Early June delights
This week I have been propagating Prickly Pears, indentifying an unknown Iris and admiring roses, clematis, saxifrages and cirsium.
How to take Dahlia cuttings – more blooms for free
Are you a Dahlia debutante growing Dahlias for the first time this year? Have you grown them before but never tried taking cuttings? Have you got a plant with lots of bushy growth? If so you could double, triple or even quadruple the number of flowers by taking cuttings. Each [...]
Greenhouse plant research, alliums and rhododendrons
This is my first post in a couple of weeks as I have been away. I have allot to do in the garden but so much to share. I hope you enjoy my Six. Greenhouse research Greenhouse - so beautiful but what to put in it needs careful planning [...]
Berberis, bluebells & wild garlic
The burning bush Berberis flower cluster This Berberis has been on fire all this week and was emitting a smouldering glow to light up the dreary days before the sun came out again. Judging by it's size It's obviously a fairly old specimen and I think it must [...]
Gardening societies – What to expect and why you should join
Gardening is a hobby best pursued with the assistance of others. Despite the plethora and accessibility of gardening assistance there is a concern that there is one area that fewer of us are accessing - the kinship of a garden community or horticultural society. Here I share my experiences as a newbie member and summarise the wonder that is the Great British Horticultural Society
Trilliums and tulips
My Six on Saturday is briefer than usual as various domestic crises (broken washing machine leaking all over the floor) and children's activities (sport, sport and more sport) have given me only a short window to write this. I'm bursting with news though and a few great pictures that I'm [...]
Tea break portrait – Crab Apple outdoor Bonsai
Need a focal point for a courtyard garden or terrace that looks good all year round? Consider growing an outdoor bonsai on a table-top against a plain wall. Hardy varieties provide year-round structural interest and offer the potential for blossom and interesting leaf shapes. They are also easier to look after than you might think.
Warming up for spring
This week has seen the entry of warp speed Spring as the weather warms up to above seasonal averages. I have been admiring Pieris and tulips, shopping for the shade and planting sweet peas.
Growing sweet peas as cut flowers? – give them a suitable support
If you want to grow sweet peas in your allotment or cut flower patch, training them straight upwards is preferable to a triangular obelisk. You'll get straighter stems and better quality flowers for display. Here I show how to build an easy string cordon on a cane frame.