Fast growing hedges Quick growing hedges are typically planted to mark out your property boundary or perhaps you would like to form a fast-growing privacy hedge to stop prying neighbours looking into your garden. Hedges can also help to reduce road traffic noise as well as shelter your garden and property from prevailing winds. Evergreen hedging is usually better for achieving these results and such plants include leylandii conifers and common laurel as they form thick, dense…
Growing Buddleia alternifolia (Butterfly Bush) Most of us could quickly identify the hugely common, but extremely popular Buddleia davidii and some may have seen the new dwarf Buddleia varieties but most will not recognise or even have heard of a Buddleia alternifolia (also known as the alternate-leaved butterfly bush). Originating from China, this large deciduous shrub or small tree has arching branches that nearly touch the floor and produce clusters of sweetly scented purple-lilac flowers along its…
How to propagate Buddleia plants Buddleias are more commonly known as the ‘Butterfly Bush’ because of the magnet-like attraction butterflies have to them. There is no mistaking the highly scented spiked flowers of Buddleia bushes that flower in abundance throughout the summer. These are highly attractive to a variety of beautiful butterflies, our much-loved bees and other beneficial insects that pollinate our plants. Buddleia is a very versatile plant and will grow in most conditions, including…
Lonicera (Honeysuckle) Honeysuckle Climbers Lonicera, more commonly known as the ‘Honeysuckle’ plant is one of the most popular garden climbing plants and is often seen in many gardens throughout the UK. They are available as evergreen varieties, such as Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana’ AGM and the Lonicera Henryi. Deciduous cultivars include Lonicera periclymenum and the sempervirens varieties. These climbing honeysuckles are perfect for climbing over pergolas, fences and alternatively up walls too. Most of these climbers have highly perfumed…
Pruning blackcurrants Blackcurrant bushes are often considered hard to grow, yet this is not the case at all. They can be grown directly in the ground, but those of you who don’t have the space, don’t worry as they also grow well in pots. They are excellent plants and produce fruit in abundance (around the mid-summer) which can be used in pies and jams. Blackcurrants are also a great source of vitamin C. A healthy established…
