Woottens Blog

2011-12-08T01:02:00.000-08:00

I find it really peaceful working in the garden in late autumn and for me it affords the best time for reflecting on successes and the inevitable failures that the last two
seasons have brought.

Without too much routine gardening to do, it is a great opportunity to plan for next year. It is also a good time to plant tulips bulbs… I have a huge weakness for tulips and every year find myself seduced by their vibrant colours and elegant forms. They are the stars of the spring show and can be enjoyed in a number of different ways.

For cut flowers the vegetable plot is an ideal place for tulips, they will thrive in an open situation with fertile, free draining soil and can be planted in rows for easy
picking. Containers filled with tulips also look fabulous, I prefer to keep mine simple using a single variety per pot.

Go for scented varieties and pack them in for impact. For large pots try
Single Late varieties such as the classic, deep maroon Queen of the Night or
Lily- flowered Queen of Sheba, Red Shine and White Triumphator.

You could try some old clay seed pans planted up with the diminutive species tulips such as Tulipahumilis or bakeri. These look great grouped together on the garden table where they can be enjoyed at close quarters. This year, for a touch of flamboyance, I am planting up some old galvanised wash tubs with Parrot tulips - Rococo, BlackParrot and Muriel.

Parrot tulips arose as sports or mutations of existing tulips and with their twisted and streaked petals they are perhaps the showiest of the species - but definitely not for the faint hearted. Tulips, of course, can also form an integral part of spring borders and I choose varieties to complement existing planting arrangements and colour schemes.

A few colour combinations which have worked for me and you may wish to try are as follows: Ballerina is the only orange Lily-flowered tulip; it is tall, elegant and deeply scented. I plant it with swathes of the snowy woodrush Luzula nivea.

Rich toffee and terracotta coloured tulips like Abu Hassan look great with fennel and copper coloured Carex buchananii , or the more bronzy Euphorbia “Fens Ruby” .

Try dark tulips such as Recreado and Negrita with the emerging silvery grey foliage of cardoons, Artmesia or Thalictrums as a backdrop - or the yellow leaved grass Carex elata“Aurea” for contrast. Finally, my favourite tulip is the dark
crimson Jan Reus. It looks fabulous with the deep pink flowers of Lamium Orvala
and emerging above the frothy pink cow parsley Chaerophyllum hirsutum Roseum .

If the weather is kind, tulips can be planted late into December
so there is still plenty of time to make a display – get planting!

2011-11-10T08:45:00.000-08:00

Pelargonium Winter Care.

Over the past 2 months at Woottens we have been preparing our Pelargoniums for the cold season ahead. We have been incredibly lucky with the weather; Suffolk has been sunny, mild and breezy right the way through October and into November, perfect for tackling the winter trim.

At home my dining room has welcomed in my Pelargoniums for the winter, stacked along the sunny windowsills I make sure they receive plenty of light, very little water and a daily breeze.

I have stripped off much of the foliage to ensure the dreaded botrytis stays at bay this year. The scented leaf varieties still provide me with my daily dose of fragrance much more delightful than any air fresheners.

Amongst my many favourite Pelargoniums, I am particularly drawn to P.dichondrofolium and P.Lavender Lindi at the present.

Both have delicate foliage, dainty flowers and distinguished frangrances.

P. Lavender Lindi

P. dichondrofolium

Apart from keeping an eye on them and cleaning off any dead foliage, my Pelargoniums keep themselves to themselves through the winter, eagerly awaiting the Spring.

2011-10-26T05:44:00.000-07:00

Many months have passed since our last blog entry here at Woottens Plants.

Although the autumnal sun still graces our days, the nights are most certainly calling in the winter. I have to admit that wintertime is my guilty pleasure, I adore the changing of the seasons especially here at Woottens.

Having enjoyed the witty words of our beloved botantist Rohanna, I am saddened to say she has left our coastal shores to study at RHS Wisley to extend her already profound knowledge.

The dutiful task of the Woottens blog has been passed on to not just one but all the dedicated staff members of the nursery team.

We hope to be able to give you a diverse insight into the inner workings of Woottens Plants and indulge you all with our individual passions.

We all have our designated areas on the nursery ranging from the digging and replanting of Bearded Irises and Hemerocallis to propagating our Auriculas and Pelargoniums.

Whatever the time of year each area is thriving with activity and we would like you to join us in our Woottens blatherings.

2011-05-20T02:19:00.000-07:00

I spent the greater part of last autumn and winter seriously focusing on transplanting around 15,000 irises. Think wild autumnal winds, rain, and me trudging about for months in initially a huge yellow two piece wet weather suit, which eventually (after being blown backwards whilst trying to cycle home) I upgraded to a chic navy blue slimmer fit. I lived in wet weather gear, and breathed irises, I dreamt of iris names flying in the wind and dancing in mud.

Iris Stella Light and Rosalie Figge

Its surprising really that before last autumn I had little passion for irises, but then I was ignorant, and now, thousands of rhizomes later, I can say for sure that I am hooked. Last year I never really saw the iris field until digging time, when most of the flowering had finished, it was then the remontants, the second fruiters, which held my gaze, the beauty of Stella Light, which on its own is a rich purple, but oddly becomes more blue when held next to the rich papal purple of Rosalie Figge.

Iris Midnight Caller and Codicil

But now, I see the field in all its glory, a sea of colours, so many enchanting possibilities. This week I especially wanted some Iris Midnight Caller, for its velvet richness and some Codicil, I like the way the dark beards contrast against the antique blue standards and falls. But no doubt there will be many more that I “need”, I can’t wait to have a leisurely stroll and meet some of the hundreds of varieties we have to tempt. Our iris fields are officially open for viewing from the 24th of May until the 10th June. Do pop in and have a look, I expect you will be smitten.

2011-04-28T00:57:00.000-07:00

What a spring we have had so far! The oaks here in Suffolk are well ahead of the ash, so as the old saying goes Oak before Ash, in for a splash, Ash before Oak, in for a soak, we shall see. I can tell with it being my second spring in suffolk that everything is further ahead this year, but then last year took a while to warm up, and if old sayings are anything to go by, Ne’er cast a clout (coat), till May be out.

Never mind all that, right now I am appreciating the astounding beauty of theWisteria sinensis Prolific, that elegantly climbs across a cream wall here on the nursery. Its pendulous racemes and perfect pruning transform the wall and transport the viewer to somewhere grand and romantic like renaissance Italy. Underneath Iris germanica Rosalie Figge perfectly compliments, enhancing the dream.

Wisteria is a vigorous woody vine, growing up to 20m high by 10m across and as such requires a strong substantial support frame. The largest recorded Wisteria apparently measures in at an acre, but with regular pruning its size and shape can be well maintained (as is the case here on the nursery). In its native environment Wisteria sinensis grows up other trees, preferring a rich well drained, slightly acid soil. I know of one that grows all the way from a neighbouring house up, up, up, over a high fence into a crab apple tree which blossoms around the same time, creating a soft natural effect that stills the mind.

2011-04-13T12:56:00.000-07:00

In the foothills of the high country in the South Island (New Zealand) Lupins have found a home along the gravelly banks of braided rivers, thriving to the extent they actually have become something of a pest (due to habitat modification-another story altogether). But who could seriously begrudge the sight of lupins in various pastels growing en-mass, stunningly set off by the snow capped Southern Alps and turquoise waters of glacial fed streams.

The lupins on the nursery were potted on a few weeks ago and the palmate foliage triumphantly smiles out of its pot, as if to say thank-you. I look forward to lupins every year as they remind me my mother, who as far as I can see grows the best lupins. There is no real secret in it, except to say they want their soil rather light, not too full of nutrients and nor too compacted.

Some recommend to cut down flower stalks to stop seed development, which uses plant energy, perhaps more important when the plant is young, but it may also encourage a second later flourish of flowers. However its worthwhile noting that without George Russell’s breeding and selection of seedlings the lupin would not be what it is today. So if you like a bit of randomness in colours, let your lupins set seed and see what happens, or if taking the controlled approach cut down those flowers stalks! Either way, with the warming April soil, now is the time to get your lupins planted.

2011-04-05T08:56:00.000-07:00

The Dicentra spectabilis are budding and even opening now. Like something conjured from a faery tale, heart shaped buds dangle from arching racemes surrounded by delicate divided fronds of foliage. On the nursery we have both the straight species form and the Dicentra spectabilis Alba for those who like the refreshing simplicity of white on green.

Dicentra spectabilis is a hardy rhizomatous perennial native to woodlands of Eastern Asia. It likes a moist soil in a lightly shaded position, a cooler position is said to promote longevity of flowering and increase lushness of foliage. Be careful not to disturb the roots, as the plant naturally dies back after flowering one can forget where it is planted and this plants does not enjoy having its brittle roots prodded about.

2011-03-26T04:31:00.000-07:00

Passing by hedgerows turning frothy with blossom, and golden slippered with daffodils, suddenly I feel its safe to believe that spring really is here. What marks the first day of spring is it a date, or a bluebell, or something else? Already we have had some wonderfully warm days, where working away (albeit rather vigorously) one has been reduced to a t-shirt!

Euphorbia ceratocarpa has caught my eye this week, its one of those wonderful plants which offers something all year round. Coming through the winter with stems shaded in red tones topped off with golden limey green willow like leaves, followed up with limey yellow flowers in summer.

It likes a free draining soil, so loam, sandy or chalky, the main thing being it hates having wet feet, especially in winter, plant in the right place and it will never disappoint! The plant has an open habit giving it a delicacy other Euphorbias lack and adding to its versatility as a garden plant which fully mature will reach the height and spread of around 1.5m. There are many planting options, some recommend Phormiums, I like the idea of mixing with the grass Anamenthele lessoniana, Nepeta, Gaura, and perhaps some Erigeron karvinskianus.

2011-03-21T03:46:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine, who lives in the tropical climes of Hawaii, remarked that she could not possibly live in such a cold climate, a tale of fresh coconuts and homegrown pineapples (imagine). However wondrous this may seem, I fear I would miss the annual dance around the seasons, the constant reminder of life in all its different stages. The exciting thing, right now, is that all the herbaceous perennials are stirring to life, they are fresh and optimistic, perfectly positive actually.

P. Festiva Maxima, P. Mons Jules Elie, P. Duchess de Nemours

Besides, what about peonies? Herbaceous peonies (Paeonia sp), need the cold, apparently thirty days of frost, to promote strong flowering, and who would want to be without a herbaceous peony. At the moment they are thick red asparagus like spears, which will in time unfurl into lush green palmate foliage, followed by large sumptuous flower heads in early summer.

Broadly speaking herbaceous peonies can be divided into 3 groups, there are singles, doubles and the Imperials. Singles and doubles are self explanatory, Imperials are interesting in that they are single flowers in which the stamens have become petal like filaments creating a contrasting inner density to the flower.

P. Scarlett O'Hara, P. Krinkled White, P. Bowl Of Beauty

Besides the wonders of herbaceous peonies, one cannot overlook the tree peony, of which Rockii, previously rare, is a certain Nurseryman’s favourite. Think golden yellow stamens encircled by huge white papery petals of crushed silk, blotched with inky berry markings at the base.

All peonies are long lived (100years recorded in some cultivars) and like a sunny site with rich soil (heavy but not waterlogged). Peonies in pots can be planted now, take care when planting, herbaceous peonies need their crown up at the surface to ensure good flowering and tree peonies are generally grafted plants so make sure the grafted union is well above the soil.

2011-03-11T00:49:00.000-08:00

I cannot decide if I like the parrot tulip that is revealing itself from its tiny pot, a house warming gift. There is something about the red flowers crumpled green edge that from afar gives some kind of diseased look, and I think ugh what has happened to that tulip. The parrot tulips “look” actually was originally caused by a mosaic virus transmitted to the plant by a louse. Through the wonders of modern science the visual effect has been retained whilst removing the disease. Tulips incidentally hail from Turkey and were introduced to Holland about 400years ago with whom they have been associated with ever since.

On closer examination I concede that of course the parrot tulip does have some beauty, but I would struggle to dismiss any plant altogether. Last year I was enchanted by many a weed, simply for its wildflower value, one of the most impressive being a Tragopogon pratensis, otherwise known as Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon or Goats beard. In flower it is like a dandelion, but larger and more defined, and even more so when it turns to seed, almost as good as an Allium christophii bloom (shown in the pictures below).

The Auricula house is starting to transform, with some flowers and buds coming along on many. My favourites at the moment are the Double Auricula’s, which are like tiny velvet roses made by elves (who previously worked for the shoemaker). This one is crimson glow, I have it on my kitchen window sill, the coolest spot in the house but still with plenty of light.

2011-03-04T09:48:00.000-08:00

Michael is passing on the blogging reigns for a bit as he is busy gearing up towards the fast approaching time of year all us gardeners have been waiting for. I scarcely believe that spring will truly come, and summer in turn- that flowers like Pacific Giant Delphiniums really do exist. I can see them now poking out of the ground, a sign of life from the dormant soil, but a mere nod to their eventual grandeur.

I by the way am Rohanna Heyes, a member of the Woottens team and among other things am a keen gardener from the far flung reaches of the South Island, New Zealand (it can be far colder than everyone thinks) where I studied Botany for a Bachleor of Science at Otago University. Right now I am dreaming of the flowers I fell for last summer: the black form of cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris “Ravenswing”), Pimpenella major Rosea (in form much like a cow parsley with soft pink umbels), Knautia macedonia, Gaura lindheimeri, Erigeron karvinskianus, Nepeta “Walkers Low”, Eryngium “Sapphire blue” and Echinops “Veitchs Blue”. The options are endless really when I look round the nursery these are but a few, and what better time is there than the present to start planning for summers bounty.

Meanwhile there are actually many wonderful plants that are grabbing attention right now, and one that cannot be passed with out a pause to inhale its beautiful fragrance is of course Daphne odora Aureomarginata. Daphne odora is a slow growing evergreen shrub (semi-evergreen in England) that hails from Eastern Asia. All Daphne’s prefer to be left alone once planted, so take time to choose the right spot. Daphne odora needs a free draining soil fertile soil, and prefers not to be pruned (taking a few sprigs of the delicious scent inside now and then is about all that is required). The D. odora cultivar Aureomarginata, is generally considered the hardiest and is at home in a border or in an informal woodland, but is perhaps best at an entrance way, where its fragrance can be more often appreciated. Red berries follow flowers.

On the nursery we also have the perhaps more exotic Daphne bholua “Jacquelline Postill” also known as the Nepalese paper plant after the production of paper and rope from its bark. It is particularly noted for its intensely fragrant flowers which are slightly larger than those of D. odora, it is bigger in habit too, growing in favourable conditions up to 4m high with a spread of 3m. It is evergreen (though deciduous at altitude in its native environment) with purple black berries following the flowers. It requires a fertile, free draining soil in either light shade to full sun, and is borderline hardy.

2010-12-03T01:28:00.000-08:00

I feel a bit guilty, I really talked the snow up in my last blog saying I was fed up with my winter flowering Viburnums still having foliage. The frosts has nicely denuded them but of course the frost has burnt the flowers as well.

Work at the nursery is slowing down as we approach the midwinter low. Most plants hate being tampered with at this time of year. However there are exceptions. We grow a lot of Hemerocallis and Iris sibirica in pots and they can be divided and repotted even in the dark days of December and January.

So turn on the heater in the potting shed and get cracking. Divide with a long bladed sharp knife into big chunks and repot. Remember if you are mean and divide into small chunks flowering may be delayed till 2012. And do remember to include some slow release fertiliser in your compost, it is so much easier than faffing about with liquid feeds.

Winter Flowering Viburnums

2010-11-23T04:18:00.000-08:00

Am I the only disgruntled gardener this autumn. Yes we have had wonderful autumn colour but my winter flowering Viburnums just refuse to lose their leaves. They are covered in flower and leaves at the same time - quite quite wrong. The joy of winter flowering Viburnums is the delicate flowers being displayed against auster bare twigs.

2010-11-20T13:03:00.000-08:00

Of all the forms of Helleborus orientalis (syn H x hybridus) the white form is my favorite. Unlike the squat Christmas Rose - Helleborus niger - it bears its flowers aloft on tall elegant stems safely out of reach of the soil which is so often splashed by rain onto the flowers of H niger. The pure white flowers of H orientalis are beautifully cup shaped - the flowers of H niger are rather flat.
H orientalis is dead easy to grow and will thrive in the poorest driest soil. H niger is much more fussy and will only succeed in a good loam or clay based soil.

2010-11-18T01:43:00.000-08:00

Evergreens in tubs can look so so boring. How many times have you shuddered seeing tubs of dusty garish phormiums or the ever so plastic looking Eleaeagnus pungens Maculata on either side of a friend's front door.

I am often asked for shrubs to grow in pots for winter interest. My answer is nearly always Sarcococca. This delightful evergreen winter flowering shrub (sometimes called "The Winter Flowering Box") covers itself in small, highly scented, white flowers from December to March.
Sarcococca likes full shade and is happy growing in any not too dry soil. Slow growing it is well suited to pot culture. Perfect in a couple of pots on either side of a North door where the delicious scent of the flowers will greet you in all your entries and exits.

Sarcoccoca foliage is also a great delight. The foliage is elegant - not too broad and pointed. The leaves of many winter evergreens are just too big and clumsy to look good in containers.

But never ty to grow Sarcococca in sun - in summer the leaves will become pallid and fall off - not a pretty sight!

2010-10-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

Heucherella Sweet Tea

Over the last few years there has been a mudslide of new Heucheras virtually all with garish foliage - only fit for muncipal bedding. Heucherellas (Heuchera x Tiarella) normally manage a lot more elegance - all inherited from the Tiarella side of the family. Heucherella Sweet Tea is a must for the autmn garden. Looks wonderful with spindleberries!

Euonymus alatus.

Chuck out theose Suburban Japanese Maples and plant a grove of Spindleberries!

2010-04-23T08:58:00.000-07:00

Chosing Pelargoniums

There is a a Pelargonium for every situation.

Did you know P australe and P tomentosum will grow in deep shade? P tomentosum has huge glabrose silver leaves and smells strongly of peppermint. It bears large sprays of small pink veined white flowers in the late Spring. The foliage of P australe is deep bronze and eau de clogne scented - it bears clouds of white flowers throughout the summer. Both these species Pelargoniums are strong growers and look wonderful in large lead or zinc planters.

P. tomentosum

For window boxes rather than the inevitable ivy leaf Pelargoniums why not try P. sidoides. This forms handsome cushions of gun metal foliage which will hang down over the side of the box. It bears its magnificent intense deep burgundy flowers all through the summer and autumn.

P. sidoides

For large tubs try growing P Lara Rajah - a wonderful shrubby Hartshook Unique which will cover itself throughout the summer with an endless succession of it rich deep red flowers.

P. Lara Rajah

If you want a small tender tree try growing P papilonaceum - it has huge lemon deep green leaves and makes a small bushy tree with a stout trunk to 150cm tall.

P. papilonaceum

And did you know that Pelargoniums Claret Rock Unique and Purple Unique are first rate climbers - they will both ascend to well over 3 metres.

P. Purple Unique

Or maybe you just want an elegant plant for a windowsill. There is none more beautiful than the lemon scented Lara Starshine with its silver grey filiogree foliage and endless succession of warm pink flowers.

P. Lara Starshine

Do phone me if you want more advice on Pelargoniums. Tel: 01502 478258.

Kind regards

Michael Loftus

If you want

2010-04-19T00:24:00.000-07:00

All About Auriculas

Our Auriculas are at last budding up. Normally I reckon the last week of April to be be the peak week for Auricula flowering. This year it looks like being the second week of May.
Do feed your auriculas in the build up to flowering. Use tomato fertiliser at half recommended strength every two weeks - we give them their first dose at the end of February.
With the weather getting warmer we have just ordered our first batch of Phytoseiulus persimilis, a beneveolent mite which controls red spider mite - in a hot dry summer red spider mite can ravage the foliage of auriculas under glass.
The photo above is of one of my very favourite auriculas Auricula Dale's Red - a super velvety red, border auricula; this is a tough easy plant which should be in every garden - looks wonderful with Pulmonaria Blue Ensign - our plant of the week.

Click here to see our plant of the week Pulmonaria Blue Ensign.
Click here to view our Auriculas

Regards

Michael Loftus

2010-04-12T01:34:00.000-07:00

Black as Lace

Anthriscus sylvestris "Raven's Wing".

This is a super cow parsley deviant with the blackest of black lacy foliage. If you are mad about Actaea Brunette this is a must for you. This Anthriscus is very early into growth in the Spring and looks wonderful with orange tulips such as Abbu Hassan.
Also looks good with the deep crimson flowers of Cirsium rivulare Atropurpureum
Anthriscus s. "Raven's Wing" is dead easy to grow and thrives in any soil except bog. It is a biennial and self seeds 70% true. When the seedlings come up in the autumn it is easy to distinguish and rogue out any unwanted green leafed forms
We have super 2 litre pots available. Click here to see more details on our website.

A couple of weeks ago I was writing about the wonderful yellowy green Hacquettia. I cannot get enough of this colour in the garden. At the moment Euphorbia myrsinites is in full flower, cascading over the edges of our raised beds - the coils of blue foliage perfectly set off by the Derbyshire sandstone.

Euphorbia myrsinites
This plant will grow in any well drained soil and is very long lived. Looks wonderful with the dwarf tulip Persian Jewel. Click here to see more details on our website.

Regards
Michael Loftus

2010-04-05T01:09:00.000-07:00

Hungry For Fragrance...

This winter because of the unrelenting cold has been a poor winter for fragrance. The iris unguicularis have flowered meagrely. The winter flowering Viburnums got completely burnt off...

For the last couple of weeks I have been comforting myself with Clematis armandii which we have growing in tunnels. Its large spidery white blossoms are a perfect Easter blossom. Both so fresh looking and fresh smelling with its delicious lemon scented flowers. Click here to view further details on our website.

Of course you can grow Clematis armandii outside on a warm wall where it will flower somewhat later. It is a wonderful climber for a London house A vigorous plant with elegant deep green oval evergreen foliage it will soon cover large expanses of ugly brickwork.

My house is full of bunches of Narcissi. Every year we grow many new varieties but for me Narcissus Jenny still reigns supreme

This photo shows flowers which have been open for a couple of days. When the flowers first open the coronas are lemon yellow. Its great beauty lies in its winsome swept back petals. Narcissus Jenny grows only15cm tall and is a wonderful coloniser. We have it planted ut in our beds of Iris sibirica to give early interest.

All the best

Michael Loftus

2010-03-29T03:27:00.000-07:00

"Mad about Hacquettias...."

Hacquettia epipactis

This is my current crush. A delightful greeny yellowy green woodlander from the Carpathian Mountains. An unlikely member of the umbellifera family it looks wonderful in early spring with the deep blue Pulmonaria , P Blue Ensign. Easy to grow it thrives in almost any soil except dry sandin a shady position. Click here to view further details on our website.

Twenty years ago when I started the nursery for lack of space I had to sacrifice my vegetable garden. This year I am giving myself a present of a new one. Sharon Allen our new vegetable gardener will be joining me on this blog to share her huge vegetable and fruit expertise with Woottens customers.

Our tomatoes are going to be housed in an 18 square metre Geodesic dome. These are really super structures - see http://www.geo-dome.co.uk/
and we have splashed out on a really good sturdy steel framed fruit cage from http://www.harrodhorticultural.com/HarrodSite/pages/home/default.asp

Our plants are at last waking up and we have given them their first dose of Wormcast Compost Tea . This is a super organic tonic which improves plant health and makes plants use any available nutrients more effectiveley. This is product at the moment is only available in trade quantities but I guess some bright spark will soon start marketing it as a retail product.

Easter looks like being its usual cold and miserable self but we have still got lots of work to do in the potting shed. All the best Michael Loftus.

Spring at last might be beckoning.

2009-02-13T08:11:00.000-08:00

After days and days of rain it has at last desisted and the pools of water are gradually dissipating. Bicycling through the country lanes in the evenings the field and roads have been awash with water. Gurgles in all directions.

The hazel catkins are at fully last out. Nothing gives me more pleasure than their pendant yellow flowers overhanging my bed of snowdrops. About time too. They must be at least three weeks late. We have a particularly beautiful form of Crimean snowdrop which my mother was given from Henham Park. It has large substantial white flowers and is a robust plant normally in flower by the beginning of January.

I think early Spring should be mostly white. I always shudder when the first King Alfred daffodil rears its ugly head. I can never plant enough of the beautiful white Cyclamen coum Album in my garden. They look so wonderful in great swathes round the base of mature trees. This year due to the cold weather my they are only just now coming into flower. Cyclamen really are the most surprising member of the Primula family. Contrast their refinement with the coarseness of the average bedding polyanthus all aglare at the moment in the munipal parks.

I have just been up on our iris fields and it is difficult to imagine that in only 3 months time it will be ablaze with colour. There is not one sign of new growth yet! I love the dormancy of winter and the waiting for it all to begin again.

We are busy here in the potting shed getting ready for the season. We have potted up some 20,000 plants in the last three weeks. My wonderful staff remaining cheerful through all the sleet and snow, the wind whistling through the cracks in the shed.

Remember this is the time to cut back all your deciduous grasses. Chop them down now and when they start to shoot you will have all fresh new growth rather than an unsightly tangle of old and new.

If you have any gardening queries, click on comments and post your questions.

Good gardening

Mike Loftus