Flowers and Plants – Page 57

Free Flowing Planting

May 28, 2015 tejvan

In my garden I have developed a style known as – free-flowing planting.

There is no structure to the planting
I do selective weeding, to keep out pernicious weeds such as bindwind and horsetail.
Many plants are self-seeded like the daises which are indigenous to the area.
I encourage tall plants which blow around in the wind.
I have encouraged self-seeded plants to grow in clusters in the grass.
Be bold and encourage large areas of particular flowers.
There are no hard and fast rules
It is important to learn to enjoy nature’s beauty and variety and not to need strict formal planting regimes.

Self seeded Nigella spring up around Acers

At this time of the year, daises are a big part of the garden. Simple yet effective, they bring a smile to your face.

The mixed planting looks good in the evening sun.

Aquilega are another self-seeded favourite.

The pink roses are one of few selected plants. This pink rose has thrived amidst chaotic planting.

A long garden is broken up with planting in middle of lawn.

Related

Tips for planting in groups and drifts

Top Ten Miniature Daffodils and Narcissus

Miniature Daffodils and Narcissus are easy to grow with these simple tips that includes a top ten variety list.
Miniature daffodils grow from 4 inches to just short of a foot. Varieties Minnow, Toto and Canaliculatus have several flowers on the one stem and are particular favourites of mine. Try growing some in pots in the cold greenhouse or as welcome additions to your alpine plants.

Top Ten Selection

Little Beauty 5″ with white perianth and yellow corona
Rip Van Winkle
Sun Disc a consistent bulb with round disc shaped yellow flower.
Hawera with reflex bachward pointing petals
Petrel has several ivory-white hanging flowers per stem.
Segovia -with a white perianth contrasted by a neat lemon cup
Snipe A classic 5″ tall white cyclamineus type with a green tinge.
Baby Moon late flowering and scented jonquilla type.
Baby Doll with pink cups and a nice scent.
La Belle with yellow flowers and shallow coronas in orange-yellow with a distinct reddish-orange rim

Daffodils are organised into groups and classes called divisions. Read more about Daffodil divisions that encompass miniature daffodils and narcissus varieties.

Tips on Miniature Daffodil and Narcissus

Look in spring for successful varieties that you may want to buy for planting this Autumn.
Buy pots in bloom this spring so you know what you are getting. Deadhead before the seedheads start to develop and feed the bulbs with a high phosphate feed.
One of the smaller varieties is Bulbocodium Conspicuous, yellow hooped petticoat at 4 inches tall with golden yellow flowers.
The scented Jonquilla has a couple of varieties that are low growing including Jonquil Single, Sugarbush and the ivory white flowered apricot cup of Waterperry.
Cyclamineus varieties tend to be low growing. One of the most popular is the Tete-a-Tete with fluted golden trumpets which bulks up quite well year on year.
For something different try the double Rip Van Winkle or the pinky yellow Nanus.
Place your order from a reputable bulb supplier during summer so that you get the varieties you want before the best bulbs are sold out. The best time to plant miniature daffodils is from September until mid October. They like to make long roots before flowering and fully produce their leaves first. .

Try growing Narcissus bulbocodium ‘Golden Bells’ commonly called the Hoop Petticoat Daffodil! Bulbs from Thompson & Morgan

Cyclamineus – Div 6 are eye-catching daffodils with reflex petals.
Triandrus Daffodils – Div 5 are a result of breeding from the species N.triandrus. There are mid flowering height and usually 2 to 5 delightful hanging flowers per stem. Available from the Miniature Bulb Co
The Daffodil Society has a list of other bulb suppliers

Tips for Growing Runner Beans

May 14, 2015 tejvan

Runner Beans are an excellent vegetable to grow. Homegrown varieties are often more succulent and tasty than supermarket varieties. Runner Beans also provide an attractive focal point for any kitchen garden. In fact you could easily grow Runner Beans within a cottage garden. Once established they can grow very rapidly and are mainly resilient to pests and dieseases.

Choose a site in full sun.
Prepare the soil well with organic matter which will help retain moisture and feed the fast growing plants.
The plants will need good support, preferably using 6 feet canes. They are best grown together – either in a wigwam effect or in a horizontal line.
Once in flower keep well watered. If they are not watered sufficiently they will not pollintate and grow the bean.
They will benefit from tomato feed when the beans are forming and growing. …
Read More Read More

Growing Bellis perennis Pom Pom Daisies

May 11, 2015 hortoris

Cultivation and Growing Tips for Pompom Daisies

Bellis perennis is the name of the small common daisy found in great profusion growing in lawns. Pom Pom Daisy is the cultivated double daisy that makes a good spring flowering ornamental plant.
Grow from seed sown in late spring/early summer outdoors in a sheltered, shady site in a well prepared seed bed about Â¼in deep.
Germination usually takes 14-21 days.
Thin seedlings out to 4-6in apart when they are large enough to handle and finally transplant to flowering site in autumn in sun or part shade for flowering the following spring.
Bellis perenis Pom Poms are great for small beds, edging, windowboxes etc.
Greenfly love to eat the tender leaves so keep an eye open in case you need to treat the plants

Common Names and Varieties of Pom Poms to Consider

Pompom daisies are available in red, pink and white. You can buy them as self colours or in mixed packets of seed
‘Tasso Mixed’ is one of the best pomponette bellis ever introduced! Flowers are larger than normal pom – pom types, on compact, short, strong flower stems. The bright colours of rose, deep rose, red and white, will all give excellent results
‘Petite Pom Pom’ and ‘Pomponette’ have rosettes of mid-green leaves with narrow stems topped with pink, dark pink and white pompons from early spring to autumn.

Old & Odd Tips From Gardeners Tips

Pom Pom daisies look good in containers, rockeries and paired with Tulips.
Deadheading will prolong flowering or leave to seed and collect for next season.
Will grow in some shade and withstand an open windy position

You can often obtain seeds or plants from our mail order company of choice Thompson & Morgan

Credits

Buy more varieties of Daisies at Thompson & Morgan

Tips for Growing Forget-Me-Nots

May 7, 2015 hortoris

Forget-me-not Cultivation and Growing Tips

These plants are very easy to grow from seed. Sow one year and they flower the next because most varieties are biennials.
Forget-me-nots are usually blue but are also found in pink and white and shades of blue.
Forget-me-nots are dwarf, compact plants upto a foot tall! A fantastic addition to spring beds and borders.
The plants complement golden Daffodils yellow Wallflowers and Primulas.
Sow May -June and thin out. Plants self sow all over my garden so clear out any invaders.
Plants can also be purchase to avoid the problems of sowing your own.
Naturalised flowers become less spectacular – renew with seed every few years. Try a stronger strain.

Forget-me-not Common Names and Varieties to Consider

Myosotis is the Latin name for Forget-me-nots. It is a family of 50 species. See main varieties at the foot of this page
Historically it got the name ‘mouse ears’ due to the shape of its leaves.
Varieties to look out for include Ultramarine and Blue ball or for Alpine Forget-me-nots ‘Ruth Fisher’.

Unusual Facts about Forget-me-nots

Newfoundland in Canada used the Forget-me-not as a symbol of remembrance of that nation’s war dead.
Germans and Freemasons use forget-me-nots as a symbol not to forget the poor and desperate. (Germany may need a good crop with the economy in such a state.)

Old & Odd Tips From Gardeners Tips on Forget-me-nots

Plant in drifts around the edge of ponds.
Pull up and compost plants as they finish flowering – you will still get lots of seedlings.
Use forget-me-nots as a cut flower when in bud to prolong vase life.

Horticultural Sources and Advice on Forget-me-not

You can often obtain seeds or plants from our mail order company of choice Thompson & Morgan
Powdery mildew can be a problem in dry soil. Pull up and destroy infected plants.
Species include; Myosotis alpestris – Alpine Forget-me-not
Myosotis arvensis – Field Forget-me-not
Myosotis asiatica – Asiatic Forget-me-not
Myosotis azorica – Azores Forget-me-not
Myosotis caespitosa – Tufted Forget-me-not
Myosotis discolor – Changing Forget-me-not
Myosotis latifolia – Broadleaf Forget-me-not
Myosotis laxa – Tufted Forget-me-not, Bay Forget-me-not
Myosotis scorpioides – True Forget-me-not
Myosotis secunda – Creeping Forget-me-not
Myosotis sicula – Jersey Forget-me-not
Myosotis sylvatica – Wood Forget-me-not
Myosotis verna – Spring Forget-me-not

Credits
forget-me-nots by Mags CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Dandelion and Forget-me-nots (1) by Purrrpl_Haze CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Flowers from my granny’s garden by sermoa CC BY-SA 2.0

Tips Growing Globeflower

May 6, 2015 hortoris

Description, Cultivation and Growing Tips for Globeflower

Globeflower is a herbaceous perennial plant that generally flowers yellow in spring or early summer.
They are another meadowland plant closely related to the buttercup but flower 1-3 feet tall depending on variety.
Globeflowers are easy to grow, disease resistant and good for cutting.
Keep the soil moist, they like a boggy soil that isn’t too wet in winter.
Mulch with an organic compost in winter to protect the roots.
Plants will grow and flower in partial shade.

Common Names and Varieties of Globeflower

Globeflower is the common name for Trollius which is a family of around 20 species and many hybrids and cultivars.
The petals of Trollius europaeus are curved over the top of the flower to appear like a ball or spherical globe giving the plant its common name.
Many of the other species such as Trollius chinensis have more open, flatter flowers. Golden Queen is a variety with prominent stamens that form a crown on the head of each flower. It grows taller than most varieties and the flowers can be 2-3 inches across.
Trollius europeaeus ‘Superbus’ has an AGM and is readily available.
Lemon Queen, Fireglobe and Canary bird are descriptive varieties for growing.

Unusual Facts about Globeflower

All Globeflowers and Trollius species are poisonous to cattle and other livestock but not butterflies which thrive on the leaves.
The globe is formed by the inward curve of the sepals and there are no true petals.
Pale yellow flowering Alabaster tones well with Lobelia cardinalis which also enjoys a wet soil

Old & Odd Tips From Gardeners Tips – Globeflower

Collect the seed from your own plants and sow immediately whilst the seed is fresh.
In our experience the plants do not transplant easily. Sow seed where you want them to flower.

Horticultural Sources and Advice

Globeflower are slow clump formers with a mass of fibrous roots.
You can often obtain seeds or plants from our mail order company of choice Thompson & Morgan
Hybrids of Globeflowers are labeled Trollius x cultorum and are probably crosses between three species: Trollius europaeus, Trollius asiaticus and Trollius chinensis.

Credits
Trollius europaeus ‘Superbus’ Globeflower and Trollius chinensis ‘Golden Queen’ Globeflower by KingsbraeGarden CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Trollblumen by vasile23 CC BY 2.0
Globe Flower, Die Trollblume, Trollius europaeus by Dandelion And Burdock CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Maj 2005 by Isfugl,CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Autumn Annuals for Late Colour

May 4, 2015 hortoris

As summer turns towards autumn you may be looking forward to a bold splash of colour from your late flowering annuals. To blanket the ground you can use a mass planting of easy to grow annuals with long flowering characteristics. Below we offer a list of top ten annuals to consider but there are many varieties and species that fit the bill.

Autumn Annual Bed

Plan where you are going to plant your annuals for autumn flowering. Consider height, colour and shape of the plants in your selection. Plan low at the front and contrasting colours in opposition
Improve the soil with compost dug in to improve water retention.
Rake the top soil smooth and mark out a plan of what you want to grow where.
Individual potted or plug plants can be set 3-4inches apart.
Some plants you can grow from scattered seed to fill the gaps. They may need thinning later.

Plant Varieties for Autumn Annuals

Low growers to consider include the white Sweet Allysum ‘Little Dorrit’, Tagetes tennufoila ‘Tangerine Gem’ and Viola ‘Maxim Marina’ light blue with dark faces.
Zinnias can be free sown and a good mixed packet will flower in red, orange, yellow, pink and cream.
Wax begonias semperflorens is a popular low grower that will stand a bit of shade if necessary.
I like African Marigolds a big double flower in yellow or orange. French Marigolds are smaller but intensely coloured and will go on flowering until the first frost.
Cineraria senecio is a plant grown for it’s light grey- silver finely cut leaves.
For mid height and airy foliage try Cosmos ‘Sonata white’ or Mexican sunflowers.
If you have some form of support for climbers there are several annuals that work hard to give you a good display including; Ipomea alba or ‘Cardinal’, Mirablis jalapa, Lablab purpureus and the cup and saucer vine Cobaea scandens.
I am already over the ten plants and you probably only need 5 varieties repeating in a pattern. However the best value seeds are often from the annual Dahlias which flower for fun.

Photo Credits
Mixed Annuals by dbkfrog CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

“2008-07-08 Mohave Autumn Bronze – Bracteantha by rosepetal236 and 2008-07-08 Colorado State University Annual Flower Trial Garden by rosepetal236 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Footnotes for Autumn Annuals

Some plants may last more than one season but I recommend treating all these plants as annuals.
Collect the seed in autumn if you want to grow then again and compost the old plants.
Deadhead and pick for indoor use to encourage even more flowers.
In the UK plant in early June to give your annuals chance to develop good roots.

Growing Iris Confusa

May 2, 2015 hortoris

Iris confusa is a delicate iris from south-central or Western China. The photograph above shows Iris confusa in the temperate house at Kew where the flowers pay closer inspection.

Description of Iris Confusa

Iris confusa is an evergreen, upright perennial with fans of mid-green, sword-like leaves.
The plant’s broad, shiny leaves are attached to the ends of bamboo-like stems up to 2 feet long.
The bamboo-like stems will eventually lie flat and root, thus forming good clumps.

Iris confusa Flowers

The Iris confusa flower in spring and early summer April – June.
Each flower is lavender to pale blue or near white with yellow or purple spots.
Iris confusa ‘Martyn Rix’ is a popular variety of Crested Iris with white flowers, yellow crests and purple dots on the falls.

Photo Credits

Bamboo iris (Iris confusa) by Kew on Flickr CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Iris Confusa by Just chaos CC BY 2.0
Google images for Iris confusa (and odd Iris)

Heuchera for Interesting Foliage

April 29, 2015 hortoris

Heuchera offer foliage interest in your garden. The colour range is continually extended by specialist growers but the plant is best known for maroon, brown and coppery coloured leaves with some interesting veining. Bi-colour, yellow and interesting foliage tints are now on show in our local nursery so have a look around.

Flowers tend to be held on spiky fronds and can be used for cutting. As the main reason for the plants is the leaf colouring I have not grown them for flowers but the varieties of Heuchera miracanths produce some prolific plants.

Heuchera Foliage Tips

Heuchera are generally low growing foliage plants up to one foot tall.
Heuchera need well drained but fertile soil
Mulch the plants in spring
Propagate by division and divide large clumps to stop them becoming woody.
Specimen plants can be grow in pots but keep them well watered
Colour of the leaves can be enhance by planting in full sun but the purple bronzes prefer to grow in the shade
Plant several interesting varieties together for an impact.

Plants and monograph books are available from Amazon Heuchera are outstanding plants that are becoming fully appreciated especially with new cultivars and hybrids with wavy and coloured leaves.
You can acquire or just admire plants as part of a collection

Credits
Heuchera by bill barber CC BY-NC 2.0
Heuchera ‘Dolce Creme Brulee’ by Satrina0 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Heuchera by Howard Dickins CC BY 2.0 ‘These things have such great foliage. This might be “Palace Purple” (or it might not.)’
Heuchera Facts Uses and Interesting Varieties

Grow Canna – Ginger Relatives

April 27, 2015 hortoris

Canna ‘lilies’ are part of the ginger family and not true lilies. This orange flower with distinctive red leaves that are like small banana leaves is very striking in the Autumn bed.

How to Grow Canna

Grow Cannas from rhizomes that are firm and hard not soft. Plant out in spring.
Cannas perform best if given some protection particularly through early summer.
Whilst they are up to 3 feet tall they can manage without staking although it may be better to be safe than sorry.
The flowers are typically fiery red, orange, or golden yellow or any combination of those colours, and grow on distinctive spikes.
Canna will grow best in full sun in well-drained rich or sandy soil.
Cannas can manage with little moisture so should be OK in summer droughts.

Selected Canna Species & Varieties

Canna ‘Bandana of the Everglades, ‘Dwarf Texas Canna’ and ‘Louisiana Canna’
Broad-leaved Canna’, ‘Iris Canna’
‘Chinese Canna’, or ‘Cinnabar Canna’
Canna ‘Golden Canna’, Scarlet Canna’, ‘Yellow Canna’

In the UK Cannas should be lifted and stored in a frost free place over winter then planted out again in spring. They may survive outside in winter provided they are mulched thickly and planted in free draining soil.

Credits
Canna x generalis by dinesh_valke CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Canna flower by Mr.Mac2009 CC BY-NC 2.0