The other day we mentioned Cornwall’s Million Pound edible hedge project, and, we assume in response, the RHS updated their list of edible flowers, along with a Country Living article adding a few more on top. We know that most garden owners are not breakfasting in the bushes, brunching off branches, or dining on their… Continue reading Fine Dining al Fresco: Shrubbery for Two
Author: Ashridge Nurseries
Save the Darwin Oak: Free Oak Trees for All
Julia Buckley MP has presented Parliament with a petition to save the newly famous Darwin Oak from being removed for Shrewsbury’s new North West Relief Road. Good for Julia Buckley MP helping a 500-year-old tree who doesn’t even vote. Our interests here are horticultural, not political, but perhaps they overlap when we point out that… Continue reading Save the Darwin Oak: Free Oak Trees for All
Troon Church Garden Approved by South Ayrshire Council
This post is not sponsored by the South Ayrshire tourist board, but we are willing to accept gifts of any value over fifty Scottish pounds, or ten haggis in today’s money. South Ayrshire is part of the most beautiful scenery on our island, facing out onto the Firth of Clyde and the magical Isle of… Continue reading Troon Church Garden Approved by South Ayrshire Council
Using Epsom Salts in the Garden
Don’t bother. Using Epsom Salts in the garden is a waste of time and money: may my grandparents (and renowned scientific journals like The Mirror) forgive me for contradicting them like that. Since the dawn of time, the Epsom Salt industry has had one overarching vision for mankind’s destiny: to consume even more product by… Continue reading Using Epsom Salts in the Garden
Aerate A Lawn This Autumn
Taking care of a lawn is like having a big green pet. She needs you to exercise her (which is better exercise for you, or your gardener) and do a bit of grooming, or she gets mangy, the poor thing. The most important factor in lawn health is being mowed every 2 weeks or so… Continue reading Aerate A Lawn This Autumn
Good Growing October Weather
October’s forecast is looking mild, with nights mostly over 7C (the temperature under which plants generally stop growing) right until the end of the month. Warm Octobers extend the growing season into Official Autumn, squeezing the best out of plants that bloom until frost stops them, such as many dahlias, repeating roses, and late flowering… Continue reading Good Growing October Weather
Peat-Free Partnership’s Open Letter to Parliament
When we heard about the Peat Free Partnership’s open letter to the UK Parliament calling for a ban on peat use, we thought, ah, it has nothing to do with us; all the plants we grow ourselves have been peat free for years already, and we sell peat free composts. But then the good people… Continue reading Peat-Free Partnership’s Open Letter to Parliament
Roses for Buttonholes
Buttonhole flowers are a classic and elegant touch for formal occasions, especially weddings. Strictly speaking, a buttonhole is a single flower, perhaps with some of its foliage, and a boutonnière (which is French for buttonhole) is several flowers tied together, typically with foliage from other plants, such as asparagus. Many flowers could be used, but… Continue reading Roses for Buttonholes
Trim English Lavender Lightly in Spring: It’s Colour Coded!
Trimming Lavender is a lovely chore: the soft foliage clips effortlessly, the finished bush looks so neat and primed for summer, and you end up smelling even better than you did before. When to Trim English Lavender By the end of March or very start of April, Lavender across the UK should be covered in… Continue reading Trim English Lavender Lightly in Spring: It’s Colour Coded!
Holly Hedge Revenge: A Tale of Revenge and Hedges
Peter Walker-Smith and Tersia Van Zyl were best of neighbours until bins and hedges drove them to war…