Purple Wellies

One woman's musings of plant lust for intoxicating blooms

Winter Containers

If you’re looking to create some garden containers to lift the spirits this winter, and I’m sure there are a lot of us that need a pick me up as the days darken, then don’t just stick to the traditional pansies in a six-pack you find in every garden centre. Be a little bit adventurous with your choice of plant.

The Butterfly and Moth Garden

The beating of a butterfly’s wings, it brings a smile to the face and suggests that perhaps all is right in the world. Quite possibly, as their presence is a key indicator of a healthy ecosystem. What about their shadier cousins, the moths? With over 2,500 species in the UK they far outnumber the butterfly’s, and have just as important a role to play. Just a handful have given these, often less colourful species, a bad reputation by nibbling holes in your favourite cardigan or frantically flapping their wings around the light fitting when it manages to find its way in through the only open window. Both act as plant pollinators...

Gardens and green spaces

Gardens and green spaces have become ever more important in the last few weeks and will continue to do so in the immediate future. We have always had an intrinsic connection with nature, whether we realised it or not, but it is only more recently we have put a name to it. Biophilia, the desire to surround ourselves with plants and nature for positive effects on our mental wellbeing, is something we have built up over millennia.

Common pitfalls of gardening

There are many pitfalls in gardening that many fall into, but one I see time and time again is selection of plants for their flowers over their foliage. How many of you are guilty of this, having fallen in love with a plant in full bloom at the garden centre, brought it home, only to have to cajole and squash it in amongst other spur-of-the-moment purchases as there is no room?
 

Closing the Lid on Pandoras Box

The deed is done. All traces of Buxus sempervirens (box) have been removed. The box tree caterpillars had bided their time waiting until we were just about to go on holiday before mercilessly attacking every leaf in sight quicker than you can say Jack Robinson.