This week I visited Kew Gardens, where I saw many of the plants I'm collecting in my greenhouse, growing in the majestic splendour of the the newly restored Temperate House as well as the Palm and Waterlily Houses. So my Six on Saturday is a tale of two greenhouse collections [...]
Last night we finally had some rain and just stepping out into the garden this morning made me feel happy as the air felt fresh. A keen breeze was blowing the trees, a cool one, in stark contrast to the "hairdryer on low setting" breeze we've had for over a [...]
These beautiful flowers in pastel shades work well together and unplanned happen to be blooming at the same time in my garden. Here I tell you what they are and show you how simple it is to arrange them in a vase with no fuss or equipment. I also describe [...]
If you're looking for a shot of cool blue in a high summer garden - plant Echinops. It's largely trouble free and bees of all sorts can't get enough of it. Commonly known as the Globe Thistle, Echinops has steely grey slightly spiky divided stems - but it is the [...]
This week I've been weather watching as I gear up for my local Flower Show and have been monitoring the temperature fluctuations in my greenhouse. I've been missing my usual range of home grown vegetables but delighting in how advanced the dahlias are. Greenhouse temperature monitoring I'm not one for [...]
My gardening week has seen much watering but also lots of joy at the beautiful flowers in my garden pots, borders and greenhouse. I'm sharing a picture of my sweet potato vine and relieved that my Wisteria survived our building works. I've also taken pictures of 'Love in a Puff' [...]
The sun is relentless and moisture absent except on my brow. It is officially too hot to do anything strenuous in the garden. I wilt in strong sunshine and yet I bravely faced the melee of the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show on Thursday to get some inspiration and do [...]
To quote the brilliant TV comedy The Fast Show, this week has been "Scorchio" and the temperature in my greenhouse has been in the thirties. Despite this, the lure of my new greenhouse is unshakeable. This week I'm focussing my six on ornamental plants in the greenhouse. Some I've grown [...]
Who doesn’t love a traditional village show? As the holiday season approaches organisers air the beer tent, hammer signs into the village green and untangle the bunting. But what sort of person enters these competitions and what experiences await first timers? If you're a gardener or allotment holder you may be shy to get involved in showing or question why you even would. Here I share my story as a first time entrant and some special tips for exhibiting from a local judge.
