by GillianPolley | Feb 1, 2013 | bulbs, clematis, February, herbaceous perennials, Jobs to do in the garden, Plants, shrubs, Snowdrops, trees, Uncategorized, winter
Keep clearing debris from plant borders. Keep an eye out for slugs and protect new shoots on herbaceous plants. Cut down old foliage on ornamental grasses which have provided winter interest before new shoots emerge. As long as the ground is not frozen or...
by GillianPolley | Jan 25, 2013 | berries, Cornus, Daphne bholua, Edinburgh, Hamamelis, January, Malus, Plants, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Sarcococca, shrubs, trees, winter
There is no excuse for a drab boring garden in the winter. Give your spirits a lift and treat yourself to some of these:1. Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’ (witch hazel) – clusters of sweet scented sulphur yellow flowers on bare twigs from December...
by GillianPolley | Dec 6, 2012 | bulbs, Christmas, Jobs to do in the garden, Plants, Ponds, Spring
This is the time of year to tackle the ‘dull’ but important maintanance jobs that need to be done on good weather days: – clean out gutters – treat fences and trellis-work with preservative – remove pumps from ponds and give them a clean...
by GillianPolley | Nov 23, 2012 | Garden Museum London, herbaceous perennials, High Line New York, Norfolk, Pensthorpe Wildlife and Gardens, Piet Oudolf, Plants
Meeting your Idols can be tricky, will they live up to your expectations, or will they have feet of clay? Last month, I went to a lecture at the Garden Museum in London, the topic was the High Line in New York. Amongst others, speaking for the first time in the UK...
by GillianPolley | Nov 5, 2012 | bulbs, Green house, herbaceous perennials, Jobs to do in the garden, Plants, Spring
On good days outside keep going on the autumn tidy up of the garden and cutting back of herbaceous plants. Leave ornamental grasses uncut until spring to give winter interest in the garden and at the same time provide over wintering insects with protection. November...
by GillianPolley | Oct 1, 2012 | bulbs, Green house, herbaceous perennials, Jobs to do in the garden, Plants, Ponds, shrubs, Spring, trees
Now is a good time to plant new trees, shrubs, climbers and turf. The soil is still warm enough to allow root growth and establishment – also in autumn to move existing trees and shrubs. Bare root plants will be available in November for hedging and larger...