Gardening is incredibly rewarding but it can be tricky to keep on top of seasonal jobs such as sowing and harvesting, not to mention new planting plans, redesigns and wish lists from one year to the next.
23.09.2023 - 04:17 / irishtimes.com / Fionnuala Fallon
As all good gardeners know late September marks the beginning of the spring-flowering bulb planting season. Pop these fleshy, modified stems in the ground this autumn and you’ll be casting a kind of horticultural spell that will magic up a world of beauty, a form of horticultural alchemy that never ceases to amaze.
But which bulb where? What varieties, for example, are suitable for a window box, or for beneath the shade of tree or shrub? Which will do well in a large pot or in a mixed border? What about mixing different varieties together in the same container or in the ground? Are there any that need a little cosseting or which will grow happily with minimal intervention?
And what about longevity… are all of them properly perennial or are some best discarded after they’ve finished flowering? See below for some useful suggestions.
For a window box: Treat these containers like gardens in miniature, using species/varieties of bulbs that reflect their compact size and scale. Examples include varieties of snowdrops, scilla, chionodoxa, crocus, hyacinths, anemone (varieties of Anemone blanda and Anemone nemorosa), grape hyacinths (Muscari) and compact varieties of daffodils (examples include Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’, Narcissus ‘Martinette’ and Narcissus ‘Niveth’), as well as dainty reticulate irises (Iris reticulata) and small tulips such as Tulipa saxatilis.
For a decent display plant the bulbs very generously and much more densely than you would if planting in the ground (so almost touching) and use a really good quality multipurpose compost leavened with plenty of horticultural grit or vermiculite for good drainage. For maximum impact limit your choice to no more than three-four different species/varieties, and plant them
Gardening is incredibly rewarding but it can be tricky to keep on top of seasonal jobs such as sowing and harvesting, not to mention new planting plans, redesigns and wish lists from one year to the next.
Collaborative post
Collaborative post
Mainland UK is home to many natural treasures. While many are world-famous and are visited by millions of people each year, there are several that many haven’t even heard of, including some locals.
Sheds are an invaluable addition to any garden, providing storage, protection and even a space to relax. However, it’s worth making sure you match the right shed to your garden and your gardening needs. If you simply want a low-maintenance, durable garden space for storage, a metal shed may be all you need, but depending on the tools and other kit you have you might need a large apex shed, or just a garden chest. To ensure you choose the shed best suited to your needs, we’ve created this list of what we consider to be 2023’s best garden sheds, their qualities, and how they can help you.
Moss, lichen and algae can often be found growing on the branches of established trees, shrubs and hedges, especially in rural areas of the country with high rainfall. In particular, neglected, overgrown hedges where the branches have become overcrowded and/or those that are lacking in vigour as a result of old age or poor growing conditions can be prone to mossy growth. The good news is, however, while it may look unsightly, it’s not actually doing any damage.
Did you know that some trees (such as alder, poplar, willow, ash and the dawn redwood) can “hold their breath” when the ground in which they grow is flooded? Or that others, such as the silver lime (Tilia tomentosa), have evolved ingenious ways of conserving their water supply when confronted with extreme heat and drought, including covering their leaves with a layer of fine hairs to keep them cool in sunny weather?
Storing amaryllis bulbs for the winter is simple, and saving them means you can enjoy them again year after year.
Fionuala Campion says in her article, Dazzling Deer-Resistant Perennials, “Though very graceful and delightful to behold in their native habitat, deer are a voracious force to reckon with in many Northern California gardens, particularly in summer and fall.” But these majestic creatures are not just an issue for gardeners on the west coast. There are populations of deer in all 50 states, and all are munching on the many different plants we’re growing across the country.
Fionuala Campion says in her article, Dazzling Deer-Resistant Perennials, “Though very graceful and delightful to behold in their native habitat, deer are a voracious force to reckon with in many Northern California gardens, particularly in summer and fall.” But these majestic creatures are not just an issue for gardeners on the west coast. There are populations of deer in all 50 states, and all are munching on the many different plants we’re growing across the country.
Fionuala Campion says in her article, Dazzling Deer-Resistant Perennials, “Though very graceful and delightful to behold in their native habitat, deer are a voracious force to reckon with in many Northern California gardens, particularly in summer and fall.” But these majestic creatures are not just an issue for gardeners on the west coast. There are populations of deer in all 50 states, and all are munching on the many different plants we’re growing across the country.
Fionuala Campion says in her article, Dazzling Deer-Resistant Perennials, “Though very graceful and delightful to behold in their native habitat, deer are a voracious force to reckon with in many Northern California gardens, particularly in summer and fall.” But these majestic creatures are not just an issue for gardeners on the west coast. There are populations of deer in all 50 states, and all are munching on the many different plants we’re growing across the country.