Variegated Leaves can be the most attractive feature of a garden or houseplant. Colour schemes vary and there is likely to be a colour combination that pleases most gardeners. Gardeners Tips for Growing Variegated Leaved Plants Consider the light when planting. Many colours can get ‘burned out’ by strong sunshine. If you are growing for [...]

Yellow sickly leaves on acid loving plants is called ‘chlorosis’. It is a nutrition problem as the plant is inhibited from getting the nutrients from the soil. It is easiest to think of it as an Iron or acid deficiency. Plants affected by Yellowing Leaves Rhododendrons often suffer if the soil is not sufficiently acidic [...]

Sprinklers important for new grass seed, but, not always most efficient. Correct watering is essential to a healthy garden, but, even seasoned gardeners can make mistakes in how and when they water. Tips for Optimal Watering Don’t wait until everything is starting to wilt. Plants may never fully recover from a period of draught – [...]

Dibleys continue to send me their Young Plant Catalogue with new varieties to tempt the windowsill or Cape Primrose grower. Thompson Morgan are another supplier of these flowering houseplants that some find fascinating. Read about growing Windowsill Orchids on Gardeners tips. 2010 New Varieties Myfanwy, another girls name to adorn a flower. In this case [...]

Rip van Winkle is a miniature Daffodils correctly called Narcissus minor pumilus ‘Plenus.’ It grows 6-8″ tall and the yellow spiky petals that are about half an inch wide. Cultivation Rip Van Winkle look particularly eye-catching when grown close together in drifts in borders. They are particularly good for growing in pots in a cold [...]

Begonias are native to all parts of the world except Australia and Europe. The South American species have been bred in England since the 1860′s and we can now enjoy many colourful varieties. Grow as houseplants or for borders. Growing Begonias from Tubers Growing begonias couldn’t be easier. Buy good stock, firm to the touch. [...]

Watering can be the key to  success in the garden and with your houseplants. Not surprisingly plants without water die !  Plants can drown with too much H²O so watering is a skill worth learning. Conserving Water in the Garden Dig in bulky organic matter to increase the water carrying capacity of your soil. Keep [...]

You can grow an interesting garden in an old sink, trough or container that you have to hand. In the case of the photograph above all the plants chosen were small compact alpines. They include small varieties of normal garden favourites such as Asters, Pinks (Dianthus), Campanula, Gypsophilia, Primula, Sempervivum and Pelargonium (Geraniums). Types of [...]

This small pot containing an even smaller Choisya ternata is growing happily in our front room. New leaves of light green are almost translucent and provide clean foliage. The leaves when crushed give off a very pleasant scent. This plant was one of many grown from cuttings the siblings are now in the garden. Also [...]

Gardeners like growing plants and in winter the best location to do this is indoors or a heated greenhouse and foliage houseplants are one group that work well in these environments. Begonia masoniana has rough surface leaves with a distinctive central brown cross. The plant grows to a good size in the right conditions but [...]