Houseplant of the month: Calla Lily
This month, the houseplant of the month is Calla Lily. For sheer head-turning glamour, it’s hard to beat calla lilies. With their elegantly curved flowers in colours from deepest purple to blazing orange, they’re a spectacular addition to the summer garden or conservatory. Here’s how to grow and care for a calla lily. About calla lilies Calla lilies (Zantedeschia) are [...]
Garden tips: How to get more out of your herbs
Few things are more satisfying in life than being able to pick your own fresh herbs when you need them. We’ve picked five of our favourite herbs and come up with some top tips to get the best out of herbs from the garden. Tips for growing basil Delicious in pesto and tomato-based dishes, basil is easy to grow [...]
How to take softwood cuttings
Taking softwood cuttings is easy to do, and it’s a great way to make new plants at minimal costs. Softwood cuttings are sections cut from the new young growth of plants and grown into new plants. They should be taken from mid-spring to early summer and potted up by mid-summer at the latest, to give the new plants time [...]
Make birdhouses
It is excellent to make your own birdhouse, and there are many different ways to do this from recycling old household items to buying some wood or a birdhouse kit and making it yourself DIY style. As long as it is safe, secure, and there is enough room, you are likely to see some of your typical garden birds [...]
Garden plant of the moment: Hydrangea
A foretaste of summer, potted mophead hydrangeas are a popular houseplant gift choice in spring, making a beautiful alternative to cut flowers with their glossy dark green leaves and striking rounded flower heads. Although they’re best grown outdoors, mophead hydrangeas (the botanical name is Hydrangea macrophylla, and they’re also sometimes called hortensias) can be grown as houseplants for a [...]
How to care for a citrus tree
Fancy a glass of lemonade made from own fresh lemons from the garden? How about a lovely G&T with a slice of lime from your very own citrus tree? Growing citrus trees takes a little effort, but the results are well worth it. Here are our top tips on caring for a citrus tree. Citrus trees – the basics A [...]