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Primroses Feb 21

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<p>With daffodils in flowers and leaf buds swelling on branches, spring is definitely in the air again. Get your garden into shape for the year with our <strong>top gardening tips for March</strong>.</p>

<p>With daffodils in flowers and leaf buds swelling on branches, spring is definitely in the air again. Get your garden into shape for the year with our <strong>top gardening tips for March</strong>.</p>
<h2>Top gardening tips for March</h2>
<ol>
<li>
<p>Now’s the time to plant your chitted first early potatoes. (You can also plant unchitted potatoes, but chitting them will give you a better harvest.) Plant onion sets, too, covering them with netting to stop birds pulling them up. &nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Once the daffodils have finished flowering, deadhead them. Leave the foliage to die back naturally so that the plants can store enough food in their bulbs to produce next year’s blooms.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Dig up large clumps of snowdrop clumps while their leaves are still green and divide them into smaller clumps for replanting. This will encourage them to spread.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Choose a day when the grass is dry, and cut your lawn on a high setting.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>In parts of the country with milder climates, you can start sowing seeds outdoors towards the end of March. Hardy annuals like Californian poppies, Nigella, cornflower and nasturtium can all be direct sown outdoors now, as can carrots, parsnips, radishes and broad beans. If the ground is still frozen, sow them indoors in pots instead.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Sow tomato seeds and chillies indoors in pots, and put them in a greenhouse or warm sunny windowsill to germinate and grow.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Plant summer-flowering bulbs like gladioli, agapanthus and lilies in pots indoors, ready for planting out once the frosts are over.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>If you haven’t pruned your bush roses yet, do it now, cutting away all dead, damaged and crossing branches, removing spindly growth and cutting the remaining stems down by a third to a half.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Prune mophead hydrangeas, cutting back last year’s flowering stems to the first strong buds below the dried flowerheads.&nbsp; Prune fuchsia, too, cutting back last year’s flowering stems to one or two buds from the older woody growth.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Lift and divide big clumps of perennials like daylilies, agapanthus and hostas. Lever fibrous clump apart using two garden forks inserted back-to-back in a clump. Use a sharp knife or the cutting edge of a spade to divide woody roots. Dividing overgrown perennials will rejuvenate them and gives you extra plants.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Feed roses with general-purpose fertilizer and blueberries, camellias and rhododendrons with ericaceous fertilizer.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Clear weeds from borders and dig compost or well-rotted stable manure into your vegetable beds to get ready for spring planting.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Put in plant supports now, while your plants are still small, and it’s easier to work around them. As the plants grow, they can be trained into the supports.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Get ready for summer by installing a water butt connected to a downpipe to collect the rainwater from your roof.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Top-dress shrubs in pots by removing the top 5cm (2in) of old compost and replacing it with fresh.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p>Visit our centre for tools, seeds and all your gardening needs, and get your garden looking great this spring!</p>

15 garden tips for March

<p>Find out our t<strong>op 10 scented plants</strong> and&nbsp;enjoy the spread of natural scent in your garden. We have a wonderful range of plants with a nice fragrance. Fill your garden with scented plants and your garden will not only look fantastic but also smell fantastic!&nbsp;</p>

<p>Find out our t<strong>op 10 scented plants</strong> and&nbsp;enjoy the spread of natural scent in your garden. We have a wonderful range of plants with a nice fragrance. Fill your garden with scented plants and your garden will not only look fantastic but also smell fantastic!&nbsp;</p>
<h2>1. Honeysuckle</h2>
<p>The sweet fragrance of Honeysuckle brings a heady scent to the garden. Not just beautiful with flowers varying from white to cream and salmon pink but also a wonderful climber, ideal for pergolas and archways. It’s especially good where you might be able to sit near or walk by to fully appreciate it, along with the many beneficial insects that it will attract.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>2. Lemon Balm</h2>
<p>One of the most fragrant of herbs and great in a cooling glass of water to refresh you on a hot day in the garden. Lemon Balm is very easy to grow and ideally in pots or contained well, as it is similar to Mint with respect to taking over. Lemon Balm can be used to calm and ease anxiety as well.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>3. Nicotiana</h2>
<p>A wonderful annual for beds and borders and highly fragrant in the evening time. Protect seedlings and young growth from slugs and snails, otherwise, they are really easy to grow. A variety of colours from lime green to white, pink and red. You will even find some moths are attracted and will put on quite a display at night.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>4. Lilac Bush&nbsp;</h2>
<p>The stunning Lilac gives out an incredible late spring fragrance with pretty flowers, perfect for using in baking or sprinkled on flowers. Often used for hedging, they just need pruning after flowering and watering when first planting.</p>
<h2>5. Daphne</h2>
<p>The sight and smell of Daphne is a staple late winter/early spring plant for the garden. The clusters of pinkish flowers can be smelt quite far away so they are great for entrances, driveways and anywhere you walk by to breathe in the beauty.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>6. Eucalyptus</h2>
<p>Not just for bouquets of flowers! Eucalyptus looks great in the garden, especially in pots. Trim the stems and hang up in your home. Not only smells great but even helps medicinally as well.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>7. Gardenia</h2>
<p>The pretty white flowers of Gardenia are unmistakable not just for their beauty but for their gorgeous fragrance. They grow well in containers when planted in ericaceous compost and if you stand your container by the front door, it will be an entrance full of perfume.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>8. Sweet Box</h2>
<p>A welcome sign in late winter, as the flowers dangle from long stems with glossy foliage. But it is the fragrance that will really hit you. The wonderful sweet fragrance that is a sign of the garden coming alive again for the seasons ahead, is most welcome.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>9. Rose</h2>
<p>The classic fragrant garden plant! With the many many varieties available there is a rose for everyone. From the intoxicating ‘Etoile de Hollande’ to the delicate and well-known fragrance of ‘Gertrude Jeykll’.</p>
<h2>10. Stocks</h2>
<p>The cottage garden favourite, Stocks are incredibly fragrant with pretty flowers and full of colour. Equally, they look perfect in a bunch of flowers as they do in pots.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Get sowing your seeds, nurturing plug plants and fill your garden with fragrance from our range of seeds and plants in store.&nbsp;</p>

Top 10 scented plants

<p><strong>Garden decorations</strong> such as sculpture and ornaments add interest to the garden all year, complementing the planting in summer and acting as a focal point in winter when plants have died back. Here are our top tips on using garden decorations to add your own personal touch to your garden.</p>

<p><strong>Garden decorations</strong> such as sculpture and ornaments add interest to the garden all year, complementing the planting in summer and acting as a focal point in winter when plants have died back. Here are our top tips on using garden decorations to add your own personal touch to your garden.</p>
<h2>Choosing and placing garden decorations</h2>
<p>Sculptures, decorative pots and other artwork can add an extra dimension to your garden. There are so many different types of garden decorations. We have something for any type of garden. From modern to Bohemian gardens, and from Ibiza to Japanese styled gardens. Here are a few tips on placing sculpture and other garden decorations for the best effect.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Place sculpture or other garden decorations at the end of a pathway or in the centre of a courtyard to create a focal point.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Use them to add interest to a dull area of the garden.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Remember to consider the object's view from all sides when placing it.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Avoid large solid sculptures for a small garden. Instead, choose something open that you can see through, which won’t dominate the space in the way a solid piece would.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>To get an idea of the size of the piece that you want, use a cardboard box or something similar in the spot where you plan to put your artwork, to get an idea of scale.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h2>Winter garden decorations</h2>
<p>Garden decorations have a vital role in winter. When the borders are bare, garden decorations take over the role of creating structure, colour and interest. Artworks, pieces of sculpture or even just large decorative pots can act as focal points, giving you something to look at even on cold, grey days. Because you’ll mainly be looking at them from inside the house in winter, check the view from your windows when placing garden decorations before deciding on their final positioning.</p>
<p>Some of the best winter garden decorations may already be in your garden. Bare trees have wonderful structures, which can be enhanced by wrapping the branches in strings of fairy lights so that you can appreciate their shape at night. Glass jars filled with fairy light strings also make beautiful winter garden ornaments, dotted around borders or along paths.</p>
<p>Decorative plant supports and being useful in summer, often make beautiful winter garden decorations, adding structure and interest to otherwise bare borders.</p>
<h2>Combining plants and garden decorations</h2>
<p>Plants make a beautiful backdrop for artwork.&nbsp; Soft planting contrasts very effectively with bold, solid pieces and looks perfect with a traditional garden statue or an old-fashioned sundial. Bold-leaved plants like hostas or Fatsia japonica create a tropical effect that suits oriental garden decorations like stone lanterns or Buddha statues.</p>
<p>When planning the planting around your garden decorations, consider how the plants' colours will complement the artwork as the seasons change. You could choose artworks to highlight the beauty of autumn or to harmonise with summer planting. Provided your garden decorations look good to you, they’re in the right place!</p>
<p>We have a fantastic range of garden decorations in our centres, so contact us for the best garden decoration products.</p>

How to choose and use garden decorations

<p><strong>Houseplants</strong> add beauty to our homes, and they’re good for us too, helping to reduce stress and boost our moods. To help you keep your houseplants looking their best, we’ve put together some <strong>tips on basic houseplant care</strong>.</p>

<p><strong>Houseplants</strong> add beauty to our homes, and they’re good for us too, helping to reduce stress and boost our moods. To help you keep your houseplants looking their best, we’ve put together some <strong>tips on basic houseplant care</strong>.</p>
<h2>The right temperature for houseplants</h2>
<p>Many of our favourite indoor plants come from tropical or subtropical areas of the world, so they prefer a warm environment. However, there are a few things to remember when trying to find a warm spot for your plant.</p>
<p>Don’t put plants near radiators, as the heat will dry them out and burn their leaves. Sunny windowsills are a good option, but be aware that direct, hot sunlight through glass can scorch even tropical plants' leaves.&nbsp; Windowsills can also get very cold on winter nights. Place your houseplant somewhere with a reasonably steady temperature, typically between 18-22°C (64-71°F).</p>
<h2>Light levels for houseplants</h2>
<p>All plants need light, but too much bright light can damage houseplants. Most houseplants do best in bright but indirect light, shaded by blinds or placed on an east- or west-facing windowsill. A south-facing windowsill that gets full sun is best suited to desert plants such as cacti and other succulents.</p>
<p>Flowering plants need more light than foliage plants and may need to be moved to a brighter spot in winter when light levels are lower.</p>
<p>Yellowing and dropping leaves, elongated stems and small leaves are all signs that your plant is not getting enough light. On the other hand, too much light can cause brown leaf tips or brown scorched patches on leaves. Keep an eye on your plants and move them if you see signs of too much or too little light.</p>
<h2>Houseplants and humidity</h2>
<p>Houseplants that originate from the tropics like humidity. Central heating can dry out the atmosphere in our homes, so to increase the humidity around your plant, follow these tips:</p>
<ul>
<li>Stand pots on trays of pebbles covered with water.</li>
<li>Mist plants regularly.</li>
<li>Group plants together to create a microclimate.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Watering houseplants</h2>
<p>Watering houseplants can be tricky – in fact, overwatering is probably the most common cause of death for houseplants.&nbsp; Here’s how to spot the signs of over-and under-watering.</p>
<p><strong>Signs that your plant needs watering:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Wilting leaves</li>
<li>Brown leaf edges</li>
<li>Dropping leaves</li>
<li>Pot feels light when picked up</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Signs that your plant is being overwatered:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Dropping leaves</li>
<li>Brown, mushy roots</li>
<li>Standing water in the drip tray</li>
</ul>
<p>Test the moisture level in your plants’ pots by pushing your finger into the compost to feel whether it is damp below the surface. Most houseplants do best in slightly moist compost, but not wet. For large, deep pots, you may find it easier to use a soil moisture meter with a probe that can be pushed into the compost without damaging plant roots.</p>
<p>With a bit of care and attention, you can have a home filled with beautiful, healthy houseplants. Why not visit our centre and choose yourself a new houseplant today?</p>

How to care for houseplants

<p>Whether you’re looking for evergreen structure, winter colour or beautiful flowers, there’s a <strong>viburnum</strong> to suit your needs. This large group of plants includes evergreen and deciduous shrubs, some with scented winter flowers and others blooming in summer. They’re easy to grow and care for and great for wildlife. Here are three of our favourite viburnums.</p>

<p>Whether you’re looking for evergreen structure, winter colour or beautiful flowers, there’s a <strong>viburnum</strong> to suit your needs. This large group of plants includes evergreen and deciduous shrubs, some with scented winter flowers and others blooming in summer. They’re easy to grow and care for and great for wildlife. Here are three of our favourite viburnums.</p>
<h2>Viburnum tinus (Laurustinus)</h2>
<p>Viburnum tinus is a large evergreen shrub that flowers in winter, producing clusters of tiny, lightly scented flowers. These are followed by berries which are a popular food source for birds. Viburnum tinus provides good evergreen structure all year and can be trimmed to shape.</p>
<p>Plant in sun or light shade, in moist, well-drained soil. Trim in early summer to maintain a neat shape.</p>
<p><strong>Popular Viburnum tinus varieties</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Viburnum tinus ‘Eve Price’ AGM produces clusters of pinkish-white flowers followed by blue-black berries. 3m x 3m (10ft x 10ft)</li>
<li>Viburnum tinus ‘Lisarose’ has white flowers which open from bright red buds, providing a dash of winter colour. 3m x 3m (10ft x 10ft)</li>
<li>Viburnum tinus ‘French White’ produces clusters of gleaming white flowers that look great against the dark green foliage, followed by blue-black berries. 3m x 3m (10ft x 10ft)</li>
</ul>
<h2>Viburnum x bodnantense (Arrowwood)</h2>
<p>Viburnum x bodnantense is a deciduous winter-flowering shrub. Its large, leathery leaves turn vibrant red and orange in autumn, and it’s renowned for the clusters of sweetly scented pink flowers that appear in on bare branches in winter. Put a few flowering stems in a vase to fill a room with fragrance.</p>
<p>Viburnum x bodnantense grows in full sun or partial shade, in moist, well-drained soil. Prune in spring after flowering has finished to keep it to size.</p>
<p><strong>Popular Viburnum x bodnantense varieties</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ AGM - clusters of dark pink flowers 3m x 2m (10ft x 6.5ft)</li>
<li>Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’ AGM – brighter pink flowers 3m x 2m (10ft x 6.5ft)</li>
</ul>
<h2>Viburnum opulus (Guelder rose)</h2>
<p>Viburnum opulus is a native deciduous shrub with large maple-like leaves. It flowers in late spring, producing dainty white lace-cap flowers, followed by sprays of orange berries that are very popular with birds. The leaves take on purple tints in autumn.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Viburnum opulus will grow in full sun or partial shade, in a fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Prune after flowering, cutting one in every five old stems down to the base to promote new growth.</p>
<p><strong>Popular Viburnum opulus varieties:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’ produces big round ‘snowball’ white flowers in May. The flowers are spectacular but sterile, so are not followed by berries.&nbsp; 5m x 5m</li>
<li>Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’ is a more compact variety, ideal for smaller gardens. It produces white lace-cap flowers in May, followed by red berries in autumn. 1.5m x 1.5m (5ft x 5ft)</li>
</ul>
<p>Now’s a great time to plant shrubs and trees, so visit our centre to see our great range of viburnums and other shrubs. Get your garden ready for springtime and prepare your garden for a sunny summer.</p>

Garden plant of the moment: Viburnum

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 You should be hoeing your vegetable beds regularly to keep weeds down. If you let them grow they will compete with vegetable plants for water and food.;

Garden pests

<p>Weeds, so the saying goes, are just plants in the wrong place. The trouble is, there are so many of them. However much you might think dandelions are pretty, or ground elder has elegant leaves, if you stop to admire them too long you (and your plants) will quickly be overrun.</p>
<p>You'll probab