New Trees: Recent Introductions to Cultivation by John Grimshaw, Ross Bayton and illustrated by Hazel Wilks. Amazon
01.08.2023 - 14:43 / gardenerstips.co.uk / hortoris
Not so long ago my Hostas were in fine flowering fettle. Now as Autumn approaches the slugs and snails are making a meal of the soft juicy leaves that are starting to give up the ghost.
Looking back at earlier photos I realised that the slug damage started along with the flowers but the effect was pleasing enough not to use chemical or biological control.
I am not going to start dealing with the slugs and snails at this time of the year. The Hosta leaves will die back anyway and the slugs can provide a tasty snack for the hedgehogs before they hibernate. The frogs are also still active and with a new pond for them to populate with frogspawn next spring they can feed themselves up as well.
The last Hosta picture should feature with my blue leaved plants. Blue hostas are not as juicy to slugs and snails and you could try varieties such as Blue Angel, Blue Sea or Blue Mouse Ears,
New Trees: Recent Introductions to Cultivation by John Grimshaw, Ross Bayton and illustrated by Hazel Wilks. Amazon
Facts about Hostas
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.
It is the end of this years Hostas but I was lucky to keep most slugs off most Hostas until the autumn ravages start. It is no longer worth protecting the leaves which are due to die back into the Hostas roots to await next spring.
I am no great fan of large leaved hostas probably due to lack of space in my garden where I prefer to grow other plants. However the dwarf varieties are easy to get on with.
Some Camassia species were an important food staple for Native Americans and settlers in parts of North American
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’
‘The Garden of Reading: An Anthology of Twentieth-century Short Fiction About Gardens and Gardeners’ edited by Michele Slung.
Hay fever and Asthma attacks can be brought on by Scented Plants as well as pollen or Fungal Spores. Histamin problems can also be exacerbated by scent and smells in the garden.