Plants for Flower Arranging – Solomon’s Seal

By on April 21, 2012 in Flower Arranging & Floristry

Solomon’s seal or David’s Harp is a Polygonatum with arching stems of leaves and flower bells that is in demand for a range of flower arrangements.

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Plants for Flower Arranging – Hostas

By on April 21, 2012 in Flower Arranging & Floristry

Hostas have sculptural leaves in a range of colours from bright green to glaucus blue with yellow and bi-coloured varieties that can all contribute to your flower arranging expertise. Grow a few plants and see what we mean.

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Cure Bitter Pit on Apple Trees

By on April 20, 2012 in Fruit, Vegetables & Herbs, Pests, Problems and Health

Dark depressions in the skin of your apples and brown sports dotted throughout the flesh are typical of bitter pit on your apples. Cure Bitter Pit on Apples with these tips and good cultivation methods

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Forcing Strawberries the Old Fashioned Way

By on April 20, 2012 in Fruit, Vegetables & Herbs

The old ways of forcing Strawberries do not cost the airmiles that our imported fruit now consume. Nor do they sacrifice flavour for an early crop. Old gardeners fashioned different ways to get Strawberries 4-8 weeks early than your normal summer crops.

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Grow Primula Candelabra Species

By on April 19, 2012 in Primulas

Colourful Candelabra Primulas are great plants for shady damp locations. They originate from China and the Himalaya and are ideal for woodland, streamsides or damp banks. There are many species, hybrids and varieties to grow and collect. Description of Candelabra Primula Candelabra Primulas make clumps of strong oblong shaped leaves often persisting through the winter [...]

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Books on Primula, Auriculas and Polyanthus

By on April 19, 2012 in Books, Primulas

The internet can’t give you all the knowledge and joy that a book can provide. Here are some of the books in English about Primulas and related species that are available, even if currently out of print.

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Tips for Taking Cuttings for Beginners

By on April 19, 2012 in Gardening, Tips Hints and Ideas

Gardening experts and beginners can increase their plants by taking cuttings. If in doubt I push odd cuttings into soil in a corner and hope. It is surprising what will root and grow.

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The Secret of Geranium (Pelargonium) Cuttings

By on April 18, 2012 in House & Greenhouse plants, Tips Hints and Ideas

I couldn’t resist this double pink rose bud Pelargonium ‘Something Special’ which is looking really good at the moment. I intend taking some early cuttings of this plant next month and growing them on for 2010 specimen plants. August to October are good months for taking cuttings to flower the following year. Tips on Pelargonium [...]

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Grow Romantic Red Flowers

By on April 18, 2012 in Articles

There is a romantic red flower for virtually every month of the year. Even if your husband or partner fails to deliver the romantic bunch on St Valentine’s day you can grow your own and pretend. Christmas time produces red flowers or at least sepals on the Poinsettia and following that in January, Cyclamen persicum are available in strong red colours.

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Soil Management for Drought Conditions

By on April 18, 2012 in Garden Design

Increase your soil’s water holding capacity and reducing the evaporation and consumption of water will make significant management improvements during drought conditions.

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