Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2021 i Woman's Weekly Living Series

FLYMO EASICLEAN LI PLUS 43 For swift cleaning around the home and garden, Flymo’s new hand-held EasiClean Li Plus is a battery pressure cleaner. It comes with a 6m hose, long and short lance, three nozzle attachments, 20l water container, foam dispenser, battery and charger. RRP £208.99 flymo.co.uk ECO-FRIENDLY NUTRIENTS EcoGro is a new range of plant food for flowers, vegetables or ericaceous plants, free from artificial chemicals and sustainably produced. Created in Cumbria by a team of farmers, they use by-products from anaerobic digesters and work naturally to ensure the long-term health of plants and soil. £9.99, ecogro.co.uk TRANSFORM WOOD AND TIMBER Help to define the style of your garden using wood stains, paints and preservatives from Protek. This British manufacturer offers long-lasting, protective products for every type of…

When it comes to keeping her roses healthy, Lyn feeds them regularly with Toprose, mulches in winter and swears by Uncle Tom’s Rose Tonic. ‘It deters black spot by coating the leaves with a thin film, and thickens leaves – I think it is why my roses survived the onslaught with weedkiller,’ she adds. Among her favourite roses are ‘Absolutely Fabulous’. ‘It does what it says on the tin! It flowers from May until November and always looks healthy, but needs a good prune to keep it in check.’ Then there is the beautifully coloured ‘Crazy for You’, another long flowerer that is undeterred by being in partial shade. And ‘Designer Sunset’ has glossy leaves and flowers that really do represent all the colours of a sunset. ‘It is mostly…

Ashes to ashes Q The ash trees near to where I live are diseased and dying – how can I protect my own mountain ash in my garden? A The very destructive ash dieback fungal disease is slowly disfiguring and killing ash trees all over Britain. Although it attacks a wide range of ash tree species, the mountain ash and the very many related garden trees are different species being sorbus rather than fraxinus. Therefore, your mountain ash is safe. Mountain ash and other sorbus are excellent garden trees and a good choice to replace ash trees in gardens that unfortunately become so damaged that they have to be felled. BROKEN BROCCOLI Q Some of my newly planted little broccoli plants have collapsed. Can you tell me why? A Sudden…

Tall, rounded alliums not only come in heights ranging from 40cm to well over a metre, but also in a variety of shades of pink, purple or white with dozens of tiny star-shaped flowerlets crammed into each head. Appearing between mid spring and early summer, the flowers are nectar-rich, so are loved by bees and butterflies. To really appreciate the differences, try choosing a dozen bulbs from each of a few different varieties, and planting in clumps that drift through a borders. All make long-lasting cut flowers, and dry to form seed heads.…

It’s a tricky business, designing a front garden, with little room for manoeuvre in a battle for space where wheelie bins and parked cars can leave trees and plants as something of an afterthought. With practical issues coming first, many a frontage becomes a lifeless transit and storage area, abandoned by wildlife. The smaller the space, the more ingenuity and imagination it takes to find a middle way – a layout that incorporates plants, encourages wildlife and accommodates the paraphernalia of everyday life while also providing an attractive setting for the house. The first step is to literally take a few steps into neighbouring streets, looking for good solutions in other residents’ gardens. In some cases it will be an exercise in learning from others’ mistakes, but every now and…

Listen carefully on a summer’s day and hedgerows, flower beds, lawns and window boxes are abuzz with insect activity. And even during the autumn and winter, hardworking bees and other pollinators can be found preparing for busier, warmer times. These little insects have a big impact – pollinators are vital for life on earth. Everything from ornamental gardens to crop production depends on them and the role they play in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. But, unfortunately, pollinator numbers are declining; habitat loss means food and shelter is harder to come by and the use of pesticides can be poisonous to beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies as well as decimating their food sources. At RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science, RHS Garden Wisley’s first-ever dedicated wildlife garden,…

Any garden with a good range of flowering plants is probably already catering to pollinators to some extent, but with some careful planning it is possible to foster a truly diverse ecosystem. There are over 1,500 species of pollinating insect in Britain – to cater for as many as possible, plant flowers of lots of different shapes and sizes, and try to make sure there is something in flower in any given season. Evening scent also encourages night-time insects such as moths. Planting firm favourites such as lavender will provide a great source of pollen and nectar, but if you discover something in your garden that the local insects seem to flock to, be sure to grow more of it. It’s not only colourful annuals or wildflowers that benefit pollinators;…

No longer relegated to the sidelines as accompaniments and garnishes, we now enjoy salads as healthy main meals. And by adding grains, nuts and pulses to leafy veg and herbs, they’re tasty and filling, too. Here’s what to grow... LUSCIOUS LEAVES A variety of salad leaves,herbs and edible flowers will give salads flavour, texture and colour. Sow from mid-spring to late summer in small batches every couple of weeks to have a continuous supply. ✣ Traditionalists will love ‘Salad Bowl’, which is the original cut-and-come again lettuce. Include the crisphead iceberg ‘Antarctica‘, which is resistant to tipburn, bolting and mildew. Cos is a must for Caesar salads and don’t forget ‘Little Gem’. ✣ For European-style salads, grow oak-leaved lettuce such as ‘Flamenco’, which has a slightly bitter taste; and the…

The rose Nothing says summer like a rose in full bloom. Both the old-fashioned and modern types are hard to beat for scent and form, which is why it is still one of the most cherished of flowers. Many people worry about rose pests and diseases, but there are greener solutions to spraying, such as attracting beneficial insects or hanging bird feeders nearby. Blue tits are voracious predators of aphids, which they feed to their young. And modern breeding has given us healthier roses with glossy foliage. Many David Austin English roses offer disease resistance, reliability and ease of growing, without sacrificing fragrance and old-rose style. ✣ David Austin Roses are donating £2.50 from sales of three of its rose varieties in support of the National Garden Scheme, NHS Charities…

VERBENA ‘MARGARET’S MEMORY’ This perennial verbena was found on the Isle of Wight and is named in memory of garden writer Peter Seabrook’s late wife who suffered with Alzheimer’s. £14.99. Tel 0330 0582733; richardjacksonsgarden.co.uk SALVIA CARADONNA ‘INSPIRATION PINK’ A new pink variety, the blooms are set off by purple stems. A robust plant for pots and adding colour to borders. Height 40cm. Three plants for £20. Tel 0844 736 4208; suttons.co.uk COSMOS ‘APRICOTTA’ This award-winning, half-hardy annual bears large, round, soft orange-pink blooms on long stems, ideal for cutting. Sow in May. Height 1m. £2.95. Tel 01449 721720; plantsofdistinction.co.uk…

GARDENERS Lyn Buller, a retired deputy head and special educational needs advisor, and her husband, Peter, a retired university lecturer in TV production. LOCATION An 1850s semi-detached cottage in Deal, Kent. LANDSCAPED In 2012, the rectangular back garden (just 7.5m x 14m) was transformed from a plain lawn with central stepping stones, into a lawn-free zone with a central bed of special plants, defined by a paved path in the shape of a ‘6’, edged in borders. SPECIAL FEATURES A shady side passageway, a tucked-away bench, home-made mirrors and containers of succulents and edibles. ASPECT West-facing. SOIL TYPE Neutral loam. PROBLEMS Being just three streets away from the sea, the wind whistles down the side alley, funnels into the garden and swirls around. INSPIRATION The 38 individually themed garden rooms…

Stipa gigantea, also known as golden oats, is a statement plant that brings joy all year, especially in the evening with the sun behind it. ‘I wanted something with height and movement in the middle of the central bed, but we also wanted to see through it.’ Clematis ‘Princess Diana’, texensis group, is Lyn’s all-time favourite clematis. ‘It has lovely bell shape flowers in dark pink with a white edge – mine grows up an obelisk with white ‘Princess Kate’. Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ (montbretia), is the only original plant from the garden. ‘It creates a real focal point at the end of the garden and the seed heads are lovely in the autumn.’ Dierama pulcherrimum ‘Merlin’, also known as angel’s fishing rod, is a beauty that adds height and movement, without…

SMALL MIRACLES There are a number of short allium varieties that are happiest grown with lower-growing, compatible plants. Either establish at the front of borders where they cannot become lost among summer’s effervescence, or grow in containers, raised up so that the exquisite little flowers really draw the attention that they deserve.…

Allium rosenbachianum, one of the first large alliums to bloom, has sultry violet, golf-ball-sized heads with showy white stamens on 90cm stems. Allium stipitatum ‘Mount Everest’ has spherical umbels crammed with 50-plus white starry flowers on ribbed 1.2-m-high stems that reach for the heavens. Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ has rich violet-lilac flowers that are perfectly rounded, borne atop sturdy 80cm stalks. Naturalises readily in borders. Allium ‘Forelock’ is a bit of an oddity with egg-shaped, deep maroon flowers with distinctive white topknots or tufts, rising a metre or more. Allium cristophii, ‘Star of Persia’, is among the largest-headed, with pearly purple umbels on 40cm stems. Self-seeds freely. Looks fabulous in any sunny spot. Allium atropurpureum stands 70cm high with half-sphere shaped flowers of deep purplish-pink petals contrasting with a blueberry centre.…

✣ Work out how you want to use the front garden – is it just for a quick dash to the front door or would you prefer a more leisurely meander with space for planting and a place to sit? ✣ Think how you’d like to feel when you walk through the front garden? Do you want a neat and tidy formal space or to create a more relaxed feel? ✣ Choose materials for paths that complement the architecture and style of your home. Use permeable materials to capture the rainfall in your front garden or make sure that the falls on paving run into planting or lawn areas – this will reduce local flooding. ✣ Make space for planting so you can enjoy watching the seasons change, as well…

1 Mulch your soil with organic matter, such as garden compost or bark chips, to conserve soil moisture. Watering is seldom required, but, in very dry spells, I’d recommend watering every 14 days. 2 Feeding takes place in February, and all that’s needed is a light application, around 70g per sq m of Growmore or other general purpose fertiliser. To ensure good yields of large fruits, you will need to prune and train your fruit bushes. 3 In early spring of the first year after planting, select five main stems and prune them back to 15-20cm (6-8in), removing all other stems from the base. In subsequent years, shorten the current season’s growth back to five leaves, except for those branches needed to extend the main framework. This pruning should not…

Chives (Allium schoenprasum) Any flowering herbs are great for bees and pollinators. Chives, which produce striking purple flowers, are easy to grow in the garden or in a window box and are especially popular with bumblebees and butterflies. Angelica (Angelica archangelica) Tall angelica is actually a member of the carrot or parsley family. Their flat flowers are perfect for short tongued pollinators such as hoverflies and small bees and wasps. Giant scabious (Cephalaria gigantea) These are great for butterflies and bumblebees – their gorgeous yellow flowers are packed with pollen. Euphorbia (Euphorbia) There are many types of euphorbia to choose from, and they are great for pollinators such as small flies – just as vital to the ecosystem as butterflies and bees. Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia) Sow these easy-to-grow annuals in…

On the northern side of the kitchen extension runs a shady passageway measuring 5m x 2m. ‘It’s overlooked by our sitting room and you almost feel you are outdoors – in late winter, the camellias always cheer us up.’ Other leafy shade-lovers include a towering fatsia, skimmia, pittosporum and ferns. ‘It’s much admired by visitors who all say they have a similar space but that it is a dumping ground,’ she notes. ‘I think it’s my favourite part of the garden because it utilises the narrow space so well, and is a little unexpected.’ With the shaft for the well near the entrance, a path of paving slabs set into pebbles leads to a small mosaic bench set in deep shade. ‘It is a calm, secret place that welcomes you…

The south-facing passageway running beside the house may be just 1.2m wide, but it is still home to containers of vegetables. From spring, the salad box is planted with cut-and-come-again lettuce and radish: it sits on top of an old Singer sewing machine base, the lid a fine mesh to prevent insects getting in. Then Lyn also uses a growbag frame for tomatoes or runner beans which can be easily moved around. ‘The bag is held on its side, giving more depth for the roots.’ (crowngardenproducts.com).…

1 EUPHORBIA PALUSTRIS The zingy acid-yellow flowers of euphorbias make a great addition to a spring and summer garden and, thanks to the toxic milky sap in their leaves and stems, slugs will give them a wide berth. H&S: 1m 2 DIGITALIS PURPUREA EXCELSIOR GROUP If you have given up on delphiniums because they’ve been eaten by slugs but want to create a similar effect. Foxgloves are the answer. Those in the Excelsior Group have towering stems and pretty pink, white or lavender bell-shaped flowers. HxS: 2m x 50cm 3 DRYOPTERIS AFFINIS ‘CRISTATA’ All ferns are as unattractive to the pesky pests as they are attractive to us. Almost evergreen, this variety has large fronds that will provide multi-season interest. H&S: 90cm 4 GERANIUM PYRENAICUM ‘BILL WALLIS’ For their range…

✣ Avoid planting alliums in cold, shady, exposed and waterlogged conditions because the bulbs may rot over the winter. ✣ In heavy clay soil, fill the bottom of the planting hole with gravel, and surround the bulbs with a layer of sand. ✣ Unless planted in no-dig areas, label carefully to avoid the bulbs being dug up while dormant. ✣ Avoid planting where onion crops have grown, in case any pests or diseases are lingering in the soil. ✣ Plant dormant bulbs in autumn, up to four times the diameter of the bulb, in well-drained soil in a sunny position. ✣ Space taller species at least 20cm apart, and smaller ones up to 10cm apart. ✣ In breezy borders, shore up single stems with plant rings, or support groups with…

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES Homemade truffles are so easy to make and are a delightful evening treat or edible gift, if you’re feeling generous MAKES 24 ✣ 30g (1oz) caster sugar ✣ 200g (7oz) British blackcurrants, fresh or frozen ✣ 300g (10oz) good-quality dark chocolate, cut into small pieces ✣ 300ml (10fl oz) double cream ✣ 25g (1oz) unsalted butter ✣ British cassis Topping suggestions: ✣ Cocoa powder ✣ Toasted hazelnuts ✣ Desiccated coconut ✣ White chocolate ✣ Flaked almonds ✣ Chopped pistachios 1 First, make the blackcurrant coulis by putting the sugar and blackcurrants in a saucepan and letting it bubble gently for 5 mins. Strain, so you have a smooth thick sauce. 2 Next, make the chocolate mixture. Put the chocolate into a bowl. Heat the cream and butter in…

The RHS Gardens are a great source of inspiration for pollinator-friendly planting and living proof of the wildlife diversity that can thrive when pollinators do well. ✣ The vast Sky Meadow at RHS Hyde Hall in Essex is a must-see for anyone hoping to spot butterflies; the meadow was sown in 2015 and is hugely beneficial for wildlife. The tall seedheads are a valuable food resource for bees, and the area is also home to insects such as grasshoppers and crickets. Fortunate visitors might also spot hares and birds of prey. ✣ At RHS Garden Rosemoor in Devon, the wildflower meadows are one of the biggest draws for pollinating insects. Since World War Two, changes in agricultural practices have contributed to a loss of more than 95% of ecologically valuable…

RHS Garden Wisley is home to several beehives, where the bees earn their keep by pollinating the orchard, which ensures a good yield of fruit. Although bees can fly up to three miles in search of nectar and pollen, having them close by makes it easier for them to thrive and leads to a better fruit crop. But you don’t need your own orchard, or even a great deal of space, to try your hand at beekeeping. One thing you do need is plenty of flowering plants around to provide forage for the bees – generally this isn’t a problem, especially if you can plant up your garden to be suitable for pollinators, but some inner city areas or very rural, farmed areas may be limiting. If your garden isn’t…

CALIBRACHOA CABARET ‘BRIGHT RED’ Known as million bells, these tender perennials resemble compact trailing petunias. This one bears pillarbox-red flowers with darker veins and yellow throats. VERBENA ENDURASCAPE ‘DARK PURPLE’ A new purple-flowered verbena described as hardy to 14°F (-10°C), long-flowering and heat-tolerant. It’s a bushy shape, 12in (30cm) high and 18in (45cm) wide. FELICIA AMELLOIDES Kingfisher daisies will add a touch of true blue to your containers all summer long. Plants reach 10in (25cm) and respond well to deadheading.…