News - Page 58

Garden plant of the moment: Hydrangea

A foretaste of summer, potted mophead hydrangeas are a popular houseplant gift choice in spring, making a beautiful alternative to cut flowers with their glossy dark green leaves and striking rounded flower heads. Although they’re best grown outdoors, mophead hydrangeas (the botanical name is Hydrangea macrophylla, and they’re also sometimes called hortensias) can be grown as houseplants for a time in spring, then moved outdoors when the weather warms up. If you’ve been given a potted hydrangea, here’s how to take care of it. 

Read more...
Looking after pond animals

When it comes to looking after pond animals, there are various aspects to look out for and take care of. It can be a rewarding experience having a pond in the garden, and there are even ways to have pond wildlife enjoy the water if you have a small space, a balcony, or on an allotment or in a community garden. Here are some ways to encourage pond animals to your garden and how to look after them once they are there.

Read more...
How to care for a citrus tree

Fancy a glass of lemonade made from own fresh lemons from the garden? How about a lovely G&T with a slice of lime from your very own citrus tree?  Growing citrus trees takes a little effort, but the results are well worth it. Here are our top tips on caring for a citrus tree.

Read more...
10 reasons to go to your county garden show next year

We have made a list of 10 reasons to go to your county's garden show next year. Unfortunately, we can't enjoy the lovely designs and gardens at the county garden shows. Make sure you don't miss it next year, it's worth it. Please, stay safe and stay healthy.

Read more...
How to grow your own strawberry smoothie

Sweet and juicy, nothing tastes better than your own fresh-picked strawberries still warm from the sun. Eat them with cream, slice them over your breakfast cereal or whiz them up into a delicious smoothie. Here’s how to grow your very own supply of strawberries.

Read more...
Flower of the month: Alstroemeria

Are you wondering why you should grow Alstroemeria, and what exactly is it? There are many reasons why growing this plant can bring benefits to you and your garden, which we have included in this article. Often called the Peruvian Lily, Lily of the Incas or Parrot Lily, it is mainly found in the mountainous regions of the Andes but can also be grown in your garden. Here is just why you should give this gorgeous plant a try in your garden. Find out everything about the flower of this month: Alstroemeria.

Read more...
15 x gardening tips for May

May is the month when the garden starts to get going, and there’s plenty to do. And while you’re following our top 15 May gardening tips, don’t forget to take some time just to relax and enjoy watching your garden grow.

Read more...
Houseplant of the month: Peace Lily

It’s no wonder the peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) is one of the most popular houseplants available today. With its glossy dark green leaves and dramatic hooded white flowers, it makes a fabulous focal point in any room. This visitor from the tropical rainforests of South America has been brightening up our homes since the 1870s, thanks to its good looks and easy-going nature. Here’s how to keep your peace lily looking its best.

Read more...
Source: flowercouncil.co.uk
Fun seeds to sow during late spring

Springtime is the busiest time of year for sowing seeds with windowsills and greenhouses full of seed trays, seedlings sprouting up and pots of plants being potted up. It's a great time to enjoy the magic of gardening, and there is nothing as fascinating as watching a seed germinate and start growing strong, no matter how long you have been gardening for. There are still plenty of seeds that can be sown late in Spring and throughout the summer, some of which include these below.

Read more...
What to do against the box tree moth

Gardeners have many pests and diseases to overcome, but one much more prevalent in recent years is the box tree moth. Cydalima perspectalis is native to China, Japan and Korea but was discovered in Europe by 2007, thought to have been transported over by infected boxwood plants. It is now also found in Canada and North America. Here is some more information on the detection and prevention of the pest.

Read more...