Irises for an early show Come the spring, those slugs which have survived the winter by skulking under stones in the rock-garden,or under outdoor pots, stretch themselves and think about irises in spring. Except in slug world they are known as ‘breakfast’. As it’s spring, the Hostas haven’t appeared, while the Ligularia are no more …
Category: Garden Flowers
CARDIOCRINUM GIGANTEUM
A Giant Lily from the Himalayas This was year two of growing a giant lily and there was much excitement this summer as Cardiocrinum giganteum shouldered its way above a couple of vigorous rock roses and broke into the open air above. This impressive lily from the Himalayas is famed as the largest lily of all. (It was …
WALLFLOWER – AN OLD-TIMER FOR THE GARDEN
Wallflower is rich in folk-lore Before we go all horticultural, let me tell you a story, as an example of the folklore associated with wallflower. (“Draws up chair and invites his listeners closer.”) Neidpath Castle sits high on a grassy knowe above the Tweed near Peebles, an easy Sunday afternoon’s excursion from the city of Edinburgh. …
ALPINES FOR THE GARDEN
Take to the hills for inspiration! (…and alpines!) Well, any excuse. So the weather looks settled and you have a hankering to head for the heights – but there are jobs to do in the garden. At first you might think there is no connection between hillwalking and gardening. Yes, I know there is garden …
A ROSE FOR EVERY GARDEN – in the right place
There is a rose for every garden. Down in England, they have the rose as a national symbol. In fact, it was King Edward I, the Hammer of the Scots, who first used the rose in his Great Seal of State. As that was some years before the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 (when his …