School is on half term where I live, so I had a little horticulture helper with potting up two begonia maculata that I'd propagated by water (and left a bit too long) and potting on a Hawthoria that is desperate to expand. My helper breaking up the clumps of the soil. Any sort of gardening with ME tends to have to happen when the energy is available. This can often mean that plants have to see to their own survival to some degree.  The begonia could have been planted up around 6 months ago and the Hawthoria quite some time before that. However, both have survived so far and look ..read more

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a perennial plant native to Europe and Asia Minor, with a long history in the UK. Its roots have been used as a coffee substitute, particularly during wartime when coffee beans were scarce. The bitter taste of chicory roots was often appreciated as a contrast to the sweetness of milk and sugar. Botanically, chicory is an erect fairly woody perennial herb known for its bright blue flowers, which are often seen in meadows and along roadsides. The plant's leaves are edible and can be added to salads or cooked. Chicory also has ecological benefits, attracting pollin ..read more

Allium ursinum, commonly known as wild garlic, ramsons, or traditionally in Wiltshire: Badger’s flowers, is a bulbous perennial flowering plant belonging to the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). It is native to Europe and Asia, thriving in moist woodlands, fields, and hedgerows. The name “ursinum” translates to ‘bear,’ possibly because bears were believed to consume wild garlic after hibernation. Its long, pointed, oval leaves emit a strong garlic scent, and small white flowers cluster on leafless stalks. In Irish folklore, wild garlic was metaphorically associated with bitterness. A s ..read more

Native to Mexico and Central America, dahlias have a rich history dating back to the Aztecs, who valued them for their medicinal and culinary properties. Their vibrant beauty captivated European explorers in the 18th century, leading to their introduction to European gardens in 1789. Since then, dahlias have become synonymous with elegance and have played a significant role in horticultural culture. Botanically, dahlias are tuberous perennials belonging to the Asteraceae family. They exhibit a remarkable diversity of flower forms, ranging from simple singles to intricate pom-poms, and co ..read more

Native to Mexico and Central America, dahlias have a rich history dating back to the Aztecs, who valued them for their medicinal and culinary properties. Their vibrant beauty captivated European explorers in the 18th century, leading to their introduction to European gardens in 1789. Since then, dahlias have become synonymous with elegance and have played a significant role in horticultural culture. Botanically, dahlias are tuberous perennials belonging to the Asteraceae family. They exhibit a remarkable diversity of flower forms, ranging from simple singles to intricate pom-poms, and come ..read more

Let’s delve into the captivating world of Marsh Marigold (?????? ?????????), a vibrant perennial plant native to wetlands in Europe and North America. The Marsh Marigold, scientifically known as ?????? ????????? belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. Caltha refers to the cup-shaped flowers, with palustris meaning 'of marshland'. Its glossy green leaves and bright yellow flowers make it a captivating sight in wetland habitats. Bright Yellow Flowers: One of its most striking features is its vibrant yellow flowers, which bloom in early spring. These cheerful blossoms attract wildlife and serve as ..read more

At first glance, some hellebores are really nothing to look at, especially with face down to the soil as many have evolved to grow. This can often be extreme enough that those in a border may be dismissed as a clump of foliage or missed altogether. However, with a bit of attention, their beauty mesmerises, and they shine. While hellebores are well grown in gardens as a reliable perennial herb, Britain is the native home to only two species, which are woodland plants: stinking hellebore (Helleborus foetidus) and green hellebore (Helleborus viridis) known as green lily in Wiltshire. Research ..read more

Notes for RHS Level 2: Unit 1: Element 2 Role of Nutrients: AO1: Function of Nutrients in Plants The essential nutrients required for plant growth and development are divided into two categories: macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are elements that plants require in larger amounts, with the elements used in the highest quantities gained from the air, being carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Erosion slowly releases all the other minerals from the Earth’s rocks. Whether minerals are obtained from organic sources, such as composted vegetable matter, or inorganic sources, such as liquid ..read more

 Notes for Unit 1: Plant Specification: Integration: AO3 Impact on specification on biosecurity   Plant specification has a significant impact on biosecurity. When ordering plant material, it is important to consider the biosecurity of the plants you order. You should only order plant material from reputable suppliers who follow strict biosecurity protocols. There are also strict rules for the importation of plants into the UK from the EU, including the necessity for a phytosanitary certificate. This certificate is issued from the plant health authority of the country where the plant ..read more

Galanthus nivalis, commonly known as the snowdrop (or ‘Shame-faced maiden; in Wiltshire), is a perennial bulbous plant that belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. It is native to Europe and the Middle East, and is widely cultivated in gardens and parks across the world. The first records of the snowdrop growing wild in Britain hark back to the 1770s. The plant has narrow linear leaves and produces a single white flower that hangs from a slender stem. The flower has six petals, three inner and three outer, and is surrounded by a green ovary. The snowdrop has a rich social history and is associa ..read more