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No doubt you’ve heard the term ‘mycorrhizal fungi’, but do you know why you need it in your garden? Especially during autumn, winter and early spring when you might be considering doing some bare root planting.
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Fill it with flowers!
There’s no shortage of blooms at this time of year, and with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show looming (commencing 21 May), focus is firmly on flowers in the garden during this wonderful season. But there are many people who look wistfully from the side-lines, wondering why their own gardens aren’t showing such splendour. So let’s take a look at the best flowering shrubs and perennials for a marvellous May. If you set yourself a target to plant one specimen each month, choosing something that flowers in that particular month, your garden would gradually fill with flowering interest throughout the year.
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Groundcover needn't be boring
Heuchera are the eye-candy of the low-level planting storey and these stunners have enjoyed a gradual rise in the popularity stakes over the last few years. There are now very few gardens that haven’t managed to find room for this colourful foliage plant. It’s not difficult to see why, because Heucheras are capable of providing year-round colour and low-level interest. (Meaning a spectacle close to the ground rather than only mildly exciting.)
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In autumn, many things in the garden can be tidied away, cut back and neatened. Or can they - does thismean it's all over for the year? Do we need to see bare soil and pruned back stems?
A few decades ago, this was the aspiration but now it's just not the thing to do. Garden minibeasts and birds love to scratch around and feast upon the stems and seeds that autumn brings. There's so much happening outdoors in October and beyond. It would be a shame to miss it. There is sometimes even an Indian summer which can be one of the best times of year. We Brits are often prepared to let the glory of autumn slip away without even a glance.
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Zodiac plants - choose the right plant for your astrological star sign!
Have you ever thought about how your star sign might be represented by a plant? Many people believe that the signs of the zodiac have a direct influence on the personality of those who are born under certain stars. Choose your plant to fit your personality and bring harmony into your life! Here are some suggestions from Perfect Plants: Read more -
Keep cool in the garden and seek out the shade
Date: 25 July, 2018|Categories: Perennials , Pots and Containers , Summer , Ferns , Plants , Drought , Clematis , Climbers , Water feature , Planting , Heuchera , Plants for shade , roses , gardenHead for the shade during sizzling summer days
There are many ways to try keeping cool during hot, dry and sunny weather. Some are obvious and others, less so. Garden umbrellas are probably the first line of defence. Put up several before the sun rises, and not only will the shade provide a mini-refuge, but the air flow around the umbrella will create a little breeze too. You don’t need a fancy stand, some garden parasols, such as the Eazy Shade from Cave Innovations, come with multi-function clips and clamps so that they can attach to chairs and tables. Read more -
Why is your garden bare, dry and jaded? Here's some tips to perk up your plot in July and August
As much as gardeners tend to love summer (because they can spend all those luscious daylight hours outdoors), the time is approaching when garden beauty starts to dwindle. Many spaces begin to look barren, with dry soils and parched plants without much in the way of colour. What can you do this month to perk up your plot? Read more -
Perfect partners: warm weather and water in the garden. Why have a pond?
When the sun’s shining we are all drawn naturally to water. Most people can’t resist dipping fingers into a cool pond and the sound of trickling and sprinkling attract people like a magnet. There’s a practical side to adding a pond to a garden too. Water, particularly if it’s moving, cools the air around it. Tempted to add a pond to your garden? DO IT! Read more -
Ignore granny at your peril! Folklore can be better than science in your garden
Date: 07 June, 2018|Garden lore: truth or fiction?
The best nature and garden knowledge, some say, is that which is handed down from generation to generation. Garden folklore might not be the most scientific, but much of it has been tried and tested out in the fields and gardens over time. Since the Egyptians cultivated plants that they collected from Europe, in fact. There are folklore solutions to age-old problems that you might not find in an official guide. Sometimes, listening to granny gives you wisdom! Here’s a round-up of useful folklore, tips and thoughts that you might want to put into practice. Read more -
12 ideas for June and the summer garden
Glorious June! With it comes the desire to make the most of the garden during all those long, pleasurable daylight hours. Whatever the weather, there’s no getting away from the fact that this magical month plays host to the longest day on 21st of the month, which can be viewed as the start of summer time. What’s not to love about balmy light evenings, fresh, colourful perennials, lush lawns and apples forming on the fruit trees? Read more