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iris). The flowers vary in colour from pale blue to deep violet, with yellow-spotted splashes down each petal.Some of them share names with the engines of Rev. Wilbert Awdry, so we have I. reticulata 'Edward' and I. reticulata 'Gordon' although, sadly

. In general, the bigger and plumper the bulb, the better. It needs to be firm and undamaged. If there's brown rot at the base of the bulb, don't buy it. Blue mould may appear on tissue that has been slightly damaged, but you can cut it away with a clean, sharp

Summer prune wisteria, shortening all long wispy sideshoots back to about 20cmWater hydrangea bushes with a hydrangea colourant for true blue colour next summerTake clematis cuttings or layer new shoots by pegging them down into the soil to root

tiny clusters of creamy white flowers in early summer that attract a range of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.CarawayBorago officinalis is an attractive plant with hairy leaves that have a slight cucumber flavour. Its delicate blue flowers

There are nine weeks to go to the Chelsea Flower Show and we are beginning to feel the pressure. We are in the final stages of potting up the herbs into their final containers. I have noticed that some of the plants are rushing into flower early

, mauves or white are held on strong, medium-tall wiry stems that don't need supporting.Japanese anemoneThis must-have plant has short stems of large bell-shaped flowers in purples, pinks and blues. It's drought tolerant and pretty hardy, although it

Speedwell (Veronica spp) is an annual weed that spreads through lawns and borders, and has attractive tiny blue flowers. It spreads by seed in spring and autumn to form plants with strong tap roots. Speedwell appears in lawns as individual plants

by a sea of blue campanula flowers. March - JulyJune - August20 minutesMyrtle, Myrtus communis subsp. tarentinaCampanula portenschlagiana x2Small window boxCrocksLoam-based compost, such as John Innes No. 3Cover the bottom of the window box with crocks

That warm Saturday (April 26th) brought out the first butterflies of the year: holly blue, small tortoiseshell and speckled wood. They're all common garden species, but I always get a thrill when I see any of them.The female holly blue

June - August20 minutesRue, Ruta graveolens 'Jackman's Blue'Miniature patio roses x2Pale green thyme, Thymus pulegioides 'Foxley'Garlic chives x3Small lavender, such as 'Munstead' x3Window boxCrocksPeat-free multi-purpose compostPlace the crocks