1 }

Growing Vinca Periwinkles

By on April 24, 2011 in Tips for Growing Series

Vinca is a low growing herbaceous perennial suitable for ground cover. Vincas generally have sky blue or royal blue star shaped flowers on unkempt enthusiastic foliage. Species and Varieties There are several species and hybrids including Vinca major and Vinca minor. The minor species are slightly less robust and slower growing. Vinca minor ‘Argenteovariegata’ shown [...]

Read full story • Comments { 1 }