Sowing a seed directly into the ground, nurturing it, and reaping the rewards is one of the easiest gardening activities you can do—yet many gardeners don’t. There are many reasons to direct sow. Often, you’ll have earlier harvests because the seeds will germinate when it’s the perfect time to grow, and stronger seedlings because transplant shock isn’t an issue. Planting seeds in general (instead of buying transplants) gives you more varietal options, and you can also save a lot of money (1 packet of 30 to 150 seeds often costs less than a 6-pack of plants). And then there is the personal satisfaction factor. Ask any child who has planted a sunflower seed how they feel when that flower towers over their head, and you’ll understand what I mean.
Six on Saturday: Velvet Petticoats, Eyeliner, Sprouts and Stately Stems
24.02.2024 - 21:01 / ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com / Cathy
I must be honest and say that the petticoats are not velvet, but two pots of hooped petticoat narcissi in the Coop, Narcissus bulbocodium ‘Arctic Bells’ and ‘Casual Elegance’ (above); what is velvet, however, is a plant recommended for a cool greenhouse by well-known UK nurseryman Bob Brown. I was trying to find suitable contenders for the Coop and bit my tongue as I tried to ignore that it has yellow flowers – I am glad I did as the foliage is not only delightful but tactile too, and as a plant it has sailed through two winters with negligible attention and without batting an eyelid, looking every bit as smart as it did when I first bought it. Let me introduce you to Oxalis spiralis ‘Sunset Velvet’ (below):
Its non-batting eyelids are unadorned by any cosmetics, but I always stop on my rambles to admire the hellebore below, with its neat and delicately applied blackberry purple eyeliner. This hellebore has a highly unimaginative name, something like ‘White with dark nectaries’, with no reference made to its appealing beauty regime – such a shame.
Helleborus ‘Penny’s Pink’, however, is one of several newish hellebores from Rodney Davey, all with marbled leaves and large, outward-facing flowers, which must have been challenging the breeder as they all seem to feature a female name with an accompanying descriptor, in this case ‘pink’. I have had ‘Penny’s Pink’ and ‘Anna’s Red’ for a few years, acquiring ‘Glenda’s Gloss’, ‘Pippa’s Purple’, ‘Cheryl’s Shine’, ‘Dorothy’s Dawn’ and ‘Mollie’s White’ more recently. This year, I have noticed that stems of the now well-established Penny are standing as tall as 18″ (45cms), an attribute I hope will be copied in my other girls.
Most of us gardeners will be well accustomed to looking out
Save on Cozy Earth’s Most Popular Bedding (and More) During Sleep Week
Sleep Week has arrived. Whether you’re on the side of keeping daylight savings or hope to get rid of the clock-adjusting routine, now is the perfect time to take advantage of all the bedding sales as your body adapts to losing an hour. And as someone who needs a minimum of eight hours of sleep (more for proper functioning than beauty), I firmly believe in making investments to create the best sleeping experience one could have.
Six on Saturday: Undercover
There are no sleuths investigating a dastardly crime here, it’s just that all but one of my contributions for Jim’s meme at Garden Ruminations this week are inside and undercover! Snowdrops, both common and specials are all but over here, but Galanthus ‘Peardrop’ (above), my star performer, is still strutting her stuff, flaunting her HUGE blooms, a full 2″ (about 5 cms) from the top of her green ovary to the tip of the outer perianth segments – she’s gorgeous!
Organizing Pro Ryan Eisland Shares Her #1 Tip—It's Small But Mighty
Now that we’re firmly planted in March, it feels safe to say it out loud: spring is practically here. Along with bluer skies and brighter days, it also brings the perfect time of year for cleaning and organizing.
Gardens of the Year Competition terms and conditions
1. The Promoter is Immediate Media Company London Limited (company number 06189487), Vineyard House, 44 Brook Green, London W6 7BT (“Immediate”). The competition is sponsored by Weetabix Limited (company number 00267687) (t/a “Alpen”).
How to Grow and Care for a Juniper Tree
Common juniper (Juniperus communis) is one of only three conifers native to the UK. It’s a member of the cypress family and grows on chalk or limestone in lowland areas, and moors, woodland and cliffs in northern Britain. Juniper is in decline in wild populations and has been designated a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species. This special tree has disappeared from several areas in the south of England. Many remaining colonies are so small that they’re considered functionally extinct. Scotland is now the stronghold for 80 per cent of the UK’s juniper trees.
When and How to Water Bromeliads
When and How to Water Bromeliads
Brian Minter: Seattle's Northwest Flower and Garden Festival is just around the corner
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How to Grow and Care for Fennel in Your Herb Patch | Gardener's Path
How to Grow and Care for Fennel Foeniculum vulgare
GW holiday: Discover the gardens of France, Spain and Portugal
Join David Hurrion on a 12-night cruise from Portugal to France, discovering enchanting gardens along the way, like the forest garden of Fonte Baxa and the gardens of Pays d’Auge.
Bee-Friendly Plants for Your Landscaping
Reports show that the population of bees has continued to fall, putting food security at risk as they play a crucial role in pollination. The fast population decline can be attributed to the continued use of agricultural chemicals, climate change, and other factors such as urban development.
How to Grow and Care for Sea Thrift
How to Grow and Care for Sea Thrift Armeria maritima