Garden Plants for Scotland

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But the months of February and March can be a tricky time to add colour and interest into the garden. The Methods feed is where articles about forest gardening methods end up, and the forest garden log and my Facebook page are where I put periodic updates on my observations and experiments in the forest garden that aren’t quite complete enough for a full article but still might be useful. As with most nasturtiums, the flowers are edible, and can be added to fruit or green salads for a dash of artistry.

You can also ensure that your garden has a mixture of native plant species, with plenty of sheltered areas for birds to seek refuge. In 2022, we received our first Gold Medal for our Peonies and Perennial display and hope to keep this up for years to come.Those that have walls and fences surrounding their garden can encourage different species of birds by using climbing plants and shrubs to provide cover and nesting sites. From Lerwick to Logan and from Berwick to Kintyre, this is the book for all of Scotlands' gardeners. As with the pea and bean family, Gorse fixes nitrogen in the soil, creating an environment in which other plants can establish and thrive, although it can be aggressive in ideal conditions and need burning off or cutting down to control spread. Creating little micro climates is always a good route to go down, and that might be what you'll need to do with your gravelled area.

This is a ‘Cook’s Tour’ digest of the most notable in either appearance or properties, but for those who really want to dig in to the subject, there’s a short book list at the foot of the page. Additionally, the smell of the flowers is thought to repel the dreaded midges, and the oil has even been used in anti-aging products.

Placing pots in a sheltered position, against a building or even in a garage for a short time during the worst of winter weather, will also help. For successful summer displays, choose plants that flower over a long period of time, respond well to deadheading and are tolerant of container cultivation. Adding well-rotted materials like homemade compost will feed the tiny microbes Then, other creatures such as worms do all of the work by decomposing the waste matter and secreting nutrients to create better soil structure and fertility. Yellow flowers and graceful green-yellow leaves which exude on bruising, a bright orange coloured juice. Insects, birds, small mammals and amphibians not only add to the biodiversity of your growing patch, but many of them also act as predators on pests such as slugs, snails and aphids so there is no need for toxic chemicals.

Similar in appearance to the common Meadow Thistle found in England, this however has large leaves which are felted and white underneath. Himself a nurseryman, Kenneth is the author of numerous books, including The Encyclopedia of Rhododendron Hybrids (with Peter A. The bold, palmate foliage is semi evergreen – it can sometimes be susceptible to leaf spot, a fungal disease, but simply cut the affected leaves right back (don’t put them on your compost). We could look to overexploitation, river and air pollution, non-native invasive species, pesticides, climate change and a range of other factors, but increasing urbanisation remains one of the key issues for biodiversity. A pile of old bricks, rocks or old wood in a corner of the garden can help the bugs and insects flourish.

With an honours degree in landscape management from Reading University, he became Head Gardener for ICI, then set up his own London-based business, designing gardens for celebrity chefs, rock stars, Crown Arab Princes and business tycoons. Aromatic foliage and flowers for pot-pourri, herb pillows, curdling milk, colouring cheese and a red dye for fabrics.