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Category: Perennials

articles about perennials

I talk about why your delphinium’s leaves turning yellow and brown? These are a few reasons from crown rot to overwatering.
Why are my delphinium’s leaves turning yellow and brown?

Why are my delphinium’s leaves turning yellow and brown?

Your delphinium leaves turning yellow and brown may be due to quite a few causes. These include fungal infections, bacteria, infestation of bugs and other insects, and poor location, growing conditions and inadequate care. Here are the most common causes for you to check out. Growing conditions and care Delphiniums need moist but well-drained soil in which to thrive. The main environmental cause of yellow leaves on this plant is too much water. Is your plant sitting in water-logged soil?…

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In this guide I talk from experience with growing delphiniums and why they sometimes don't flower and how to encourage flowering
Why are my delphiniums not flowering?

Why are my delphiniums not flowering?

You need to do some detective work to figure out which of several issues are why your delphiniums are not flowering. I give the main reasons here and guide you in what to look for to establish the main cause. in general, they either just need a little time to establish (usually the first year of planting), they’re not getting enough sunshine (they need full sun) and another common one is overfeeding with nitrogen which encourages lots of leafy growth…

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I show you how I stake my own delphiniums as well as use peony cage to stop the top heavy flowers bending and breaking.
How to stake peonies and delphiniums to stop them falling over

How to stake peonies and delphiniums to stop them falling over

Following on from my guide on how to grow and care for delphiniums, something that is often overlooked until it’s too late is that delphiniums and peonies are tall plants, growing to about 2m in height. They need staking to prevent them from toppling over if they become top heavy. This also prevents them from bending and even breaking in medium to strong winds and rains. You have several options as to how to stake your plants. Height of stakes…

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How and when to divide Delphiniums to get the most out of them.jpg
How to divide Delphiniums to get the most out of them plus an alternative to division

How to divide Delphiniums to get the most out of them plus an alternative to division

Following on from my guide on how to take delphinium cuttings and how to grow and care for delphiniums, the best time to divide a delphinium is in early spring. Dividing the plant lets you plant each new section separately and so provides you with more plants and blooms plus the original plant gets a chance to put on a show again as they can become tired and less productive if just left as they become congested. Prepare the holes…

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When and how to cut back and prune delphiniums
When and how to cut back and prune delphiniums

When and how to cut back and prune delphiniums

I generally cut back and prune my own delphiniums in the autumn once the plant has finished blooming. However, deadheading the blooms throughout the growing season can often result in the second wave of flowers in late summer so I always try my best to promote that second flush of blooms. Deadheading Although delphiniums bloom for only a few months, you can extend this period by removing the flowers once they start to die off. I do this periodically through…

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In this guide i'm going to cover why and how to Deadhead Oriental Lilies. The process will stop them going to seed and promote better plants the following season
How to Deadhead Oriental Lilies

How to Deadhead Oriental Lilies

Plants that fall under the lily banner all have different visual advantages to offer, and the oriental lily is definitely among the showy members because of its vibrantly coloured blooms. Not only are the blooms blessed with lavish colours, but their size and fragrance are unforgettable. If you have been wondering whether it is necessary to deadhead oriental lilies, this is the article you should read. First things first, let’s clear some confusion between Oriental and Asiatic lilies. Oriental and…

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What Is Eating My Lilies - The most likely culprit is the red lily beetle but could also be vine weevils or slugs and snails
What Is Eating My Lilies and How To Prevent It

What Is Eating My Lilies and How To Prevent It

Flourishing lilies are very visually satisfying, especially in full bloom; however, what do you do when you notice something is eating your lilies? Lilies are poisonous to cats and dogs, but other animals like deer, rabbits, and more importantly, the dreaded lily beetles with the bright red shells are fond of lilies. To avoid further damage to your lilies, it is vital to know the culprits behind the destruction so below I’ve included some of the most common culprits. Red…

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How to keep calla lily bulbs over winter depends on where you live and how cold it gets over winter. Learn more about what to do step by step
How to keep calla lily bulbs over winter

How to keep calla lily bulbs over winter

Calla lilies and freezing temperatures do not go well together, in as much as they are considered hardy plants they are really tropical plants so do need some help to survive cold winters which usually means lifting them from the ground. First thing first, if you live in the UK, you will need to dig them up for winter. If you live in the USA and are within zone 8 or higher in the USDA plant hardiness map, you can…

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I share some of the top recommended Shade Loving Plants for Containers including shrubs, perennials and summer bedding.
Top 10 Best Shade Loving Plants For Containers

Top 10 Best Shade Loving Plants For Containers

In this guide, I’m going to share some of my favourite shade loving plants that grow well in containers. These are perfect for patios, balconies or any position where you need to plant plants, that will thrive in containers but also in shadier areas such as under trees or even along a north facing wall on a patio or decking. Below is a mixture of perennials that provide colour throughout summer to bedding plants and even some shrubs for all…

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In this guide, i'm going to show you some of my best plants for pots all year round including azaleas, Agapanthus and hebes
10 Best plants for pots all year round – my favourite picks

10 Best plants for pots all year round – my favourite picks

In this guide, I’m going to look at some of my favourite plants for pots that provide all ready colour whether that be the sunning flowers followed by evergreen foliage or attractive foliage that changes throughout the seasons. I will start with one of my favourites for growing in pots and these are Azaleas, often the first to provide some colour in spring after a long winter. 1. Azalea japonica Those looking for potted plants with vibrant colours should consider…

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