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Category: General gardening topics

Learn about Lupin winter care, what to do with lupins over winter and how to protect lupins in pots over winter
Lupin winter care – What to do with lupins in winter?

Lupin winter care – What to do with lupins in winter?

Lupins in winter in the ground Most Lupins are perennials which means they die back for winter and regrow every year in spring. Most lupins will survive the winter very well in the ground. That being said, there are a few lupins that are not as hardy so always check the label or plant description if buying online. Lupins are robust and tolerate sub-zero temperatures well as long as they’re in well-drained soil. The very long tap root travels deeply…

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I look at the main lupin pest and diseases including lupin aphids, mildew, root rot, slugs and how to prevent and treat
Lupin pests and diseases

Lupin pests and diseases

Lupins are one of my favourite plants, and having grown Lupins for over 30 years, I’m no stranger to some of the many Lupin pests and diseases, and I recently talked about what was eating my lupins here. They are mainly the common ones that affect most perennials including aphids, as well as powdery mildew which is a Fungus, but there are a few more, so in this guide, I explain what they are and what to do about them….

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Learn how to grow lupins from choosing the right positions, pruning for a second flush of flowers and what to do about pests and mildew.
How to grow lupins and care guide

How to grow lupins and care guide

I’m a big fan of lupins as they are super easy to grow, the flower spikes look amazing, and they generally don’t require much care once established. As long as they’re in their preferred environment (sunny position in well-drained soil) they require little care. A little deadheading, watering if grown in pots and maybe feeding with a little potassium-rich fertiliser such as Vitax Q4 and they will do well. Here’s my guide on what you need to provide to grow…

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Follow my sFollow my step by step guide and learn about propagating lupins by taking basal cuttings. Take cutting in March - April taking cutting from ground level.tep by step guide and lean about propagating lupins by taking basal cuttings. Take cutting in March - April taking cutting from ground level.
Propagating lupins by taking cuttings 

Propagating lupins by taking cuttings 

Of the three ways of propagating lupins – from seed as shown here and dividing them are the other ways – taking lupin cuttings is the easiest way to get established lupins quickly and probably my favourite way of propagating lupins. Here’s my step-by-step guide on how to take lupin cuttings. Wait until March or April – this is the best time to take cuttings from lupins Spring is when the lupin plant produces new growth that’s suitable for cuttings….

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After flowers you can cut lupins back and you will get a second flush of flowers. You can also collect the weed pods and cut back hard for winter
What to do with lupins after flowering?

What to do with lupins after flowering?

I have been growing lupins for over 20 years, and here is what I do with my own lupins after flowering. Once lupins have flowered, you have a couple of options of what to do with them. Firstly, you can cut them back, and you are usually rewarded with a second flush of blooms later in the season. After the second flush had finished blooming, I usually collect the seeds from the seed pods and then in late autumn, cut…

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In this guide I show you how I grow and care for my azaleas in pots. This including winter protection, feeding, pruning, planting and more
How to grow and care for azaleas in pots

How to grow and care for azaleas in pots

I’m a big fan of azaleas, but I usually grow mine in pots as I think they’re perfect for pots and being a little tender in harsh winters, it makes them easier to provide them with a little winter protection. They also grow well just remember that ericaceous compost. I have successfully grown azaleas in pots for years, and they do very well. They are also a good option if the soil in your garden isn’t of the acidic type…

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how to overwinter azaleas to protect them from cold winters and frost
How to overwinter azaleas to protect them over winter

How to overwinter azaleas to protect them over winter

Azaleas are shallow-rooted plants and need some preparation to survive successfully over the winter. It’s not difficult to overwinter azaleas if you plan ahead of time what to do. In fact, in my family’s small nursery, we use to bring azalea into a cold polytunnel over winter and just keep them watered enough not to allow them to dry out totally. Not got a greenhouse or tunnel, no problem just read on to learn more. The best way to successfully…

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In this guide, I will show you how to prune azaleas and more importantly when to prune them to ensure you don't remove next years flower buds
When and how to prune azaleas to ensure you don’t remove next year’s flowers

When and how to prune azaleas to ensure you don’t remove next year’s flowers

Azaleas don’t actually need pruning. However, here’s what to do if you ever need to remove dead or diseased branches, revitalise the azalea, control your plant’s shape or tidy it up a bit. Always use a light hand when you prune azaleas and always prune straight after they have flowered. Pruning too late in the season will remove the flowering shoots that will provide next year’s flowers. Personally, I NEVER prune Azaleas after the start of July. Sterilise your cutting…

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Azalea's can benefit from a feed in spring and again as the flowers fade. If you have acidic soil then a balanced fertiliser is fine but i recommend using a feed for rhododendrons or camellias.
When and how to feed azaleas

When and how to feed azaleas

Azaleas don’t need much looking after and they are generally problem free with the exception of a few pests and diseases as discussed here. However, a shot of fertiliser in the spring sets them up for a good growing season. I also like to give them another feed as the flowers fade as I’ve found it really does help get the most out of them. When to feed azaleas I like to fertilise my azaleas both in pots and in…

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In this guide, I discuss what could be eating your azalea leaves which includes caterpillars, leaf miners, scales insects and even leaf gall thats looks like its eating your leaves
What’s eating my azalea leaves?

What’s eating my azalea leaves?

Various pests and even a few diseases may be eating your azalea leaves or at least giving the appearance that they have been eating your azalea leaves. I talk about bark scales, leafminers and caterpillars here, among other pests. To find out what to do about any of these, also read my Azalea Pests and Diseases guide, as I cover even more pests and especially diseases. If you have more of an issue with your azalea leaves dropping turning yellow…

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