Each year a rose is awarded Rose of the Year. The Award is given by Roses U.K. after rigorous testing in diverse locations throughout Britain. Trials assess the plant for two years. Trial categories include flower and form, colour and novelty, fragrance, plant health and easy maintenance. Revered German rose breeder Kordes have really come[…]
Rose Of The Year 2024 – Rosa Meteor (‘Korzeigar’) (PBR)
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, Fragrant plants, New plants, Ornamental gardening, Roses Nov 01, 2023
Plantaholic’s Choice – Rose Collections From Sarah Raven
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Colourful combinations, Cut flowers, Cutting/picking garden, Fragrant plants, Ornamental gardening, Roses Jul 18, 2023
Many of you will know Sarah Raven for her writing and television appearances. She is an inspirational gardener who tests many of her plants out in her garden at Perch Hill before they are allowed to be sold from her online nursery. She is also a sublime flower arranger and has made the cutting garden[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Rose Jennifer Rose Sell
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Fragrant plants, Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice, Roses May 02, 2023
When I first laid eyes upon this gorgeous rose I was intrigued by it’s fascinating, intricate petal formation and was compelled to show it to my readers. It is a rose with some enviable attributes as follows:- Lovely shell pink blooms of an unusual form. The flowers are borne in clusters of up to eight[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – King Charles Coronation Rose
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Fragrant plants, New plants, Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice, Plants as gifts, Roses Apr 18, 2023
What better way to celebrate the coronation of King Charles in 2023 for many years to come than to plant a rose in commemoration of the event? This King Charles Coronation Rose has been named in honour of him by the world famous Harkness Roses. And how fitting it is to name a rose for[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Skyscraper Lilies
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Bulbs, Container gardening, Cut flowers, Fragrant plants, Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice, Summer Feb 14, 2023
All lilies are beautiful, but this breeding is all about making them bigger, better and even more beautiful. These resplendent plants tower above other varieties, up to 5-7ft/150-215cm in maturity, looking down on previous varieties. Below I have listed some of their benefits:- Their tall stems (1.25m/4ft in their first year, increasing with age) make[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Rose Born Free
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, Fragrant plants, Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice, Roses Jan 17, 2023
Harkness Roses are one of the great British rose breeders and growers whose business dates as far back as 1879. They have bred many roses of great distinction, including several from which a percentge of the profits are donated to worthy charities at no extra cost to the purchaser. Rose Born Free is a fine[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Ferraria Crispa – The Starfish Iris
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, Exotic Plants, Fragrant plants, Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice Jan 11, 2023
This strange curiosity is still a thing of great beauty to me. Ferraria Crispa’s exotic appearance is not deceiving as it is not hardy in our U.K winters and is therefore best grown in a pot to be moved to more favourable conditions. From the small corms arise fleshy, sword-like leaves in early summer, closely[…]
Rose of the Year 2023 – Rose Peach Melba (climbing)
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Climbing plants, Fragrant plants, New plants, Ornamental gardening, Roses, Summer Oct 25, 2022
Each year a rose is awarded Rose of the Year. The Award is given by Roses U.K. after rigorous testing in diverse locations throughout Britain. Trials assess the plant for two years. Trial categories include flower and form, colour and novelty, fragrance, plant health and easy maintenance. The well deserved winner of this prestigious title[…]
Growing Paperwhites For Indoor Displays
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Bulbs, Christmas gifts, Container gardening, Fragrant plants, Gardening for beginners, Houseplants, Ornamental gardening, Winter Sep 20, 2022
Paperwhites are simply white narcissus for growing indoors. Deliciously scented varieties such as Ziva are available that will fill a room with their sweet fragrance. They are a stalwart decoration for the Christmas period, but displays throughout winter are possible by staggering their planting every couple of weeks from November through to January. Paperwhites are[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Polyanthus Pollyanna Series
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, Cut flowers, Fragrant plants, New plants, Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice, Spring Aug 02, 2022
I have long extolled the virtues of the patio plants bred by the Kerley family in Cambridgeshire, and yet again they have triumphed with this stunning range of Polyanthus for masses of wonderful, miniature rose like blooms in the coldest months of the year. It may seem a little early to be planning your autumn[…]