As I search for sensible articles and reports on various garden subjects I collect a range on odd bits of information. Not knowing what is helpful I hope at least one of the following gardeners tip is of use but let’s see how we go.

Trendy flowers are fads waiting to be superceeded. Three years ago I highlighted the grass Calamagrostis x acutifolia Karl Foerster, Euphorbia cyparissias Fens Ruby, Dogwoods and Gillenia trifoliata. (They grow 6′, 3′, 4′, and 18″ respectively). Who grows them now?.

Organic items that have been slow to compost on my bin this year have been egg shells, avocado skins and stones, spiky top leaves of pineapples plus those green biodegradable plastic bags sold for indoor compost collecting. 12 months should have been long enough but have patience.

Clumps of Primroses and Primulas that have finished flowering can be lifted and divided by pulling apart good sized pieces that should already have rooted. Keep them moist and planted in some shade. If plants are too small to divide mulch them with organic matter to bulk up for next year.

Aubrietia should be sheared hard after they finish their display. A new cushion of foliage will help keep the plants growing for years without feed as Aubretia have no liking for rich soil.

I am a plantaholic and try cram in more and more plants. I should stand back and see what can be taken out. ‘Less is often more’ as they say.

Use glyphosate weed killers like Roundup on fully grown weeds with mature leaves that have already unfurled for best results. Do not compost bindweed ground elder or couch grass roots.

Mediterranean Geranium maderiensis.

The 166 bus from Carmarthen Train Station,  and Pontyberem goes to the under appreciated National Botanic Gardens of Wales and drops off within the Gardens car park.The gardens have the world’s largest single spanned glasshouse and an unrivaled display of Mediterranean climate plants.