Gazanias are half-hardy flowers which are generally thought of as annuals. While it is not unusual for gazanias to survive late into the fall, even flowering as late as September or October, they are eventually killed off by extended periods of cold weather as winter sets in. This applies equally to most areas of the … Read more
Coreopsis has become a firm favorite in my own garden. Their bright yellow and red flowers that go on for months are guaranteed to bring cheer to any space, while the “fluffy”, feathery foliage looks elegant in your beds and borders. Indeed, I’ve fallen so much in love with Coreopsis that I’ve tried growing it … Read more
Buddleja is probably one of the best-known flowering shrubs in the world. Loved not just for their long sprays of purple or pink flowers, but also for their ability to attract insects from miles around. Hence the common name of the “Butterfly Bush”. Fortunately Buddleja davidii is also incredibly simple to grow from seed, meaning … Read more
Coreopsis tinctoria, sometimes known by the common name of Dyer’s Tickseed, is a stunning flower conjuring up images of sweeping grassy plains. Coreopsis tinctoria now comes in a range of different colors and varieties, but is the more traditional yellow-and-red bloomed variety that I grow each year in my garden. In truth, the first year … Read more
Passiflora caerulea is perfect to grow in pots and if started early may even flower in their very first season. In this article we’ll discuss how to grow Passiflora caerulea in pots based on my own experiences of doing just that recently. Benefits of Growing Passiflora caerulea in Pots Passiflora caerulea is a hardy plant … Read more
Brugmansia are incredibly exotic-looking plants, especially when in flower. For those of us in temperate regions such as the UK or more northern United States they really bring a tropical feel to your garden. While it is certainly possible to buy Brugmansia plants, they tend to be quite expensive due to the time required for … Read more
Echium pininana, sometimes known by the common names of Viper’s Bugloss, Snow Tower or Tower of Jewels is surely one of the single most impressive flowering plants in the world. Originally hailing from the Canary Islands, Echium throws up a huge flower spike unlike anything else you’ve ever seen – sometimes as much as 12 … Read more
I’m currently in the process of rethinking my front garden. Since we moved into the house two years ago, the front garden has essentially remained exactly as we found it. Basically, just laid to grass. However this is far from ideal. The lawn is gently sloping, while the garden faces south. This means I need … Read more
Dahlias are available in a huge range of different colors, shapes and sizes but they all have one thing in common; they’re truly some of the most showy flowers around. Even better, dahlias tend to flower for long periods of time, often reaching their peak in very late summer or even later. By September and … Read more
Annual climbers are the perfect way to quickly cover up an unattractive fence or wall, or to block out your neighbours, without having to wait years for a “standard” hedge to grow. Started early in the spring, a number of highly attractive plants will grow to surprisingly dimensions by mid-summer, offering not just attractive leaf … Read more