The PLANT OF THE MONTH for February is ... Galanthus
Galanthus are Dwarf Bulbous Perennials which grow up to 15cm tall with narrow leaves and nodding fragrant white flowers. The inner segments of the flowers are mostly marked with green at the tips.
There are over 2000 varieties but the most common are widely found in our gardens are Galanthus Nivalis and the double version 'Flore Pleno' seen below from my own garden.
Some varieties can be bought for hundreds of pounds but there are some much more affordable ones too with striking colours and details.
Some varieties can be bought for hundreds of pounds but there are some much more affordable ones too with striking colours and details.
Galanthus 'Flore Pleno'
CULTIVATION
Snowdrops can be planted when they are a bulb or 'in the green' which simply means when the foliage growth is starting to die back and the flowers are fading, usually in late April - early May. This is the preferred way and what I find the most successful.
The quickest and easiest way to give yourself more plants is to 'divide' each group of Snowdrops into separate plants, re- plant singly and at the the same depth. Dig them up gently with a fork and tease apart with your hands, with as little disturbance as possible. Adding a little Bonemeal to the planting hole will be beneficial. Leave for 3 or 4 years to settle in before repeating the process.
Snowdrops like to be in a partly shaded position in a moist but well - drained soil that doesn't dry out in Summer.
If you don't have any groups of Snowdrops already in your garden they can be purchased from Garden Centres at this time of year along with online and through mail order. Make sure you plant them as soon as they arrive however as you don't want the plants to dry out.
PROBLEMS
Snowdrops can be prone to Snowdrop 'Grey Mould' (Botrytis galanthina) which is a fungus closely related to the most common form of Botrytis cinerea. This fungus only affects Galanthus spp. and is most prone to the common Galanthus nivalis in mild winters.
Photo from RHS website
If you spot this problem remove the affected bulbs straight away and dispose of quickly. Do not plant any more Galanthus in the same position or where you have noticed this disease previously. When buying new plants always inspect them first for signs of infection and from a reputable company.
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Snowdrops can be planted when they are a bulb or 'in the green' which simply means when the foliage growth is starting to die back and the flowers are fading, usually in late April - early May. This is the preferred way and what I find the most successful.
The quickest and easiest way to give yourself more plants is to 'divide' each group of Snowdrops into separate plants, re- plant singly and at the the same depth. Dig them up gently with a fork and tease apart with your hands, with as little disturbance as possible. Adding a little Bonemeal to the planting hole will be beneficial. Leave for 3 or 4 years to settle in before repeating the process.
Snowdrops like to be in a partly shaded position in a moist but well - drained soil that doesn't dry out in Summer.
If you don't have any groups of Snowdrops already in your garden they can be purchased from Garden Centres at this time of year along with online and through mail order. Make sure you plant them as soon as they arrive however as you don't want the plants to dry out.
PROBLEMS
Snowdrops can be prone to Snowdrop 'Grey Mould' (Botrytis galanthina) which is a fungus closely related to the most common form of Botrytis cinerea. This fungus only affects Galanthus spp. and is most prone to the common Galanthus nivalis in mild winters.
If you spot this problem remove the affected bulbs straight away and dispose of quickly. Do not plant any more Galanthus in the same position or where you have noticed this disease previously. When buying new plants always inspect them first for signs of infection and from a reputable company.
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The PLANT OF THE MONTH for March is ... Pulmonaria
Pulmonaria (or Lungwort) is an attractive early flowering Hardy Perennial which provides eye catching colour at this time of year and will continue well into Spring. Perfect for woodland areas, flower borders and beds the clump forming perennial also provides ground cover throughout the year.
The variety I have and I am sharing photo's of below is called 'Silver Bouquet' but there are also other variations in strictly blue, pink and even white.
This plant is ideal for a first time gardener as you can pretty much leave it to itself for most of the year!
Pulmonaria (or Lungwort) is an attractive early flowering Hardy Perennial which provides eye catching colour at this time of year and will continue well into Spring. Perfect for woodland areas, flower borders and beds the clump forming perennial also provides ground cover throughout the year.
The variety I have and I am sharing photo's of below is called 'Silver Bouquet' but there are also other variations in strictly blue, pink and even white.
This plant is ideal for a first time gardener as you can pretty much leave it to itself for most of the year!
CULTIVATION
Pulmonaria are ideally planted in either a North, East or West facing sheltered position and are happy on moist well drained soils that are chalky, clay or loam in part shade. The ultimate height and spread of this plant in approx 2-5 years is 0.5-0.5 metres.
Any tattered leaves should be removed after flowering and you can divide the plant every 3 - 5 years at this time or later in Autumn.
PROBLEMS
Pulmonaria can be prone to 'Powdery Mildew' during dry weather conditions. You can find more info on this particular problem at the top of the blog under the
'Problem Area - Plant Diseases' tab.
If your Pulmonaria is affected by this cut the plant down to ground level, feed and water,
the plant will produce new foliage later in the year.
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Any tattered leaves should be removed after flowering and you can divide the plant every 3 - 5 years at this time or later in Autumn.
PROBLEMS
Pulmonaria can be prone to 'Powdery Mildew' during dry weather conditions. You can find more info on this particular problem at the top of the blog under the
'Problem Area - Plant Diseases' tab.
If your Pulmonaria is affected by this cut the plant down to ground level, feed and water,
the plant will produce new foliage later in the year.
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The PLANT OF THE MONTH for April is Erythronium 'Pagoda'
Erythronium (or Dog's Tooth Violet) 'Pagoda' is a bulbous perennial with broad glossy leaves and leafless stems which hold one or more of the yellow star shaped flowers.
The plant is fully hardy and flowers from the start of March providing you with weeks of interest.
Erythronium (or Dog's Tooth Violet) 'Pagoda' is a bulbous perennial with broad glossy leaves and leafless stems which hold one or more of the yellow star shaped flowers.
The plant is fully hardy and flowers from the start of March providing you with weeks of interest.
(Please Note - The foliage in the background of this photo is from a Hebe, not the Erythronium)
CULTIVATION
You can plant Erythroniums either 'in the green' or as a bulb, if planting as a bulb plant at a depth of 15cm and 15cm apart.
Erythroniums prefer to be planted in partial shade in most but well drained soil that doesn't dry out completely. However they will be happy facing any aspect (North, West, South or East) and will cope in both sheltered or exposed positions on any soil or pH level.
PROBLEMS
Slugs can take rather a liking to these plants but they are generally disease free!
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Erythroniums prefer to be planted in partial shade in most but well drained soil that doesn't dry out completely. However they will be happy facing any aspect (North, West, South or East) and will cope in both sheltered or exposed positions on any soil or pH level.
PROBLEMS
Slugs can take rather a liking to these plants but they are generally disease free!
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The PLANT OF THE MONTH for May is ... Rhododendron 'Dreamland'!
'Dreamland' is a hardy compact evergreen Rhododendron with dark foliage and trusses of pale pink flowers which have deep pink buds before opening.
These shrubs are from the Ericaceae family and prefer to be planted on Acidic soil.
Don't worry if your soil isn't acidic though as they can also be grown in a pot of Ericaceous compost ... just like mine!
'Dreamland' is a hardy compact evergreen Rhododendron with dark foliage and trusses of pale pink flowers which have deep pink buds before opening.
These shrubs are from the Ericaceae family and prefer to be planted on Acidic soil.
Don't worry if your soil isn't acidic though as they can also be grown in a pot of Ericaceous compost ... just like mine!
CULTIVATION
You can plant this particular variety of Rhododendron in full sun or partial shade in a South or East facing aspect. They also prefer a slightly sheltered position in a moist but well drained soil. When planting make sure that they are planted shallowly as they do not tolerate being planted deeply.
If growing in a pot re-potting into fresh compost every other year is recommended along with replacing the top 5cm of soil in the year between.
Make sure that they receive adequate water throughout the year (especially if in a pot) as failure to do so can affect flowering the following Spring.
Watering with Rain water is preferred as tap water can reduce the acidity around their roots however it can be tolerated for a month or so during Summer if rain water runs out.
Feed the plant in Spring with an Ericaceous fertiliser or a 5-7cm mulch of leaf mould around the base.
The only Pruning needed is to remove dead wood and faded flowers.
If growing in a pot re-potting into fresh compost every other year is recommended along with replacing the top 5cm of soil in the year between.
Make sure that they receive adequate water throughout the year (especially if in a pot) as failure to do so can affect flowering the following Spring.
Watering with Rain water is preferred as tap water can reduce the acidity around their roots however it can be tolerated for a month or so during Summer if rain water runs out.
Feed the plant in Spring with an Ericaceous fertiliser or a 5-7cm mulch of leaf mould around the base.
The only Pruning needed is to remove dead wood and faded flowers.
PROBLEMS
- Rhododendron 'Dreamland' may be attacked by Pests such as Vine Weevil & Aphids along with suffering from Diseases such as Powdery Mildew along with Rhododendron specific diseases.
- Flower buds may fail to form or open in Spring if the plant hasn't received sufficient watering in late Summer the year before. Mulching and watering thoroughly from July can prevent this from happening.
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The PLANT OF THE MONTH for June is or should I say was ... Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' can also be known as the Balkan clary 'Caradonna' and this particular Salvia is a Hardy Perennial.
(Salvia's can be Annuals, Biennials, Herbaceous, Evergreen or even Shrubs!)
As you can see from the photo of the plant that I have in my garden it has upright stems or 'racemes' of violet flowers which flower throughout the Summer months with a scented greyish green foliage.
If you are someone that loves Bee's then this plant is a must for your garden!
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' can also be known as the Balkan clary 'Caradonna' and this particular Salvia is a Hardy Perennial.
(Salvia's can be Annuals, Biennials, Herbaceous, Evergreen or even Shrubs!)
As you can see from the photo of the plant that I have in my garden it has upright stems or 'racemes' of violet flowers which flower throughout the Summer months with a scented greyish green foliage.
If you are someone that loves Bee's then this plant is a must for your garden!
CULTIVATION
This plant is happy in most soil types as long as it is well drained, facing any aspect although it may struggle a little in a North facing position. Happy in either Full Sun or Partial Shade it can also cope with exposure to windy weather. Once established this plant becomes drought tolerant in a sunny position.
The total height and width for this plant is 10-50cm which means it remains quite compact.
However this plant is deciduous which means it will lose it leaves over winter.
In regards to upkeep all you need to do is give it a little mulch of well - rotted compost or manure in Spring and prune away any faded flower stems to prolong flowering throughout the Summer months.
The total height and width for this plant is 10-50cm which means it remains quite compact.
However this plant is deciduous which means it will lose it leaves over winter.
In regards to upkeep all you need to do is give it a little mulch of well - rotted compost or manure in Spring and prune away any faded flower stems to prolong flowering throughout the Summer months.
PROBLEMS
This plant is generally disease free but like most plants can suffer attacks from the usual culprits ... Slugs & Snails!
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The PLANT OF THE MONTH for July is ... Crocosmia 'Lucifer'
(This plant may also be known as Montbretia 'Lucifer')
(This plant may also be known as Montbretia 'Lucifer')
CULTIVATION
This plant is happy in most soil types as long as it is moist but well drained, it will thrive well in any aspect except for the North and is happy in either Full Sun or Partial Shade.
Crocosmia 'Lucifer' can also cope with exposure to windy weather.
The total height and width for this plant is 0.1 - 0.5m which is great if you are wanting a little height in your borders at this time of year. 'Lucifer' forms clumps of narrow green leaf spikes along with spikes of funnel shaped flowers which flower from late July - September.
This plant is a Hardy Deciduous Perennial so it will die back to ground level over the winter.
Protection may be needed during particularly cold winters, simply cover the crown with a mulch to protect against Frost damage.
This plant can be propagated in the Spring time by dividing the forming clumps into smaller groups and re-planting just before the growth starts at a depth of approx 4inches.
There is no need to prune this plant.
Crocosmia 'Lucifer' can also cope with exposure to windy weather.
The total height and width for this plant is 0.1 - 0.5m which is great if you are wanting a little height in your borders at this time of year. 'Lucifer' forms clumps of narrow green leaf spikes along with spikes of funnel shaped flowers which flower from late July - September.
This plant is a Hardy Deciduous Perennial so it will die back to ground level over the winter.
Protection may be needed during particularly cold winters, simply cover the crown with a mulch to protect against Frost damage.
This plant can be propagated in the Spring time by dividing the forming clumps into smaller groups and re-planting just before the growth starts at a depth of approx 4inches.
There is no need to prune this plant.
PROBLEMS
Crocosmia 'Lucifer' is generally Disease free but may suffer attacks from the Glasshouse Red Spider Mite.
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