A Hartley Botanic greenhouse is not only a joy to behold, itās also a useful gardening tool because it creates an ambient environment that encourages plant growth. And if you live where I live, in the aptly named village of Cold Aston, itās a necessity for itās parky up here! My greenhouse began life with […]
Itās time for flower festivals! These once-a-year celebrations allow gardeners to pick up rare and unusual plants, just at the moment when they really look good. And here comes the Peony and Bamboo Festival, on April 22 and 23, at the Seattle Chinese Garden. This month Iām talking with Phil Wood, owner of Phil Wood […]
The Queensland Umbrella tree, Schefflera is an evergreen greenhouse or conservatory shrub come small tree distantly related to ivy. Given good conditions a plant under cover may flower and berry though itās for the somewhat hand shaped and handsome foliage this is cultivated. Originally from Australasia these distinctive ornamental shrubs have proved popular in subtropical […]
This competition is now closed. Thank you to all who entered. Our winner was Janet Clegg of Leeds, West Yorkshire. Do you love luscious plants, beautiful flowers and all things gardening? Then I imagine you might like to attend the prestigious, world-renowned RHS Chelsea Flower Show. If so, today could be your lucky day! […]
Nowās the time to repot or ātop dressā and spring clean houseplants. They can last for 2-3 years before repotting but it pays to check annually. Knock your plants from the pot, to see if they are āpot boundā – soaking the root-ball for half an hour in tepid water makes it easier to remove […]
An ever-changing floral extravaganza in a conservatory of some consequence is one of the The Stripās sites worth seeking out. Iāll be honest. Las Vegas was not high my bucket list of Must-Visits. But a family reunion and the lure of checking out the Bellagio ās fabled glasshouse was a win-win. And in Vegas you […]
I like to think that there are very few real pests in the garden and the greenhouse. Most of the issues the gardener faces are ephemeral, a passing phase and more a meal for a larger predator than a real problem. That to me is the secret in pest control; find the creature that feeds […]
A selection of our latest adverts as seen in leading publications such as The Daily Telegraph, Country Life, The English Garden & many more. If you would like to request a brochure please click here.
The strong urge to push on with the growing year only increases if you have a greenhouse at your disposal: surely ā we think ā I can get everything going nice and early and be ahead of the game? Be harvesting when everyone else is just planting out? Have ripe tomatoes in June? We might […]
Itās great to attend a garden talk and be surprised. Thatās what Ellen Zachos did for me at Seattleās Northwest Flower and Garden Show. Ellen is an author whose books include Backyard Foraging. Her show presentation covered a huge selection of garden plants that blend both ornamental and edible attributes. The surprise? Half her picks […]
Locally adapted varieties, UK-grown seed, and a company owned by growers and gardeners: a new venture aims to future-proof our seed supply by bringing it all back home. Itās always struck me how smaller seed companies, often those with the most colourful and engaging tales to tell, have the dourest of seed packets. Iām not […]
Okay I admit of all glasshouse and conservatory plants Ficus benjamina might be considered one of the less flamboyant. Indeed this is just a foliage plant, mind you what lovely clean glossy foliage and on such delightfully neat shrubs. Tough and reliable benjaminas have long proved popular with gardeners and indoor decorators just because they […]
