A Trial of Scented Daffodils for Containers

August 20, 2018April, August, Container Gardening, Daffodils, December, Don't Miss, Easier Gardening, February, January, July, June, March, May, More Gardening, November, October, Outdoor Trials, Saving Money, September, Trials, Urban Gardening, Urban Outdoorscontainer plants, containers, cut flowers, Daffodil Trial, daffodils, dalefoot composts, Dalefoot Wool Potting Compost, grow your own cut flowers, H. W. Hyde & Son, J. Parker's, Jacques Amand International, Narcissus 'Baby Moon', Narcissus 'Keats', Narcissus 'Lancaster', Narcissus 'Tiny Bubbles', Narcissus 'Verdin', Narcissus 'Elvin's Voice', Narcissus 'More and More', Narcissus fernandesii var. cordubensis, Narcissus poeticus 'Plenus’, Narcissus ‘Bell Song’, Narcissus ‘Raffles’, Narcissus ‘Royal Princess’, Narcissus ‘Sabrosa’, Narcissus ‘Snow Baby’, Narcissus ‘Starlight Sensation’, Sarah Raven, scented daffodils, scented flowers, scented plants, slugs and snailsPumpkin Beth

A great many daffodil cultivars are listed as being scented, but daffodil flowers’ fragrances vary greatly, with some daffodil fragrances being more powerful than others, and some scents being more desirable and more pleasing.

Through my Daffodil Trials I have encountered a number of daffodils, which were listed as being fragrant, but when I grew the bulbs myself, I was disappointed to find that I was unable to detect any scent from their flowers however close I got to their blooms, and however many times I examined them.

Orchidarium Update (part three)

August 16, 2018April, August, December, February, Indoor Trials, January, July, June, Long-Term Product Reviews, March, May, More Gardening, National Collection, November, October, SeptemberAerangis biloba, Aerangis luteo-alba var. rhodosticta, Angraecum distichum, Bulbophyllum ambrosia, bulbophyllum falcatum minor, Bulbophyllum sessile, carnivorous plants, Ceratocentron fesselii, Chiloschista lunifera, Chirita tamiana, Dendrobium moniliforme, Dinema polybulbon, Haraella retrocalla, Humata heterophylla, Humata repens, Leptotes bicolor, Masdevallia decumana, miniature orchids, Oncidium hians, orchidarium, orchids, ornithophora radicans, Pellaea rotundifolia, Phalaenopsis appendiculata, Phalaenopsis braceana, Phalaenopsis celebensis, Phalaenopsis deliciosa, Phalaenopsis deliciosa var. alba, Phalaenopsis finleyi, Phalaenopsis honghenensis, Phalaenopsis lobbii, Phalaenopsis lobbii f. flavilabia, Phalaenopsis lowii, Phalaenopsis malipoensis, Phalaenopsis micholitzii, Phalaenopsis parishii, Phalaenopsis parishii alba, Phalaenopsis stobartiana, Phalaenopsis thailandica, Phalaenopsis wilsonii, Pinguicula hybrid, Restrepia citrina, restrepia purpurea rayas vino tinto, restrepia sanguinea, Restrepia seketii, Schoenorchis fragrans, Schoenorchis scolopendria, Schoenorchis seidenfadenii, Schoenorchis tixieri, Stelis musciferaPumpkin Beth

In the early part of 2017, (which as I am writing to you, was over eighteen months ago now) I decided to create an Orchidarium: an enclosure complete with an automated misting unit, LED lights, and fans, to house some of my miniature and small sized orchids and provide them with automatic care. I chose to create this orchidarium as a functional terrarium, the planting and style of this Orchidarium is not designed, or intended, to be naturalistic or beautiful, instead this Orchidarium allows me the opportunity of growing a greater number of plants, all mounted individually, so the plants can easily be removed or rearranged as I wish.

Plant Heritage’s 40th anniversary celebrations at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show!

August 3, 2018April, August, Container Gardening, December, Easier Gardening, February, Flowers & Floristry, Interviews, January, July, June, March, May, More Gardening, November, October, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Roses, September, Shows & Events, Urban Outdoors, Vantage PointAlan Titchmarsh, Allium 'Ostara', Alliums, Downderry Nursery, Geum 'Lemon Drops', Geums, Gill Groombridge, Graham Stuart Thomas, iris, Iris 'Jane Phillips', Jackie Currie, Jonathan Hogarth, Julian Reed, lavender, Linda Heywood, Lorraine Smith, Mottisfont Abbey, National Plant Collections, Nigel Hewitt-Cooper, plant conservation, Plant Heritage, Plant Societies, RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018, RHSChelsea, Rosa 'Madame Isaac Pereire', roses, Sarah Cook, Sarah QuartermanPumpkin Beth

Plant Heritage are a plant conservation charity, based in Guildford, that encourage horticulturists, botanists, and gardeners to grow, propagate, share, and conserve a wide range of plants to protect and safeguard the variety of plants we have available to grow and enjoy. This year, Plant Heritage are celebrating their 40th anniversary, so to mark the occasion they asked garden designer Jackie Currie to create an exhibit for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018, to publicise the value of Plant Heritage’s work.

Some of my orchids that are in flower this week!

July 8, 2018April, August, Container Gardening, December, Easier Gardening, February, Flowers & Floristry, Houseplants, Indoor Gardening, Indoor Trials, January, July, June, March, May, More Gardening, November, October, Orchids, September, Terrariums & Bottle Gardens, Urban IndoorsBiOrbAir terrarium, Chiloschista, Chiloschista lunifera, houseplants, indoor gardening, orchidarium, orchids, Paphiopedilum, Paphiopedilum concolor, Phalaenopsis, Phalaenopsis lobbii, Restrepia, restrepia purpurea rayas vino tinto, restrepia sanguinea, terrariums, terrariums and bottle gardensPumpkin Beth

During periods when I find myself at home, working longer hours than I would like, I am ever more grateful for my plants, especially my houseplants, terrarium plants, and orchids. At these times, when I am unable to escape to a meadow or a forest, my orchid flowers remind me of the beauty of our natural world, providing me with a cheerful pick me up, just when I need it most!

W & S Lockyer Auricula Specialists win Gold at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018

I love to visit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, for me this is the most prestigious and exciting event of the horticultural calendar! I enjoy seeing Chelsea’s show gardens of every size and style, I am always interested to discover the latest gardening products, and I really look forward to finding new favourite plants, whilst being reminded of old favourites. I so enjoy visiting Chelsea’s Grand Pavilion, which is filled with over one hundred exhibits created by expert growers, from nurseries that seem to specialise in growing almost every kind of plant.

Would you like to see my orchids that are flowering this week?

July 1, 2018April, August, December, February, Flowers & Floristry, Houseplants, January, July, June, March, May, More Gardening, National Collection, November, October, Orchids, September, Terrariums & Bottle Gardens, Urban IndoorsAerangis hariotiana, houseplants, indoor gardening, Oncidium hians, orchidarium, orchids, Phalaenopsis, Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi, Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi 'Green', Phalaenopsis equestris 'Aparri', Phalaenopsis lobbii, Phalaenopsis lobbii f. flavilabia, Phalaenopsis malipoensis, Schoenorchis, Schoenorchis fragrans, Schoenorchis tixieri, terrariumsPumpkin Beth

Orchids in flower this week

This weekend I have been admiring the beauty and grace of some of my orchids that are in flower. I am very fortunate to have been able to gather my orchid collection together, I don’t want to keep these orchids away from prying eyes, far from it – I’d love to share their flowers with you!

Nick Johnson, Horticultural Manager of the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park

June 23, 2018April, August, December, Easier Gardening, February, Interviews, January, July, June, March, May, More Gardening, November, October, Orchids, Places to Visit, SeptemberAmorphophallus titanum, Anagramma ascensionis, Ascension Islands, Barlow’s Landscapes, Carlos Magdalena, Carole Barlow, Cayman Islands, container gardening, Daniellia, Dave Cook, Dr Xander Van de Burk, Emma Fox, Encephalartos altensteinii, glasshouse growing, Ian Barlow, Kath Smith, Katrina Herien, Lourens Malan, Madagascar, Merrist Wood College, Mesembryanthemums, Nick Johnson, Nigel Rothwell, orchids, Pelargonium cotyledonis, Pelargoniums, Phil Griffiths, plant conservation, plant science, Pleiones, Pteris adscensionis, Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, RAF, Ramosmania rodriguesii, Scott Taylor, South African plants, St Helena, Stewart Henchie, Surrey, The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Tieghemella africana, Trochetiopsis ebenus, working in horticulturePumpkin Beth

Through my work I have become very well acquainted with so many fascinating plants, but I have also enjoyed getting to know some interesting people, many of whom I have met at the different gardens I have visited. I hold a deep affection for the Royal Botanical Gardens Kew, I am a great fan and supporter of Kew’s work in conservation and plant science, and I love to visit the beautiful glasshouses and gardens at Kew; Kew’s plant collections amaze and delight me!

Kate Gould, Keith Chapman, and the New West End Garden

June 3, 2018April, August, December, Easier Gardening, February, Interviews, January, July, June, March, May, More Gardening, November, October, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, September, Shows & Events, Sustainable Living, Urban Gardening, Urban Outdoorsapartment garden, Art, Colin Evans, community garden, community gardening, Gold Medal, Gold Medal Garden, Green Wall, Greening Grey Britain, Kate Gould, Kate Gould Gardens, Keith Chapman, Lupins, Orlaya grandiflora, paths, Pavegen, pollution, rhs chelsea flower show, RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018, RHSChelsea, Singapore Garden Festival, Space to Grow Garden, sustainable gardening, sustainable living, urban garden, walls and fencesPumpkin Beth

It’s so important to appreciate, look after and cherish every square inch of earth, every inch of our planet. For those living in town centres or cities, or areas where outdoor space is at a premium, it can sometimes be hard to find inspiration of how to green up and make the most of the limited areas of ground, roof, or wall space that are available.

Dr Catherine MacDonald and the Seedlip Garden, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018

June 1, 2018April, August, December, Easier Gardening, Edible Gardening, February, Interviews, January, July, June, March, May, More Gardening, November, October, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, September, Shows & Events, Urban Outdoors, Wildlifebeans, Ben Branson, Caesalpinia gilliesii, Catherine MacDonald, Ceratonia siliqua, Dr Calvin Lamborn, edible gardening, garden buildings, Gold Medal, Gold Medal Garden, Gregor Mendel, Hortus Loci, Landform Consultants, Lupins, Lupinus 'Desert Sun', Lupinus 'Masterpiece', memorial garden, peas, plant breeding, rhs chelsea flower show, RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018, RHSChelsea, Rod Lamborn, Space to Grow Show Garden, Tom Harfleet, Trifolium willdenovii, vegetablesPumpkin Beth

Garden designer Dr Catherine MacDonald devised the Seedlip Garden as a celebration of the pea – Pisum sativum. The Seedlip Garden features peas and plants related to peas – plants from the pea plant family – Fabaceae. This Space to Grow Garden also honours the work of three men and their work in relation to peas. The first man that the Seedlip Garden commemorates is Gregor Mendel (1822-1824).

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018

May 31, 2018April, August, Container Gardening, Daffodils, December, Easier Gardening, February, Flowers & Floristry, Glasshouse Growing, Houseplants, January, July, June, March, May, More Gardening, November, October, Orchids, Pests & Diseases, Places to Visit, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Roses, September, Shows & Events, Urban Outdoors, WildlifeAction Oak, Adam Frost, Alan Titchmarsh, Andrew Loudon, Anne Godfrey, Art, Artisan Garden, Belderbos Landscapes, Bespoke Outdoor Spaces, Best Construction Award, Bronze Medal, Bronze Medal Garden, cacti, Catherine MacDonald, Chris Beardshaw, Chris Beardshaw Ltd, community garden, community gardening, Conway Landscapes, Craig House Cacti, crocus, daffodils, Daisy Roots Nursery, dalefoot composts, david austin roses, David Harber, david neale, Diamond Jubilee Award, floristry, Francesca Murrell, Frogheath Landscapes, Frosts Landscapes, Garden Builders, garden buildings, Garden Club London, garden design, Geraint Richards, Geums, Gill Groombridge, GK Wilson Landscapes, Gold Medal, Gold Medal Garden, Gold Medal Nursery, grow your own cut flowers, Hay Hwang, hedges, Hogarth Hostas, hostas, iris, Jackie Currie, James Doran-Webb, Janine Crimmins, Jim Buttress, Jo Thompson, John Everiss, John Warland, Johnny Walkers, Jonathan Hogarth, Jonathan Snow, Karen Welman, Kate Gould, Kate Gould Gardens, Kate Savill, Kati Crome, Keith Chapman, Landform Consultants, Landscape Associates, Langdale Landscapes, Laura Anstiss, Laurie Chetwood, Lorraine Smith, Louise Batchelor, Lupins, Lupinus 'Desert Sun', Lupinus 'Masterpiece', Mark Gregory, Matt Keightley, Meconopsis, Michael Gove, moss, Neale Richards Limited, Nic Howard, Nicki Chapman, Nicola Spence, Orchid Society of Great Britain, orchids, Ornithogalum, Ornithogalum dubium, Patrick Collins, Paul Hervey-Brookes, Pennard Plants, People's Choice Award, Peter Gregory Landscapes, Peter Johnson, Plant Heritage, Plant Societies, Quercus, Rachel Prior, Randle Siddeley, RDC Landscapes, Rhiannon Williams, Rhododendron 'Fantastica', Rhododendrons, rhs chelsea flower show, RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018, RHSChelsea, Richard Taylor, Robert Barker, Rod Lamborn, Rosa 'Emily Brontë', Rosa 'St Ethelburga', Rosa 'The Mill on the Floss', Rosa 'Tottering-by-Gently', Rosa glauca, roses, Sally Mill, Sarah Eberle, Sarah Price, Show Garden, Silver Medal Silver Medal Garden, Silver-Gilt Medal, Silver-Gilt Medal Garden, Silver-Gilt Medal Nursery, Simon Bland, Simon Lockyer, Sir Harry Studholme, Southfield Nurseries, Space to Grow Garden, specialist nurseries, Stan Griffin, Steve Currie, Stewart Landscape Construction, Stuart Charles Towner, Studio Evans Lane, Sue Johnson, Surrey, Tamara Bridge, Tom Harfleet, Tom Massey, Tomato 'Oh Happy Day', Tony Kirkham, Tony Woods, Tree House, trees, urban garden, Vegepod, Vicki Newman, w & s lockyer, Walkers at Taylors Bulbs, walls and fences, water features, YorkshirePumpkin Beth

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018

The highlight of the horticultural calendar, The Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show is the world’s most prestigious flower show! Over the past three weeks, award winning garden designers from all over the world, together with their teams, made up of some of the best landscape architects, project managers, builders, technicians, horticulturalists, artists and crafts people, have been working solidly to transform the Royal Hospital’s grounds at Chelsea into an oasis of gardening ideas and inspiration!