Plant hardiness defines the lowest temperature at which a plant will survive during the winter. The zones are defined differently in the UK, the US and Europe. The UK uses the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Zones: H - Fully Hardy - Hardy to -15 degrees C (5 degrees F) FH - Frost Hardy - Hardy to … [Read more...]
The GR Allotment: Update
4 May 2010 By Leave a Comment
The Gardening Register has had it's allotment for nearly a year now and we are finally making progress. We were unable to do much during the winter months due to the bad weather then we struggled to find a vehicle large enough to deliver our supplies. The first job this year was to have a few tonnes … [Read more...]
How to Grow Fragrant Sweet Peas
24 April 2010 By Leave a Comment
Sweet Peas are one of the most popular plants for UK gardens. They are annuals so only last the one summer but the display they give is always amazing; lots and lots of colourful, usually fragrant, flowers growing on bright green stems up to 6-7ft in height. Wonderful! As an added bonus they are … [Read more...]
Camellia sinensis for Making Tea
23 February 2010 By Leave a Comment
Camellia sinensis is similar to the more common ornamental varieties but with the benefit of being able to produce tea from the leaves and shoots. The flowers are white with yellow stamens and are fragrant. The leaves are evergreen; dark green and shiny. If left unpruned it can grow to 10ft or more … [Read more...]
Tritonia Rubrolucens and Hippeastrum (Amaryllis)
7 January 2010 By Leave a Comment
Question: Could you please tell me how best to deal with the foliage of "Tritunia rudrolucens" and "Hipeastrum advenum"now that the flowers have finally died off, leaving climps of foliage 12 to 18 inches high. Answer: Do you mean Tritonia rubrolucens and Hippeastrum (Amaryllis)? If so here is how … [Read more...]
Types of Plants – Half Hardy Perennials
21 December 2009 By Leave a Comment
Half Hardy Perennials are similar to hardy perennials in that they will also die down in autumn and grow again the following spring, however, they cannot withstand frost so they require to be protected over the winter or taken into a greenhouse. Care: Plant Half Hardy Perennials in autumn or spring. … [Read more...]
When do you sow Phormium Tenax seeds?
9 October 2009 By Leave a Comment
Question: I have acquired some phormium tenax seed pods. When can I sow the seed? Answer: Phormium is a hardy perennial so the seed can be sown in late winter/late spring and late summer/autumn. To help germination put the seed in the fridge for a 6-8 weeks prior to sowing. Sow in a mixture of well … [Read more...]
The Gardening Register has an Allotment
29 June 2009 By 1 Comment
Three weeks ago my brother, Allan, was allocated an allotment after being on the waiting list for just a couple of months. The allotments are called Ashfiled Allotments and are situated round the corner from our mum's house in Knotty Ash. It is just a half plot but is more than big enough for what … [Read more...]
Questions for October 2007
28 June 2009 By Leave a Comment
Question: Please could you tell me whether the fuchsia "Shadow Dancer" is hardy? Answer: Your Fuchsia "Shadow Dancer" has a hardiness rating of H3 which means that you need to give it some protection from frost. Either move it into an unheated greenhouse or cover with horticultural fleece when frost … [Read more...]
