Growing Corylus colurna
How to grow Corylus colurna ‘Te-Terra red’ This small hazel tree grows to around 20ft. In the spring the foliage is wine-red but, like all purple-foliage hazels, the leaves fade to green. A two-tone effect appears in the summer when the wind blows and ruffles the more mature green leaves amongst the youthful purple foliage. … Continue reading “Growing Corylus colurna”
Common Garden Plants
10 minute Gardener – Storing Agapanthus, Lilies, and Succulents Large containers of agapanthus need time to dry out to improve their chances of endurance over winter. Once they are dry, they can be placed under the bench of an unheated greenhouse and left alone until spring. If they need to be stored outside place them … Continue reading “Common Garden Plants”
Gardening Jobs for December
Jobs for December Kitchen Garden…… · Order plants of early crops such as cabbages, cauliflowers, and lettuces from specialist suppliers for early spring delivery. · Continue harvesting Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Parsnips, and Leeks. · Dig over bare soil if workable-soil pests are therefore exposed to birds. Ornamental Garden……. · If soil conditions allow, plant … Continue reading “Gardening Jobs for December”
RHS advice on Crown Lifting
RHS Advice Crown lifting trees, shrubs, and bamboos Crown lifting is basically the technique used to remove the lower branches of a plant to produce trunks or stems that are taller and clearer. This allows better access and allows light and air through the canopy. As well as accentuating the colour and stem structure, it … Continue reading “RHS advice on Crown Lifting”
Establishing Snowdrops
Snowdrops Establishing snowdrops: Traditionally it has been recommended that snowdrops are best moved, planted or propagated by division after flowering. Experimentation current thinking is variables which can produce change. As the leaves yellow towards the end of spring and later when fully dormant. This helps avoid root damage. Starting Out: When introducing Galanthus to … Continue reading “Establishing Snowdrops”
Are Birds Causing Disruption in your Garden?
Are Birds Causing Disruption in your Garden? Most wild birds are welcome in gardens but some, including bullfinches, sparrows, and pigeons cause much disruption to gardens and plants. In winter, these birds will eat flower buds, fruit, grass seeds and will damage vegetable seedlings along with flowers such as crocus and can also strip peas … Continue reading “Are Birds Causing Disruption in your Garden?”
Catkins
Catkins – wind-pollinated harbingers of Spring Although less flamboyant than flowers that attract insects, Catkins are ultimately designed for wind pollination and signify the end of winter when they appear in early spring. Salix caprea Garrya elliptica Corylus avanllana ‘Cortorta’ Alnus cordata The stubby, fury, male catkins of goat willow have yellow stamens. Its pendulous … Continue reading “Catkins”
Treating Waterlogged Lawns and Split or Cracked Bark
Treating Waterlogged Lawns High rainfall during winter and impeded drainage mean that lawns can struggle to cope with excess water, which leaves them prone to moss and algae. Waterlogging tends to be a problem on compacted and heavy clay soils, although poor preparation before turfing or seeding new lawns can be a cause also. Roots … Continue reading “Treating Waterlogged Lawns and Split or Cracked Bark”
Root Health
Root Health When the tops of plants wilt or die, there may be problems with the root health and system. Other symptoms such as a thin crown, small, pale leaves or needles, dead branches or twigs, leaves falling earlier than usual, and plants flushing later or weaker than usual may also indicate root problems. A … Continue reading “Root Health”
Gardening Jobs for January
Gardening Jobs for January Six important seasonal Gardening jobs for January Prune wisterias by reducing last year’s growth to spurs of two or three buds. On winter pansies and violas, remove leaves with downy mildew and black spots. Order vegetable seeds: as new popular cultivars sell out quickly. Cutaway old hellebore foliage to reveal new … Continue reading “Gardening Jobs for January”