Innholdsfortegnelse for 1-Dec-2018 i Amateur Gardening

HOUSEPLANTS respond to the changing seasons in a similar way to their outdoor cousins. Most of them fall dormant as the light levels and temperatures drop, ceasing to grow or flower until warmer weather returns. For others it is prime flowering time, which is why several varieties such as orchids, Streptocarpus, African violets and Cyclamen persicum make such delightful Christmas gifts. These will need nurturing through the winter months until they stop blooming, at which point you can stop feeding and watering and let them recharge their batteries. All houseplants, whether they are flowering or not, will have similar care requirements throughout the winter months. They do best if they are placed somewhere with a stable temperature, out of the way of draughts and away from external doors. Avoid placing…

If, like me, you sowed your chili seeds in late spring (the ideal sowing time is late winter) and then brought the plants inside when the weather cooled, you may have a windowsill full of happily fruiting plants. They will be fine through winter. Simply harvest the fruits when they are plump and glossy, and then give the plants a gentle trim to keep them in shape. Treat them as perennial houseplants, watering occasionally from the base through winter when the compost is dry. There is no need to feed until they start back into growth in late March or April. Then either repot or top-dress with fresh compost, harden them of and either move to a sheltered sunny spot outside or back into the greenhouse.…

THE 2019 Kew Orchid Festival will celebrate the colour and diversity of Columbia, which grows more than 2,400 varieties of orchids. The show, which runs in the garden’s Princess of Wales Conservatory from 9 February-10 March 2019, will include a ‘carnival of animals’ depicting a toucan in flight, a hanging sloth and a swimming turtle, all composed of a stunning array of orchids, bromeliads and other tropical plants. Kew spokeswoman Elisa Biondi said: “The festival will be an awe-inspiring orchid display that will showcase Colombia’s biodiversity and Kew’s work in the country to help to protect, conserve and study its plants.” For further details of the orchid festival and its programme of special half term and evening events, visit kew.org.…

THE bright sunny weather in October was perfect for the growers who produce literally millions of poinsettias for Christmas. After all, poinsettias are tropical plants, and while UK growers can provide extra warmth, there is no substitute for sunshine during this critical period of growth. Buy plants grown locally, if possible, so they are growing in full light and do not have to travel in dark lorries. The early bird stands a much better chance of settling poinsettias into their new position safely and before the darkest winter days. “Ideally, stand plants on windowsills during the day” Ideally, stand plants on windowsills (south-facing are best) during the day and bring them into the room at night, and certainly on the other side of curtains during times of severe frost. It…

Once your tree has been moved, you need to give it the best chance of getting established. Don’t let the soil around it dry out, and make sure weeds and grass don’t encroach. A thick layer of well-rotted compost or manure will hold in water, nourish the roots and suppress weeds. Secure the tree with a stake and tie, giving it space to move with the wind to strengthen the roots. Underplant your tree with spring bulbs. You still have time to get them in and they will put on a good show in a few months’ time.…

1 Buy all your sand, grit and salt, plus a stiff brush and a snow shovel – then you should feel safer heading into winter! 2 It’s still possible to plant hardy trees, shrubs and fruit trees, just as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. 3 Last chance for hardwood cuttings! Push foot lengths of roses, vines, currants and gooseberries a finger-plus deep into damp soil. 4 It’s worth sowing some batches of rocket, hardy lettuce, radish, turnips, spring onions, Chinese greens and pak choi under cloches or in the greenhouse.…

MY parents have always kept chickens, and while my own garden isn’t quite ready for them yet, I still have a hankering for a little flock of hens. It’s got me looking enviously at coop designs, so if you’re also thinking of keeping chickens, what should you consider? You have two options: buy a hen house or build one yourself. With new coops costing only £100, you might consider building one not very cost-effective (unless you’ve got access to free materials). With off-the-peg purchases, however, you get what you pay for – so look for the following. Ensure the hut has a separate roosting bar and nesting area; hens like to sit on a nest when laying, and huddle together on the bar when sleeping. The bed area should be…

I’M officially quite good at harvesting leeks! When I was a horticultural student at Writtle College in Essex, I was assessed on this topic for our vegetable module. Having already harvested hundreds of them on my parents’ smallholding, I think I impressed the tutor with my speed. Whenever I lift leeks today, I’m reminded of his quiet smile and raised eyebrows. The leek varieties ‘Herfstreuzen 3’ and ‘Malabar’ that I sowed way back in April are ready to lift now, so I gently slide a garden fork alongside each leek, then carefully lever the plant out of the earth. Pulling off the outer, dirt-stained leaves is always so satisfying (it’s a bit like lazily taking your socks off so they end up inside out). Use secateurs or a sharp, machete-style…

In the 1960s and ’70s, Adrian Bloom popularised the planting of heathers with dwarf conifers. As a means of bringing year-round colour to small gardens, it proved a very effective approach, and many attractive gardens were created. Unfortunately, as often happens, it was hugely overdone and became something of a gardening cliché. Today, it may not be fashionable, but it’s still a good idea. Choosing dwarf conifers with foliage in bluish and golden tones (as well as rich green) and surrounding them with heathers (with their equally varied evergreen foliage plus bright flowers) is a great way to bring all-year colour to a sunny corner. But don’t stop there. Add clumps of dwarf spring and autumn bulbs; plant a Viticella clematis to snake among the heathers and turn its flowers…

Eucalyptus Carried on wiry stems, the silvered foliage of E. gunnii (above) interweaves easily with other plants. Most need regular hard pruning in spring to keep to a manageable size, but Azura (‘Cagire’) is naturally bushy and small-leaved. Pinus I like pines for their long needles and glossy colouring. However, the best, including bluish P. wallichiana (above) with its 8in (20cm) needles in clusters of five, can be hard to find ready cut. Growing your own is the answer. Picea In addition to the spruce of Christmas-tree fame, there’s also blue spruce (P. pungens Glauca Group, above), which brings a different style and colour to holiday wreaths and arrangements. Cut carefully to preserve the shape. Ilex The Christmas classic; for variegated foliage and masses of berries go for ‘Golden King’…

Will seed-sown passion flowers come true? Q Will passion flowers come true from seed and what are the best ones for a sheltered West Midlands garden? Johnny Wall, via email A The only seeds that will come true to type are those of species Passiflora such as P. caerulea. Named cultivars will not come true and may not produce any offspring that even much resemble the parent plant. By the laws of genetics, if one purebred plant crosses with another purebred plant, half the offspring will be a mix of the two gene pools, a quarter will resemble one parent and a quarter will resemble the other. However, any seed-grown plant cannot definitely be regarded as being pure bred, so will already be a genetic mix. Species plants have strong…

Scotland and St Andrew This Friday, 30 November, is St Andrew’s Day, so this is the perfect week to look at plants and gardening stories relating to Scotland. According to Christian tradition, St Andrew was born in 6BC, in Galilee. Several legends state that some of Andrew’s relics were brought from Constantinople to a place where, today, the Scottish town of St Andrews stands. Most famously the ‘home of golf’, this town also boasts an 18-acre (7.2ha) botanic garden (pictured) containing more than 8,000 species of plants and an ‘algal herbarium’ – a collection of different types of seaweed! James III, King of Scotland from 1460-1488, is believed to have adopted the thistle as the heraldic emblem of Scotland because its prickliness represented the defence capability of his country! Bonney…

Growing tips for root veg QI’m quite new to veg growing and struggle with carrots and parsnips. They often don’t germinate, or they are scrawny, or the carrots get root fly and the parsnips fork. Please can I have some growing tips for next season? Bethany Houghton, Doncaster, South Yorkshire A Your aim is sweet parsnips ready to lift for the rest of winter, and maincrop carrots perhaps still in the ground (‘Eskimo’ is a very hardy variety). In colder regions, carrots are usually lifted and stored frost-free, safe from slugs and rodents. From a summer sowing, there could still be a few carrots such as ‘Early Nantes’ to harvest under unheated glass, and autumn-sown carrots sitting out winter to crop next May or June. Carrots and parsnips love a…

Although the main seasons for propagation are spring and summer, with enough light and warmth you should be able to create more houseplants in winter. Spider plants are the easiest to reproduce. Simply ‘plug’ the end of one of the spiderlet offshoots into a pot of dampened cuttings compost mixed with perlite. Keep it attached to the parent plant until it starts to root (keep it in place with a clothes peg if necessary). One the roots form and it starts to grow, cut it free. African violets and Streptocarpus are also easy to propagate from root cuttings. Cleanly cut a leaf, dip it in rooting compound and insert it into a pot of dampened, gritty cuttings compost. Seal the pot in a clear plastic bag and keep it somewhere…

WE relocated our lemon tree from the patio to the greenhouse in mid-October, and now the tree is filling it with delicious, opulent scent. All citrus fruits are happy on a warm patio in summer, but need to be undercover in winter. Kumquats are the most cold-hardy citrus. To keep healthy all year round, they need regular feeding with winter citrus food between now and March, when you should switch to a fertiliser that is high in nitrogen. Use rainwater for irrigation but don’t overwater – compost should be almost dry in between waterings. Keep the atmosphere around the plant humid by standing it on a saucer of gravel that is kept constantly damp. If your citrus is overwintering in an unheated greenhouse, throw some fleece over it during periods…

THE ever-popular but hard-to-grow ‘Kelsae’ onions, renowned for their size and flavour, are now exclusively back in stock at DT Brown. Grown in four secret locations in Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, the Netherlands and Italy, the company has harvested its biggest crop for several years, but is only offering the ‘Kelsae’ as module-grown plug plants for 2019. DT Brown general Manager Tim Jeffries said: “The ‘Kelsae’ is notoriously difficult to grow. While the overall seed crop was good, the germination rates are lower than we are prepared to accept for offering to our customers as seed.” The plugs with well-developed root systems will be delivered from late April, ready to plant out. ‘Kelsae’ plugs are available to order and cost £12.95 for 40, from DT Brown, Bury Road, Newmarket, CB8 7PQ, 0845…

I HAVE spent the past week catching up on outside jobs before turning my attention to the long list of tasks that need sorting before Christmas. It is so easy to get caught up with festive preparations and neglect the needs of the garden until it is too late. If any tender summer perennials such as pelargoniums or gazanias are still in the garden and have survived the cold so far, lift and overwinter them in a greenhouse or well-lit porch. Cut back the foliage and pot them up in John Innes No1, barely watering them at all, and they will hopefully see out the winter. You can then return them back outside after the frosts once they have been hardened off. Summer annual bedding can be removed and composted,…

1 Should a poinsettia branch break off, dip the end in hot water or cauterise it with the flame of a match to stop the flow of white sap and then arrange in water. During the 1950s, poinsettias were grown as a cut flower and will last very well given this treatment. 2 While poinsettias are suited to warm rooms, cyclamen (above) and Japanese azaleas last longer in cooler atmospheres. 3 Christmas cacti do not take kindly to being moved around in different temperatures once the flower buds have formed. If you do move them, it can cause premature bud drop. 4 Poinsettias from last year will stay green if exposed to artificial light from early September. They need naturally shortening days to form coloured bracts and the bead-like flowers…

1 Dig a planting hole that will accommodate the roots so the trunk graft sits just above soil level. 2 Water well the day before the move, and dig widely around the rootball to avoid damaging the roots. 3 Lever the rootball from the hole – you will need at least one other person with a spade to help you. 4 Protect the roots from drying by wrapping them in plastic and replanting immediately. 5 Place the tree in its hole and infill around it with soil and compost, keeping it vertical as you do so. 6 Use a couple of watering cans of rainwater to water the tree well so the soil is settled and roots saturated.…

“Blackthorn is one of the best native hedges” WHEN it comes to hedging, gardeners tend to choose the fast growers and there are three alien triffids growing within yards of my cottage. At the fast end is the Leyland conifer (Cupressus × leylandii), which is capable of putting on 3ft (1m) a year once it’s established. This is closely followed for speed of growth by the cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), a glossy evergreen that needs trimming three times a year in rain-sodden Gloucestershire. Finally, there’s the box honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida), which bends under a few inches of snow. All three are hard work to keep in trim and are definitely not very wildlife friendly. However, if you planted a mixture of native hedging plants instead, it would only need a…

1 If your fruits are pot-grown, bear in mind that one of the biggest winter killers of tender crops is waterlogging. Prevent this by standing outdoor pots on pot ‘feet’. This way, it’s impossible for your plants to stand in water during winter. Simple! 2 Pot-grown exotics can also be moved somewhere frost-free if you have the space. Somewhere well lit (a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory) is ideal, but a shed or garage will suffice if that’s the only undercover area you have. 3 If your pots are too large to move, or if your fruits are planted directly into the ground, then cloak them in an insulating tent. Make a frame using bamboo canes and twine, line the sides with horticultural fleece and cap the top with bubblewrap.…

IF you sowed some patches of green manures back in the summer or early autumn, you might be wondering what to do with them now. These helpful plants suppress weed growth and prevent nutrients being leached out of your soil. There are various types and these need separate treatment. Hardy green manures such as crimson clover, Italian grazing rye and alfalfa can simply be left to grow over winter, and in this way their lush green growth will continue to smother out weeds and utilise nutrients. More tender green manures like buckwheat, fenugreek and phacelia should have been knocked back by the frost by now. Either leave the remains on the top of the soil as a loose mulch or dig them into the earth, ready to be decomposed as…

Winter heathers are happy in both alkaline and acid soils. Light, sandy soils are preferred, with clay being less suitable, although most heavy soils can be adapted for them by improving drainage with the addition of grit. They’re at their best in full sun, although they will also thrive when shaded from the side; winter heathers are unhappy in overhead shade. Plant at any time of the year. When planting in winter, beware of cold winds desiccating the foliage; when planting in summer, keep the soil moist. For best effect plant in groups of three or five heathers of the same variety, rather than a group of mixed varieties.…

Find a sunny position with shelter from cold winds. Early blossom is prone to frost damage, so avoid frost pockets and open land downhill of your plant. Soil should be moist, well-drained and well-cultivated with no perennial weeds. Dig a generous hole that’s large enough for the roots. If the roots are at all dry, give them a soak by immersing them (pot and all) in a bucket of water. Remove the pot, tease gently any winding roots, and set in the hole. Adjust height and fill in, firming moderately. Smaller shrubs and trees shouldn’t need staking. If you do find it necessary, fix a short stake at an angle to the stem. Secure the trunk about 12in (30cm) up, so that the prevailing wind blows it away from the…

Lonicera x purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’ AGM A shrubby honeysuckle that flowers during mild spells from November to March. The citrusy fragrance is delicious, and bees love the delicate white flowers. Full sun or part shade in moist but well-drained soil. HxS: 6 1/2x8ft (2x2.5m). Eranthis hyemalis AGM One of the first plants to flower, the bright-yellow buttercup-like blooms appear in January and continue until March. Low-growing, it spreads slowly to form a wonderful carpet of colour. Plant under deciduous trees and shrubs. HxS: 3x2in (8x5cm). Pulmonaria Bees will appreciate the nectar-rich blooms of this perennial. Pink-flowered varieties (like ‘Rachel Vernie’, above) tend to flower in late February/March; blue ones in April. The mottled foliage works particularly well with spring bulbs. HxS: 14inx1…

• Create a log pile in a sheltered spot so that insects, frogs and toads (and hedgehogs) have somewhere to spend the cold season. • Don’t be too tidy – let fallen leaves stay on borders, and leave stems and seedheads in place. • Don’t turn the compost heap during winter – this is a great place for creatures to hibernate. • A bird bath is vital not just for drinking; birds need to bathe every day to keep their feathers clean. • Different birds like different foodstuffs; put out a mix of fruit, nuts, seeds and fat balls.…

A BURST water pipe or tap is messy and expensive to fix, and outdoor taps for garden use are vulnerable to cold. The usual advice is to turn off the water supply to it, drain down the pipe and insulate the tap and any outdoor pipework. In milder regions good insulation may be all that’s needed, so you can still have access to the tap when necessary. There are several different designs of tap cover available from DIY stores and online. I’ve looked at six across a wide price range so you can pick the best for your needs. Mangers insulating cover for outside taps £3.99 03330 112112 for stockists screwfix.com Features Plastic foam, pre-slit for fitting. Green plastic caps for handle and nozzle. Clips to secure joints.…

27 November 1897 Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius was born. His temperature (or ‘centigrade’) scale defines 0°C as the point at which water freezes, and 100°C as the point at which water boils. 27 November 1925 Ernie Wise, half of the Morecambe & Wise comedy duo, was born in Bramley, Yorkshire. After the death of Eric in 1984, Ernie wrote a gardening column in the News of the World ; he had always been a keen gardener. 28 November 1666 The first spirit level was invented on this day by Robert Hooke, City Surveyor of London, after the Great Fire. 29 November 1843 Gertrude Jekyll, garden designer, plantswoman and artist, was born in London. She created more than 400 gardens in the UK, US and Europe. She died in 1932. 1…

1 Harvest carrots late autumn: these carrots were module-sown in summer and planted as groups under fleece. 2 If soil is cold and wet in spring, sow carrots (like ‘Rainbow Mixed’) around the top of a pot 24in (30cm) across under unheated glass. Start a stumpy rooted variety like ‘Aron’ in pots to plant later. 3 When soil has warmed, sow several parsnip seeds close together at stations set 6in (15cm) apart, cover lightly and thin to one per station after germination. Young seedlings will transplant. 4 To sow carrots outdoors in spring, make shallow drills, 9in (21cm) apart. Sprinkle seed evenly, brush back soil to cover lightly and thin gradually to 2-3in (5-8cm) apart.…

THE late great Gertrude Jekyll once said, “There is no spot of ground, however arid, bare or ugly, that cannot be tamed into such a state as may give an impression of beauty and delight.” She obviously hadn’t seen my friend Ted’s garden! Its steeply sloping head-high banks are difficult enough, but what makes them impossible to garden are the pheasants that dig into the dry earth of the incline. Lift any rough turf to plant, and the birds dive in to excavate a dust bath – a feature that grows larger until the hole is plugged and the turf replaced with an ugly cover of chicken wire. Taming isn’t going to work here, so I’ve taken a leaf from another gardener’s handbook. When asked what he did when his…

1 Scale insects: Hard-shelled pests that weaken plants by sucking their sap. Their armour protects them against chemicals, so wipe them off leaves first before treating. 2 Mealy bugs: A common pests that excretes sticky honeydew, which attracts sooty mould that needs wiping off leaves. Combat with chemicals or biological controls. 3 Glasshouse red spider mite: Another sap-sucker that can infest plants, creating distinctive webbing. Deter them by keeping the atmosphere humid (stand plants on damp gravel) or treat with a chemical. 4 Fungus gnats/sciarid flies: Annoying little black flies that circle plants, laying eggs in the compost where larvae hatch. Place bottle caps of almond oil on the compost to attract the flies, which fall in and drown. Tree-mendous: It’s the busiest time of year for Christmas tree sellers.…

IT is up to gardeners to decide whether weedkillers containing glyphosate continue to be available to buy, according to a horticulture industry leader. The statement, by Westland marketing director Keith Nicholson, comes at a time when several leading garden brands are starting to offer glyphosate-free alternatives. This follows an American court case in August 2018 where a groundsman was awarded a multi-million dollar payout from Monsanto, the manufacturers of Roundup, after he claimed it was responsible for his terminal cancer. Mr Nicholson said: “We have got to give gardeners the choice of glyphosate-based and glyphosatefree products.” “Glyphosate still makes up 98 % of weedkiller sales” He added that although nonglyphosate weedkillers are growing in popularity, the chemical is still popular with a large section of gardening consumers. Glyphosate is the…

Happy Orchid Help it flower, watch it flourish By Sara Rittershausen DK, £9.99 ORCHIDS were once regarded as rare, expensive plants that were difficult to grow, but now they are one of our most popular and widely available houseplants. This beginner’s guide to owning and caring for orchids is written by Sara Rittershausen, an RHS orchid judge on the Orchid Committee. She also runs Burnham Nurseries in Devon, which specialises in orchids. Her book starts with a step-by-step introduction that covers essential growing techniques, including potting and planting, position and humidity, watering and feeding. The orchid profiles section contains care instructions for 143 orchids, with details about each orchid’s origin, how it grows and its eventual size. There are panels on feeding, watering, repotting, positioning and how to help your…

AMATEUR Until 29 GARDENING Dec: (Thursdays 1 SEPTEMBER - 2018 Saturdays) Glow: RHS Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Harrogate, North Yorks HG3 1QB. 0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr 30 Nov-2 Dec: Christmas Gift Fair: RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 8ET. 0845 265 8071, rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall 1-2: Christmas Antiques fair: RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington, Rosemoor, Torrington, Devon EX38 8PH. 0203 176 5830; rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor 2, 5 and 12: Seasonal Wreath making: Cambo Estate Gardens, Cambo House, Kingsbarns, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland KY16 8QD. 01333 450313. 4: Christmas Floral Workshop (2-4.30pm, Ruislip Central Horticultural Society): St Lawrence Church Hall, Bridal Road, Pinner HA5 2SJ. £5. 01895 635325 6: Storytime: RHS Harlow Carr 7-9: Christmas Gift Fair: RHS Garden Hyde Hall 7-9: Magic of Christmas with Santa: RHS Garden Hyde Hall…

OVER the past few weeks we have been talking about how autumn and winter are the best times for planting and pruning most trees and shrubs. It is also the best time to relocate them, though with certain provisos. Younger plants do better than older ones after a move. If they have been growing in one spot for five or more years, their root systems will be well established and are unlikely to respond well to disruption. Moving can kill an older plant, so you may want to consider hard pruning as an alternative. Relocating a tree or shrub can be hard physical work, so enlist the help of friends or bring in reputable contractors to do the job for you. Deciduous varieties should be moved between late October and…

THERE’S always a right time for any gardening job – and all too often for me it turns out to be last month! Fruit pruning is a classic case in point. It’s possible to prune most subjects at almost any time. However, it’s also better to prune most fruit plants once their sap is down and they’re effectively dormant. True tender plants and evergreens may be better left until growth restarts, and stone fruits are best only pruned in mid-summer, but otherwise prune now. The reasons to prune now are manifold. First, pruning once the sap goes down means fewer resources are taken away than they would be if you leave it until the sap is rising and the buds start to swell in the new year. Second, it’s better…

THE weather pundits were predicting milder winters a few years back, and last winter did seem to follow this trend – until February 2018, when we were hit by the Beast from the East! Biting chills as low as 14°F (-10°C) were widely experienced, so it pays to be prepared this year. Increasing trends to grow more exotic crops, such as pomegranates, pineapple guavas and finger limes, means that some of our garden contents will be verging on the subtropical and Siberian blasts won’t treat them kindly. The chilliest winter temperatures are often experienced at the end of the season, so even if it’s relatively mild now, chances are that come late January and February, it will be brisker. Here’s how to protect those exotic crops… Next Week: Feed rotten…

IN the past few years the reputation of heathers has both improved and got a whole lot worse. On the plus side we’ve seen heathers increasingly offered everywhere from garden centres to petrol stations and discount supermarkets. The only problem is, these tend to be dyed in all manner of lurid colours. Of course, it’s testament to the plants’ resilience that they keep that dyed growth for weeks. But those colours: puce, lime-green, electric-blue? As a friend (rightly) pointed out to me the other day: ‘Real gardeners absolutely hate them.’ The problem is that newcomers to winter gardening – and to heathers in particular – don’t realise that this is all a mad modern manifestation. These plants really do not need any artificial enhancement. There are hundreds of lovely heathers…

Smaller heathers are ideal winter windowbox plants – the scale is just right. Choose varieties of the compact Erica carnea, rather than the taller E. x darleyensis Pick heathers with foliage and flower colours that appeal; a large garden centre or specialist nursery will have lots of options. Some gardeners choose a range of different varieties, but filling a windowbox with plants of just one variety can also be very effective. Team your heathers with cyclamen; or interplant with crocuses, muscari and other dwarf bulbs in complementary colours – bulbs will be available in bud or in flower after Christmas. Site in full sun, and ensure that the compost does not dry out in summer.…

Amelanchier ‘La Paloma’ This snowy mespilus puts on a show of white, starry flowers, edible fruits and autumn colour. Plant in moist, neutral to slightly acidic soil. Will reach 8-12ft (2½-3½m). Prunus mume ‘Beni-chidori’ Japanese apricot is grown for deep pink, almond-scented blossom, and orange autumn leaf tints. Grows 5-8ft (1½-2½m) high. Magnolia stellata ‘Rosea’ Expect a fabulous show of fragrant pink blooms just before the foliage appears. Reaches only 6ft (1.8m) high and wide in 20 years. This will grow in a large wooden barrel. Prunus padus ‘Pandora’ Pandora cherry makes a vase-shaped tree to 15ft (4½m) in 20 years and can reach 26ft (8m), but small leaves cast little shade. Lovely pale pink blossom.…

Helianthus Pollen-rich sunflowers keep bees happy in summer, but come winter it’s the turn of birds like great tits (above) that devour the energy-packed seeds. Cut off seed heads and place them on bird tables, or hang from trees. HxS: Varies. Ilex aquifolium ‘Pyramidalis’ AGM Holly berries are a useful winter meal for birds. Plant as part of a native hedge or as a specimen tree. This cultivar is self-fertile so you don’t need a male plant to get a crop of berries. HxS: 20x13ft (6x4m). Betula pendula Birch trees provide food and habitat for more than 300 insect species and, in turn, are a great source of food for birds like tits. The late-winter catkins are a favourite with siskins, greenfinches and redpolls. HxS: 39x26ft (12x8m). Malus…

UNLIKE some shops and pubs (not to mention magazines), here at AG we didn’t start talking about Christmas in September – thank goodness. But with the festive period now fast approaching, we need to start thinking about wreaths, garlands and other decorations – and whether our gardens can produce the plant material to make our own. The answer to that is yes, of course they can. We’re gardeners; given enough space, we can grow almost anything. The great thing about growing your own Christmas foliage is that when you cut it, you know it’s fresh. Unlike shop-bought, which could have been hanging there for weeks and may start to look sad as soon as you leave the shop, home-grown will really last. It also means you can enjoy that ‘Christmas…

Never hit woody stems with a hammer as is sometimes recommended. Instead, cross-cut to 1 ½ in (3-4cm). Try to give your cut material moisture by standing in water or using floral foam. If this is not possible, then make the arrangement at the last minute to prevent it from drying out too quickly. If you can find it, treat foliage with anti-transpiration spray to minimise moisture loss. Alternatively, mist the foliage every day, but turn off the fairy lights first! Position garlands and wreaths away from direct heat sources like radiators and fireplaces. Use cool LED lights instead of hot traditional ones. Don’t be afraid to replace some elements if they wilt.…

External Wall-Mounted Tap Box £79.92 including delivery 01782 786821 for stockists tapboxes.co.uk  S T B Features Insulated, zinc-plated, plastic coated steel box with door. Secure latch with padlock loop. Hose and tap connectors, additional foam insulation for tap, fittings and fixing instructions. Black, white, brown or galvanized finish. Accessories available – taps with exposed pipework may need an adaptor plate at £19.50. Dimensions 12 1/2x11x6 1/4in (32x28x16cm). Performance Robust and very well-made box. Quite straightforward to mount on the wall (some drilling required). Supplied hose fittings attach to tap so water is piped out of the base of the box for filling cans or attaching to garden hose. Substantial insulation plus air gap provides very good protection against freezing. Just open the door to use the tap any…

Gro-Sure Vegetable Growing Compost has been developed to offer stronger, healthier growth and sustained plant development. Containing Westlandpatented wood fibre (a high-performing peat replacement), rich organic matter, slow-release fertiliser and added phosphorus for strong root development, this compost is perfect for growing tasty fruit and veg. We have one prize of two 50-litre bags of Gro-Sure Vegetable Growing Compost to give away, each worth £5.99. See below for details of how to enter the prize draw. How to enter Send your name and address on the back of a postcard to Gro-Sure Vegetable Growing Compost (1 December), Amateur Gardening, Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 7BF. Or you can email your details to ag_giveaway@ti-media.com, heading the email Gro-Sure Vegetable Growing Compost (1 December). The closing date is 7 December…

Charmed by the finches I SEE Ruth Hayes trims and deadheads her buddleja ( AG , 20 October). I left my buddleja last year and in the winter the tree had at least nine goldfinches feeding on the seedheads each day, and visiting Verbena bonariensis too. Goldfinches love the seeds so from now on I will leave the plants until spring. It’s so nice to see these lovely birds in a group (known as a charm). Jackie Sims, Guildford, Surrey Serendipity colour THE lovely sunny weather in October extended the life of my nasturtiums. Their fiery orange colour has really been enhanced by the contrasting purple of an anemone, which has popped up in their container and turned my colour-block planting into a truly eye-catching display. This has reminded me…

Owners: John and Claire Spendlove Address: 111 Main Street, Warton, Lancashire LA5 9PJ Garden size: Long thin strip measuring 196x50ft (60x15m) or just under one-third of an acre Month visited: June Aspect: North-west facing but with steep upward slope effectively making it south-east facing Soil: Neutral and light, free draining Special features: Cottage garden with a modern twist, with topiary, great use of colour, a rill and spectacular views towards Lancashire and North Yorkshire…

THE main image above shows my trial bed for the ‘bank-hiding’ scheme. Pale yellow perennial sunflower Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’ and 5ft (1½m) mauvy-blue daisy Symphyotrichum (aster) laevis ‘Arcturus’ sit at the back. Asters ‘Little Carlow’ and ‘Andenken an Alma Pötschke’ in the middle are partnered with golden Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii, plus Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firetail’ for a punch of pink at the front. I’ll add Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’ for the bees, plus Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’ to fill out the gaps.…