In Gardeners World 2018 episode 25 at Longmeadow Monty is planting bulbs in pots and around the garden for an explosion of spring colour.
Watch other great gardening show here: The Beechgrove Garden episode 19 2018
Carol Klein travels to Yorkshire where she takes a close look at the enormous colour range and form of a late season perennial, the salvia. Mark Lane is in Oxfordshire looking at how ornamental grasses can be used in planting design to create exciting combinations. Arit Anderson gets to grips with growing concerns about the use of plastics in the horticultural industry, and we find out from environment minister Michael Gove about any future plans for controlling its use and improving recycling.
Gardeners World 2018 episode 25:
Bulb planting
Bulbs make a fine display planted in containers or borders, especially daffodils, snowdrops and tulips in spring. They are one of the easiest and most rewarding garden plants to grow.
Bulbs for lawns
Drifts of daffodils, snowdrops and crocus in open grass are one of the classic signs of spring. Although they look like the work of nature, they are simple to create and will last for many years. Naturalising bulbs is a great way to brighten up lawns, verges and wildflower areas in spring. In areas of grass, choose bulbs that complete their growing and flowering early, such as crocus. Most daffodils also do well in grass, but leave at least six weeks after flowering before mowing, and ideally leave until foliage goes yellow and straw-like.
How to take salvia cuttings
Salvias are a large group of plants popular for adding colour to borders in late summer. The perennial types vary in hardiness so a good way to safeguard against winter losses is to root cuttings. This is simple to do and it is satisfying to share these long-flowering plants with friends.
Prairie planting
Mixtures of grasses and flowering perennials have, in recent years come to be known as prairie planting. Most effective in larger areas, the relaxed, naturalistic feel can also be achieved in smaller gardens. The word prairie means grassland – specifically of the American Midwest. However, the term as a garden style has come to include plantings that consist not only of North American grasses and flowering perennials but many other combinations of plants that require the same growing conditions.
How to succeed with roses
Roses are one of the most popular garden plants. These beauties come in a range of colours, many with scented blooms, and they can be grown in borders, containers, over arches, pergolas and as groundcover. They are easy to grow and live for a long time, if looked after. Roses will grow in almost any soil, as long as it is well-drained. Incorporating some well-rotted garden compost or manure into the planting area will get your roses off to a flying start. There are so many different roses, there is possibly one for any spot in the garden, from a container on a sunny patio, to a climber for a north-facing wall.