Innholdsfortegnelse for 15-Feb-2020 i Amateur Gardening

THINGS are stirring in the garden, so it’s time to give your plants their first feed of the year. Hopefully you haven’t fed anything since last summer because even though it’s been pretty mild so far this winter, fresh new shoots generated by autumn feeding will swiftly succumb to snap freezes and rot away in waterlogged conditions. In any case, plants that are dormant won’t take up nutrients from the soil, so feeding in winter is simply a waste of time and money. But now the sap is rising and growth has resumed you can help your trees and shrubs by giving them a generous feed with slow-release fertiliser as they are getting started. Gardeners used to rely on well-rotted organic matter supplemented by traditional fertilisers such as Growmore or…

1 There are many reliable all-round fertilisers available that are updated and improved each year. 2 Miracle-Gro all-purpose comes in several formats including cones pushed into the soil (great for pots). 3 One application of Osmocote can feed for a season. It releases its nutrients as plants need them. 4 Rose feeds can be used in pots or borders. They are applied from February to June and forked in. 5 Ericaceous feeds help lime-hating plants such as rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas and blueberries. 6 Some feeds are applied at planting to boost roots and flowers and regulate water uptake.…

Seedballs are an ingenious way of sowing your garden and helping wildlife. They are little spheres of clay packed with 30-100 seeds of differing varieties, plus a little added chilli powder to keep pests away. Simply scatter and leave to grow. Visit seedball.co.uk or call ✆ 020 8802 5565 for details of all the different mixes. Sarah Raven has teamed up with leading tool brand Darlac to produce a range of colourful and practical secateurs and pruning snips. Ergonomic and comfortable for use during repetitive tasks, these are a perfect for light pruning tasks. From £14.95, sarahraven. com or ✆ 0345 092 0283. If you know someone who gets through gardening gloves like nobody’s business, why not show them just how much you care with a pair of Town and…

1 Grey moulds such as botrytis, seen here on clematis, thrive in warm, damp, still conditions. Improve ventilation by pruning and trimming surrounding plants. Feed during the growing season. 2 Sweep dead leaves, moss and other debris from corners and hard surfaces. Their accumulation creates a slippery hazard, not to mention providing a haven for overwintering pests and diseases. 3 Pansy leaf spot is a common condition causing blotches on leaves of violas and pansies. Destroy ailing plants and grow pansies elsewhere next year. 4 Slugs and snails congregate in sheltered places and will destroy the fresh young shoots of regenerating plants. Use pellets or barrier methods to keep them at bay, or collect and remove them.…

1 Use a trowel to lift the young plants, taking care not to damage their root systems or the surrounding grass. 2 These honeyworts (Cerinthe major) have robust tap roots, so I had to dig down quite a way to get them all out. 3 Dib holes where you want them to go and replant immediately, making sure they are planted deep so all the roots are contained. 4 Water well and keep the planting area weed-free. Check the plants regularly for signs of pests and diseases, and treat at once.…

THIS winter we’ve had some close encounters with a sparrowhawk at Spring Cottage. One morning a female sat on the garden bench right outside the kitchen window, displaying her brown back and handsomely barred chest. On other occasions she has swerved through the feeders in an attempt to pluck a small bird away and she’s sometimes succeeded within yards of us, despite the fact that we’ve got our birdfeeders in an open position. At other times the garden birdlife has become very quiet for a number of minutes – they seem to know she’s around! “The sparrowhawk has come back from the brink” This winter there’s been a new development, because I’ve found clusters of feathers and half-eaten larger birds in the sheltered south-eastern corner of the garden. It’s one…

Three ways to propagate your herbs Division: Clump-forming perennial herbs such as mint, chives, oregano and lemon balm will benefit from splitting every few years, in order to deter congestion and keep plants vigorous. Separate clumps using an old breadknife, then re-pot/replant. Seed sowing: Ideal for annuals, biennials and tender perennials such as sweet basil, parsley, dill, angelica, shiso and coriander. Fill pots or modular trays with seed compost, water well, then scatter thinly (pots) or sow pinches (modules). Stem cuttings: I use this method to bulk up woody herbs such as lavender, thyme, rosemary and sage (as explained in my step-by-step below). Soft spring cuttings root more rapidly than late-season woody kinds.…

FAMILIAR to us also as bulrush, this is a plant worth growing if you have a large pond. Typha angustifolia is a widespread native, whereas T. laxmannii and T. minima are better proportioned for smaller ponds. All three yield many edible parts: young underwater shoots, leaf bases, immature flower spikes and (if you have time on your hands) the flower pollen can all be harvested. The roots are also edible, but perhaps too fibrous to make good eating. Divisions can be taken from friend’s plants now; alternatively, you can buy plants from nurseries specialising in aquatic plants. Position on a pond margin, with roots just below the water’s surface, and allow plants to bulk up slightly before making any harvests. Then slice off divisions regularly, especially if plants are spreading…

■ Whether in the soil or in pots, plant bulbs 4in (10cm) deep. ■ Space odd numbers of bulbs 5-8in (12-20cm) apart in a border; or plant three in a 10-14in (25-35cm) pot. ■ Choose a site that receives at least half a day of sunshine; it’s possible to grow lilies in partial shade, but they will often lean towards the sunlight. ■ Old bulbs can be left in the soil or in pots over winter, as long as there is adequate drainage. ■ It’s important to feed lilies just as the flowers are going over, to bulk up the bulbs for next year. Water sparingly, especially the Asiatics. ■ For a succession of colour, plant every two weeks throughout spring and into summer – July at the latest for…

Golden Gate (‘Korgolgat’) A climber for small gardens, with rich, dark foliage that beautifully highlights the amber-orange buds. Over a long season they mature through gold to yellow cupped flowers that have a scent of citrus and bananas! Red hips follow. H: 8ft (3m). Always You (‘Webalways’) Opening from orange-tinted buds, the classically shaped deep salmon pink flowers of this hybrid tea are rain resistant. They’re held singly (ideal for cutting) or in small clusters against dark, healthy foliage. Ideally named for Valentine’s. H: 41/2ft (1.4m).…

Q When should I plant bulbs of camassia? Trevor Allis, via email A Camassias flower in spring, so they should be planted in the autumn. Place them 4in (10cm) deep and 6in (15cm) apart in well-draining soil, and water well. They can be naturalised in a lawn, but their leaves are slow to die back, hindering mowing. Q Does green manure rot down by itself? Dee Taylor, Neath, South Wales A The answer is, not really. To work effectively, green manure needs to be dug into the soil, where it decomposes, and where worms and beneficial bacteria feed upon it. If this is not possible, the best alternative is to spread composted manure over the soil. Q What is this plant, please? Sue Smith, via email A Your attractive mystery…

GENERALLY, if you put ferns in full sun the colours will bleach out, giving fronds a yellowish look. If you have no choice but to plant in a sunny spot, try polypodiums, polystichums and smaller dryopteris ferns, which seem to be the most tolerant of heat and light. However, in such situations you must get the soil right before planting. If the soil is dry, mix in some cheap compost – even old compost from hanging baskets – or add some leafmould. This will help the soil to retain moisture, giving the ferns a much better start.…

Pteridology is the study of ferns. You can help pay for your gardening hobby by selling surplus plants at car-boot sales, but it is illegal to sell water fern (azolla) because it can spread into waterways, and needs to be controlled. Most hardy ferns sold in garden centres are from the northern hemisphere. Some ferns are known as ‘filmy ferns’ (species of hymenophyllum, trichomanes and leptopteris). Their fronds are so thin (often just one cell thick) that a finger passing behind them can be seen. They are best kept in a light room indoors, with high humidity.…

Do ✓ Offer a of different feeds to suit different range species ✓ Use small feeders and refill them . hanging regularly ✓ Position feeders well out of reach of cats . , and a few feet away from trees or shrubs that offer cover ✓ Dismantle and clean feeders and . hanging tables regularly to avoid seeds rotting or sprouting. Don’t ✗Buy cheap seed mix es lots of wheat and containing barley dried peas and other pulses, as much of it will be wasted. , ✗ Put whole out loose the peanuts during nesting season, ✗ Offer as they can food chok e baby birds amounts . of salty scraps, large bread, desiccated coconut or cook ✗ as ed eat porridge amounts oats. Encourage squirrels they huge of bird…

Can skimmia be saved? Q In our garden, we have two young skimmias that have turned almost completely yellow. Is it possible to save them, or should we just dig them up? Shona Westerfield, Nottingham A These useful evergreen shrubs, with their origins in the woodlands of Himalayan regions, China and Japan, would seem to have everything going for them. They are small and usually dome-shaped, with clusters of flower buds contrasting handsomely with foliage during winter. By February and March, they open to pretty, often fragrant, star-shaped flowers and some go on to produce a show of red or black berries. The downside of skimmias is their fussiness, and if conditions are not to their liking, foliage turns a sickly yellow and growth spindly. They need a neutral-acidic soil,…

JUST wanted to say how pleasantly surprised I was when the first Amateur Gardening of the year fell on to my doormat. Thank you for moving away from the plastic sleeve: it will make recycling a lot easier. Elia, via email CONGRATULATIONS to Amateur Gardening for using environmentally friendly bags to send out magazines. It is highly commendable, and I feel all magazines should be mailed in this way. Margaret Toulson, Brentwood, Essex…

1 Clear the ground around the plant you’re feeding so the fertiliser will benefit the plant and not the surrounding weeds. 2 Scatter the required amount of feed around the plant’s root area (this extends to roughly the same spread as the branches). 3 Fork in the pellets or powder so it is incorporated into the soil around the plant, which makes it harder for it to be washed away or eaten by animals. 4 Adding a layer of compost or manure helps keep the fertiliser in place and adds extra slow-release goodness to the soil.…

We are always saying how beneficial compost is to your plants, but it shouldn’t be confused with using fertilisers. Commercial feeds give a prescribed boost of nutrients, either for strong growth, roots, or flowering and fruiting, whereas compost is better used as a healthy growing medium or soil improver. The exceptions are the specialised brands for houseplants, cacti and container plants, as these have the necessary supplements needed for the relevant growing conditions. Adding well-rotted compost, manure or leafmould to your borders now will feed the soil and create a better habitat for plants. It also improves the soil’s structure, making it more free-draining and able to hold on to nutrients better.…

IF you planted spring bulbs last autumn you should be starting to reap the rewards now, as the first snowdrops, crocuses, daffs and narcissi are making their presence felt. While most are planted towards the end of the year, there are some that can be put in the ground now. Snowdrops and cheery little yellow aconites are bought cheaply as plants in early spring just after they have flowered. With leaves and flowers still attached, this is called planting ‘in the green’ and is a more reliable way of increasing plant stocks, as little snowdrops bulbs are prone to drying out in packaging. Plants bought in the green are dug up with plenty of soil around their bulbs and roots. The rootball is wrapped in plastic or Cellophane to keep…

1 Hyacinth bulbs forced to flower at Christmas and January can be hardened off and then planted out under trees to naturalise. 2 When buying hyacinths for massed planting under trees, select those of smaller size – they will be cheaper in price, and smaller flower spikes are better able to withstand rough weather. 3 Eranthis (winter aconites), hardy cyclamen and snowdrops will transplant well at this time, when the soil is not frozen, if lifted with a clod of soil around the roots. 4 Muscari ‘Pink Sunrise’ and M. ‘White Magic’ (along with the well-known blue cultivars) are other good choices to plant around the bases of trees.…

EVERYONE is well aware that in the light, plant leaves take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen. However, roots do the exact reverse. Indeed, non-green parts of most plants need oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, as do almost all forms of life in the soil. Roots are particularly in need of oxygen, and this is why waterlogging kills so easily, as the roots suffocate rather than drown. This is perhaps the most important reason for soils and compost to have an open texture and not get solidly packed. “The act of digging is so important for aeration” Even the act of digging is really more important for aeration than to bury weeds, incorporate manure or make it easier for the roots to penetrate – hence, the sound advice…

I’M a massive fan of culinary herbs and still get surprised by how well they combine with homegrown veg. The right partnership elevates the tasty into the sublime: carrot and coriander, or tomato and basil are conventional, but why not try combinations such as asparagus with dill, or courgette and mint? You should let fruit in on the act, as well. Strawberries with mint is a classic, but thyme and melon or basil with peaches can make a refreshing change. Once you discover one good pairing, you’ll be addicted to finding more! “The golden rule: propagate from healthy stock” Buying plants from garden centres is one way to boost your collection, but it’s rewarding to flex your green fingers with home propagation. As well as learning new skills, you’ll save…

1 This can be completed as soon as your herbs put on a flush of new spring growth. Propagate from healthy plants only, removing shoots that are 1-1½in (3-4cm) using a sharp knife. 2 Fill a modular tray with seed compost, then water it well and leave it to drain. Gently insert the bottom ⅓in (1cm) of each cutting into the centre of a cell. Then water in lightly. 3 In early spring, these cuttings need bottom heat. Place the modular trays into a heated propagator, set at 61-65°F (16-18°C). Check regularly, watering if dry, then pot up once rooted.…

The best time to plant shrubs is either in autumn or from now until April. Prepare the ground well by digging over the soil, removing weeds and adding some organic matter such as well-rotted garden compost. Water the plant and, if pot bound, tease out roots from rootball before planting. Dig a hole deep enough for the roots and at least twice as wide as the rootball. Remembering to keep the top of the rootball level with the soil, backfill with compost and firm in well. After planting, ensure your shrub stays well-watered until established and keep the area around it weed-free.…

HANDS up who thinks ferns are green, ‘samey’ and, well, quite frankly, boring plants? Well, you’re wrong! There are some simply stunning hardy ferns with an intricacy in shape and form that you don’t get with any other type of garden plant. And they can bring a shady border, where little else will survive, to life. Let’s look at some of the facts surrounding them. In the past 150 years or so, there have probably been 1,400 or more books published about ferns. It’s true! However, about 99% of these books are taxonomic and scientific – you would be hard-pressed to find a book about ferns that’s suitable for the amateur gardener! The edible ‘fern’! WE often read that the vegetable asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a fern. While it is…

ON this day, the plant world lost one of its giants. Archibald Menzies was born in 1754 in Scotland and became a surgeon, naturalist and botanist. He spent many years at sea with the Royal Navy and merchant fleets. He was the first to find the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in America, in 1794, and he has several plants named after him, including the summer annual baby-blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii) and the Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). But his most famous plant introduction to the UK was the monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana, pictured). It is said he was at a dinner in Chile, in 1795, and was served some edible nuts from this tree. He pocketed some and grew them on the ship on his way back to England!…

WATCHING a gang of starlings swinging from a fat-ball holder, or a charm of goldfinches bickering over the sunflower-seed feeder, is a joy. However, feeders empty quickly, and replenishing them year-round costs a lot of money. I spend over £100 a year on bird food, and I’m careful about what I buy. If you splash out on the more exotic seed you’ll easily double that figure. That’s not to say specialist feeds are bad – the diversity of food now offered has helped to increase the range of bird species that visit substantially. But you can cater for a host of different birds without breaking the bank. What do birds need? A good mix should contain high amounts of flaked maize, black sunflower seeds, pinhead oats and crushed peanuts along…

1 Put out food on a bird table or scatter it on the ground for ground-feeding birds, and place in hanging feeders for birds that eat while clinging on. 2 Use small hanging feeders, and only put out modest amounts of food on tables to avoid waste in wet weather – and unwelcome attention from rats and squirrels. 3 Offer a small range of good-quality basic feeds, such as a good seed mix, fat balls, nyjer seeds and sunflower hearts to keep costs down. 4 Clean thoroughly around tables and hanging feeders once a week, and clean, wash and dry hanging feeders once a month to discourage pests and diseases.…

Pot plug plants into 3-3½in (8-9cm) pots of good potting compost when they arrive, and keep the plants frost-free but not too warm and in bright conditions. A greenhouse or sunny windowsill is ideal. If they are going outdoors, harden plants off (accustom them to the weather) gradually, and in most areas set them in the ground or containers towards the end of May. Deadhead pelargoniums by snapping any old flower stems away to keep more coming. Add slow-release, high-potash fertiliser or give a fortnightly liquid feed to established plants for healthy growth and flowering throughout summer.…

1 This poor specimen had been planted in heavy soil under landscaping fabric, and the original planting depth buried by 3in (7cm) of mulch. 2 Taking care not to choose too large a container, pot the plant into ericaceous compost, back to the correct height, so the stem bases are not buried too deeply. 3 Prune in spring when the plant shows signs of growth, proving the roots are actively growing and working. 4 After a couple of months, give the plant a feed for ericaceous plants. Skimmias that are well established in containers will also benefit from a feed.…

AS the earth turns, the air above the surface eddies, and this – combined with the uneven heating up of the oceans by the sun – creates high-altitude currents of air. These currents move in a set direction, creating ‘prevailing winds’ which, in the UK, bring weather systems over our heads from the South West. However, wind direction changes depending on where the spinning low or high weather systems are located. Low pressure over the Atlantic brings winds from the South so creates warm weather, but one over Russia brings an icy blast from the Arctic.…

1 Rose ‘Darcey Bussell’ is the ultimate romantic Valentine’s Day gift. Named after the dame and retired ballerina, this deep-pink shrub is a repeat-bloomer and is happy in containers and borders. The scent is light-medium. (£18 bare-root, £24.50 potted, davidaustinroses.co.uk, or call ✆ 0800 111 4699). 2 We all want to help beleaguered bees and Sally Coulthard’s latest book The Bee Bible: 50 Ways to Keep Bees Buzzing is a great place to start. Sally explains why their numbers are declining and lists 50 ways to help them, starting with turning your garden into a bee haven. (Anima, £10). 3 If gardening plays havoc with your hands or you have a loved one with dry skin or eczema, try Balmonds Skin Salvation. A natural soothing balm that moisturises and relieves…

No doubt your greenhouse is packed with overwintering plants, winter salads, cuttings, tender trees and newly sown seeds. Greenhouses are such wonderful facilities, but they need careful checking in winter as they are a haven for pests and diseases. Slugs, snails, scale insects, aphids and other pests shelter there from the worst of the weather and, voilà – you have already laid on a free buffet of overwintering greenery. How kind! So give your plants a once-over every few days and nip infestations in the bud, either by squishing and picking off pests by hand, using an organic spray or lighting a garlic candle to get rid of them all. Make sure plants aren’t touching so pests can’t migrate from one to the other and air can flow freely between.…

15-23: Half-Term Fun Whatever The Weather: RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Harrogate, North Yorks HG3 1QB. ✆ 0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr 15-23: Half-Term Fun Whatever The Weather: RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley Lane, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB. ✆ 0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley 16: Snowdrop Sensation and Talk By Botanist Andy Byfield: Great Comp Gardens, Comp Lane, Platt, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 8QS. ✆ 01732 885094, greatcompgarden.co.uk 18: Chocolate Tuesday: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS. ✆ 020 7352 5646.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk 20: Lotions and Potions – An Introduction to Herbal Medicine For Winter Ills: Chelsea Physic Garden 21: Garden Design Drawing Skills: RHS Garden Wisley 22 Feb-30 Oct: Mastering Plant and Flower Photograph (four parts, winter, spring, summer and autumn): RHS Garden Harlow Carr 24: Beginners’ Vegetable Growing:…

WHAT’S not to like about antirrhinums, those colourful, snappy mainstays of the summer garden? Also known as snapdragons because of their hinged, trumpet-shaped flowers that can be made to open and close, they come in a range of brilliant colours and are one of the longest-lasting flowers around. This week’s free seeds are for Antirrhinum majus ‘Rembrandt’, one of the most popular varieties thanks to their brilliant red-and-gold flowers. Growing to 18in (45cm) tall, they will give a splendid splash of colour mid-border. Planted in full sun in free-draining soil, they will flower right through summer and well into autumn, especially if they are growing in a sheltered spot. (One of our plants from l ast year has managed to survive the winter – so far). As half-hardy perennials, you…

1 Buy some new bags of sowing compost from dry, fast-moving stacks and store them indoors to warm up, ready for use. 2 Pre-warm the site now for your earliest potato crop, using a black plastic sheet or cloches or, even better, both! 3 Spread any wood ashes not saved for potato, tomato or onion crops underneath cooking apples and gooseberries, and then other apples. 4 Sow night-scented stocks thinly in pots under cover for their wonderful evening perfume; add Virginian stocks for prettiness.…

1 If bare-root deliveries arrive , or you have some fruit heeled in for planting, try to complete it soon to give plants time to settle in. 2 Bought your seed potatoes ? Chit first and second earlies in seed trays, but don’t worry about chitting maincrops as it can reduce yields. 3 If you still have winter brassicas to eat, check over protective netting regularly to ensure that ravaging flocks of pigeons are k ept at bay. 4 Prioritise sowing of any slow-to-germinate crops in your heated propagator , such as celery , celeriac and parsley. 5 If you have free-standing apples and pears yet to prune , aim to finish this task some time in February .…

1 Does your model require sand in the base? This layer helps distribute even heat, but can become unhygienic in time. Either wash it through and allow to drain or, if it’s ancient, replace it with new. 2 Vents can get clogged up with algae, and the lids can become obscured by compost and dust. Wipe over all these surfaces with a disinfectant wipe, to ensure tip-top hygiene and light penetration. 3 If your model has a thermostat, calibrate it to ensure it’s accurate. Lay a thermometer inside, set the thermostat and, after one hour, record the thermometer’s temperature reading. Repeat this at different thermostat levels.…

■ Plant in bright, airy situations. ■ Always prepare the soil well before planting. ■ Do your research and choose robust and disease-free varieties. ■ Feed in spring, using a specific rose fertiliser (also good for shrubs). ■ Mulch annually to retain moisture and suppress weeds. ■ Don’t let the plants stay dry in summer – even emptying a bowl of washing up water on each plant will make a difference. ■ Tidy up fallen leaves in autumn.…

Pieris ‘Forest Flame’ AGM First come the leaves – in shades of bright red, fading to pink through white to green as spring progresses. Then this lovely shrub continues to delight with little white bell-shaped flowers on drooping stems. Needs acid soil. Flowers: Apr-May. HxS: 13x61/2ft (4x2m). Viburnum carlesii ‘Aurora’ AGM The clusters of bright pink buds that appear in late winter/early spring are followed by fragrant white flowers – opening as early as late February if you’re lucky. It will go on flowering for several months, typically from March to May. HxS: 61/2x5ft (2x1½m). Camellia x williamsii ‘Donation’ AGM A particularly long-flowering camellia with eye-catching pink flowers. For the best blooms you’ll need to plant in acid soil (or…

What compost is best for houseplants? Q What compost should I use to repot a spider plant and its offshoots? Would I use the same for repotting a mother-in-law’s tongue that has browning leaf edges? Janet Savage, via email A To propagate the spider plant, I would pot up one of the offsets. It will establish very quickly and soon make a decent-sized plant. You could also pot up several to give away to friends or donate to a plant sale – they’re a great way to start children off gardening as they are easy to take care of. If you look closely at the base of the ‘spiderlets’ attached to the parent plant you may already see roots developing. The best potting compost to use is houseplant compost, which…

Miracle-Gro is giving AG readers the chance to win one of two gardening bundles, each worth £16.57. This is the perfect bundle for gardeners looking for quick and easy solutions for any gardening style, as it includes new Miracle-Gro products designed to make caring for plants simple – indoors or out. The two winners will each receive a 6-litre bag of Miracle-Gro Plant & Grow Compost, which is light in weight but not in quality, that will feed plants for up to six months. Also included is a 200ml Miracle-Gro Pump & Feed – simply pump directly onto the soil to feed your plant for a week. Orchid-loving gardeners will also be excited to win both the three-pack Miracle-Gro Drip & Feed for orchids and the 300ml Miracle-Gro Spray &…

Choose a sheltered, north-facing site if possible. For a good overall effect and variety, mix evergreen and deciduous species. For a bit of spring colour, plant snowdrops and Cyclamen coum (which seed around freely) between your ferns. Top-dress hardy ferns with a general granular feed in spring. In spring, just as the new growth appears, tidy up evergreen ferns. A bark mulch will help to retain moisture in dry periods. Mossy logs incorporated into a fern bed will give a natural effect and encourage wildlife. Ferns may be grown in containers to enhance a shaded area.…

Ground-feeding birds: Birds that hop around on the soil or any flat surface to feed. Hanging feeder: Acts like a plant stem or tree branch from which some species prefer to feed. Fat balls and blocks: Animal suet or lard mixed with a range of seeds formed into a ball or block. Nyjer seed: The seeds of Guizotia abyssinic, an annual herb cultivated in Ethiopia. Black sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds still in their husks. Sunflower hearts: Sunflower seeds with husks removed.…

From AG 8 May 1926 The Chinese hound’s tongue IN Cynoglossum amabile, the Chinese hound’s tongue, we have a useful border plant, which, however, suffers from the fact that it is a biennial – a class of plants that is not too popular, but which contains many genera and species of importance to the garden. This plant is easily raised from seed, which may be sown in the open in shallow drills of fine soil, and covered for about 1/4in [1/2cm] with sandy soil, gently pressed down and watered, and the place kept slightly shaded until the plants appear. It may also be sown in pots or boxes under glass, and the seedlings should be given plenty of air both before and after pricking out. I find May to July…

P. ‘Bird Dancer’ A delightful dwarf stellar zonal pelargonium with a prolific display of dainty salmon blooms which dance above dark-zoned foliage. Reaches only 6-8in (15-20cm) high. P. echinatum ‘Album’ A deciduous succulent from the Northern Cape, reaching 12in (30cm) in height and spread. Grey-green leaves are joined by white, red-dotted flowers in summer. Display in a greenhouse. P. ‘Marion Saunders’ ‘Decorative’ pelargoniums were Victorian favourites and ideal for pots. Bright magenta flowers with dark blotches held on long stems will make a bright show against the foliage. P. ‘Rose of Amsterdam’ This miniature zonal pelargonium produces a succession of soft pink double blooms. At only 6in (15cm) high, miniatures like this are great for windowsill collections.…

Paradise after five years HAVING seen the flowers of strelitzia, or the bird of paradise, at Gran Canaria, I wondered whether I could grow one of these beautiful blooms myself. So I bought a packet of Strelitzia reginae seeds, scarified and soaked six seeds, then placed them in damp horticultural sand. They had to be kept somewhere warm, so I put them in the airing cupboard. The packet stated that it could take one-six months for the seeds to germinate, so after a month I looked to see if anything was happening. Nothing! A month later, nothing. Then, after the third month, I discovered that two seeds had germinated. I placed them in pots in seed compost and grew them on. The pots were kept in the greenhouse during the…