I just love to be able to introduce new plants to you like this new French Lavender from the Butterfly Garden series. French Lavenders have a longer flowering period compared to our English varieties. They are a little more temperamental in that they love to bake in hot sun and well drained conditions, not cold[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – NEW Lavender ‘Twin Summer’
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, Cut flowers, Fragrant plants, New plants, Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice, Summer, Wildlife Gardening Apr 26, 2022
Plantaholic’s Choice – Strawberry ‘Sweet Colossus’
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, Fruit and veg gardening, New plants, Plantaholics choice Apr 19, 2022
This gorgeous new Strawberry variety is not for those with a smaller appetite! It was originally bred for one of the high-end supermarkets, but, luckily for us, it has been released to be grown by the general public. Strawberry Sweet Colossus produces the largest berries I have ever come accross, with many of them reaching[…]
Grow Your Own Peanuts
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, Fruit and veg gardening, Summer Apr 05, 2022
Some of my readers may be experienced fruit and veg growers, yet there will be few who have attempted to grow peanuts! This tender annual is somewhat of a rarity in the U.K. Not only is it a great novelty to be able to grow these plants, they are also quite decorative with their pea-like[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Raymond Evison Boulevard Clematis
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Climbing plants, Container gardening, Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice, Spring, Summer Mar 29, 2022
Raymond Evison has dedicated sixty years of his life to breeding and developing some of the best Clematis in the world. Throughout this time he has bred many outstanding varieties and won multiple gold medals for his exhibits at the RHS shows. Here I want to highlight the wonderful Boulevard Clematis, bred by Raymond at[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Agapanthus ‘Sea Breeze’
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, Cut flowers, Ornamental gardening, Perennials, Plantaholics choice Mar 15, 2022
You may often find a blue agapanthus in the garden centres, sometimes a white one and on occasion even a bicolour one. However I think you are unlikely to find such a gorgeous variety as Agapanthus sea breeze, with its stunning combination of colours. Below I describe some of the best features of this delightful[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Tomato Rubylicious
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, Fruit and veg gardening, New plants, Plantaholics choice, Seeds Mar 08, 2022
I wanted to draw your attention to this superb new breeding in tomatoes, which I think is perfect for your gardens and allotments for the following reasons:- Excellent resistance to common tomato diseases including blight. This delicious cherry tomato has the old fashioned tomato flavour that many of us yearn for, and is not always[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Rose Black Baccara
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, Cut flowers, Fragrant plants, Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice, Roses Jan 18, 2022
Whether Rose Black Baccara reminds you of the finest romance, or whether it puts you in mind of the darkest voodoo witchcraft, it is undoubtedly a stunning addition to the garden. The sumptuous blooms just exude quality and exclusivity. It is the darkest most brooding of all roses I am aware of. It is also[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Dahlia Lubega Series
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, Cut flowers, New plants, Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice, Summer Jan 11, 2022
You’ve only got to look at social media to see how Dahlias have had a huge resurgence in popularity in recent years. And quite rightly so. Their bold, bright blooms, in almost every colour of the rainbow, bring joy to the late summer and autumn garden when many other blooms have faded. The Dahlia Lubega[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Begonia ‘Nonstop® Rose Petticoat’
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, New plants, Ornamental gardening, Summer Jan 04, 2022
For many years, Non-stop Begonias have been revered for their continuous blooms throughout summer and into autumn, for their heat tolerance and also their suitability for a cooler, shadier spot. There have been few introductions to beat their outstanding performance. This new addition to the range is a real joy to behold. The large blooms[…]
Dinner Plate Dahlias
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Bulbs, Container gardening, Cut flowers, Ornamental gardening Dec 28, 2021
These colossal bloomed Dahlias are grouped together as Dinner Plate Dahlias due to the sheer size of their flowers, which can grow to up to 30cm (12in) across. The giant blooms appear in late summer when many other plants have ceased to perform. They make stunning cut flowers for the home. The sturdy stems hold[…]