Your Fall Tree Planting Guide
13.02.2024 - 13:32 / gardenersworld.com
Dock plant or dock leaf is a perennial native plant usually referred to simply as ‘dock’. While generally considered a weed in gardens due to its abundant seeding and persistent, vigorous growth, dock is an excellent wildlife plant as the leaves are an important food plant for many insects, including caterpillars, which are eaten by birds and hedgehogs. Applying dock leaves to soothe nettle strings is a traditional remedy.
What are dock leaves?Dock is a large-leaved and deep-rooted perennial plant. Two species are widespread in the UK: broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius) and curled dock (Rumex crispus). Both species of dock are listed as ‘injurious’ under the Weeds Act of 1959 which was created with the aim of preventing their spread onto agricultural land, but it’s not an offence to have docks growing in a garden.
There are other, unrelated, native plants that have ‘dock’ in their names, which are not related to broad-leaved or curled dock. These include burdock (Arctium minus) and common bistort (Persicaria bistorta) which is also known as ‘passion dock’.
Where do dock leaves grow?Dock grows freely in gardens, farmland, and marginal land, particularly on bare soil and newly cultivated ground as the seeds remain viable for many decades. Dock also grows in lawns.
What does a dock leaf look like?Dock plants form a rosette of large, broad, mid green leaves which are smooth-edged in the case of broad-leaved dock and wavy edged in the case of curly or yellow dock. The leaves grow rapidly to around 30cm long. In summer tall stems of tiny greenish-white flowers grow to 80-100cm high, turning reddish and then dark brown as the seeds ripen.
Controlling dock leavesWhile dock is a beneficial wildlife plant that should be
Your Fall Tree Planting Guide
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Our gardens really spark back into life this month. Bulbs are emerging, perennials are producing fresh growth and deciduous plants are sprouting new leaves. As the days get noticeably longer and the mercury rises, our gardens and their inhabitants are warming up for the season ahead.
As February unfolds, deciduous trees stand in a state of dormancy, making it an opportune time for pruning. With leaves shed and the tree's energy directed inward, removing dead or diseased branches promotes overall health. Pay attention to the tree's structure, thinning crowded areas to enhance air circulation. While major shaping is best left for late winter or early spring, minor adjustments now can contribute to a flourishing canopy come spring.
Commemorating John Tradescant (died 1637), gardener to Charles I (Commelinaceae). A genus of 60 species of hardy perennial and greenhouse plants from North America and tropical South America. The hardy varieties are commonly called spiderwort, flower of a day,
A genus of hardy herbaceous perennials, some of which are useful border plants, the dwarf species are good rock garden plants. Several are natives of the British Isles but those valued for gardens are from Europe, South America, and the Near East.
Named after a sixteenth-century Spanish physician and botanist, Nicholas Monardes (Labiatae). A small genus of annual and perennial herbs from North America, with fragrant leaves and flowers, related to Salvia. The leaves are nettle-like, and the flowers have a spiky appearance and are clustered together in whorls: the color ranges from white through pink, mauve, and purple to red.
Mostly evergreen shrubs, chiefly from tropical America, belonging to the Pea family, Leguminosae. They grow from 6-50 ft. in height, have pinnate, dark green, glossy leaves, and bear golden-yellow flowers in terminal clusters in summer. Cassia is from the original Greek name Kasia.
A group of tender perennial plants, only one of which is commonly grown. This is Strelitzia Reginae, which has large ornamental leaves on long strong petioles (leafstalks), and bears brilliant orange and purple flowers, several together within a large bract, on stems 3 ft. or more high in spring. It is a native of South Africa and belongs to the Banana family, Musaceae. The name commemorates Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
Origin doubtful, possibly named after St Veronica (Scrophulariaceae). Speedwell. A genus of some 300 species ‘ of hardy perennials, annuals and sub-shrubs, mainly from northern temperate regions. Those described are hardy perennials, their flowers often borne in spikes. Dwarf kinds are suitable for the rock garden.
A genus of hardy annual and herbaceous perennial climbers from temperate zones and tropical mountains.
From the Greek di, two, kentron, a spur, referring to the two spurs on the petals (Fumariaceae). Hardy herbaceous perennials formerly known as Dielytra. Fibrous and tuberous rooted, they generally transplant badly because the roots are as brittle as glass. The flowers are pendant from arching stems, like lanterns hung along a cord.