Tree Fern Care Tree ferns are beautiful, elegant and architectural plants that are simply amazing. They are tree-like ferns that have a large thick truck with arching, spreading lance-shaped fronds at the top. These can reach 6ft (2 metres) long. There are two popular types, which include the Dicksonia and the Cyathea, they are both extremely slow growing, with the main distinctive trunk only growing around 1-2 inches each year. They thrive in the partial and dense shade,…
Ferns for dry shade Ferns are known for their resilience and ability to grow in shade, but there are also some varieties of fern that will grow very well in shaded areas where the ground is often dry. This is often caused by very little moisture being retained in the soil as other surrounding trees and shrubs take up any moisture there is. Many of the most suitable ferns are native species to the UK and…
Plants for dry shade Parts of the garden that are either shaded or dry areas can be challenging on there own, but put the two together and it can seem like nothing will grow there. These areas are often under tree canopies where the roots of trees take up most of the moisture in the ground and stop the sunlight reaching beneath the tree foliage. Conditions under large conifers can be more of a challenge…
Climbing plants for shade Most gardens have a shady spot, usually against a North or East-facing wall or fence where conditions can also be dry but can equally be damp. These areas are usually left bare but this does not need to be the case. There are plenty of climbing plants that like shade and are well suited for these conditions as it is most like the natural environment they would usually grow, in areas such as woodlands areas under…
Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides) Not to be confused with the lucky ‘Money Plant’, this Chinese Money Plant originates from Southern China and is also known as Missionary plant and Pancake plant. This plant has only just come to our attention although some gardeners appear to have been cultivating it for years. We think it will look excellent in your home, against a modern urban setting or equally just as at home where it will get…
Crassula Ovata – Money Plant It was once thought that having this beautiful and considered mystical ‘Money Plant’ in your home would bring you luck and fortune and this is probably where the Money Plant name derives from. It is also commonly known as the friendship tree, the lucky plant and the Jade Plant. What was once a very popular houseplant is not quite as popular as it once was, but it is still an excellent…
Rosemary is an evergreen shrub that is commonly used as a culinary herb in Mediterranean dishes. Its Latin name is Rosmarinus officinalis and there are many varieties available, some of which include trailing and sprawling types, such as ‘Prostratus’. These are ideal for patio pots as well as compact bushy varieties that are often used as formal hedging and wall shrubs and are very easy to grow. The leaves have an aromatic fragrance and beautiful small, usually blue…
Rosemary Pruning Rosemary is an evergreen shrub (herb) that is often used in cooking recipes. It is often mistaken for Lavender as it looks very similar to the untrained eye. Unlike Lavender, it is not essential to prune Rosemary but it does benefit from yearly pruning to keep it looking healthy and to stop it from getting overgrown. They can reach heights of 5ft (150cm) if left unpruned they can quickly outgrow their desired area and become very…
Fast Growing Shrubs If you are looking for quick growing plants, then chances are you are trying to create some form of privacy screen, windbreak or informal hedge. Alternatively, you simply want a faster growing shrub to fill in a gap or hide an unsightly view. It is important to take a few pointers into consideration when deciding what varieties of fast growing bushes to plant. If you want to form a screen or similar, as well…
How to prune Lavender Lavender (Lavendula), which is commonly used in cooking recipes, is a popular evergreen shrub that is often sold as a herb plant. They make beautiful plants for creating low formal hedges as the blue flowers give the appearance of a sea of blue and are often seen in many country estates where they have been growing for over 20 years. They are drought tolerant and grow well in drier, poorer areas…
