Plants Ideas, Tips & Guides

Ever planted a row of cheerful sunflowers, only to find them looking a bit..errr, munched on? You might have some furry visitors! Deer love a good garden snack, and sunflowers can be on the menu. Let’s see if these tall, bright beauties are a deer delicacy.

Ah, what can ail thee, wretched wight, Alone and palely loitering, The sedge is wither’d from the lake, And no birds sing. John Keats You could be forgiven for thinking that today’s vase was a bit of a cop-out, that I had spent next to no time preparing it, but you would be wrong. It took several circuits and a fair degree of thought to come up with the vase and its associated prop. It may only be a single stem in a vase, but I am more than satisfied with the combination and the title and prop.

Hello and happy Monday, GPODers!

Transferring a cutting from water to soil is a delicate process, and it needs to be carefully executed to avoid any damage to it. We have compiled some useful tips that can help you through this transition.

 Do you feel like your cat is missing out on all the outdoor fun? Well, fret no more! With some DIY patios, you can build them their own little piece of paradise.

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How to Propagate Impatiens Flowers

The summer gardening season is here, and whether you're growing your first patch of flowers or are a seasoned pro, now is the time to prepare.

For the last 19 years I have spent the third week in May at the Chelsea Flower show. It's one of those Great British institutions that just has to be experienced — a chance to see the country's best horticultural performers all in one space, to glean ideas, spot trends and talk to the people who make our gardens grow.

In a perfect world, we'd all have a nice healthy-sized budget for adorning our outdoor spaces. But interior home projects and repairs pile up, and our shelter often takes priority over the outdoors.

If you are interested in pollinator-friendly garden practices and sustainable landscaping, you’ve probably heard of “No Mow May” before. The campaign encourages homeowners to retire their lawnmowers in May to help native pollinators as they emerge from hibernation. 

Q: We have a small back garden that includes an old wall covered in ivy. I love the ivy, but it has become home to an army of slugs that have eaten many of my plants over the years. I have tried many different things to combat the slugs (ground eggshells, coffee grinds, various different pellets), none of which have really made that much difference. I am also concerned about using products that may harm the birds that visit the garden and our dog. At this stage, I think I have to accept that the slugs are part of the garden and learn to live with them. So, I would like to look at planting some small shrubs and flowers that are not appealing to slugs. I would be grateful for some suggestions. JM

In the arc of an Irish gardening year, May is the month of magical things. The first rose. The first swallow. The first properly hot day. The first beech tree in full leaf. The first sighting of wisteria in magnificent lilac bloom, draping itself languidly against a high, sunny wall. As nature flashes its brilliant feathers, it’s also our last real opportunity before summer finally arrives to make a substantial difference to our gardens or allotments, whether that’s filling them with fast-growing annuals to provide plenty of homegrown produce for the months ahead, planting up spectacular summer containers, or fine-tuning flower borders for maximum impact. With all of this in mind, here’s a handy little to-do list to help you stay on course.

The front garden of my first home featured huge, gorgeous, tall bearded irises that framed both sides of the front door. The massive blooms were a deep purple hue, and you had to be careful not to brush them with your clothes as you went into the house. Sadly, that house and garden were torn down after we sold, but luckily, I had divided some irises and gifted them to my mom, who in turn gifted some to me once I moved into my current house. These beauties live on in my front garden. Every few years, they need some TLC. This article will explain how to divide irises and replant them in the garden. Irises have such unique blooms and come in an array of stunning color combinations. Even though they are a rather short-lived blo

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How to Identify and Manage 9 Pansy Pests

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Chances are, you’ve got mixed conditions in your garden. One area might be in full sun, while another spot a bit farther away is in full shade. Even beds that have the same exposure on paper may have larger plants that shade out the ground below. This presents a challenge for developing a cohesive look within a landscape. As gardeners, we’ve been taught that repetition is one of the tenets of good garden design. But how can one repeat groupings of a plant throughout a border that stretches from bright light to dappled shade? The answer is by utilizing plants that are highly adaptable and will thrive in both sun and shade. In today’s episode we’re singing the praises of these flexible species. They are invaluable assets to the landscape and, as a bonus, will hold their own when the light conditions of a garden inevitably change over time.    

This year we are celebrating 30 years of 2-for-1 Gardens, and we have 407 gardens taking part, from local hidden gems to national landmarks! To kick off your year of garden visits, we’ve picked out some of the 2-for-1 Gardens in the scheme this year which are perfect for a visit this month. Head out with your 2-for-1 Gardens card and enjoy saving money on days out with friends and family, whilst gathering lots of garden inspiration!

There’s a buzz in the air at this time of the year in the gardening world, as we look forward to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Happy Friday, GPODers!

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It seems that everyone wants to get away for summer, ditching their routines for a blissful retreat abroad. But the key to a relaxing mood all summer long might just be doing the opposite—by bringing the vacation atmosphere into your home. There are so many ancient design legacies across the world that can enhance your abode and turn it into a space you’ll never want to escape. 

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What Causes Begonia Leaves to Curl (and What to Do About It)

Why have boring fences and hedges around your house when you can fill them up with different shades of colors nature has on offer with its stunning blossoms!

Hi GPODers!

As trends often go, what’s old is new again, and the garden is no exception. Romantic and whimsical gardens are back in style, along with many classic blooms like roses, hydrangeas, and 2024’s “it” flower—the peony. 

As the spring and summer sun arrives, it’s easy to dream of the fun you’ll have in your yard, from the barbecues and the cookouts to the cozy cocktail parties on the patio. But where there’s warmth, one very unpleasant and uninvited guest often swarms: mosquitos. 

Burning up in the sunshine? Don’t sweat it! We’ll show you Leafy Shelter from the Sun Ideas, also known as garden bowers. Just picture cool, shady spots you would like in your yard and get ready to turn it into a reality.

Foliage plants are fine but it is the flowers we all want! And if we get them sooner, like without waiting for too long after planting would be great, right? Well, you are in for a treat!

Want to know the secret to growing a show-stopping Oxalis Triangularis? Those gorgeous, clover-shaped leaves deserve to be big, bold, and bursting with life. Don’t worry; we’ll give you some easy tips and tricks!

Although spider plants are quite hardy and can survive a lot of abuse you throw at them, there are time when these beauties start to show splitting foliage, that takes away the charm off its show. We’ll tell you how to keep it in pristine condition!

Colorful and trailing—these are the highlights of tradescantia, and it is probably one of the most recognised plants in America, too. If you are wondering why, and don’t have one in your collection, well, you’ll get one after reading this!

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Thinking of turning your bathroom into a mini jungle? Lush greenery, steam rising like a mystical fog…well, maybe that’s taking it a bit far, but houseplants can definitely add a spa-like vibe to your bathroom. And guess what? Here are Rainforest Plants to Grow in Bathroom to make your job easier.