New Trees: Recent Introductions to Cultivation by John Grimshaw, Ross Bayton and illustrated by Hazel Wilks. Amazon
01.08.2023 - 14:31 / gardenerstips.co.uk / hortoris
Ash trees take lots and lots of goodness from the soil then die back or get turned into CO2 as firewood.
Never plant gladioli near peas beans or strawberries if you want them to thrive. Cabbages can kill off strawberries
Fuchsias appreciate shredded green bracken underneath their roots
Couch grass seldom grows around tomatoes, lupins or turnips.
Raddishes help stop maggots near cabbages
French marrigolds are well know for protecting from white fly
Mulch with black polythene, old carpet or thick layers of cardboard.
An old dustbin with a chimney can be used to burn rubbish efficiently but it doesn’t look as good as a bonfire
Old labels and random canes and sticks as supports look untidy and at least in winter should be gathered in.
Lilies are fine plants but can be ravaged by the red lily beetle. Hostas can be ravaged by slugs and both look ugly
New Trees: Recent Introductions to Cultivation by John Grimshaw, Ross Bayton and illustrated by Hazel Wilks. Amazon
Ornamental Japanese Maples are widely available for planting in your garden. The autumn colouring makes these trees spectacular when planted en mass in a woodland or Japanese garden setting.
You don’t need global warming to get a warm glow in your garden if you plant some Canna. The fiery hot flowers and leaves on some Cannas are hard to beat and are worth a place in any passionate garden.
The Lime is a tall growing well shaped tree which is often grown along avenues and public places in the UK. The flowers have an exquisite fragrance.
Plants of the thistle family and close relatives are particularly good for wildlife. When in flower they attract Bees and Insects and the fine seeds provide bird food particularly for Goldfinches. In many cases the Thistles can and have provided food and medicine for human consumption.
Check how you compost looks then use these tips to make it look and perform better.
The best Rhubarb is grown in the ‘Rhubarb Triangle’ in West Riding of Yorkshire. There are low brick buildings visible from the M1 around Wakefield that are used as the forcing sheds. Forced Rhubarb is kept in the dark so the stems are long thin pink and early to crop
Diarmuid Gavin Garden Recreated
Oak trees conjure up images of Robin Hood and mystical Oak forests. Britain has made good use of Oak trees down the centuries. ‘From little acorns great Oak trees grow’
Japanese maple or Acer palmatum are popular trees and small shrubs. They are grown for an attractive habit and dramatic foliage.
Bug eyed but not spritely.