Gardening questions
What’s The Difference Between Apples and Crab Apples
When strolling through a garden or countryside, you may encounter two types of fruit-bearing trees that appear quite similar but differ greatly in size...
Fruit or Berry, Do you Know The Difference?
Fruit or Berry, and the Surprising World of Legumes
Today, we’re going to explore some surprising truths about everyday fruits and vegetables—specifically, what makes a...
Is your bee hotel killing solitary bees?
Solitary Bees: Champions of Pollination and Why Bee Hotels Can Be Harmful
Solitary bees are some of the most fascinating and essential pollinators in our...
Is your Leylandii going brown?
Leylandii going brown is usually a sign of stress or poor health caused by specific environmental or biological factors. Below are the key reasons...
What Are The Best Plants for The Bedroom?
Adding plants to your bedroom can improve air quality, boost relaxation, and create a serene atmosphere. With the right plants, you can transform your...
What Are The The Best Plants for The Kitchen?
Kitchens are a perfect place for plants. They add a fresh, vibrant feel, improve air quality, and can even be practical if you choose...
What Are The Best Plants for The Bathroom?
Bathrooms, with their unique combination of humidity, temperature fluctuations, and often low light, can be challenging environments for houseplants. However, with the right plant...
What is so special about John Innes Compost?
John Innes compost is a trusted name in gardening, renowned for its consistency and effectiveness. This soil-based compost range has been a staple for...
Male Asparagus or Female Asparagus : What’s best?
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a dioecious plant, meaning it produces male and female flowers on separate plants. Understanding the differences between male and female...
How to Grow Tomatoes in the UK: A Comprehensive Guide
Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding crops to grow in the UK, providing fresh, delicious fruits that are perfect for salads, sauces, and...
What temperature should I store my ensete banana at?
Ensete bananas should be stored at 10c. Any higher and they will start to grow. They cannot withstand sub zero temperatures, even when dormant.
How...
How to over winter Ensete bananas
Ensete bananas are not frost hardy and will need to be taken to a frost free place if they are to survive the winter....
How do you Look After Ensete Bananas Over Winter in the UK?
Ensete bananas, particularly Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii', also known as the Abyssinian banana, are prized for their striking, tropical appearance. With their large, deep red...
What’s the Easiest Hibiscus to Grow in the UK?
Hibiscus plants are renowned for their stunning, showy flowers that bring a tropical flair to gardens. While many varieties thrive in warmer climates, certain...
How to secure a Polytunnel in a Windy Area?
Polytunnels are fantastic for extending the growing season, providing shelter for plants, and creating a controlled environment for gardening. However, in windy areas, they...
What’s the Best Time to Plant Out Seedlings? A Guide for UK Gardeners
Planting out seedlings at the right time is crucial for ensuring healthy, thriving plants. If transplanted too early, seedlings may suffer from frost or...
What’s the Best Acer for a Small Garden?
Acers, commonly known as Japanese maples, are renowned for their striking foliage, graceful form, and seasonal color transformations. With their vibrant red, gold, and...
What’s the Best Ceanothus for a UK Garden?
Ceanothus, often called California lilac, is a stunning addition to UK gardens, prized for its vibrant blue flowers, fast growth, and evergreen foliage. While...
When should I prune my Wisteria?
Wisteria, with its cascading clusters of violet, blue, or white flowers, is a favorite climber in UK gardens. However, without proper care, it can...
How to Grow the Tallest Sunflower?
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are iconic summer blooms known for their towering height and striking, cheerful faces. Growing an exceptionally tall sunflower can be a...
How to Grow Winter Aconites
Winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) are charming and resilient early bloomers, adorning your garden with a burst of cheerful yellow blooms during the late winter...
Stinging Nettles: The Double-Edged Sword in Your Garden
Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) are a common sight in gardens and wild areas, known for their distinctive serrated leaves and, as the name suggests,...
How to grow Crocosmias
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to grow Crocosmias in the UK
Crocosmias, commonly known as montbretia, are vibrant and attractive perennial plants that produce...
How to grow Verbascum
Here's a guide on how to grow Verbascum
Verbascum, commonly known as mullein, is a genus of flowering plants that includes both biennials and perennials....
How to grow Cardoons
Here's a guide on how to grow cardoons in the UK
Cardoons (Cynara cardunculus) are large, striking plants related to artichokes. They are grown for...
How to grow Mahonia ‘Charity’
Mahonia 'Charity' is a popular evergreen shrub known for its striking architectural form, bold foliage, and fragrant winter blooms. Here are some guidelines on...
How to grow Orchids
How to grow orchids involves understanding the unique needs of these captivating plants. Orchids, belonging to a diverse family with various species and hybrids,...
How to grow Amaranthus
Amaranthus is a versatile and colorful plant with various species that can be grown for their vibrant foliage and edible seeds. Here's a general...
How to grow Amaryllis
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.) is a popular flowering plant known for its large, showy blooms. Here's a comprehensive overview of various aspects of how to...
When is the latest to prune roses?
How late roses can be pruned depends on the type of rose. Generally speaking, rambling roses should be pruned immediately after flowering. All other...
Do daffodils kill other flowers in the same vase?
Daffodils look great in a display with other flowers but daffodils kill other flowers in the same vase?
Yes, daffodils do make other flowers wilt...
Will my cold damaged Cordyline survive?
Cordylines have taken a beating over the 2022/23 winter. The combination of snow and freezing temperatures has caused many to present with browning leaves...
How to grow Brugmansia from seed
Brugmansia seeds can be grown from seed but you are going to need artificial heat and light and patience to get them going. First...
How much should I water my tree fern?
Tree ferns should be kept well watered. The trunks should not be allowed to dry out. If the plant is in a pot try...
How to grow Echeveria
If you are looking to add a display of succulents to your garden then you are surely going to be looking at growing echeverias....
Should I cut the leaves off my tree fern?
You should not cut the leaves off of a tree fern unless they are totally brown. Even then it is thought they the old...
What temperatures will Musa Basjoo go down to?
The leaves of Muso Basjoo will stop growing at 12 degrees Centigrade. They will start to get leaf damage at zero degrees centigrade.
A young...
Are tree ferns frost hardy?
Tree ferns can stay outside all year in the UK but they need protection to survive. It’s best to take small tree ferns to...
How long does it take to make a tropical style garden in the UK?
So how long does it take to make a tropical style garden in the UK? If you've been admiring any of the tropical style...
What’s the best way to over winter Musa Basjoo bananas?
The first thing to do though is to cut off the leaves. Do this after the temperature has gone low enough to blacken the...
How High Can I Grow My Hedge?
Top tips on hedge trimming as online searches show a 234% increase for ‘how to trim a hedge’ since June 2022
Legislation states that your...
Can the Traveller’s Palm be grown in the UK?
Can the travellers palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) be grown in the united Kingdom?
With great difficulty. They will only tolerate temperatures down to freezing. This rules them...
Is Spanish moss easy to grow?
Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is a very easy plant to grow as it requires very little maintenance. It is an air plant (epiphyte) and...
How fast do tree ferns grow?
Tree ferns grow very slowly. They typically grow about one inch per year (2.5cm). This is why it’s best to buy the biggest you...
Are dahlia bulbs hardy
Dahlia bulbs are, in general, not hardy. Some dahlias in a sheltered position might survive the winter but they will need a good covering...
Why are my banana leaves going yellow?
Musa Basjoo are famous for their wonderful paddle leaves so when those leaves start turning yellow it is a cause for concern. Although bananas...
How to grow Ensete Ventricosum ‘Maurelii’
No exotic garden would be complete nowadays if it didn’t contain an Ensete Maurelii. The massive paddle leaves of glossy luminous green and purple...
How to grow Spanish Moss ( Tillandsia usenoides )
SPANISH MOSS ( Tillandsia usneoides )
Spanish Moss is an epiphyte. This means that it gets it's food and water...
How to grow Ceanothus
Ceanothus
Ceanothus is a genus of about 50 species that is native to North America. They are commonly called Californian Lilacs....
When should I plant eucomis bulbs?
Although eucomis can withstand temperatures down to -6C, I would not plant out until the Frosts have finished. This is usually the end of...
how to protect banana plants over winter
If there is one garden style that has really taken off during the last couple of years it's the trend for tropical style gardens....
