Category Archives: perennials

Christmas growth and flowers

Posted on December 24, 2020 by Helen

After much angst over nearly two years, it looks like the globe artichoke is not only going to survive but may become the plant I’d been hoping it would be. On the other hand, the Nine-star broccoli doesn’t seem to … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, perennials, presents | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

A Halcyon at last!

Posted on October 29, 2020 by Helen

When I first saw a blue Hosta, I was charmed. The name of this particular variety was ‘Halcyon’ and ever since I have been on the hunt for one. Last year, I found another blue variety, which seems to keep … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, perennials | Tagged , | 15 Comments

Summerfield Nursery

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Helen

I can’t remember why I was attracted to follow Summerfield Nursery on Twitter but perhaps it had something to do with the fact that it sells hardy perennials. In any case, on Sunday they tweeted that they were open and … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Gardening, perennials | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Nine-star broccoli

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Helen

It’s a few years since I was introduced to The Backyard Larder. This is a specialist nursery which sells perennial vegetables. I get the impression that business has been booming since lockdown, which is undoubtedly one of the plus sides … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, perennials | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

No pear tree this year

Posted on March 1, 2020 by Helen

My plans for a dwarf pear tree have floundered this year. What with the bumpy start to the year for myself as well as the weather, the pot I was going to use for the tree is still full of … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, perennials, soil management | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Too soon, too late

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Helen

Around the start of the year, I noticed the rhubarb was behaving peculiarly. Or perhaps the soil around the crown was simply falling away. But no, it seems to be sprouting. Considering this variety of rhubarb has normally only started … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, perennials, trees | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Less produce, more fun

Posted on December 31, 2019 by Helen

This morning, I read an article with a clip of a puffin scratching itself with a stick in The Washington Post. The puffin wasn’t in the newspaper, by the way, but somewhere in Iceland. My reason for sharing it with … Continue reading →

Posted in forest garden, Gardening, perennials | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Summer snowflake (L. aestivum)

Posted on December 29, 2019 by Helen

Of course, it is too early to say there will be no snow this winter but after all the rain since forever it seems, at least the plants in my garden which like moist conditions must be loving it. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, perennials | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Copper tape and fleece

Posted on July 8, 2019 by Helen

The three day lilies that I germinated from seed have been doing very well in their pots in the shed. I wanted to get them in the ground over the summer, though, so that they could establish themselves before winter. … Continue reading →

Posted in edible flowers, perennials | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Introducing the ferns

Posted on June 10, 2019 by Helen

I have long wanted a fern in my garden and finally a couple of weeks ago I acquired two from RHS Wisley. These were destined for the spot between the fence and the pond. However, two weeks ago, the phacelia … Continue reading →

Posted in perennials, Pond and bog garden, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments