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Choosing an apple tree for the garden
You might hope that summer will last forever now that August is in full swing. But as none of us in the real world have a 'time-turning machine', it's unlikely that it will do so. So this is a great moment for you to get excited about having fruit trees such as apples in the garden. Apple trees for the garden are readily available and very easy to organise. In fact, growing fruit on trees is really very rewarding! Read more -
Natural or designed? 6 ways to recognise the English Landscape Style
Date: 13 July, 2016|Categories: Gardening , Trees and Shrubs , Garden design , Plants , Wildlife and Pets , Garden historyThe English Landscape Style
One might view a typical English landscape and assume it is natural. But is it? This is a year in which birthday congratulations are owed to a remarkable landscape architect. Capability Brown actually helped to create the English landscape as we recognise it today. He moulded hills and valleys into the archetypal scenery that we believe to be natural. 
Gatton Park near Reigate is a beautiful Capability Brown landscape near Reigate in Surrey.
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These small trees are blooming marvellous in spring
We all know about March winds and the fact that we still have the occasional frost or even snow at this time of year. But March is a month of variables and it can be warm enough to sit out on a deckchair, should you have such a thing. Most flowering plants in early spring keep low to the ground. They hug the banks and woodland edge, or keep their small heads slightly bowed in order to thrive. But the show is all set to begin. There are so many plants that are about to burst into glory. The spectacle that generally launches everyone’s hearts and hopes is the blossom that adorns bare dark branches of ornamental trees, propelling the growing season to a pinnacle. Read more -
There's nothing like a gloomy winter's day to make you aware of what looks cheerful and uplifting in the garden. If you want flowers, there's a limitation on the number and variety of what might be available right now. But let's take heart and look a little closer. What can you see outside? Above all else, it’s SHAPE that catches the eye. Those beautiful trees without leaves have the most appealing outline. Have you noticed how different they all are? Read more -
Ode to the Christmas Tree.
There’s nothing quite like a real tree for the ultimate Christmas atmosphere. The sight; the scent; the effect. Real trees seem to cast better shadows; they hold the lights and decorations with rather more individual charm; they fill the house with aroma and they arouse the senses. But which variety might you buy; how should you look after it; and what about the dangers? Read more -
Warm your winter with some radiant plants!
One of the things that we all need during winter is warmth. Most of us are fortunate to have centrally heated homes – or at least a heater of some sort around which to huddle when skies are grey. But warmth and cheer don’t always go together. There’s nothing visually soothing about a radiator. Read more -
Christmas trees and living gifts for a gardener's delight.
Date: 25 November, 2015|
Gardening and Christmas: a marriage made in heaven!
Where would we be without the humble Christmas tree? You don’t need to be a gardener or even a garden-lover to be able to appreciate the sight of a twinkling, festive tree. It’s one of the symbols of Christmas that most of us love to see. But why a tree at Christmas? Read more -
Plants on Acid. The 'high' that's entirely legal
Date: 19 November, 2015|
Garden plants on acid, and it's all legal!
Some plants just love to take a trip on acid. And this is not something that attracts disapproval. In fact there are whole families of plants that are on a permanent ‘high’, because that is exactly where they originate from. Rhododendrons, for example, like to live on steep slopes that lead down into valleys in the Himalayas and south eastern Tibet. Read more -
Look at a Japanese 'Zen' garden and you feel a comforting wave of calm wash over your soul. Why?
It's all about a spiritual sense of place that is historically linked to the Japanese culture. Garden design in Japan is connected to the philosophy and religion of the country. Buddhism, Taoism and Shinto all bring a spiritual sense to a garden. This encourages people to be peaceful and meditative. Read more -
Six reasons to shower praise on shrubs
Why should we be shouting out for shrubs? Let's look to nature to teach us. If you absorb the sights of the countryside you will see that it's the season for shrubs and trees. Impressive; stately; astonishing; colourful; architectural. They've got it all, whichever adjective you choose. In fact, it's the shrubs and trees that make the UK into a historically green and pleasant land. Although now it is not only green but also orange, yellow, gold, amber, red, purple and green of course. Read more
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