Garden Thoughts

  • The Garden In January

    by Maureen Catlin
     January is the middle of our winter but it is actually the start of the gardening season. It is often the coldest month of the year but we can sti...

  • Winter Garden Delights In December

    by Maureen Catlin
    In the depths of winter there are still some treasures to be found to brighten the dull grey landscape in our gardens. The evergreen backcloth is v...

  • Colourful Foliage Plants For Winter Gardens

    by Maureen Catlin
    November is the first winter month when the light levels are lower and there’s a general sad feeling that the bright colours of summer in the garde...

  • Bulbs To Grow In The Garden

    by Maureen Catlin
    Last month we talked about growing bulbs indoors for winter so this month let’s look at planting them in the garden for colourful displays next spr...

  • September Is The Month To Plant Bulbs For Christmas

    by Maureen Catlin
    Prepared Hyacinths are probably the most popular Christmas flowering bulb. These have already been treated to bring their natural spring flowering ...

  • Ornamental Grasses

    by Maureen Catlin
    Ornamental grasses are one of the most versatile groups of plants for garden planting. They are unfussy, free from disease and easy to grow being t...

  • The Cottage Garden

    by Maureen Catlin
    The true cottage garden is very informal with a mix of plants from climbers to bulbs planted close together so when one plant stops flowering anoth...

  • Nectar Rich Flowers For Butterflies and Bees

    by Maureen Catlin
    Since 1976 our Butterfly and Bee populations have really been in decline. The destruction of natural habitats by more intensive farming methods and...

  • Exotic Summer Plants for Patio Pots

    by Maureen Catlin
    This year more than ever we need to treat ourselves. We can’t go out to eat in a restaurant. We can only go to the pub garden. Holidays abroad are ...

  • Sow and Grow

    by Maureen Catlin
    Growing plants from seed is a very economic, interesting and rewarding hobby. It allows us to experiment with unusual varieties but for success we ...

  • New Season New Plants

    by Maureen Catlin
    At last its March the worst winter weather has past the Covid Pandemic is coming under control after exactly 12 months as more of us receive a vacc...

  • A PLANT THAT FLOWERS FOR 12 MONTHS OF THE YEAR

    by Maureen Catlin
    Ask me “What is your favourite plant” and my reply is CLEMATIS. Why? Well within this plant genus there is a variety that will be in flower every w...