Many of us have grown the tuberous Begonias in our garden and they are lovely plants to grow, but have you ever visited one of the flower shows such as RHS Chelsea and wondered why the exhibition quality blooms they grow there are so amazing and so huge. That is because of the wonderful varieties[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Begonia ‘Majestic Series’
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice, Summer Mar 24, 2020
Colour Themed Collections For Your Hanging Baskets And Containers 2020
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Colourful combinations, Container gardening, Gardening for beginners, Ornamental gardening, Summer Mar 17, 2020
It is possible to design your basket and container displays by grabbing a basket full of plants you like the look of at the garden centre and shoving them in your chosen container, but don’t expect to achieve stunning results! It is often far more successful to purchase a collection of plants that have[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – NEW Dahlia ‘Tropical Breeze’ (Dahlinova Hypnotica Series)
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, New plants, Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice, Summer Mar 10, 2020
Dahlias are so popular in our summer gardens. This wonderful new variety really caught my eye as soon as I saw it. Dahlia Tropical Breeze is not one of the tall varieties that need staking, but rather a bedding variety that is ideal for our containers and front of border. Rather than having to wait[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – NEW Calceolaria Calynopsis Collection
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, New plants, Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice, Spring Mar 03, 2020
Some of the older readers may remember the Calceolaria from past times, but these wonderful Calynopsis varieties with their exotic, jewel-like blooms are a real breakthrough. The Calceolarias have been named things such as Slipper Flower, Pocketbook Plant, Pouch Flower and Slipperwort. Below I want to list some reasons why I think these new varieties[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Six reasons to grow the magnificent Roselilies
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Bulbs, Container gardening, Cut flowers, Fragrant plants, Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice Feb 25, 2020
Lilies are a long standing favourite in our summer gardens, but what is so special about the Roselilies? Well there are some important advantages that I attempt to list below:- Stunning, double blooms which unfurl like roses. A light and pleasant perfume which is not overpowering like the spicy scent of some traditional Oriental hybrids.[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Reblooming Irises
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Cut flowers, Ornamental gardening, Perennials, Plantaholics choice Feb 05, 2020
Iris Germanica, better known as Bearded Iris because of soft hairs growing in the centre of the flowers, have long been a staple of our cottage gardens and herbaceous borders. They come in such a wide variety of colours and colour combinations that you might think that the breeders have just about achieved all they[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – NEW Alstroemeria ‘Valley’ Collection (Summer Paradise Series)
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, Cut flowers, New plants, Ornamental gardening, Perennials, Plantaholics choice Feb 04, 2020
There are a great many varieties of Alstroemeria, some short, some tall, some bright and some in delicate pastel shades. The brand new Alstroemeria ‘Valley’ Collection (Summer Paradise Series) however have an attribute seldom held by other varieties. That is that they are exceptionally winter hardy. Many other Alstroemeria series have had the[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – NEW – Peony Coral Sunset
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Cut flowers, New plants, Ornamental gardening, Perennials, Plantaholics choice Jan 08, 2020
Peonies have long been a great favourite of mine, and I am familiar with many varieties. However I was quite taken aback to see this stunning new form which I believe may be one of the best herbaceous varieties. Below I have listed some of it’s many endearing attributes:- A very long lived, perennial garden[…]
Five Top Houseplants For a Shady Spot
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Houseplants, Ornamental gardening, Plants for problem places Dec 20, 2019
A room with houseplants can be an absolute joy, especially in winter when weather conditions are sometimes unsuitable for outdoor gardening. We all have a spot in the house that is well away from a window and light is scarce. Below I list five of my favourite plants for brightening up these dull conditions that[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Top Dogwoods
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice, Shrubs, Winter Dec 11, 2019
Cornus or Dogwoods are very presentable in the spring and summer months. They have flowers around May and June and some have variegated leaves, but it is in the autumn and winter that these wonderful plants come in to their own. In autumn the foliage turns fiery colours and when the leaves fall to the[…]