Search - Articles

I seem to have created the perfect habitat for my frogs. It's not a large garden, marsh or meadow, but a tatty grow bag from last year, screened by willow edging and topped with dead foliage. It's an absolute eyesore and I hate it, but to my frogs

This willow border edging is ideal for supporting billowing plants and its rustic appearance will blend into any style of garden. Bear in mind the willow will sprout into leaf in spring, so you'll need to wind in new growth to keep it looking neat

-leaved shoots. They pop up all over the place and grow faster than the grass, so it's obvious when the lawn needs mowing.The shoots are the runners of one of my favourite plants, Salix exigua, or the coyote willow. This is about the tallest plant I have

stems with soft twine to the willow, leaving some give in the twine so that the stems don't break in the wind and have space to grow.AdamWater daily, snipping off any seedheads forming under the foliage, and feed plants weekly with a high

.Encourage climbers onto the support by tying stems with soft twine to the willow, leaving some give in the twine so that the stems don't break in the wind and have space to grow.AdamSnails like hiding in the willow and dense foliage, so get into the habit

The bright, cheery colours of Spanish flag (Ipomoea lobata, formerly known as Mina lobata) and Canary creeper, Tropaeolum peregrinum, combine to make a stunning summer pot display.Canary creeper is an easy-to-grow relative of nasturtium. You might

of the climbers.Encourage the sweet pea onto the support by tying stems with soft twine to the willow, leaving some give in the twine so that the stems don't break in the wind and have space to grow.AdamRemove fading flowers, using scissors or secateurs to cut

it immediately if it appears in your greenhouse. Chickweed is a tenacious weed that can grow quickly and form thick mats, which smother nearby plants.Hand weed or hoe out seedlings as they appear, or smother them with a good layer of compost or mulch. The most

.Clean and sharpen knives and secateursPut up nesting boxes for birds on suitable treesMove shrubs growing in the wrong placeAround the gardenCut down willows and dogwoods to their baseFinish taking hardwood cuttingsPlant bare-root roses, hedging, trees and shrubs

-like leaves. Neither tree will stand a chance in the north.Salix exigua - the coyote willow. This is a bit of a wild card choice. I choose it because, unlike most willows, that grow big and fast this is a much wispier plant that spreads by suckers