Category : Garden Tips

‘Violetta’ is a summer-flowering perennial with small, purple flowers on branching heads producing a billowing display of colour, particularly when planted in a small group. Its wiry flowering stems look best planted at the front of a border where they can sprawl and soften the edges. Limonium prefers a sunny position, in well-drained soil. The [...]

‘Loch Hope’ With round clusters of deep blue, trumpet-shaped flowers on single, leafless, upright stems, this Agapanthus certainly has the ‘wow’ factor in late summer and early autumn. Find it in the Farmhouse Garden.

Choosing plants There are lots of plants that can be grown in baskets, including cheerful annuals, and small evergreen shrubs that will provide structure and all-year-round interest. Rather than planting randomly, choose a colour scheme such as pink or white flowers, or use hot reds and yellows. Although most baskets are planted in early spring [...]

Collect and dispose of wind-fall fruit. Leaving them on the ground encourages pests and can damage your lawn. Propagate celamatis, honeysuckle and wisteria plants by layering. Propagate hibiscus, lavender and rhododendron plants by taking semi-ripe cuttings. Tie tomato stems to canes or stakes to prevent the weight of the fruit breaking the plant. Continue to [...]

Name: Himalayan balsam ( Indian balsam, policeman ) Latin name: Impatiens glandulifera Royle (I. roylei) Occurrence: Himalayan balsam is an introduced annual naturalised along riverbanks and ditches. It prefers moist soils but will grow anywhere. Himalayan balsam grows up to 3 m tall and is reputed to be the tallest annual plant found in the [...]

Heracleum mantegazzianum Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Giant hogweed has been introduced to Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States as a garden curiosity. Because of its tenacious and invasive nature it soon becomes a pest within the ornamental garden and readily escapes. It has naturalized in many of the places where it was first [...]

Name: Japanese knotweed Latin name: Fallopia japonica (Houtt), (Reynoutria japonica, Polygonum cuspidatum) Occurrence: Japanese knotweed is an invasive rhizomatous perennial introduced to the UK from Japan between 1825 and 1841 as an ornamental plant and as cattle fodder. In its native habitat, Japanese knotweed is a pioneer species found on volcanic larva, river gravels and [...]

More gardening tips for August In this summer month, the garden is full of festive colours and scents. Your garden or balcony serves a summer lounge where you can enjoy the long warm evenings to the full. Overcast days are perfect to get on top of little chores that will prolong the abundance of flowers. [...]

AUGUST ESSENTIAL JOBS CHECKLIST FOR AUGUST Take cuttings of shrubby herbs and tender perennials Water all containers every day and feed regularly Trim hedges Treat vine weevil with biological control Pinch out tomato sideshoots Prune raspberries and gooseberries Mow the lawn before going on holiday TOPICAL TIPS FOR AUGUST Flower Garden Take cuttings of tender [...]

JULY ESSENTIAL JOBS CHECKLIST FOR JULY Prune shrubs that have flowered and feed them Take cuttings from many shrubs and alpines Water containers every day in hot weather Water borders if necessary, then mulch Clear excess pondweed Spray roses and feed Dead-head perennials and annuals unless you want to save seed Plant leeks and winter [...]