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

Personal notes for RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development Unit 1: Plant Science 1: Lifecycle adaptations: AO2 Application Plant life cycle adaptations have several advantages that help them survive in different environments. Some of these advantages include: Exploitation of short growing season: In regions with a short growing season, plants have adapted to grow and reproduce quickly before the onset of winter. This adaptation allows them to complete their life cycle within a short period of time and produce seeds that can survive the winter and germinate ..read more

Personal notes for RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development Unit 1: Plant Science 1: Pollination and fertilisation: AO1 The agents of natural pollination are diverse and can be broadly classified into two categories: biotic and abiotic. ?????? ?????? include pollinating animals such as bees, moths, flies, and birds. The biotic agents are attracted to a flower due to such features as its colour, shape, or aroma. The visitor to a flower then becomes a potential agent for pollination transfer, with the pollen from the male reproductive organ, known as the ant ..read more

Personal notes for RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development Unit 1: Plant Science 1: Lifecycle adaptations: AO1 Life cycle adaptations are the ways that plants have evolved to survive and reproduce in different environments. Based on their life cycle, plants can be classified into five categories: Ephemeral plants are those that have several life cycles in one growing season. They can germinate, grow, flower, and produce seeds in a short period of time, usually in response to favourable conditions such as rainfall. They can increase in numbers rapidly ..read more

Native to Central America where it grows as an unattractive lanky shrub, the plants which are familiar today have been carefully cultivated using controlled lighting to produce colourful bract, usually red, but increasingly white, along with light and deep pink versions are available. The plant was first introduced to the USA in 1825 by Joel Roberts Poinsett, an American dip. They were propagated by Robert Buist, a nurseryman who had migrated from Scotland to Pennsylvania, and made their public debut at a flower show in Philadelphia. The first poinsettias to arrive in Britain did so in bloom ..read more

I've written about this beautiful island in the harbour of Poole, Dorset in the past. Now I've created a Facebook group as a way to bring together people fascinated by this wonderful place. To explore, and join, click here. Look forward to seeing you there ..read more