Summer bedding plants provide and create a temporary floral and foliage display during the
warm summer months. The form of display can be within the garden beds, hanging baskets or a container of your choice. It is an excellent opportunity for one to become creative, not only with the variety of plants available but, with also the type of container which can be used. For example, a disused wheelbarrow or a pair of old boots can make authentic and attractive planters. Although grown from seed, they can be purchased in cellular trays and multi-packs ready for planting and providing an almost instant effect. The majority of the summer bedding plants are categorised as tender/half-hardy perennials, hardy annuals, half-hardy annuals and hardy biennials. The following are some of the popular choices: - Begonia - Sweet Peas - Geranium/Pelargoniums - Petunia - Lobelia - Busy Lizzies - Heliotrope - Nemesia - Cosmos - Alyssum - Calendular/Marigolds. - Dianthus. Generally, summer bedding plants are regarded as being frost tender and suitable for the summer months only. They are excellent for filling any bare or vacant areas within the garden beds, the larger areas can be planted with what is known as carpet bedding plants. Essentially, these plants are more compact and closely integrated which give the effect of a carpet and it is possible to create various different designs and patterns by using different colours of blossom. This is widely seen in public gardens and commercial landscapes around the country where many thousands of plants are used, the design layout being from a computerised plan. The private garden does not have to be quite as formal, but an effective display can still be achieved, whether the same colour is used in large clumps or long singular rows, it is another opportunity to be creative in the garden. Hanging baskets are a great addition for any garden or property and bedding plants with a pendulous and trailing characteristic will create the best effect. Popular plants suitable for hanging baskets are Lobelia, Begonia and Periwinkle, but, why not try the edibles of strawberries and tomatoes. Colour themes have long been popular and simple to achieve, this is known as monochromatic, where each container or hanging basket is composed of plants with foliage or blossom in shades of the same one colour. Again, another opportunity to be creative. Regardless of the choice flowers and the location of planting, either within the borders or container, the addition of summer bedding attributes to the garden a feeling of completion. There will be minimal bare areas, a surrounding of flora with a profusion of colour and one must not forget, a chance to be creative. Contribution by Oliver David Cook
1 Comment
April is an ideal month for attending to any existing lawn care issues which may have arisen over time. If
it is a newly laid lawn which is desired then now is advisable before the average temperature begins to increase. For the first cut of the year it is recommended that the setting of the lawn mower should be on a higher setting. This is known as the ‘one third rule’ meaning one must not cut more than a third off the length of the blade of grass in one go. Cutting shorter on the first cut can stress the grass and if cut too short and scalping occurs, then a bare patch would be inviting for weeds to grow. Towards the end of the month the cutting height can be reduced to achieve the eventual desired length, however, this is dependant on the weather conditions and if the grass is growing profusely then more cuts maybe required or the cutting height may have to be reduced earlier. Before the first cut is made, an overall inspection should be made of the lawn and with a grass rake in hand, rake as much of the lawn area as possible. This is to achieve clearing the lawn of any stones or debris which may damage the blades of the mower, it also lifts the grass blades signalling them into life, removes any unwanted thatch and an opportunity to observe any bare patches or areas where weeds are making an appearance. Aeration is advisable too, particularly in the areas which are susceptible to compaction and this can be carried out with a standard gardening fork, the numerous holes allow the root zone more access to air and water and the chance for the lawn to breath. Aeration also aids in controlling the unwanted thatch which hinders lawn growth. The key for mitigating weed growth is to eliminate the bare patches of lawn, if the grass is thick and lush the weeds have less chance of growing. One must ask why a bare patch exists and does it occur in the same area each year, this maybe due to the area having minimal sunlight such as under a tree canopy. If this is the case then it maybe worthwhile considering reducing the lawn size and create a shallow garden bed for small shade tolerable plants. Where there are other bare patches of a noticeable size the ground can be prepared for ready made rolls of turf or alternatively grass seed can be applied. Preparation is of the utmost importance here and watering after the turf has been laid or the seed has been sown is essential. With the possibility of having more time available, then those deep rooted dandelions, providing they are not too in abundance and the ground reasonably soft could be dug out by hand. It is the bane of the lawn lover, but the dandelion with its bright yellow flowers is beneficial to pollen beetles and bees particularly in the month of April, therefore, if desired the first cut could always be delayed. It should be considered too that if the lawn was to remain slightly longer throughout the year, cut on a higher setting, then this may result in less weeds. The greater surface area on an individual grass blade equates to increased photosyntheses, which then results in more growth and increased root system, hence reducing the space for weeds to grow. by Oliver David Cook on behalf of Green Landscapes Cornwall MISTLETOE the ‘air-plant’ Mistletoe, its true name being Viscum Album, is synonymous with this time of year particularly with the tradition of ‘Kissing under the Mistletoe’. There are many ancient mistletoe traditions, the best known being the Scandinavian legend Balder, the god of peace, who was killed by an arrow made from mistletoe and was resurrected by the other deities. The goddess of love was then entrusted with the mistletoe and regarded it as symbol of love, hence, any person passing beneath shall receive a kiss. Mistletoe is an evergreen parasitic shrub with white viscous berries and of the natural order Loranthaceae. It is a native of Europe and North Asia and requires a host plant with which to grow on, such as an apple tree in the garden. Orchards benefit from the growing of mistletoe on their fruit trees, thus yielding a return during the winter months when the trees are dormant. This is what makes the mistletoe so unique, it is also known as an ‘air-plant’ that is it is not rooted to the ground but it attaches itself to other plants, the correct name for such a plant is an Epiphyte, this word originating from the Greek words epi (upon) and phyton (plant). The bark and the leathery mistletoe leaves are of a yellow-green colour and are oval- lance-shaped, mostly in pairs. In spring, there are inconspicuous yellow flowers which consist of four triangular sepals, a similar number of anthers and an ovary with simple stigma. This is followed by poisonous white berries, however, they are devoured by birds most notably the Mistle Thrush, the seeds becoming attached to the branches of trees by their agency. On germination the embryo pierces the bark and penetrates to the wood and here it draws most of its food from the tree, but it manufactures carbohydrates in its leaves.The constituents of mistletoe can vary due to the host plant with which it grows on and it is believed the Druids regarded the mistletoe which grew on an Oak was the superior, although Oak being a rare host. It possible to grow your own mistletoe and there are numerous fact sheets and websites available including the following: http://mistletoe.org.uk/homewp/index.php/grow-your-own/ |
Welcome!Here at Penwarne Landscaping we are all passionate about gardens, and believe that outdoor spaces are just as important as indoor ones! In this blog, we regularly share our expertise along with tips and tricks that you can use to make the most of your garden and home. Archives
November 2023
Categories
All
|