Posted in Propagating Roses, Roses on July 27th, 2010 by Dave Pinkney – Be the first to comment
Growing Roses from Rose Seeds
Roses can be readily raised from seeds, but this is a method of propagation which should only be used for stocks and species, or for definite crosses between garden
roses which have been made with the intention of producing new varieties. It is not worth while raising roses haphazard from seed as the results are likely to be most disappointing.
Cleaning
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Posted in Gardening Ideas, Raised Beds on September 28th, 2010 by Dave Pinkney – Be the first to comment
Slightly-raised flower beds give a more effective display of the plants and, if cut out of grass, provide a decent clean sharp edge. So, assuming there is no need to lift the turf, this can be dug in and chopped up as the job proceeds. Add rotted manure, old potting
soil or compost and, as the job proceeds, turn the soil to the centre to create a trench so that after the first
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Posted in Roof Gardens & Balcony Gardening on October 13th, 2010 by Dave Pinkney – Be the first to comment
Container Gardening for Rooftop Gardens
With regard to the plants and their containers for your rooftop garden, the choice is not nearly so narrow as you might think, given the exposed site. The choice of garden container is endless - indeed anything will do - depending on the strength of the roof, but for your own well-being, the lighter they are the better and the less risk
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Posted in Plants & Trees on December 6th, 2011 by Dave Pinkney – Be the first to comment
Popular Shrubs For Shade:
Berberis darwinii,Berberis X stenaphylla, Camellias, Choisya ternata, Cornus kousa, Cotoneaster simonsii, Daphne mezereum, Forsythia spectabilis, Hydrangea macrophylla, Hydrangea paniculata,
Hypericum calycinum,
Kerria japonica, Olearia haastii, Prunus laurocerasus, Prunus lusitanicus, Pyracanthas Rhododendron (Azalea), Kurume Hybrids, Mollis Hybrids,
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Posted in House Plants on November 15th, 2011 by Dave Pinkney – Be the first to comment
Creeping, climbing and trailing plants are generally popular but though annuals include such forms amongst their number they are by no means plentiful and besides, they are usually rather tender species. Nasturtium combines desirability of habit and hardiness, which is particularly welcomed by the working man and woman of today.
The approximately 80 species of the genus Tropaeolum
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Posted in House Plants on November 15th, 2011 by Dave Pinkney – Be the first to comment
Another plant selected for this brief survey is the well-known but often neglected reseda.
Reaching the peak of its popularity some 100 years ago when catalogues listed more than 30 sorts, it has since fallen into oblivion. This plant was always grown mainly for its fragrance, and that is something cities lack more now than a century ago. Furthermore, limiting of the assortment
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Posted in House Plants on November 15th, 2011 by Dave Pinkney – Be the first to comment
The early 18th century saw the introduction of two of the fourteen South American species of Petunia into European gardens. Both were from Argentina, almost 1 m (3 ft) high, with glandular, sticky leaves and large fragrant flowers. The first, Petunia axillaris (syn. P. nyctaginiflora), was white, the second, P. violacea, had flowers coloured scarlet, carmine or pinkish violet.
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Posted in House Plants, Uncategorized on November 15th, 2011 by Dave Pinkney – Be the first to comment
Sweet peas are favourite
climbing plants in gardens as well as for the balcony and window-boxes.
Some 160 species have been described to date. The one selected for cultivation for its fragrance as well as the lovely shape and colour of the flowers is native to southern Italy and Sicily. Because it has been grown for as long as 250 years, its hybrids are many, divided into several
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Posted in House Plants on November 15th, 2011 by Dave Pinkney – Be the first to comment
Nowadays it is no longer possible to determine the parentage of the various cultivated forms of this genus. Perhaps the Californian species Godetia amoena (Oenothera amoena) figured in their breeding at the start but it was far from being the only one, for America is the home of some 20 members of the genus Godetia, most of them very pretty plants.
Present-day cultivars are
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Posted in House Plants on November 15th, 2011 by Dave Pinkney – Be the first to comment
1 Gaillardia (Grandiflora-Hybrids): Blanket Flower
2 Coreopsis X grandiflora: Tickweed
3 Helenium x autumnale: Sneezeweed
4 Rudbeckia nitida: Coneflower
These flowers are allied not only in that they all belong to the same family but also in that they all (or at least the parent species) are native to Florida, where they grow as perennials. In Europe, however, they are
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Posted in House Plants on November 15th, 2011 by Dave Pinkney – 1 Comment
For those who like bright vivid colours this is definitely an annual that should not be overlooked. Though its flowers are not long-lasting, they are produced continuously so that the window-box makes a colourful display the whole summer long.
The approximately 130 species of the genus Eschscholzia grow wild in both North and South America. The most important of all is E.
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Posted in House Plants, Uncategorized on November 15th, 2011 by Dave Pinkney – Be the first to comment
Most annuals and perennials suitable for growing in a window-box or earthenware urn flower in summer. In spring, however, window-boxes are generally empty and bleak. That is why plants that flower in early spring, albeit only briefly, are so popular.
The hybrid, raised in France, is derived from crossings about which little is known. The parents were probably hybrids of unkown
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Posted in House Plants on November 15th, 2011 by Dave Pinkney – Be the first to comment
1 Dorotheanthus bellidiformis Livingstone Daisy
2 Portulaca x grandiflora: Sun Plant, Rose Moss
3 Venidium fastuosum Monarch of the Veldt, Namaqualand Daisy
4 Verbena X rigida
These plants, each from a different family, appear to have little in common. They also come from different continents: dorotheanthus and portulaca from South Africa, the other two from the temperate
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