yardz

PUTTING MOTHER-IN-LAW OUTSIDE FOR THE SUMMER

Photo:Chelsea Stickel

Plants shown are Sansevieria Futura Simplex, the gold one, and the almost black Sansevieria Nelsoni.

In the latest edition of the American Garden Design magazine, there is a feature on growing Sansevierias, known as 'Mother-in-Laws Tongue'. I gather in parts of the USA they are a favourite of garden designers as they grow like weeds when planted outside. Here in Britain we only know them as houseplants.

They can though be used as summer bedding in containers looking stunning tighly packed together. They need though to go back under protection for winter though I read that they will withstand temperatures down to 28F/-2C as long as they are kept under well drained conditions.

VERTICAL GARDENING MADE EASY WITH THE POLANTER

Just love the idea of the Polanter from www.polanter.co.uk

 'The Polanter takes vertical gardening to a new and exciting level. Why not replace your out-dated hanging basket or window box with a spectacular and stylish Polanter?  Wherever you would put a hanging basket you could pop up a Polanter. Simply hang on the wall using the provided brackets.

The Polanter is a vertical and modular planting system with an internal integral watering facility. Its modular design feature is easy to assemble and can be built into a variety of lengths to suit your personal requirements. By the use of carefully positioned holes its unique design allows for a host of year round planting possibilities from bedding plants, flowers, herbs, vegetables, salad, fruit, cacti, to heathers and alpines.  Its easy care design is ideal for the most novice of gardeners. Connect your garden hose to the base for just 60 to 90 seconds a day and watch your Polanter flourish. It even reduces the likelihood of weed problems too.'

Its available in a range of sizes and great colours - a real winner for the yard. From £21.99

EATING THE LAWN

'A glassfull of minerals' Chelsea Flower Show May 2010

I'm not a juice buff but I understand that wheatgrass is the top health giving juice ingredient. You see wheatgrass in juice bars in small trays in which they have been sown and the forced under artificial light. You can buy the grass in these trays ready grown and even by frozen wheatgrass ready to use. 

There is another way though. Grow the grass outside as an attractive alternative to a lawn, in a windowbox or hanging basket or just as a feature. Wheatgrass grown in the open is meant to be better for you with less simple sugars and carbohydrate and also less risk of mildew.

So instead of mowing the lawn being a chore - just snip a bit every morning for your heathy wheatgrass drink!
 

MINIMALISTIC OUTDOOR CHIC

Ceri Morgan designed this garden for www.outdoorchic.co.uk at the Tatton Park Flower Show last month. The design created a contemporary garden with low maintenance requirements, minimal materials and planting and a limited colour palette.The organically shaped sunlounger in lime green,from www.outdoorchic.co.uk , completed the design.

Just love the tulips! These are also from www.outdoorchic.co.uk and are available in a choice of colours and they also light up at night.

Those of us with small spaces can learn from this design. Especially the minimal use of colours and the careful restriction of types and varieties in the hard and soft landscaping. It is so easy to overload your yard with too many plants and too many different materials. Some designers believe that about 70% of planting should be of one variety to unify a small area.

RUDBECKIAS FROM SUMMER SUN TO AUTUMN GLOW

Rudbeckias are great plants for late summer and autumn colour. Their bright daisy flowers glow in the lower light levels. Most varieties of Rudbeckia are tall border plants but breeders have now started producing dwarf varieties that are great for container growing.

This super vairety is Rudbeckia Tiger Eye which is dwarf, uniform in height and fully branching. Plant now and they will give masses of colour until the first frosts, 

FIGHTING TOMATO BLIGHT WITH A NEW BASKET VARIETY

New from www.thompson-morgan.com for 2011 is this new cascading basket variety of tomato, Tomato Losetto F1 Hybrid.  This variety has shown exceptional tolerance to tomato blight that has plagued tomato growers over the last few years. The produce sweet cherry sized fruits in abundance and are perfect for hanging baskets and containers.

£3.49 for an varage of 6 seeds 

LIGHT PLANTERS

The 'Bloom' illuminated planter from www.outdoorchic.co.uk is both stylish and practical. It is available in a range of colours and sizes with a starting price of £185.00 for the 70cm version.

PINK PETUNIAS WITH A TWIST OF LIME

New from www.thompson-morgan.com is this new PetuniaSophistica Lime Bicolour. I grew the plants from seed early this year especially to plant in my summer hanging cones. The plants are great but there are too many plain pink flowers and not too many lime splashed ones. Overall though I am pleased with the result - the look especially great looking down on them from the bedroom windows.

 

CARPET FREEK

Outdoor carpets have been a bit of an oddity up to now but these Freek rugs have taken the idea to a different level. made from polythene and nylon yarns they have good water permeability and oustanding UV stability.

They are availble in this amazing Stripe range 1.5 x 2m £458.00 or any size to order at £162.00 sq. mtr.

Also available is the Imagination range - plain colours including Juicy Orange, Fresh Lime Green and Pink Candy. 
www.outdoorchic.co.uk 

NASTURTIUMS

Are nasturtiums just for kids? I love nasturtiums they have everything - or nearly everything going for them. The seeds are cheap to buy, are available in a wide range of colours and growth size, easy to grow and will last all summer. (the seed pods also maker good substitutes for capers in cooking).

The only downfalls are that they are prone to attacks from blackfly, needs loads of water in dry weather and if allowed will take over your garden - either by growing excessively or seeding everywhere.

I grow my nasturtiums in large easily move tubs that can sit on walls and colourfully drape down over the bricks. I also grow them in colours to complement permanent planting such as my Crocosmia Lucifer.