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pruning

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I’ve been using hedge trimmers for almost 20 years, and I’ve got to admit, some of these latest cordless hedge trimmers will give most petrol or corded hedge trimmers a run for their money in terms of performance. Even the long reach cordless hedge trimmers (which I have also been testing) have proved much easier to use than the petrol hedge trimmers on my garden multi-tool I have also been testing. When it comes to…

I have used my fair share of long reach pole chainsaws over the years so I like to think I know a thing or two about them. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Ryobi brushless chainsaw as well as my Husqvarna 236 14 inch Petrol Chainsaw for general tree work pruning on the ground and logging as shown in the picture below. For tree work at height, I’m thinking of general lopping in my…

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…

Pruning French / Spanish Lavender French and Spanish Lavender is part of the Lamiaceae family of plants and is also known as the Lavandula stoechas. It is more tender and less hardy than the more common English Lavender (Lavandula angustifola) that is often planted as low growing hedging. French Lavender is best grown in pots where it can be moved into sheltered positions for the winter. This more tender type of Lavender is often easily identified by…

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…

Berberis Pruning Berberis is also commonly known as the Barberry plant and with over 500 different species it is found in nearly every country around the world. It can be seen to be used in many different ways, from forming both formal and informal hedges to border shrubs. This prickly shrub is available as both an evergreen and a deciduous shrub. The two types should be pruned in different ways. Their foliage colours range from the dark…

Buddleia Pruning There is no mistaking the fragrant, spiked flowers of Buddleia davidii shrubs. Often available in an array of colours, from the vibrant royal red flowers of ‘Royal Red’ to the white flowers of Buddleia ‘Marbled White’, they are highly attractive to a variety of beautiful butterflies, our much-loved bees and other beneficial insects that pollinate our plants. Most Buddleia shrubs originate from the rocky mountains of China and as such, they are very adaptable to living in…

Why is my Wisteria not flowering? Wisteria is a climbing plant that produces masses of long petulant, sweetly scented flowers that are usually lilac-blue, blue or white in colour. They lend themselves to many a situation and look fantastic when grown in a prominent position in pots or in the ground. Wisteria can be affected by a few problems including sudden dieback and root rot. The most common and frustrating problem is that they can be known…