Create a mini pond
Brighten up your patio and encourage wildlife to visit your garden with your own container pond. Select a combination of marginal, aquatic and oxygenator plants. Plant marginals in aquatic baskets filled with garden soil and top-dress with ... [... more]
BBC |
Primula auricula
An evergreen, spring-blooming primrose from the mountains of southern Europe, it has scented, deep yellow flowers and fleshy, light green leaves. It ideally needs the sharply drained soil with added grit of a rock garden, though it can also be ... [... more]
BBC |
Alnus rubra
The large leaves and long catkins that festoon the branches in early spring make this a handsome medium-sized tree. It is a good choice for water-side plantings as it enjoys moist soil. Its soft wood was used by native Americans for making ... [... more]
BBC |
Lythrum salicaria 'Feuerkerze'
A long-flowering plant with a strong presence, useful for late summer and early autumn, 'Feuerkerze' is ideal for growing in boggy soil by a pond or stream. It sends up slender stems laden with vibrant, rose-red flowers. Divide every few years to ... [... more]
BBC |
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Renate Steiniger'
Find out how to grow Hydrangea macrophylla 'Renate Steiniger' This hydrangea is one of the best blue, flowering varieties in mid-and late summer, with the flowers nicely set against the shiny green leaves. The soil chemistry affects most ... [... more]
BBC |
Acinetobacter species
Acinetobacter is a Gram-negative bacterium that is readily found throughout the environment including drinking and surface waters, soil, sewage and various types of foods. Acinetobacter is also commonly found as a harmless coloniser on the skin ... [... more]
Health Protection Agency |
How to attract animals to your garden
RSPB and garden advice bring your the types of animals you can bring to your garden from birds to butterflies. Plenty of birds, plus hedgehogs will peck around in the flower border, either after worms and other creepy-crawlies in the soil, or ... [... more]
Garden Advice |
Campanula takesimana alba
This is an unusual campanula with huge hanging, tubular bells along short stems and heart-shaped, slightly glossy leaves. Plant in full or partial shade in well-drained but moist soil where it will quickly spread. Find out how to grow Campanula ... [... more]
BBC |
Buddleja davidii 'White Cloud'
Find out how to grow Buddleja davidii 'White Cloud' Cultivar: 'White Cloud' Buddleja davidii is a fast-growing and undemanding shrub from China, ideal for a wide range of positions in the garden, provided they are sunny and the soil well-drained ... [... more]
BBC |
Geranium maculatum
A North American geranium which stands up rather than flopping, and has clusters of white centred, pale to dark pink flowers. They open in late spring, and again in summer, and with luck even in the autumn. Make sure that is in damp soil, ... [... 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]
BBC |
Astilbe 'Bressingham Beauty'
There is a good choice of pink astilbes, this being a rich pink for late summer. The spreading ferny leaves have a hint of bronze, and the fluffy pyramids of flowers perk up borders in sun and light shade. To get good results, make sure the soil ... [... more]
BBC |
