yardz

A PURPLE PATCH

Bulb planting time is upon us, so now is the time to but while there is a great selection.

Try something different this year, be bold with brighter and more interesting colours. There are such an amazingly large range of tulips in different shapes, sizes and colours so there's a variety just right for your yard.

The image shows the sumptuous purple flowered Tulip 'Greuze'. It mixes well with other purples and pinks but why not mix it with bright reds or clashing orange. It's a late season tulip reaching 55cm in height.

Available from www.crocus.co.uk   5 bulbs for £3.99 or 15 for £7.98

COUNTERCROP

There are many counter top growing systems on the market and yardz has looked at many of them. The CounterCrop system is a bit different, it has a built in hydroponic watering system but its lighting unit uses 'smart' LED light.

The counter top garden is great for growing continuous crops of salads, herbs and microgreens in as little as a few weeks - the lighting and hydroponic system options that are pre-programmed, allow the system to be adjusted to suit optimum growing conditions for the plants being cultivated.

The CounterCrop is due on the market in spring 2015

www.countercrop.com

 

NOMAD

 

The Nomad planters, designed by Miriam Josi and Stella Lee Prowse, allow users to grow fresh herbs in and around their houses or apartments. They are portable and adaptable to all different living environments. Hanging from ropes they can be moved to take full advantage of shifting sunlight and changing seasons,

Nomad is made from scrap boat sales and boat covers.

$35

www.thegardenapartment.com

 

WINTER SORBET

Perennial wallflowers, Erysimums, have become more and more popular with small space gardeners. We used to just find the purple 'Bowles Mauve' available in nurseries and garden centres but today there seems to have been an explosion of varieties that are now available in a range of exciting colours.

One of these is the aptly named 'Winter Sorbet' with its soft blend of complementary coloured flowers that last from late winter into early summer, with the added benefit of a spicy aroma. They make great container plants being perennials they will last more than one season and will withstand all weathers - do not confuse them with the bedding wallflower Cherianthus that is a biennial.

£9.99

www.vanmeuwen.com     

 

DWARF BULBS - PUT SOME SPRING MAGIC INTO YOUR YARD

Time is running out as garden centres and nurseries are quickly selling out of spring flowering bulbs. Dwarf varieties of daffodils and tulips together with Iris, Muscari, Scilla and Crocus are all perfect for the smaller garden.

Underplant spring flowering bedding such as primroses or forget-me-nots with dwarf bulbs to give an extra level of colour and a wow factor in the gloomiest of months. Or just mass single varieties of dwarf bulbs in containers for that extra punch of colour in the yard.

LOOK OUT FOR THE NEW HIT TROILLUS

Launched at the Chelsea Flower Show last month, Troillus Dancing Flame is going to be available to buy in garden centres next spring.

It is a perennial that has bright orange flowers held on sturdy upright stems. Likea a moist soil in sun or part shade. Should make a good container plant with wow factor as it continually flowers through the season.

 

 

 

HYDRANGEA BLACK DIAMOND

Hydrangea Black Diamond is great for yardz, lots of flowers and great foliage on a slow growing plant. The dark coloured leaves have prominent veins while the bright flowers are mop-heads.

In your local garden centre now!

PUT A BIT BAROQUE IN YOUR YARD WITH TULIP ROCOCO

Tulip Rococo is a stunning 'Parrot' tulip with fringed, deep cut velvety petals of bright red edged with green markings, and covered with a soft blue sheen - a real taste of the baroque.

Plant now up to the end of November for flowering in April. They grow to 14-16" in height which makes them perfect for growing in containers and for cutting.

EUPHORBIAS

Euphorbias well known as great plants for mixed and herbaceous borders also make great plants for containers.

There are some really good newer varieties that have superb foliage colour especially in spring. Shown here are Euphorbia Tiny Tim, Euphorbia Silver Swan and Euphorbia x martini Ascot Rainbow.

RENTING AN APPLE TREE

If you only have a small yard, growing apples might not be on the cards.

There is one solution though if you want your own fresh picked apples - rent an apple tree!

There are quite a few farms that do it now and at around £30 per tree a year it is very cost effective. You can enjoy the opportunity to inspect your tree at blossom time and then enjoy a harvest day in the autumn.

http://the-barnyard.com/shops/rent-a-tree/