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Author: John

In this guide, I show you how to divide agapanthus and when to get the most out of them. Divide every few years after flowering.
Dividing Agapanthus – How and When to Divide Them, Step by Step

Dividing Agapanthus – How and When to Divide Them, Step by Step

Why spend money on acquiring more agapanthus plants when you can get them free? If you are wondering how that is possible, let me give you a few tips on how and when I divide my agapanthus. These beautiful flowers offer lush foliage and different coloured blooms depending on the variety you have. They are easy to grow and require low maintenance which means you can multiply them easily in your garden or give some to your friends or family….

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Cordylines are low maintenance in general but they can suffer from a few cordyline problems from pests and diseases.
Dealing With Cordyline Problems – Pests & Diseases

Dealing With Cordyline Problems – Pests & Diseases

Also known as cabbage palm, the Cordyline is a species of plant that looks similar to a palm tree and they can grow up to 20 meters tall. This hardy evergreen plant has over ten varieties, some of which sport different colours and thrive in different climates. To grow a Cordyline successfully, you need to be aware of some of the common problems that can affect it.   While Cordyline varieties such as the Cordyline Australis are typically easy to…

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Lavatera is best pruned back hard every year to encourage new flowering stems. Pruning is best done in spring as stems swell.
How to Prune Lavatera – When and How to Prune (Mallow Bushes)

How to Prune Lavatera – When and How to Prune (Mallow Bushes)

Originally from Mediterranean areas, Lavatera plants produce beautiful funnel-shaped flowers of different colours. These easy to grow plants enjoy well-drained soils but are not too picky about location and will grow well even in poor soils, but to really get the best from them I recommend pruning once a year, or at least every couple of years. To ensure these semi-evergreen plants thrive regardless of the weather, you need to know when, and how to prune Lavatera, also more commonly…

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I often get asked when to pick gooseberries but there are two answers for this as it depends on what here used for, ie cooking or eating fresh
When to pick gooseberries and how to encourage the best crops

When to pick gooseberries and how to encourage the best crops

Gooseberries are not only delicious but, they are good sources of vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin B. You can make anything from jams, chutneys, pies and salads if you enjoy being in the kitchen. If you already own a gooseberry bush or intending to own one but are unsure when to pick the fruit, this is the article for you! Do you know the best time to pick gooseberries? In this guide, I will explain when to pick gooseberries…

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There are a few pest that will eat magnolia leaves, burrow into the stems and eat the flowers.
Magnolia pests: What’s Eating the Leaves on Your Magnolia Tree?

Magnolia pests: What’s Eating the Leaves on Your Magnolia Tree?

Magnolias are one of the most stunning types of trees, with the Magnolia ‘Yellow River’ being my ultimate favourite with its yellow tulip-shaped flowers, but I also have Magnolia ‘Stellata’ and Magnolia ‘Susan’ planted in my garden. This charming tree produces large blooms that are both a remarkable sight and some varieties have a lovely scent. While Magnolias look majestic when fully matured, they need some maintenance to promote healthy growth and that includes understanding what is attacking its leaves,…

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Caterpillars on Roses Rose Sawfly
Caterpillars on Roses – Killing Rose Sawfly Larvae

Caterpillars on Roses – Killing Rose Sawfly Larvae

Your beautiful roses have been thriving and then all of a sudden you start noticing that the leaves are curling inwards or outwards, scars on the stems or holes in the leaves. You look for the root of the problem and discover rose sawflies are plaguing your roses. It is actually a fairly common problem, so what do you need to do? How do you deal with rose sawflies without causing further damage to your roses? In this guide, I…

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I explain step by step how to take Buddleia cuttings including softwood in spring and hardwood in autumn.
How to Take Buddleia Cuttings – Step by Step

How to Take Buddleia Cuttings – Step by Step

If you fancy some butterflies and bees in your garden, you can never go wrong with a Buddleia. This is why there are also more commonly known as the Butterfly Bush. Buddleias are exotic-looking flowers with around 140 species on different continents from large varieties such as Buddleia ‘Royal Red’ to dwarf Buddleia such as Buddleia ‘Buzz’ and ‘Blue Chip’. The one thing that they all have in common is that they are incredibly easy to grow as well as…

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Alliums are spectacular plants. In this guide, I show you what to do with alliums after flowering from cutting back to dividing bulbs
What to Do With Alliums after Flowering

What to Do With Alliums after Flowering

Alliums have a distinct look, taste and smell. They are typically used for decorative purposes and depending on the species, they can be used as food crops but I’ve always grown ornamental alliums and really enjoy the larger flowered varieties although I do have a selection of smaller growing varieties too.   Do you enjoy the sight of alliums? If you already have them in your garden they are magnificent, but what do you do with alliums after flowering? Those…

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Lilies are stunning plants and generally, you should deadhead each flower as it finishes but pruning depends on a few factors. Learn more now
What to Do With Lilies after Flowering – When and How to Cut Them Back

What to Do With Lilies after Flowering – When and How to Cut Them Back

While in full bloom, lilies stand tall and majestic creating an exotic scene that many appreciate. However, what happens to the lilies after flowering? Do you just let them be, or do you deadhead them and prune them in preparation for the next season? Experts indicate that it is essential to prune and cut back your lilies followed by mulching for healthier growth. In this article, you will discover tips on when and how to cut lilies to provide optimal…

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There are many reasons conifers start to turn brown from winter browning caused by cold weather to diseases such as Pestalotiopsis dieback.
Why Are My Conifers Turning Brown? What you need to know

Why Are My Conifers Turning Brown? What you need to know

If you enjoy the evergreen aesthetic that conifers offer, you might be shocked to notice wide-scale discolouration. You may wonder; why are my conifers turning brown? There is cause to be concerned because several reasons can result in conifer leaves turning brown. However, hope is not lost because you can remedy the problem and nurse the tree back to health. Below are some common causes of leaf discolouration in conifers and some remedies you can undertake. Pruning conifers at the…

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