Innholdsfortegnelse for 26 September 2015 i Amateur Gardening

THERE’S A hole in my flower bed dear Kathy, dear Kathy; there’s a hole in my flower bed dear Kathy, a hole…. The flowers were dying, so I cut them dear husband; the flowers were dying so I cut them all down… With what did you cut them – a felling axe, a felling axe? It looks like the Tunguska meteor strike! Well the bed looked a real mess, all dying and droopy; the bed looked a real mess so I tidied it up….. (which is more than you did)! With that I can’t argue, can’t argue, can’t argue; with that I can’t argue my neglect was remiss. But cutting back pla-ants should be measured and respectful; just trim the essentials and don’t touch the rest. This careful approach means…

THE BLAZING colours of my summer containers are now but a distant memory, and the patio is starting to look rather bare and barren. But not for long! Determined to keep my garden cheerful this winter, I have planted up a couple of containers with a lively mix of colourful plants. Hardy Cyclamen hederifolium, dianthus and sweet violas work well together to provide an interesting mix of colours, shapes and shades of green. I also chose a cider gum (Eucalyptus gunnii) as the feature plant in the centre of the container. The leaves are a grey-green and it smells wonderfully sharp and rich when touched. In time I will either transplant it into the garden or leave it in its container (on its own as a regularly-pruned feature shrub). top…

THERE IS no need to worry that your winter container might look boring with a just one or two types of flower. There are many plants you can choose from, not just the cyclamen, dianthus and violas that I planted. Wallflowers, stocks and primulas make attractive container plants, as do compact daisy-like bellis. Evergreen grasses, such as carex, add structure and shape; hardy herbs including rosemary and thyme add fragrance and culinary interest; trailing ivy adds elegance, and shrubs such as box, bay and the dwarf Chinese juniper make attractive feature plants.…

AUTUMN IS technically upon us, so it’s time to think about protecting vulnerable plants before the weather gets really cold. We enjoyed a mild winter last year, but who knows what the coming months will bring. As an insurance, any tender perennials can be lifted and transferred into pots and brought in to a porch or greenhouse. Those of borderline hardiness can simply be mulched, or left in situ with a protective wrapping to protect them from the elements. It’s also time to focus on dismantling pots and baskets to make way for new displays (see my planting ideas on p6-7). And don’t forget that healthy pelargoniums can be overwintered in pots of dry compost, and their fresh growth used for cuttings in spring. Plants that need protection to survive…

• Until 27 September: Festival of Flowers; Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL 01622 765400; leeds-castle.com/events • 25-27 September: Real Ale and Cider Weekend; RHS Garden Rosemoor, Torrington, Devon EX38 8PH 01805 626800 rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor • 26 September: Apple Day; Kingston Maurward Agricultural College, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 8PY 01305 215003; kmc.co.uk • 26-27 September: Malvern Autumn Show; Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcs WR13 6NW 01684 584900; threecounties.co.uk • 26-27 September: Chilli Pepper Weekend; RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 8ET; 0845 2658071; rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall • 27 September: Band Sunday, Music Through the Ages; Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Nr Morpeth, Northumberland NE20 0DX 01661 881 636; 2pm onwards.english-heritage.org.uk • 3 October: Alpine Garden Society Loughborough Autumn Show; Charnwood College, Thorpe Hill, Loughborough LE11 4SQ 01332 831564; alpinegardensociety.net…

In a cold greenhouse AGAPANTHUS: these late flowering South African perennials can be deciduous or evergreen, and range from half hardy to fully hardy. Large heads of blue or white flowers show up well and look great in an exotic border or in large containers. My favourite variety is ‘Silver Mist’, with it’s lovely silvery blue flowerheads. EXPERT TIP: it’s always best to keep a pot under glass in case of a severe winter. Bring in or wrap the sides of plants displayed in containers. SUPPLIER: Pennard Plants, Somerset 01749 860039 pennardplants.com CANNA ‘PANACHE’: this choice canna has slender, pointed grey-green leaves and from August to October, dainty but exotic pink and cream flowers on plants 5ft (1.5m) tall. Use as a greenhouse or patio display plant, add to containers…

Swiss Chard Salad with Orange, Blue Cheese and Walnuts A vibrant and colourful salad, with fresh chard, sweet orange and tangy blue cheese Prep time: 15 minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: For the dressing: Method 1 Whisk the honey, mustard, vinegar, oil and black pepper together in a small bowl. Set aside. 2 Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the peel off the oranges, removing all the pith, then slice into rounds. 3 Place the chard and salad leaves into a serving bowl, and scatter over the walnuts, grated beetroot and orange slices. 4 Roughly chop the cheese, then add to the salad bowl. 5 Drizzle over the dressing, and serve immediately with fresh crusty bread.…

QI want to start planning my garden for next year, growing crops in my allotment and unusual ornamentals in borders. Where can I get good quality plants, bulbs and seeds? Philippa Warren, Rochester, Kent A There are very few seed companies, and plant nurseries, who do not produce and sell good quality products. I order and buy the majority of my plants by mail order or online, particularly as I often want quite specialist plant material. Friends who obtain their plants by post say they seldom have issues, and if they do, they contact the supplier who will normally replace and often give a refund too. Visiting nurseries and garden centres allows you to inspect the plants before you buy, and means you can also see what you are buying.…

THE BEECHGROVE GARDEN THIS WEEK A SLICE OF WISLEY Mary Berry opened the Wisley Flower Show in Surrey on 8 September by slicing a giant floral cake. It was made from over 1,000 carnations. THE BEECHGROVE GARDEN VIEWERS WILL be shown how to over-winter veg and Jim McColl puts begonias to bed for winter. BBC2 Scotland, 7.30pm on 24 September (national: BBC2, 27 September, times vary). PONDS SPAWN GIRL FROGS Higher numbers of female frogs are born in garden ponds than in the wild, a study in America has claimed. It said chemicals used to keep lawns lush could be to blame. DNA TESTS FOR TOMATOES! Judges at the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show used DNA testing to verify that the heaviest Gigantomo tomato (left) in a competition was the correct…

GARDEN CENTRES will be going conifer crazy during National Conifer Week, which runs from 26 September until 3 October. Retailers will inspire gardeners by demonstrating the many benefits of conifers in gardens. Conifers peaked in popularity during the 1960s and ‘70s, but some have fallen out of fashion. Bad press, often regarding neighbour disputes over tall leylandii trees, have not helped the plants’ image. Now, rower and 2012 Olympic Team GB gold medallist Alex Gregory (pictured, right) has admitted to being a fan – and has spoken of their merits in a bid to raise their profile. Alex said: “Conifers have always been a part of my life. From the early days of climbing in their branches, to the family pilgrimage we took to the Californian redwoods, there’s something fascinating…

LIFE GETS more and more complicated as we keep cranking up the speed of change, and strive to improve the quality of life. Take a simple vegetable such as the garden pea, which when I started gardening in the 1940s simply meant shelled peas. We had the hardier, round seeded first early kinds including ‘Kelvedon Wonder’ for autumn and early spring sowing to give the first harvest in May/June. Second earlies followed including ‘Little Marvel’, then maincrop ‘Alderman’ (growing to 6ft/1.8m tall) and ‘Ambassador’. All are still grown today. Additionally, we now have petit pois (which take some patience to shell), flat-podded mangetout to cook for eating pod-and-all (a bit too slimy in texture for me, brought up in an age when pea pods were fed to chickens and pigs),…

MENTION CORNWALL’S Eden Project and giant space-age greenhouses filled with rubber trees and even the odd cotton plantation probably springs to mind. However, the gardens around the iconic biomes offer just as much inspiration. For gardeners interested in rare, often exotic, fruit and vegetables to try at home, the Global Gardens allotment at the bottom of the western slopes should be their first stop. Here traditional UK favourites and rare heritage varieties jostle for star billing alongside unusual edibles and important cultural or community crops, with a specific focus on China, India, Africa and the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe. James Clark, Eden’s specialist in exotic, niche and novel crops, has the enviable task of looking after it all. “Setting up the allotment eight years ago was a huge challenge and…

PHLOX ‘Tall Mixed’, the seeds of which we are giving you this week, is one of the best of the annual phloxes. Flowers will come from early summer to early autumn, in shades of red, crimson, pink and white. These plants produce stems carrying single or double rounded flowerheads. Individually, the flowers have flat, star-shaped petals. This is a half-hardy annual, which means that it grows and dies in the same year – but, rather like the brightest of butterflies, during its short life it is spectacular. Annual phloxes tolerate cold, dull weather (a frequent phenomenon of the British growing season), but a freeze will kill them, so they should be sown under cover and protected from frosts. During summer they need plentiful watering as they dislike drought, intense heat…

A MAN came into the nursery and asked if we had an ‘upside down plant’. At first I thought he was pulling my leg but he insisted it existed, although he could not remember where he’d seen one. “Have you recently been in Africa?” I asked, thinking that he must be referring to the mighty baobab – a giant succulent that’s also known as the upside-down tree, thanks to root-like branches that stick out from its giant cylindrical trunk. Apparently he hadn’t. The closest he’d got to the sunbaked soils of the Arabian peninsular where baobab thrive, was a coach trip to the Isle of Wight, and he was pretty sure he’d remember seeing one of those! Was his mystery specimen spotted in a conservatory then? There’s a lovely rosette-forming…

GIVE STUBBORN weeds the elbow with Resolva Liquid Shots 24H. These easy-to-use phials of weedkiller are already measured out, and contain diquat and glyphosate. Use them in water, and see the results within 24 hours. We have five packs of six shots to give away. To enter the draw, send your name and address on the back of a postcard to Resolva 24HR Draw, Amateur Gardening, Westover House, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1JG. Or email your details to ag_giveaway@timeinc.com , heading the email Resolva 24HR Draw. The closing date is: 30 September 2015.…

THERE ARE a few basic points to remember when planting up your winter containers: • Plants don’t grow as much in winter as they do in summer, so make sure the plants you buy are a good size, and healthy, or are planted early enough to give them time to grow. • Use frost-proof terracotta pots, or containers made from plastic or wood. It is a good idea to wrap pots in horticultural fleece or bubblewrap during long spells of freezing weather. • Don’t feed container plants in winter, and don’t add water-retaining gel to compost, as it can lead to waterlogging. • However, don’t let your plants get dehydrated. There can be dry spells in winter, so keep an eye on watering. • Slugs and snails are in their…

1 Remove the foliage, especially around the base as this may rot, spreading disease. Cut the plant down to 3ft (1m). 2 Place a layer of hay, straw or mulch over the compost to insulate, and keep in moisture to prevent dehydrating. 3 Cover the compost and sides of the pot with fleece to trap and warm the air. Secure the fleece with twine. 4 For extra protection, especially in colder regions, cover the fleece in a layer of horticultural bubblewrap.…

I’M A sucker for those buy-one-get-one-free supermarket offers, and chard is the vegetable equivalent. Whilst the bouncy green leaves are a good spinach substitute, I use the broad stems in different ways – in stir-fries, risottos or gratins, for example. The baby leaves of coloured varieties look stunning in salads too. Chard is also a versatile vegetable in the garden. The plants are eye-catching, and easy to grow in semi-shaded as well as sunny spots. A fertile soil is a must, however, so add compost or well-rotted manure to poor soils. Seed can be sown in modules or direct outside any time from April until July, and often only one sowing is needed for a continual supply through until late autumn. Transplant or thin seedlings to 9-12in (22-25cm) apart, and…

QI have had this climber ( left ) in my garden for about 20 years, and my dad had it before me. It never produced fruit, but now it has! What is it? Carol Bale (via email) A I’m pretty certain from the size and shape of the fruit that it is the Akebia quinata, or chocolate vine. It is unusual to see this in fruit in this country, as it needs a warm spring (the flowers are easily damaged by frost), hot summer and long growing season – and another nearby plant to provide pollen in order for it to be successful. You may have seen the flowers before as they are readily produced once a plant is established, but the fruits are quite rare…

JUST TO be on the safe side, we always keep a pot of Agapanthus ‘Silver Mist’ in the greenhouse over winter. These plants produce masses of thick, fleshy roots and this one has managed to crack its clay pot. The plant stayed put all summer, producing a fine display of 10 flower stems, but now I’m hauling it out on to the patio, dividing it into sections and planting them out. Ideally, this is a spring job but I’m hoping there’s still time for roots to push down into warm, moist soil. Besides, we now have so much of this beautiful African lily I’m willing to take the risk. Fading flower spikes were cut away first and then I carved down between the leafy growths using an old kitchen knife…

ONE OF Britain’s biggest garden product suppliers last week sounded the death knell for green waste in compost. Westland, which last month bought old compost firm William Sinclair, has announced that green waste will be removed from all existing Sinclair products – including the New Horizon compost range (right). Westland claims to have never incorporated green waste into its composts, but some other manufacturers use it as a peat alternative. Concerns have been raised about the consistency and performance of some green waste composts in the past. Westland’s Keith Nicholson pledged: “We will not allow green waste into the hands of gardeners.” DELIVERING RESULTS Keith added: “Green waste is not up to the standard or consistency required, and is not delivering the results that consumers deserve.” The decision was taken…

WHAT COULD be more relaxing than the soothing sound of a good wind chime in the breeze? They create an air of tranquility with their mesmerising notes resonating through the garden, and have long been associated with meditation in many cultures around the world. Other benefits of wind chimes include the facts that they help to mask the unwanted traffic noises in towns and cities, and provide a distraction – just like a water feature would. We tested six chimes of varying construction, made from natural bamboo and wood, or different metals. The design and materials obviously have an impact on the sound a wind chime makes. I found that the larger aluminium tubes were capable of making louder, deeper sounds so a little consideration for close neighbours might be…

Prepare the garden for winter weather, says Bob OVER the next few months there is bound to be a period of strong winds. We need to prepare the garden or be caught out. I’m not just talking about securing stakes and ties here (though these are important); no, it’s all those other things we forget about – until we have to recover them from up a tree or inside a rosebush. During spring and summer things get left out in the garden and now is the time to put them safely away. This will also keep them safe from frost, and if they are made of plastic then keeping them indoors out of the light means they will last longer before becoming brittle. A good tidy up is always sensible.…

• Keep your seeds safe over winter (at room temperature, dry and away from mice!). Sow from February to May in pots or trays filled with a good quality seed compost. Water it well before sowing, using a watering can fitted with a fine rose end. • Allow compost to settle, then sow the seeds thinly on to the surface, and cover with a fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite ( above ). • Water again, gently. Place in an enclosed propagator ( below ) – set the temperature to 13-16°C (55-60°F) – or seal the container inside a clear polythene bag. • Transplant the seedlings, when they are large enough to be handled, into trays or individually in 3in (7.5cm) pots. Plant them out, after frosts have finished, about…

I HAD a marvellous show of roses in my garden this summer, and spent many an evening leisurely pottering about and deadheading faded flowers, which resulted in more blooms. But all the effort the plants put into flowering used lots of energy, water and nutrients and, consequently, some plants have lost vigour, are looking stressed and have succumbed to diseases. I need to address this now, and then start feeding from early spring. A mulch at the same time will help them too. This summer brought with it plenty of rain, and this encouraged widespread blackspot around the country. Of course, with roses, it pays to respond to the conditions that nature brings us, and keep on top of problems as they arise. Here are a few cultural tips and…

AS IF the onset of darker, chillier days isn’t enough to dampen spirits, autumn brings with it an onslaught of pests and diseases (Ps and Ds) to attack our gardens. It is a seemingly endless battle, not helped by seasonal weather – a mild, wet early autumn helps create the perfect conditions for both Ps and Ds. Maintaining good plant hygiene, and regularly checking plants, containers and greenhouses for the first signs of infestations and infections will help keep the worst of the problems at bay. Be on the look out for vine weevils, too. Check the roots of new purchases for signs of the larvae – these plump, ‘C’-shaped creamy grubs can be so destructive in autumn. Soak the compost with Bayer Garden Vine Weevil Killer. As for the…

1 Prepare soil with compost or well-rotted manure in a sunny or semi-shaded spot 2 Sow seed in drills 12in (30cm) apart, or sow into modules and plant out 12in (30cm) apart 3 Pick individual leaves as required – after 6-8 weeks for baby salad leaves, or 12 weeks for stalks 4 Keep the crop watered in dry spells; remove bolting plants ( above ); re-sow if necessary 5 Cover crops with fleece) or straw to protect roots from frost, so they will re-grow in spring…

Call weekdays f om 12-1pm 0843 168 0200 Bill Rogers called because in the summer his rhubarb stalks turned black. We think they were ‘gumming’ – when a resinous substance is exuded and then rots. We suggest he lifts and divides the plants in November, and re-plants the divisions in well-manured soil where rhubarb has not been grown. He should also mulch well and feed with blood, fish and bone. can solve your problems! EMAIL US: amateurgardening@timeinc.com EXPERTS HELPLINE: 0843 168 0200 (12 to 1pm weekdays) Calls cost5p per minute from a BT landline, callcosts from other networks may be higher. WRITE TO US: AG Helpline Westover House, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH 15 1JG *…

HALF OF a mature but not particularly old rosemary bush has died off, leaving the other half healthy, and me wondering why. Despite scrutinising leaves through a hand lens and picking at the bark looking for honey fungus, I can find no obvious symptoms. The only clue is that the live section is right next to the path, so roots on this side would have been better drained last winter. Mediterranean herbs hate cold, wet soils and roots under the dead side could have rotted away. This plant is leaning over the path anyway, so I decided to grub it out. Fortunately, another rosemary originally from the same batch of cuttings has taken well nearby, having been moved last spring from the raised bed on the patio. At least we’ll…

WILL GILES, a pioneer of exotic planting, and owner of The Exotic Garden in Norwich, died on 2 September after losing his battle with cancer. He was renowned for growing subtropical plants that would not normally survive on the east coast of England. TROPICAL GARDEN Will’s one-acre garden, which he created over 30 years, transported visitors to the tropics – with a garden of houseplants, bromeliads, cannas and tree ferns. He had a passion for brugmansia, jasmine, hedychiums and alpinias. Towering bananas such as Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ formed canopies for visitors to walk under. Will discovered that the garden, on a south-facing hillside, had its own microclimate, allowing him to dabble at growing tender plants outdoors like the Victorians did. A spokesman said: “Will was diagnosed with cancer in 2013…

SILENT WITNESS actress Emilia Fox says it is a “dream come true” to have a sweet pea named in her honour. The star, who plays Dr Nikki Alexander in the BBC crime drama series, had her sweet pea launched exclusively through Mr Fothergill’s. Bred in New Zealand by the renowned Dr Keith Hammett, the sweet pea has maroon and mauve-violet flowers. Blooms are large and wavy, borne on long stems (circled). Emilia described herself as a “passionate gardener”. She said: “I love watching sweet peas grow, and seeing my roses in bloom. “It’s a dream come true and a real privilege to have such a beautiful sweet pea named after me.” Breeder Keith Hammett described the novelty as a larger, frilly, long-stemmed form of the original wild sweet pea that…

HANGING HEART CANDLE HOLDER £12.80+ P&P £3.90 07738 274107 heartofagarden.co.uk Made of metal with a distressed white finish, this large Grasmere hanging heart candle holder will add a substantial romantic glow to the garden or conservatory. Size: 12¼ x 3 x 13½in (31 x 7.5 x 34.5cm). Comes with a hanging chain but the candle is not supplied. DE WIT PERENNIAL PLANTER £29.99+ P&P £3.95 01344 578 811 waitrosegarden.com This heart-shaped spade is hand-forged in Holland and is based on a traditional Dutch tool design. With a 6in (15cm) wide head it has a long 17in (45cm) ash handle for good reach and leverage when digging and dividing perennials, lifting weeds and planting bulbs. A lock nut means you can tighten the head as the handle…

Give credit where it’s due AFTER READING Anne Swithinbank’s pages in AG 29 August issue, I was inspired to buy a pitcher plant for my husband. He’s been poorly and likes all things weird and strange, hence his ‘thing’ for cacti, though they’re not my cup of tea at all! I found the Hampshire Carnivorous Plants website and, after some deliberation, and knowing nothing about these type of plants at all, chose a beautiful pink Sarracenia ‘Juthatip Soper’. I have to tell you it’s a stunner and, better yet, Andy loves it. I was also incredibly impressed by the extreme care that had clearly been taken to wrap the plant because it arrived in perfect condition. I’ve written to thank the nursery’s…

UNDER COVER “We see lots of toads, frogs, damsel and dragon flies around our pond – it’s wonderful,” says Brenda, who likes to try and capture them on camera. “Birds love the gravel and we never know what we’re going to find under the cobbles,” she adds. “We’ve put in lots of nooks and crannies.”…