Soil pH explained. Acid and alkaline soil techniques
We explain how to measure the pH of your soil. How to grow acid loveing plants where the soil is alkaline. Your soil type can be acid, alkaline or neutral (mid way). This acidity or alkalinity is commonly called the 'pH' of a soil. The 'pH' is ... [... more]
Garden Action |
Dahlia 'Marie Schnugg'
Find out how to grow Dahlia 'Marie Schnugg' Cultivar: 'Marie Schnugg' Soil type: Acidic, Chalky/alkaline, Boggy, Sandy 'Marie Schnugg' is an unusual dahlia that differs in appearance from the traditional large flowered varieties. Each bloom is ... [... more]
BBC |
Hacquetia epipactis
Soil type: Well-drained/light, Chalky/alkaline, Moist, Boggy One of Matthew Biggs' favourite plants for shade, Hacquetia epipactis produces its unsual green, yellow-eyed bracts in late winter and early spring. Emerald-green leaves follow this ... [... more]
BBC |
Hosta sieboldiana var. elegans
Soil type: Well-drained/light, Chalky/alkaline, Moist, Boggy, Sandy A superb hosta with dramatically large, channelled, puckered leaves, up to 46cm (18in) long and 30cm (12in) wide, which veer between being rounded and heart-shaped. They are ... [... more]
BBC |
Fuchsia 'Riccartonii'
Find out how to grow Fuchsia 'Riccartonii' Common Name: Hardy fuchsia Cultivar: 'Riccartonii' Soil type: Well-drained/light, Chalky/alkaline, Moist, Sandy 'Riccartonii' makes a very impressive flowering shrub with a prolific show of small flowers ... [... more]
BBC |
Rosa 'Goldfinch'
Soil type: Well-drained/light, Clay/heavy, Dry, Moist, Sandy Polyantha roses were the predecessors of modern floribundas, and generally share their characteristic of producing small semi-double blooms in large clusters more or less continuously ... [... more]
BBC |
Persicaria bistorta 'Superba'
Soil type: Well-drained/light, Clay/heavy, Acidic, Moist, Boggy With a decent flowering period from late spring to midsummer, the vigorous Knotweed is an excellent choice for the damp garden. The bottlebrush-like, tiny mauve-pink flowers are ... [... more]
BBC |
Hedera helix 'Goldchild'
Best used for covering a low wall, this ivy is undemanding and will grow happily in sun or shade and is not particular about the soil type. It also requires little maintenance. 'Goldchild' is a compact variety with light green leaves, edged with ... [... more]
BBC |
Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata'
Soil type: Well-drained/light, Chalky/alkaline, Moist, Sandy This is a striking, slow-growing yew which naturally makes a good shape without any clipping or trimming. It forms a tall upright growing tree with a conical habit. This conifer makes a ... [... more]
BBC |
Solanum tuberosum 'Sarpo Mira'
This variety produces huge crops of large, red-skinned floury potatoes late into the potato season. It is versatile enough to use in all types of cookery and stores well, even up until Christmas. It grows easily in all soil types and is fairly ... [... more]
BBC |
Rosa 'Honeybun'
Find out how to grow Rosa 'Honeybun' Cultivar: 'Honeybun' Soil type: Well-drained/light, Chalky/alkaline, Moist, Sandy 'Honeybun' is a miniature or patio rose, with rosette-shaped double orange flowers, which stand smartly out against the healthy ... [... more]
BBC |
Aronia melanocarpa 'Autumn Magic'
Find out how to grow Aronia melanocarpa 'Autumn Magic' Common Name: Chokeberry Species: melanocarpa Cultivar: 'Autumn Magic' Soil type: Well-drained/light, Clay/heavy, Acidic 'Autumn Magic' is a great plant for year round interest in the small ... [... more]
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