What is a Green Manure? Green manures are seeds sown into vacant areas of soil where no crop is required at that time. They can then later be strimmed and dug into the soil to improve fertility and soil structure. They are usually used in vegetable plots, but can also be used in areas where[…]
Why You Should Sow A Green Manure This Autumn
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Autumn, Fruit and veg gardening, Gardening for beginners, Seeds, Winter Sep 07, 2021
Plantaholic’s Choice – Primrose ‘Everlast’
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Autumn, Container gardening, New plants, Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice, Spring, Winter Aug 03, 2021
This, at first glance, may look like our gorgeous native Primrose, but don’t be fooled. This is the superhero of Primrose breeding. A supercharged version that has been released to the market in recent years and is set to take the gardening world by storm. Primrose Everlast retains the beautiful soft yellow blooms of the[…]
Planting Bare Root Strawberries
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Autumn, Container gardening, Fruit and veg gardening, Winter Dec 15, 2020
It is possible to purchase potted strawberries and strawberry plugs in the spring and summer, but of course you will have to pay for the pot, compost and the nurseryman’s time to grow them on. It is often much cheaper to buy bare root plants that have been growing in the field and have[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Helleborus Niger Christmas Carol
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Ornamental gardening, Perennials, Plantaholics choice, Winter Nov 03, 2020
Many of us will be familiar with Helleborus Niger, the Christmas Rose. It’s English name however is a bit of a myth as it is rarely in flower before late winter in our gardens. Helleborus Niger Christmas Carol however can be in flower from Christmas through to mid spring. This evergreen, hardy perennial will provide[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Helleborus Rodney Davey Marbled Group
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Ornamental gardening, Perennials, Plantaholics choice, Winter Oct 27, 2020
A long standing favourite winter flowering plant and an important one for early pollinators, the Hellebores produce their cheery blooms when the skies are at their greyest. There are single and double flowered varieties, some early flowering and some late flowering. The series I want to draw your attention to here are the wonderful Rodney[…]
Plantaholic’s Choice – Pansy ‘Matrix’™ Series
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Autumn, Container gardening, Ornamental gardening, Plantaholics choice, Spring, Winter Aug 11, 2020
We may be still enjoying the summer sunshine, but whether we like it or not, it is time to start to plan our autumn through to spring garden displays before all the best plants are sold out. These plants can be grown to order for us so we receive the cream of the crop. There[…]
Forcing Rhubarb
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Fruit and veg gardening, Winter Dec 24, 2019
Traditionally most of the world’s forced rhubarb was grown in West Yorkshire in forcing sheds in an area called the rhubarb triangle. It can however be successfully forced in our home gardens or allotments. Two to three year old crowns (roots) should be used. In December or January the crowns should be covered with a[…]
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[…]
Plant Profile – Jacobinia Pauciflora (Brazilian Fuchsia)
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Container gardening, Exotic Plants, Houseplants, Ornamental gardening, Plant Profiles, Shrubs, Winter Aug 07, 2019
This beautiful, exotic plant is sometimes also known as Justicia rizzinii or Justicia floribunda. Despite it’s common name it is not a Fuchsia at all but does originally hail from Brazil. It bears it’s scarlet and yellow tropical, pendulous blooms non stop throughout the winter and spring months when most other plants are at their[…]
Heavenly Hellebores – The Harvington Hybrids
By Mark - Garden for Pleasure Ornamental gardening, Perennials, Winter Oct 31, 2018
Hellebores are my personal favourite of the winter flowering plants. From December through to the end of March their blooms provide welcome relief from the winter dullness before the spring bulbs begin to show their heads above the cold soil. The early bees use them as a precious source of nectar. Their charming flowers rival[…]
- 1
- 2