Gardener and Photographer with a love of Roses and a magpie-eye for all things Horticultural
More thieving from my back catalogue of articles, this one doubly so since it originally featured in September a few years ago, featuring images taken from 2014 onwards - and repeated again in April of this year. But spring-flowering bulbs are available now so this time of year is probably the most useful as bulbs can be…
Bulbs in the spring garden. The text and images are timely in this piece, looking through the late winter and spring months January through to May, though it was originally written for a September story when the bulbs and corms would be available for planting. There are practical tips and hints planting of course,…
I've a workshop planned this week as part of the School of Garden Inspiration syllabus at Petersham Nurseries. The subject is bulb planting in the garden, and more specifically, Spring-flowering bulbs that are available now for planting in the coming weeks and months. Some practical information and hopefully, some inspiration along the way. Without doubt,…
A light dusting of snow in the woods around Ham, though at home in Teddington there was enough for a serious game of snowballs between the children heading to school. (below) The churchyard at St. Peter's Church by Petersham Nurseries. While the Cutting Garden, while not exactly deep and crisp and even, had a wintery…
Continue reading ➞ What did I say about February? Tricky already…. A Snow/No Snow day
I am dreaming of Spring, mostly. There is a great deal to admire in February so I worry that we might wish the month away without appreciating what is looking - or giving - its best right now, or the quiet simplicity of our gardens stripped bare of all of the spring and summer fireworks…
Continue reading ➞ February made me shiver….
Fritillaria persica, on the Jacques Armand International exhibit - with quite a collection of fritillaries on display F. paddeana against F. imperialis lutea (above) Fritillaris crassifolia Wisley (above) F. sewerzowii (above and below) A fine collection of Imperial fritillaries in orange and yellow Also on the Jacques Armand exhibit, other Spring flowering bulbs - and…
Continue reading ➞ The RHS Great London Plant Fair 2014 – Gold Medal Fritillaries
I'm reprising three earlier posts, now that bulbs are arriving in garden centres and nurseries - tulips and narcissus, hyacinth, crocus and all manner of buried treasure. Tulips won't mind being planted later in this year, even into November, though the choice will become more limited as stocks go down. Buy now and keep them…
Continue reading ➞ The Bold and the Beautiful – Tulipmania
OK, so it's not a phase. Officially, Orange and more Orange. A return visit to the RHS gardens at Harlow Carr (near Harrogate in Yorkshire) and so much to see! Small in comparison to RHS Wisley, but still packing in the excitement and seasonal interest. Planted containers full of tulips, in vibrant and jewel-like combinations,…
Continue reading ➞ Molten lava….
A rather lovely bulbous plant, Muscari latifolium, where the lati or latus means wide, as in the 'wide leaved grape hyacinth' - it develops just the one wide leaf, quite tulip like in fact. Happiest in full sun though tolerant of some light shade and do keep it from being wet in winter. The fertile,…
Continue reading ➞ Muscari latifolium (grape hyacinth)
The Teddington Gardener 