Will campanulas like a mix of acidic compost and topsoil?
A reader has asked if campanulas can grow in an old half-barrel that already contains a mix of ericaceous soil and topsoil. Many campanula varieties are surprisingly adaptable and aren’t as particular about soil pH as some other plants. While…
Why is my star magnolia looking a little anaemic?
Your beautiful Magnolia stellata, with its delicate star-shaped blossoms, is a true sign of spring. But what if those lovely green leaves are starting to look a bit, well, anaemic? If you notice a pale green or yellowish discolouration between…
What are these red beetles on my lilies?
The lily beetle (Lilioceris lilii) is a notoriously invasive non-native pest for UK gardeners who love lilies (Lilium), fritillaries (Fritillaria), and giant lilies (Cardiocrinum). Both the adult beetles, with their striking bright red bodies and black heads, and their unpleasant-looking…
Why is my container grown heuchera wilting?
Sudden wilting is almost certainly due to the vine weevil larvae (grubs) actively feeding on and destroying the plant’s root system. While adult vine weevils cause minor, notched damage to the leaves, it’s the C-shaped, creamy-white grubs with brown heads…
Get Ready to Grow: Last chance to sow Your Nasturtiums this month!
This June, I’m seizing my last chance of the season to sow nasturtium seeds, and I’m doing it in an eco-friendly way! My biodegradable, peat-free wood pulp pots are perfect for the planet and minimise root disturbance when I plant…
Bring the Drama (and Pink!) with Flamingo Willow
There’s nothing quite like a plant that delivers year-round interest, and if you’re looking to add a burst of colour and a touch of elegance to your garden, look no further than the stunning Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’, often called the…
Illuminating Your Garden: Growing Choisya Sundance
For a shrub that shines beautifully, even on the dullest days, you need look no further than Choisya ternata ‘Sundance’, affectionately known as Mexican Orange Blossom. This vibrant evergreen is a star in its own right. It is celebrated for…
The Curious Case of the Lime-Green Buddleja Blotches
It’s a sight that can puzzle even the most seasoned gardener: your beautiful Buddleja, the undisputed ‘butterfly magnet’ of the garden, suddenly sporting unsightly lime-green blotches on its leaves. At first glance, you might suspect a nutrient deficiency, a fungal…
This easy-care plant comes with a warning
Euphorbias, with their incredibly diverse forms, vibrant colours, and often architectural presence, are truly fantastic plants that deserve a place in many gardens. From dramatic, lime-green flowerheads of Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii to the vibrant, long-lasting bracts of the popular…
If you have not pruned your Buddleia yet…
Gardeners should consider the importance of pruning their buddleia bushes in March and April. Buddleia, commonly known as the butterfly bush, is a popular garden shrub valued for its beautiful and fragrant flowers that attract butterflies and other pollinators. However,…