You know that old saying that “friends don’t let friends grow annuals”? I now ignore that sentiment. Some of the best plants in my garden are annuals, and they are more than worth the effort of growing them every year. Annuals add bold color to my containers and beds, fill in spaces beautifully, and bloom for longer than any coneflower (Echinacea spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9) or phlox (Phlox spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9), so they bridge the flowering gaps between my perennials’ bloom times. But over the last few years as I’ve strolled the ever-more-homogenized aisles of the garden centers in my area, I’ve found myself bored silly, and in sticker shock. I always buy a few standard sweet potato vines (Ipomoeabatatas cvs., annual), calibrachoas (Calibrachoa cvs., annual), and coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides cvs., Zones 10–11), of course, but if I want something a little different, I grow it from seed.
Your gardening questions answered: What plants can I use for home-made Christmas decorations?
18.11.2023 - 05:07 / irishtimes.com / Fionnuala Fallon
Q: Could you please recommend some species of trees and shrubs that can be used to make natural, home-made Christmas decorations? I love to decorate the house with ivy and holly from the garden, but I’d love some suggestions as to what else I might grow that can be used in the same way? AN, Monkstown, Dublin
A: Making your own Christmas decorations using material harvested freshly from the garden or allotment is hugely rewarding, environmentally friendly and a brilliant way to connect with the natural cycle of the seasons. Many of the plants traditionally used in this way are evergreen species that symbolise the circle of life from birth to death to rebirth, reminding us that a new growing year is only around the corner and that our gardens are still filled with life despite the lateness of the season.
When it comes to selecting species most suitable for your garden, it’s a good idea to concentrate on vigorous medium-sized trees and shrubs with handsome ornamental foliage that won’t resent some winter pruning (or may even benefit from it) and which will also offer interest and shelter throughout the year.
Classic examples include sweet bay (Laurus nobilis), Eucalyptus gunnii, E. nicholii and E. parvula (not only is its silver-grey foliage always a popular choice with florists at this time of year, but eucalyptus also happily tolerates being pollarded or cut back hard to keep it in shape); Ozothamnus “Sussex Silver” (its silver-white, finely cut foliage last very well out of water); yew (Taxus baccata); varieties of pittosporum (also great out of water, suitable examples include the apple-green Pittosporum “Arundel Green”, green-and-white variegated Pittosprum “Silver Queen” and the moody-plum foliage of Pittosporum “Tom
How to Use the Science of Plant Survival Strategies for a Healthier Garden
The biggest epiphany of my horticultural career was learning about plant survival strategies. Like most gardeners, I was accustomed to classifying plants as annuals, biennials, or perennials. But dividing them into groups based on their survival strategies instead got me thinking about how they evolved to grow, which in turn helped me to cultivate them more successfully in my garden in Texas.
Encourage robins to your garden this Christmas
Robins can lose up to 10% of their body weight keeping warm over a single winter’s night. With reports that the La Nina weather system may bring harsh cold spells in winter 2022-23, added to the problem of disappearing food sources and habitats over the UK, robins – and other garden birds – could do with some support this season.
This Month in Your Garden- December 2023
December is all about indoor gardening. There is a plethora of holiday plants to choose from.
From A-Z: Gifts for the gardening lover in your life
A is for annual membership of one of Ireland’s world class great gardens open to the public. Examples include Blarney Castle in Co Cork (12-month adult pass, €100, blarneycastle.ie); Mount Usher in Co Wicklow (€40, mountushergardens.ie); Killruddery in Co Wicklow; (killruddery.com from €60-€100); and Mount Congreve in Co Waterford (from €70, mountcongreve.com).
Small Space Garden Design Ideas from the Pros
Small Space Garden Design Ideas from the Pros Learn how to make the most out of small garden spaces from 4 designers. Elevating Small Space Gardens
24 Chicken Dust Bath Ideas for Homesteaders
We’ve got the scoop on Chicken Dust Bath Ideas for Homesteaders that’ll make your feathered friends flap joyfully! What are you waiting for? Scroll for easy and simple ideas.
How to create a natural swimming pond in your garden | House & Garden
Natural swimming ponds serve a twofold purpose: not only can you (obviously) swim in them whenever you fancy a refreshing, chill dip, but they also look beautiful in a garden, replacing the luminous blue sterility of a normal chlorinated pool with a wilder look. As such, they are much in demand, though creating one requires a little forethought and consideration of a number of moving parts. With that in mind, we spoke to Tim Evans, owner of swimming pond specialists Gartenart, about how to make one work in your own garden.
How to help wildlife in your garden this winter | House & Garden
Autumn at the garden of St Giles House
17 of the Best Flowering Houseplants for Low Light
17 of the Best Flowering Houseplants for Low Light
21 of the Best Houseplants for Bright Light
21 of the Best Houseplants for Bright Light
Your gardening questions answered: Is it too late to plant my bulbs?
As a result of the very wet weather over the last few months, I still haven’t got around to planting the spring-flowering bulbs that I bought months ago. Is it too late to do it now? — EM, Kerry