We took the kids to RHS Tatton Park this year and they thoroughly enjoyed the children's activities - decorating plant pots, studying butterflies, sky-riding on the big wheel and learning about the history of the site on the discovery trail. But when my 8 year old asked to explore the floral marquee (it had been … Continue reading 3 Floral Favourites at RHS Tatton Park
There is a new category of show garden at Hampton Court this year - 'Gardens For A Changing World'. Each garden considers a challenge of our times and creates a design which will address the issue and offer solutions. Both The Urban Rain Garden and Streetscape's Holding Back The Flood consider water management issues, exploring ways of … Continue reading Holding Back The Flood and The Urban Rain Garden
On an incredibly hot morning this week, the only intrepid (stupid?!) visitors to brave the 30+ temperatures, my dad and I took a tour around Luton Hoo Walled Gardens to see the restoration work in progress. The garden and grounds of the Luton Hoo Estate were designed in the late 1760s by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown … Continue reading Luton Hoo Walled Garden
My garden, like many, is a busy place at the moment. I'm planting out bedding and tender crops, sowing seeds, keeping the pollinators happy and raising many plants for the school fete and local community garden open day. Today the kids have been sowing radish, carrot, beetroot and planting out marigolds and nasturtiums in their … Continue reading My Garden Right Now In Pictures
Wild, evocative show gardens like James Basson's M&G Garden, inspired by the landscape of Malta, new plants to discover (my favourite this year is Raymond Evison's Clematis 'Pistachio') and new technologies like the use of microalgae to capture energy at Capel Manor's 'Compost, Energy, Light' Garden: these are all part of what makes RHS Chelsea such a captivating … Continue reading Gardening For A Sustainable Future
Centaurea montana is a useful plant for the late spring/early summer border. It has pollinator-friendly, delicate flowers with feather-like petals and was traditionally used to make a bitter tea to treat dyspepsia and as a diuretic. Originating in sub-alpine woods and meadows, the perennial cornflower has been naturalised in the UK since as early as 1597 when the herbalist … Continue reading What’s In A Name? Centaurea montana ‘Amethyst In Snow’
We've had a spectacular spring for bulbs, both inside and out, largely thanks to J. Parker's who have kindly supplied us with a fabulous selection to trial this year. Bulb anticipation began in January when we planted the Hippeastrum with awed respect for the size of the bulbs. By late February, paperwhite daffodils were filling … Continue reading Bulbs To Light Up Spring
On Tuesday evening, David's Bookshop in Letchworth hosted a talk by botanist, writer and broadcaster James Wong on his new bestselling book. As usual James gave a lively and interesting talk in which he demonstrated a broad knowledge of the scientific data behind the ideas in the book. How To Eat Better is a cookbook with a difference. … Continue reading Book Review: James Wong’s ‘How To Eat Better’
What is a garden? An ever-changing expanse of blue, lightness, the rush of air, freedom and energy. Swinging aloft, earthly concerns forgotten in the airborn joy of movement. In childhood days I thought little of seasonal changes, of buying plants or raising vegetables from seed, of compost, plant labels and copper tape as hosta protection … Continue reading Of Swings And Daisies
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens', also known as black lilyturf, black mondo or black dragon, is an evergreen perennial native to Japan. Despite having a grass-like appearance, it is a member of the Asparagacaea family, as is the similar grass-like Liriope muscari. 'Ophiopogon' comes from the Greek 'ophis' meaning 'serpent' and 'pogon' meaning 'beard'. The name presumably alludes to the … Continue reading What’s In A Name? Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’