Author Archives: standaprato

Not long ago nobody talked about winter bedding. Plants like wallflower were planted in  the autumn  along with bulbs to flower in spring.  Milder winters have encouraged garden centres  to sell plants such as pansies in flower as suitable for … Continue reading →

Small bushes of Gaultheria (was Pernettya) mucronata are now in garden centres for use in winter planting schemes. They often prove to be disappointing purchases as they produce few berries in later years and also grow quite a bit taller. … Continue reading →

…….are becoming  rare but are  the places to see and admire the giant exhibition chrysanths traditionally known as ‘Japs’ . This fine entry of six blooms was staged by Dave Scott  at the Grangemouth Hort Soc late show today.

This one is the East Lothian Hort. Soc. show in Haddington’s corn exchange last Saturday. There are several such shows every weekend across Scotland just now.  Some go back a long way. This one started in 1838. The Caley website … Continue reading →

Before and after photos of Tranent Civic Square   now much brighter due to adding some seasonal colour in planters. Remember  that  all this needs frequent watering and feeding.

Making words and designs  from plants fascinates  the public as it’s something few people do in their own gardens. The most famous  example  is  Edinburgh’s floral  clock which is known worldwide. In North Berwick  East Lothian council gardeners annually   commemorate a local … Continue reading →

The two North Berwick pallets re-erected  in the town’s High Street after Gardening Scotland closed. They will stay there until the end of the summer and be part of the town’s presentation to the Britain in Bloom judges  in August.  It … Continue reading →

Once very popular these plants and this special way of displaying them  are making a comeback. This example was set up by Graeme and Hilary Butler from Rumbling Bridge nursery  at the Highland Rock Garden  show last Saturday. For more info … Continue reading →

Spring bulbs do not last through the whole season so as they fade and their foliage becomes untidy cutting it out allows  the rest of the bedding to make a  better show. Cutting the old foliage to compost  level is less likely … Continue reading →