For the first time this year I have ripe fruits on my magnolia kobus tree. Growing magnolia trees from seed is a long game, and an uncertain one. The tree has gifted me seeds so I'm giving it a go. Here's how I prepared the seeds for planting next spring.
This week I bought some ferns for my woodland garden. Evergreen or deciduous, frilly or flat leaved, acid green or moss-coloured I hadn't realised how diverse they are. Some named after feathers and other lace, here are my favourite six.
A busy week in the garden has seen the pond finished, a froggy staircase built, more parts of the woodland cleared, a mini stumpery started and some bonsai training.
It's autumn and friends are asking me what I am doing in the garden - am I putting it to bed for the winter? If my garden is a theatre show then far from closing the curtain and packing the props away, autumn is all about rebuilding the stage and [...]
My latest article for the Alpine Garden Society - the successes and failures of my alpine seed exchange sowing.
I've been making progress on this neglected area to create a new woodland garden. Here I describe how I've prepped the area and started to plant plants that will tolerate the shady woodland area.
Sound the trumpet - my Angel's Trumpet plant (Brugmansia) is flowering. Cause for celebration and a good excuse to share other exotic plants for Six on Saturday.
My local horticultural society's Autumn show is always held the week after I return from my family holiday. It forces me to confront my garden, flops and all to see what's worth showing. I went out this week in search of prize winning entries and found the weeds have taken [...]
Blue flowers provide a cooling impression to a garden border in the summer heat. Here I share some of the best blues from my garden in July.