Choosing Winter Bedding
Choosing Winter Bedding No matter what the landscape or the season, there are always opportunities to create colourful displays that can stand up even in the harshest of weather. Adding early flowering bulbs such as snowdrops, and crocus can improve the display and layout of even the smallest gardens, especially containers. Winter-interest pots … Continue reading “Choosing Winter Bedding”
Dividing Grasses
Dividing Grasses The easiest and most effective way to ‘propagate’ grasses is by division. Grasses can be divided in the autumn however most grass species dislike having cut surfaces exposed to winter wet and cold. For this reason, it is usually better to wait until Spring. Climate Grasses ‘Cool-climate’ grasses are best divided just before … Continue reading “Dividing Grasses”
Fruitful Endeavour
Fruitful Endeavour The Fruit manual This year its 150th anniversary since Robert Hogg published the Fruit Manual. It is so inclusive that it was consulted for over a century and is still referred to today. The first of the fruit manuals was 280 pages long and covered almost all the range of hardy fruits included … Continue reading “Fruitful Endeavour”
Protecting Hardy (and not-quite hardy) Palms
Protecting Hardy (and not-quite hardy) Palms Some of the hardest palms include: jubaea chilensis (coquito palms), Trachycarpus fortunei (chusan palms) however they can still suffer in cold harsh winters. Blue Iris Landscapes recommend that more tender palms such as Butia capitata are best grown in pots. Professional landscapers and gardeners also suggest that palms are … Continue reading “Protecting Hardy (and not-quite hardy) Palms”
Recommended Plants by Blue Iris Landscapes
RECOMMENDED PLANTS BY BLUE IRIS LANDSCAPES As well as giving planti6ng advice and maintenance advice, Blue Iris also use their professional status and services to recommend plants from The Royal Horticultural Society and much more. The RHS Trillium Collection The trillium collection is perfect for woodland gardens or shaded borders, these rhizomatous perennials will … Continue reading “Recommended Plants by Blue Iris Landscapes”
Are you Thinking About Having your Lawns Landscaped?
Are You Thinking About Having your Lawns Landscaped? Here at Blue Iris Landscapes, we can offer different solutions for all of your turfing needs. Bee heaven– A substantial lawn can be altered malformed into a meadow. Mow paths where you need to cross and grow wildflowers that support the wildlife around you. Hard choices made … Continue reading “Are you Thinking About Having your Lawns Landscaped?”
Plant Focus: Poppies
Helpful tips and ideas for new additions to your garden: Poppies are a great addition to any garden, adding colour and interest with their brightly coloured petals. They are usually red in colour, but there are also varieties that are yellow, purple and even bright blue! Propagating Poppies Poppies are versatile and can be divided … Continue reading “Plant Focus: Poppies”
Gardening Jobs to Do in October
Gardening jobs to do in October These are just some of the jobs we will be carrying out as we go around and maintain our customers’ gardens during the month of October: 1. The soil is still warm from the summer so we recommend planting hardy trees and shrubs. By planting in the autumn, the … Continue reading “Gardening Jobs to Do in October”
Expert Advice: Evergreens
SHARING OUR GARDENING EXPERTISE: Winters are long in the UK, so as flowers are in short supply you need to preserve barks, berries, seedheads and evergreens. Evergreens are the greatest asset to a garden as they give colour, substance, depth and shadow and are a great counterbalance to a world of brown in those … Continue reading “Expert Advice: Evergreens”
Plant Focus: Growing Sunflowers
Plant Focus: Growing Sunflowers Helpful tips and ideas for new additions to your garden: We have found that September and October are the best months to grow your sunflowers. Sunflowers are for all gardeners with their shades of white, yellow, amber, brown, orange and red. When planting sunflowers mix them with perennials rather than shrubs. … Continue reading “Plant Focus: Growing Sunflowers”