Cushion Chrysanthemums - Garden Plant of the Month - September

Cushion Chrysanthemums - Garden Plant of the Month - September

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Garden Plant of the Month for September: Cushion Chrysanthemums

Hemispheres packed with fabulous flowers!
Chrysanthemums are often thought of as cut flowers, but there is also a wide range of other chrysanthemums. In autumn in particular the range features cushion chrysanthemums, which flower when the days are short. The plant responds to the short days by creating buds. They’re branched, bushy plants in many different colours and flower shapes. Cushion chrysanthemums are very suitable for use outdoors in the garden or on the balcony, patio, garden paths or by the front door. The plants flower so profusely that the foliage is completely hidden. The attractive floral domes provide weeks of pleasure, which is why they’re deservedly the Garden Plant of the Month for September!

Cushion Chrysanthemums 
From August onwards the days start get shorter, and that’s the time when the ‘short day’ plants start producing buds. One of those plants is the cushion chrysanthemum. The diameter of the hemispheres can range from 20 up to 60-80 cm. there are even some specimens with a span of more than 120 cm. The colours and flower shapes are astonishing: beautiful shades of pink, lilac or white, but particularly attractive autumn shades from yellow and orange through to red and brown, just like the autumn colours that are starting to show on the leaves. There are single and double flowered varieties, but also species with spatula-shaped or spider-like petals. The name chrysanthemum means “golden flower”. It’s a combination of the Greek words ‘chrysos’ (= gold) and ‘anthemon’ (= flower). Many species are therefore yellow in colour.

Caring for cushion chrysanthemums
A cushion chrysanthemum is an easy plant. By following a couple of tips the plant will keep flowering from months, from August till November until the frosts arrive. In a light spot in partial shade through to full sun, the plant will transform into a colourful hemisphere. Regularly water the cushion chrysanthemums in the pot, and never allow the soil to dry out. The large dome means that the rainwater does not always reach the soil, so it can dry out. You should therefore check the soil regularly. A lavishly flowering plant needs extra energy, so give it some plant food once a fortnight. Regularly removing old wilted flowers will allow you to enjoy your cushion chrysanthemums even longer.

Tips for pruning and keeping cushion chrysanthemums
The plant can be brought to flower again next year once it has finished flowering. Place the plant in a cool but frost-free spot before the frosts come, and cut it back to a few centimetres above the ground in early spring The plant can go outdoors again in March/April, and when the days are longer than 12 hours it will form stems and leaves. Once the days start getting shorter, the cushion chrysanthemum will flower again so it becomes a feature in the garden in late summer and autumn once more!

I can personally vouch for these, I have several in pots and apart from a drop of water and pruning (I do this late spring) they look after themselves over many years.

Although Chrysants are not the most sort after wedding flower , these plants would make excellent displays for your wedding - whether grouped on the tables for your guests or the larger plants used at the aisle entrance or altar, or for a civil ceremony the doorway displays. These can then be given out to guests for thank you's. They are budget friendly and colourful for an autumn wedding.

Thank you to Thejoyofplants.co.uk. and https://www.flowercouncil.co.uk for the above information.

We can source all of these plants through the season just ask us for your requirements. We can also source a wide range of pots to compliment each plant or for a striking look bright and colourful pots of all shapes and sizes. Whether for a long term display or for a one off event we can source, supply and set up so you don't have to. A care service can also be supplied if needed.

Sandra x

Gentian - Garden Plant of the Month - August

Gentian - Garden Plant of the Month - August

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Garden Plant of the Month for August: Gentian

Vivid blue
There are a lot of remarkable characters amongst the perennials, but the Garden Plant of the Month for August is very special. With its intense blue colouring and beautiful bell-shaped flowers, Gentian (Gentiana) reminds us of its natural home in Alpine meadows. The Gentian range has developed considerably, and there are now white, pink, blue and bicoloured varieties. A beautiful perennial to use in pots or in rockeries or borders. It will certainly catch the eye as is pretty as a picture! 

Gentian
The current Gentian range offers compact growth and rich continued flowering. These plants look their best between July and October. The colour blue in particular has been extensively developed in the Gentian range. There are sky blue, pale and dark blue and indigo varieties. The Gentian originates from the temperate mountain regions in the northern hemisphere and the Andes. The name Gentian derives from Gentius, King of Illyria (former Yugoslavia) who is said to have discovered the healing properties attributed to Gentian, such as strengthening the digestive and immune systems and the ability to reduce bile.

Caring for Gentians
Gentian likes the spot with full sun to partial shade. The plant does have special requirements with regard to the soil. Moisture-retaining, somewhat poor soil is important, since that’s what the plant has in the mountains where it grows. Many species also require somewhat chalky and well-draining soil. It’s easy to make a mixture of sand, clay, potting soil and gravel to use for Gentians in pots. In autumn and winter make sure that the soil is not saturated with water when the frost comes. You should therefore cover Gentians, but make sure that the soil is well-ventilated.

Tips for keeping Gentians
The best thing is to do nothing! Gentians are very hardy, and will die back above ground and hibernate below ground. It’s important to leave the plant alone to keep it healthy and lavishly flowering. So don’t divide or replant it, but leave it where it is. Give the plant some fertilizer in the spring to promote flowering and you’ll be able enjoy these remarkable plants for years.

These are excellent flowers if you are looking for a blue bloom for your wedding. They work well in all designs from bouquets and buttonholes to church and venue displays. Or use as the planted form as table decorations.

Thank you to Thejoyofplants.co.uk. and https://www.flowercouncil.co.uk for the above information.

We can source all of these plants through the season just ask us for your requirements. We can also source a wide range of pots to compliment each plant or for a striking look bright and colourful pots of all shapes and sizes. Whether for a long term display or for a one off event we can source, supply and set up so you don't have to. A care service can also be supplied if needed.

Sandra x

Calla, Lily and Star of Bethlehem - Garden Plants of the Month - July

Calla, Lily and Star of Bethlehem - Garden Plants of the Month - July

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Garden Plant of the Month for July: Potted summer bulbs: Calla, Lily and Star of Bethlehem

Colourful, impressive, summery bulbs 
Most people are familiar with spring-flowering bulbs but there are also a various range of bulbs sold in pots in the summer months that can bring colour and atmosphere to the patio. We have selected three summer-flowering potted bulbs as the Garden Plant of the Month for July: the Calla, the Lily and the Star of Bethlehem. Varied, colourful and impressive, both on their own and combined together or with other garden plants.

Potted summer bulbs: Calla, Lily and Star of Bethlehem 
Zantedeschia is often known as the Calla or Arum Lily. In the past, we were only really familiar with the flowers of the white Zantedeschia aethiopica - it has large white calyxes and can grow quite big in the garden. There are now more compact varieties, in many different colours from white to orange and dark purple to yellow. The flowers are smaller, the plants also have attractive markings on the leaves in the form of silver spots. 

Potted Lilies are all hybrids - many original species originate from Japan, China and Korea. The name LA (Longiflorum x Asiatic hybrids) is an old Latin plant name for the Lily. The plant is characterized by the many buds on the stem and the leaf that extends the full length of the stem. The larger the bulb that is used, the more buds there will be on the stem. The most common potted Lilies have large flowers with a strong scent, and the LA Group usually comes in pastel shades. The range of colours varies from yellow, orange and red through to pink and white. Many bicoloured lilies also have flowers with an extra spot in the Calix. 

Ornithogalum, as the Star of Bethlehem is officially known, grows from beautiful leaf rosettes from which a leafless stem emerges with the flower on the end. The name Ornithogalum derives from an old Greek plant name which means ‘bird milk’ ('ornithos' = bird, 'gala' = milk). There are three most common species. O. Saundersiae has long stems over a metre in length bearing a composite white flower. Every separate flower has an eye-catching black dot at its heart. O. dubium is much shorter, often just 10 to 30 centimetres and is available in orange and yellow. O. thyrsoides has white composite flowers in the shape of plumes. 

Caring for Calla, Lily and Star of Bethlehem
The summer-flowering bulbs are very easy to care for, and will give weeks of pleasure. 

• The plants are undemanding and can be placed in both the shade and the sun. The temperature does need to remain above at least 5-8 °C, but that won’t pose a problem in the summer. 
• Make sure that the soil never dries out, so water regularly, particularly when the plants are placed in pots or containers. The bulbs and tubers mean that the plants can survive through a slightly drier period, which is handy when you go on holiday for a week. 
• Give plant food once a fortnight to ensure lavish flowering. Remember, the plants are only for decoration and not for consumption.

Tips for keeping potted summer bulbs
Summer-flowering potted bulb plants can be kept by bringing them indoors after flowering in October or November. That gives them a hibernation period whereby the plant remains dry and the foliage dies back. The bulbs and tubers will then produce plenty of new flowers during the next growing season. You can plant them outside again from April onwards. The plants will then produce the fabulous flowers again in the summer.

These plants would make excellent displays for your wedding - whether grouped on the tables for your guests or the larger plants used at the aisle entrance or altar, or for a civil ceremony the doorway displays. These can then be given out to guests for thank you's.

Thank you to Thejoyofplants.co.uk. and https://www.flowercouncil.co.uk for the above information.

We can source all of these plants through the season just ask us for your requirements. We can also source a wide range of pots to compliment each plant or for a striking look bright and colourful pots of all shapes and sizes. Whether for a long term display or for a one off event we can source, supply and set up so you don't have to. A care service can also be supplied if needed.

Sandra x

Summer flowering perennials - Garden Plant of the Month - June

Summer flowering perennials - Garden Plant of the Month - June

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Garden Plant of the Month for June: Summer-flowering Perennials 

Three stars amongst the perennials
The selection that's in the spotlight this month as Garden Plant of the Month consists of three eye-catching stars in the range of hardy perennials. They're Coneflower, Phlox, Delphinium. There are similarities and differences between the three plants. All three have seen fresh additions to the range in recent years, so that they’re available in more varied colours and shapes. They all attract bees, butterflies and other insects with their remarkable fragrance. But the plants are quite different in terms of shape. Whilst Coneflower has flowers that resemble sun hats, Phlox features plume-shaped sprays of flowers with bright colours. Delphinium has an extended flower spike with a ‘spur’ on each flower, which gives rise to the common name larkspur. 

Summer-flowering perennials (Coneflower, Phlox, Delphinium) 
Coneflower, also known as Echinacea, occurs in many different colours. An attractive green or orange heart is surrounded by slightly drooping colourful petals, from beautiful salmon or ochre through to deep purple and dark red. There are also white and red varieties, and even a double-flowered varieties. E. purpurea is the original species, referring to the lilac-coloured petals. The plant is also known for its medicinal properties, such as boosting immunity.
Phlox can be identified by its strong, sweet fragrance and its beautiful sprays of flowers. There are upright species, P. Paniculata Grp, that are also often used as cut flowers, and ground-covering species (P. Subulata Grp). Phlox is very appealing to butterflies and bees in the garden. Plant-breeding has created an updated range with beautiful colours. Pure white, deep purple, blue, pink with a red eye or even flowers with striped petals. The original colour was claret.
Delphinium it is a member of the Ranunculaceae family. It’s an impressive flower: stately, elongated and beautifully coloured. If you look carefully at the individual flowers along the spikes, you can see ‘spurs’ like those worn by knights. Various Delphinium cultivars are available in the shops: the cultivars derived from perennials are large, robust and impressive. The plant is available in beautiful pastel shades from blue and purple through to salmon and white. And the beautiful ‘eyes’ in the flowers are stunning.

Caring for Coneflower, Phlox and Delphinium
You can enjoy these perennials for years by following a few simple tips. It’s important that they’re placed in partial shade to full sun. The flowers will then flower lavishly. Place the plants in well-draining, damp soil and water regularly, particularly if they’re in pots on the balcony or patio. Give the plants extra food in the spring so that they continue to flower profusely for a long time and remain healthy. They will then produce especially lovely flowers. And you can pick a posy for yourself from these plants to have indoors as well. Put some cut flower food in the vase to enjoy them for 7 to 10 days.

Tips for keeping summer flowering perennials 
In late summer, when the plants have finished flowering, you can cut them back and they may re-flower in the autumn. The plants will then die back above ground and hibernate below ground. Leave the dead parts on the plant to protect them against extreme winter conditions. They also look lovely with some frost or snow on them. Remove these parts at the end of February, and the plant will start to grow again in the spring in order to flower beautifully again in the summer. After a few years the plants can be divided to keep them young and vigorous.

All these flowers make excellent additions to any wedding, whether in bouquets and displays as cut flowers or as potted plants. Ask us how we can create designs to suit your style today.

Sandra x

Mandevilla - Garden Plant of The Month - May

Mandevilla - Garden Plant of The Month - May

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Garden Plant of the Month for May: Mandevilla

Exotic rewarding climber!
Mandevilla is one of the most rewarding flowering garden plants. The white, pink or red flowers on the plant last from May until the frosts arrive. And it keeps flowering without too much effort. It’s no surprise that Mandevilla is enormously popular in gardens and on balconies and patios. The plant was formerly called Dipladenia, and is sometime still sold under this name. This garden plant of the month for May can give pleasure throughout the summer and beyond.

Mandevilla: pink, white or red trumpet-shaped flowers
Mandevilla is a climbing shrub that flowers from May to October.  Although this exotic climber originates from South America, it’s also very happy in our gardens. With its trumpet-shaped, beautifully scented flowers the plant keeps blooming endlessly. The flowers stand out beautifully against the dark green, shiny foliage.
The plants are sold in various sizes, from very small plants for planting in beds or as a table plant on the patio through the very large climbers on trellises or stakes which can be metres high. You can even use them to create an entire living wall, since this keen grower can quickly produce long tendrils to cover a wall or fence. Do provide some support though.
The white, pink and red colours look beautiful in a pot, either as a single colour or a mixture, whereby the combination of two or three colours growing and blooming together is magnificent. A variety of species can be found in the shops, produced by different companies. Mandevilla Sundeville and Mandevilla Diamantina are the most frequently offered. The one thing they all have in common is that they flower very profusely and give pleasure all summer long.

Caring for Mandevilla
Mandevilla will remain healthy and attractive by following a couple of simple tips. It’s important that it’s placed in light ranging from partial shade to full morning or evening sun. Mandevilla likes the warmth it enjoyed in its place of origin. Place the plant in well-draining, moderately damp soil, and water regularly. Too wet is certainly not good. Give extra plant food in the spring so that it continues to flower vigourously for a long time, remains healthy and is less vulnerable to pests and diseases. If wilted flowers are regularly removed, the plant will remain decorative right up until the first night frosts.
Mandevilla isn’t hardy, so as soon as winter comes the plant will die, unless it’s brought indoors and can overwinter in a cool, frost-free place. Make sure the plant does not bring all sorts of insects with it when it’s brought indoors. A light spot around 10°C  is best . It doesn’t need a lot of water in the winter. Ensure good ventilation and don’t place Mandevilla in a draught or near a source of heat. The transition from outdoors to indoors can cause the leaves to turn yellow or shed, but that’s a natural reaction.

Mandevilla pruning tips
While the plant is in the garden or on the patio or balcony, all you really need to do is to train the tendrils through the plant or place them against the climbing aid from time to time. No further pruning is required during the growing and flowering season. The plant can be pruned back somewhat for overwintering before being placed in its winter location. This can also be done at the start of the new growing season in February. This is done particularly to ensure that the plant does not get too big, and to maintain an attractive shape.

We can source all of these plants through the season just ask us for your requirements. We can also source a wide range of pots to compliment each plant or for a striking look bright and colourful pots of all shapes and sizes. Whether for a long term display or for a one off event we can source, supply and set up so you don't have to. A care service can also be supplied if needed.

Thank you to Thejoyofplants.co.uk. and https://www.flowercouncil.co.uk for the above information.

Sandra x

Clematis - Garden Plant of the Month - April

Clematis - Garden Plant of the Month - April

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Garden Plant of the Month for April: Clematis

Hardy lavishly blooming climber
Climbing and trailing plants are very popular. Smaller gardens are sometimes short of space, because we want to sit in the sun and enjoy a barbecue. A plant that grows upwards is then the ideal solution, since it only covers a small surface area whilst providing plenty of colour. Clematis - the best-known climber amongst the vertical plants - is ideal for this. If you have a wall, shed or pergola, Clematis will provide good coverage and offer a beautifully coloured display for a long time. Clematis occurs in hundreds of varieties and types. It’s a climber which is very hardy, and sometimes also bears beautiful seed fluff after flowering. By planting in April, you can enjoy the plant all summer long.

Clematis: Many colours, flower shapes, flower sizes
Clematis is native to many parts of the world, including Europe. The plant climbs using twisting leaf stems. Those leaf stems are exceptionally long, and start looking for support as soon as they have any strength. The plants can be planted both in the soil and in containers. Ensure that the plant has a ‘climbing aid’ and can fasten on to something - a pergola, wooden stake or trellis made of stretched wires. Walls, sheds, trees or fences are perfect climbing aids for Clematis.

Clematis flowers very profusely. The variety of colours and flower shapes is almost overwhelming. Blue, pink, purple and white are particularly common, but bi-coloured, single and double flowered varieties are becoming increasingly popular. The flower’s size can range from 2 to 24 cm. The visible flower is actually the calyx, and is beautifully coloured. The earliest Clematis flowers in March-April, but most varieties flower from May to the end of September. April is the ideal month for planting Clematis in the garden. There are various collections, ranging from early-flowering and evergreen cultivars through to small-flowered or large-flowered varieties which don’t bloom until later in the summer and lose their leaves in winter. 

Caring for Clematis
Clematis’ roots like to be cool. It is advisable not to place the plant’s base in direct sunlight. The plants are used to the company of other woody plants whose fallen leaves ensure that the soil contains sufficient humus. Water Clematis regularly so that the soil never dries out, particularly if it’s planted in a pot or container. Clematis needs extra food during the growing period from March to May. A universal fertiliser such as granulated dried cow manure is very suitable, and also improves the soil structure. There is no need to feed Clematis during the flowering period itself. Some training is required to ensure that the plant grows in the right direction.

Clematis pruning tips
It’s not difficult to prune Clematis, but it’s harder to identify the correct time, which varies according to the cultivar. The best idea is to prune after flowering. For varieties that flower in May, that would be at the start of the summer, while for varieties that flower in summer it would be at the end of the winter. If Clematis is not pruned, you end up with a tangle of bare branches, and the flowers will be constantly higher up the plant. Regular pruning is therefore important to ensure a Clematis which remains fresh and flowers beautifully. So don’t be afraid to give the plant a vigorous haircut. Should this turn out to be at the wrong time of year, the plant will just not flower or produce fewer flowers for a year.

More information about Clematis and other garden plants can be found at Thejoyofplants.co.uk.

Garden Plant of the Month 
Clematis is in the spotlight in April as the Garden Plant of the Month. ‘Garden Plant of the Month’ is an initiative by Thejoyofplants.co.uk. Growers and horticultural specialists from the floriculture sector select a garden plant every month at the request of Thejoyofplants.co.uk in order to inspire and enthuse. Because a garden isn’t a garden without plants.

Clematis can now be used as a cut flower. It's beautiful blooms are often used in country style wedding bouquets and the long winding foliage make excellent trails or support in wild looking bouquets for that unstructured feel.

As you can see there are a variety of colours to choose from, contact us for more information about how we can add this beautiful flower to your special displays.

Sandra x