If you’re searching for a plant with serious architectural presence and lush, exotic foliage, Melianthus major, commonly known as the Honey Bush, deserves a place on your shortlist. This striking perennial shrub, native to South Africa, is best known for its jagged, deeply-cut blue-green leaves and bold texture. But it’s not just a foliage star …
If you’re searching for a plant that offers bold colour, long-lasting blooms, and exceptional pollinator appeal, Salvia deserves a prime spot in your garden. With hundreds of varieties ranging from hardy perennials to tender sub-shrubs, there’s a salvia to suit every space — from traditional cottage borders to sleek Mediterranean schemes. In this guide, we’ll …
Euphorbia mellifera, also known as Honey Spurge or Canary Spurge deserves a special place in the spotlight in my view. It is one of my absolute favourite garden plants and one I grow whenever I can. From its rich scent and striking foliage to its impressive architectural shape, Euphorbia mellifera is a must-have for any …
If you’re looking for a drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly plant that brings architectural drama and year-round interest, Phlomis should be high on your list. This striking genus in the mint family (Lamiaceae) includes herbaceous perennials and evergreen shrubs, each offering tiered whorls of flowers and bold foliage. In this post, we compare three of the most garden-worthy …
Spring is a fantastic time to bring life and colour to your garden, and spring flowering shrubs are perfect for the job! Here’s a roundup of 10 of the best spring-flowering shrubs to brighten up your outdoor space. You are sure to finds something here to suit the space and growing conditions in your garden. …
Lavender is a fantastic garden plant to grow. It provides visual spectacle, wonderful scents and has multiple practical uses. With over 45 species and countless varieties, choosing the right lavender for your garden can be a challenge. This article will explore the different types of lavender, highlighting their key differences and essential growing information for …
In our front garden, we have a a kind of mini-hedge of Lavender and Rosemary plants that we planted, as well as two large, now quite leggy, lavender shrubs that we inherited when we moved in. I often say that I’d like to replace the large, leggy plants but my wife always stops me. And …
The Hibiscus is a stunning plan that adds a tropical touch to any garden. There are many Hibiscus species, both tender and hardy. They have showy flowers that come in a range of colours, including red, pink, white, and yellow, often with contrasting centres. Flowers can span up to 6 inches in diameter, making them …
Why grow summer flowering shrubs? If your aim is for your garden in summer to burst with colour and life, then choosing the right summer flowering shrubs can help you achieve exactly that. The right shrubs can be visually powerful in themselves and add to the overall diversity of your garden in three main ways. …
Looking for a fast way to enjoy privacy in your garden? You’re in the right place. Selecting the right shrubs for your landscape can quickly create a natural screen, offering you a secluded oasis away from prying eyes. Whether you wish to enclose a private hide-away or line the perimeter of your property, fast-growing privacy …
In this article I show you how to prune hydrangeas, with a simple step by step process. There are multiple species of hydrangea and many different varieties or cultivars within each species. This means, it is pretty easy to find a hydrangea to suit your garden. Hydrangea flowers Hydrangeas are grown for their showy flowers. …
Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum Last year I moved back to the UK after spending over ten years in Australia, in the sub-tropical climate of Sydney. So, I’m currently enjoying my first Northern Hemisphere spring in all that time and my first spring ever living in Scotland. I’ve been delighting in the wonderful the variety of …
Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’Common name : Spotted LaurelFamily : Garryaceae (formerly Cornaceae) Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’ is a rounded evergreen shrub to 3m x 3m. ‘Crotonifolia’ is a female cultivar. Its leaves are ovate, glossy and variegated, up to 20cm long. It is unusual in that the variegation takes the forms of yellow splashes and speckles, almost …