IKEA's First-Ever Style Guide's Predicts 4 New Design Movements

Sycamore tree (Acer pseudoplatanus) is an exceptionally large and fast-growing, broadleaf deciduous tree. Sycamore originates from Europe and was introduced to the UK several hundred years ago. Sycamore has long been the subject of controversy and is often considered a nuisance because it self-seeds readily and spreads rapidly – one mature tree can be the parent of many hundreds of sycamore seedlings each year. Undesirable sycamore characteristics are fast growth, large leaves and dense branches that cast deep shade, prolific production of sycamore seeds and masses of waxy autumn leaves that don’t break down quickly and can create a slimy mess that creates issues with drains, pavements and railway lines. Sycamores are also prone to aphid infestations and these insects secrete a sticky honeydew that falls onto any cars parked beneath them, attracting dirt which is hard to wash off.

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.

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Cyclamen care is not that troublesome if you follow the right set of rules, which we’ll guide you through for the best flowers!

PHOTO: Rachel Marek, PROP STYLING: Sophie Babcock

African violet is perhaps the only full-blown paradox that can survive on a windowsill. On one hand, it is a celebrated show plant, with new cultivars eagerly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. It has its own organization, the African Violet Society of America, and its own magazine, African Violet. A quick Internet search reveals that there are almost as many African violet sites as there are pages for sex and dieting. And yet, these plants are mass-produced by the hundreds of thousands and are readily available for a minuscule price from mom and pop garden centers, enormous mega-merchandisers, and a host of medium-size vendors.

Possibly from the Latin barba, a beard, many species have a hairy or downy look (Scrophulariaceae). Mullein. A genus of 300 species of hardy herbaceous plants, mostly biennials or short-lived perennials, from temperate parts of Europe and Asia.

Named for Karl August von Bergen, 1704-60, German botanist (Saxifragaceae). These hardy perennial herbaceous plants with large evergreen leaves were at one time called megasea, and were at another time included with the saxifrages. The flowers which come in early spring are showy in white, pink or red-purple, borne in large heads on long stems. The large leathery, glossy leaves are also decorative, especially as in some kinds the foliage is suffused with reddish color in winter.

If you’re as keen on growing tomatoes as I am you’ll be getting read to sow now. I sow them as early as February to grow inside and late March for plants to go out in the veg patch. Don’t panic if you’re late sowing, they do catch up, you’ll just be picking a little later.

While we’ve been tracking the 2024 colors of the year for quite some time now, it’s recently come to our attention that there’s another design category worth keeping an eye on for the year ahead: pattern.

David Tsay

A Beginner’s Guide to Using Cold Frames