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Daily Record
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Gardeners issued warning over popular plant that's banned from sale and are urged to 'bin it'
Garden designer expert Diarmuid Gavin has warned gardeners about the distinctive-looking weed parrot feather which must be disposed of immediately if you spot it in your garden pond. As garden ponds heat up, aquatic plants are thriving, but it's crucial to maintain a balanced mix to keep the pond in good health. Oxygenating plants like hornwort and water buttercup help purify the water by absorbing nutrients, while floating native plants like frogbit and water soldiers offer extra surface cover and nourishment for fish. Irish garden designer expert Diarmuid Gavin was sent a query from a Mirror reader this week who was concerned about a thick green plant engulfing his pond, which he suspected was a weed. Evaluating the reader's description, the plant expert advised that it looks to be a parrot feather, or Myriophyllum aquaticum, which is definitely a weed, that he is dealing with. Writing in his column for the Mirror, Gavin gave his expert advice on the situation. He wrote: "To me, it looks like parrot feather, Myriophyllum aquaticum, and it's definitely a weed. It's classed as invasive and is banned from sale. My advice is to remove the lot, bag it up and bin it. "Its role as an oxygenator needs to be replaced so I recommended the British native Myriophyllum spicatum, spiked water milfoil. This aquatic plant lives submerged in slow-flowing streams and ditches, as well as lakes and ponds. It has feather leaves but tiny reddish flowers emerge on spikes in June and July. "But plants that we should encourage are hardy geraniums, or cranesbills - among the most dependable and versatile herbaceous perennials for any garden. "Available in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colours, their growth habits vary from neat ground-huggers to shrubby mounds several feet tall. This diversity makes them perfect for ground cover, floral borders, and even pots or containers." He added: "What's more, they're incredibly easy to grow. Many varieties thrive in partial shade, some tolerate full shade, and others flourish in full sun. They require minimal maintenance, are generally pest-resistant, and their open, delicate blooms are magnets for pollinators. "Colours range from pure white and soft pinks to deep purples and vibrant blues. " Speaking of what he grows in his own garden, television personality Diarmuid, who has presented the Chelsea Flower Show nine times, admitted: "I realised I have no fewer than seven varieties in my own garden." He continued: "At the front, I grow Geranium macrorrhizum, a creeping pink semi-evergreen that's quietly spread over the years in a most agreeable way. "Its sticky leaves release a fresh, herbal scent when rubbed – a lovely surprise. It's my go-to plant for dry, shady spots where little else will grow. Beneath the birch trees is 'Ann Folkard', easy to spot with its vivid magenta glowers and dark centres. It handles dry shade well and looks striking alongside the limey-green froth of Alchemilla mollis. "It's got a more rambling habit, weaving naturally through neighbouring perennials." Gavin continued on: "A star performer still to bloom is 'Rozanne', famed for its large, violet-blue flowers that bloom non-stop from early summer to autumn. It's equally at home in borders or containers – ideal for patio gardeners looking for long-lasting colour. "In the back garden grows Geranium palmatum, the Canary Island geranium. Despite its sun-loving roots, it's surprisingly content in partial shade. A biennial that self-seeds freely once settled, it offers lovely fern-like foliage and soft pink flower sprays. "More humble, but just as charming, is our native G. robertianum, or herb Robert. Depending on your perspective, it's either a cheerful wildflower or an unwelcome weed. "I rather enjoy its spontaneous appearances – especially at the base of my tree ferns, where the small pink blooms contrast beautifully with the dark, hairy trunks." Moving onto the next plant, he explained: "From Madeira comes the flamboyant G. maderense – perhaps the most spectacular of all. A tender biennial, it requires protection in cooler regions and can only be grown outside in mild, coastal gardens or under cover. When it flowers, it produces a show-stopping dome of pink blooms well worth the effort." The garden designer concluded: "Not forgetting 'Mrs Kendall Clark', a taller variety with elegant grey-violet flowers and foliage that turns red before winter. She's a perfect companion to roses, lavender and other herbaceous plants, thriving in sun or part shade in moist soil. "You'd think that would be enough, but geraniums are addictive. I'm already eyeing up G. phaeum 'Samobor' for a shady patch. With its dusky maroon flowers and beautifully marked foliage, there's always room for one more." Garden expert Diarmuid Gavin has listed the top things, that keen gardeners should be doing in their garden this week below. The information is all in his own words. What to do in your garden this week With hotter temperatures, keeping plants, particularly those in pots and containers, well hydrated is the main priority. It's good seed-sowing time – sow ornamental annual flowers straight into the ground and succession sow summer veg like lettuce, radish, beetroot and spring onion so you'll have an ongoing supply. Take softwood cuttings. The tender new growth of many plants will root easily, for instance fuchsia, hydrangea, lavender. Cut beneath a leaf node where there is a concentration of growth hormones, trim leaves and dip in some rooting powder and plant in pot. How's your compost heap looking? Turn it over to air it and add some moisture if it is too dry. Water peas and beans as they are starting to flower so will be particularly thirsty as they form pods. Carrot seedlings will also need thinning. Fruit in pots will be calling out for a high-potash liquid feed and those in the ground will like a sprinkle of slow release fertiliser. Protect developing fruits from birds with netting. Hot sunny days can cause overheating in the greenhour. Keep vents and windows open during the day and check plants daily for watering. Damp down on very hot days with a hose to increase humidity. Lilies need staking now. Oriental poppies look amazing – briefly – but after their spectacular flowering, cut them back and you might just get another flush of flowers. Harvest salads and radishes and continue to sow them in fortnightly batches.
Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Edinburgh Live
Gardeners urged to discard banned pond plant classified as 'definite weed'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info As garden ponds heat up, aquatic plants are thriving, but it's crucial to maintain a balanced mix to ensure the pond's health. Oxygenating plants like hornwort and water buttercup help purify the water by absorbing nutrients, while floating native plants such as frogbit and water soldiers offer additional surface coverage and nourishment for fish. However, this week I received a question from a reader concerned about a dense green plant blanketing his pond, which he suspected might be a weed. From his description, it sounds like parrot feather, or Myriophyllum aquaticum, which is indeed a weed. It's categorised as invasive and its sale is prohibited. My suggestion would be to remove all of it, bag it, and dispose of it in the bin. READ MORE - Meghan Markle's honest one-word response when asked about meeting Kate Middleton READ MORE - Kate Middleton's brutal response when told she's lucky to have Prince William To replace its oxygenating function, I recommended the British native plant Myriophyllum spicatum, also known as spiked water milfoil. This aquatic plant thrives submerged in slow-moving streams and ditches, as well as lakes and ponds. It has feathery leaves and tiny reddish flowers that bloom on spikes in June and July, reports the Mirror. On the other hand, we should promote the growth of hardy geraniums, or cranesbills - they are among the most reliable and adaptable herbaceous perennials for any garden. Available in a broad array of shapes, sizes, and colours, their growth habits range from tidy ground-covering plants to shrubby mounds several feet high. This variety makes them ideal for ground cover, floral borders, and even pots or containers. Moreover, they're incredibly simple to cultivate. A variety of species flourish in partial shade, some can tolerate full shade, while others thrive in full sun. They require minimal upkeep, are generally resistant to pests, and their delicate, open blooms attract pollinators. The colour spectrum ranges from pure white and soft pinks to deep purples and vibrant blues. As I recently strolled through my own garden, I realised I have no less than seven different varieties. At the front, I grow Geranium macrorrhizum, a creeping pink semi-evergreen that's gradually spread over the years in a most pleasing manner. Its sticky leaves emit a fresh, herbal aroma when rubbed – a delightful surprise. It's my go-to plant for dry, shady spots where little else will grow. Nestled beneath the birch trees is 'Ann Folkard', easily recognisable with its bright magenta flowers and dark centres. It copes well with dry shade and looks striking next to the limey-green froth of Alchemilla mollis. It has a more rambling habit, naturally weaving through neighbouring perennials. A star performer yet to bloom is 'Rozanne', renowned for its large, violet-blue flowers that bloom continuously from early summer to autumn. It's equally comfortable in borders or containers – perfect for patio gardeners seeking long-lasting colour. In the back garden, you'll find Geranium palmatum, a geranium native to the Canary Islands. Despite its preference for sun, it's surprisingly happy in partial shade. A biennial that self-seeds freely once established, it boasts lovely fern-like foliage and delicate pink flower sprays. Equally modest but just as delightful is our native G. robertianum, or herb Robert. Depending on your viewpoint, it's either a delightful wildflower or an unwelcome weed. I quite like its unexpected appearances – particularly at the base of my tree ferns, where the small pink blooms beautifully contrast with the dark, hairy trunks. Hailing from Madeira is the showy G. maderense – arguably the most spectacular of all. A tender biennial, it needs protection in cooler regions and can only be grown outdoors in mild, coastal gardens or under cover. When it blooms, it creates a stunning dome of pink flowers that are well worth the effort. Let's not forget 'Mrs Kendall Clark', a taller variety with elegant grey-violet flowers and foliage that turns red before winter. She's an ideal companion to roses, lavender and other herbaceous plants, thriving in sun or part shade in moist soil. You might think that would be enough, but geraniums are addictive. I'm already considering 'Samobor' for a shady spot. With its dusky maroon flowers and beautifully marked foliage, there's always room for one more.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Warning as popular plant banned from sale with gardeners urged to 'bin it'
Take a close look at your pond - if you spot the distinctive-looking weed parrot feather, you'll need to pull it up and dispose of it without delay With garden ponds getting warmer, aquatic plants are growing vigorously but it's key that you have a good combination to keep the pond healthy. Oxygenators, such as hornwort and the water buttercup, keep the water clean by sucking the nutrients from the water; and floaters such as native plants f rogbit and water soldiers provide additional surface cover and food for fish. But I received a query from a reader this week asking about a thick green plant covering his pond, which he feared was a weed. To me, it looks like parrot feather, Myriophyllum aquaticum, and it's definitely a weed. It's classed as invasive and is banned from sale. My advice is to remove the lot, bag it up and bin it. Its role as an oxygenator needs to be replaced so I recommended the British native Myriophyllum spicatum, spiked water milfoil. This aquatic plant lives submerged in slow-flowing streams and ditches, as well as lakes and ponds. It has feather leaves but tiny reddish flowers emerge on spikes in June and July. But plants that we should encourage are hardy geraniums, or cranesbills - among the most dependable and versatile herbaceous perennials for any garden. Available in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colours, their growth habits vary from neat ground-huggers to shrubby mounds several feet tall. This diversity makes them perfect for ground cover, floral borders, and even pots or containers. What's more, they're incredibly easy to grow. Many varieties thrive in partial shade, some tolerate full shade, and others flourish in full sun. They require minimal maintenance, are generally pest-resistant, and their open, delicate blooms are magnets for pollinators. Colours range from pure white and soft pinks to deep purples and vibrant blues. As I wandered through my own garden recently, I realised I have no fewer than seven varieties. At the front, I grow Geranium macrorrhizum, a creeping pink semi-evergreen that's quietly spread over the years in a most agreeable way. Its sticky leaves release a fresh, herbal scent when rubbed – a lovely surprise. It's my go-to plant for dry, shady spots where little else will grow. Beneath the birch trees is 'Ann Folkard', easy to spot with its vivid magenta flowers and dark centres. It handles dry shade well and looks striking alongside the limey-green froth of Alchemilla mollis. It's got a more rambling habit, weaving naturally through neighbouring perennials. A star performer still to bloom is 'Rozanne', famed for its large, violet-blue flowers that bloom non-stop from early summer to autumn. It's equally at home in borders or containers – ideal for patio gardeners looking for long-lasting colour. In the back garden grows Geranium palmatum, the Canary Island geranium. Despite its sun-loving roots, it's surprisingly content in partial shade. A biennial that self-seeds freely once settled, it offers lovely fern-like foliage and soft pink flower sprays. More humble, but just as charming, is our native G. robertianum, or herb Robert. Depending on your perspective, it's either a cheerful wildflower or an unwelcome weed. I rather enjoy its spontaneous appearances – especially at the base of my tree ferns, where the small pink blooms contrast beautifully with the dark, hairy trunks. From Madeira comes the flamboyant G. maderense – perhaps the most spectacular of all. A tender biennial, it requires protection in cooler regions and can only be grown outside in mild, coastal gardens or under cover. When it flowers, it produces a show-stopping dome of pink blooms well worth the effort. Not forgetting 'Mrs Kendall Clark', a taller variety with elegant grey-violet flowers and foliage that turns red before winter. She's a perfect companion to roses, lavender and other herbaceous plants, thriving in sun or part shade in moist soil. You'd think that would be enough, but geraniums are addictive. I'm already eyeing up G. phaeum 'Samobor' for a shady patch. With its dusky maroon flowers and beautifully marked foliage, there's always room for one more. What to do in your garden this week With warmer temperatures, keeping plants, particularly those in pots and containers, well hydrated is the top priority. It's good seed-sowing time – sow ornamental annual flowers straight into the ground and succession sow summer veg like lettuce, radish, beetroot and spring onion so you'll have an ongoing supply. Take softwood cuttings. The tender new growth of many plants will root easily, for instance fuchsia, hydrangea, lavender. Cut beneath a leaf node where there is a concentration of growth hormones, trim leaves and dip in some rooting powder and plant in pot. How's your compost heap? Turn it over to air it and add some moisture if it is too dry. Water peas and beans – they are starting to flower so will be particularly thirsty as they form pods. Carrot seedlings will also need thinning. Fruit in pots will be calling out for a high-potash liquid feed and those in the ground will like a sprinkle of slow release fertiliser. Protect developing fruits from birds with netting. Hot sunny days can cause overheating in the greenhouse. Keep vents and windows open during the day and check plants daily for watering. Damp down on very hot days with a hose to increase humidity. Lilies need staking now. Oriental poppies look amazing – briefly – but after their spectacular flowering, cut them back and you might just get another flush of flowers. Harvest salads and radishes and continue to sow them in fortnightly batches. Plant of the week: Stellaria holostea This pretty wildflower can be spotted in the hedgerows throughout summer. It is also known as stitchwort as it was once used as a herbal remedy for when you got a stitch in your side after exerting yourself. The white flowers attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies and moths, and when fertilised and ripe, the seeds can be heard popping out as they release.
Telegraph
27-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
10 hardy geraniums to add to your garden this summer
Hard-working heroes of the spring and summer garden, hardy geraniums are having a comeback. Many would insist that they never left. The name often mistakenly summons up the stalwart of the window box – the bright and jolly pelargonium, grown as tender annuals or house plants in the UK. Although related, hardy geraniums are in a category of their own: endlessly useful, often more subtle, and none the worse for that. They flower vigorously, in shades of pink, purple, blue and white, and their foliage is often lovely in its own right. They're wonderfully low maintenance, come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, are loved by pollinators, and are largely pest- and disease-resistant. There is a hardy geranium for every spot in the garden, from the sunniest borders to the driest shade. Every garden deserves at least a few of these wonderful plants. For border impact Geranium psilostemon Magenta can be a tricky colour to pull off in the garden, but the deeply cut green leaves of Geranium psilostemon are a good foil for the irresistible mass of black-eyed flowers borne throughout the summer. It can get as tall as 1.2m, so is good for the middle or back of the border. For a similarly dramatic magenta flower, Geranium 'Ann Folkard' is also worth trying. It is a slightly smaller plant (60cm), with leaves that emerge a contrasting yellow in spring before maturing to green. Geranium Rozanne ('Gerwat' PBR) Of the huge number of blue geraniums out there, the ever-fashionable Rozanne, stalwart of Chelsea gardens (and shortlisted for the RHS plant of the centenary) is notorious for good reason. The beautiful violet-blue, white-eyed flowers go on and on, from June to October, especially if it is trimmed back lightly after first flowering. At 60cm, it has a tendency to flop, but it looks wonderful weaving through and propped up by other perennials in a sunny border. It has far overtaken the once ubiquitous Geranium x johnsonii 'Johnson's Blue' in popularity – though Geranium 'Orion' and Geranium 'Brookside' are other good, reliable blues. Geranium x oxonianum 'Wargrave Pink' Occasionally there is a call for a bright salmon pink to lift a planting scheme, and here 'Wargrave Pink' comes into its own (albeit a pretty, silvery salmon). Extremely long flowering, from May to October, these floriferous, unfussy clumps grow to about 60cm, in sun or part shade. The foliage itself is pretty, too: deeply divided and semi-evergreen, it works well as a loose edge to a border or path. For deepest shade Geranium macrorrhizum 'Spessart' Geranium macrorrhizum is a doer: happy anywhere, even in dry shade, especially when left to its own devices. This lovely variety has a rather prettier flower than the magenta of the species – a pale pinkish white set off by red calyxes above fresh green foliage. Semi-evergreen, with some autumn colour from its aromatic leaves, it is most useful as ground cover, growing to about 40cm, or when used as an edging plant along a border or drive. Other good varieties of Geranium macrorrhizum are 'White-Ness', for a pure white flower, or 'Ingwerson's Variety' for more of a candyfloss pink. Geranium phaeum var. phaeum 'Samobor' Another star of the shady border, this variety comes into its own in late spring, when tall maroon flowers nod above the dark-splashed foliage. Growing to 60cm or more, it may need staking, though it looks very much at home flopping among ferns in a loose, woodland-style scheme. The straight-up Geranium phaeum is also lovely, though the leaves tend to be less dramatically marked; the white flowers of Geranium phaeum 'Album' can lift a shady corner beautifully. Also worth noting is Geranium sylvaticum 'Album', a native of the British woodland edge, which, though it prefers moist conditions, will tolerate some dry shade. For edging and ground cover Geranium renardii The low-growing dwarf cranesbill has beautiful, rounded grey-green foliage, more reminiscent of pelargoniums than other hardy geraniums. It can be somewhat shy of flowering, but its delicate, pale, deeply veined flowers are worth waiting for when they emerge in summer. It thrives in poor soil, in sun or part shade, so works well either as ground cover beneath the dappled canopy of bigger plants or tumbling over the edge of a border. Geranium clarkei 'Kashmir White' Throughout the summer, large white flowers with distinct mauve veins rise above beautifully dissected leaves. This mounding geranium will form spreading carpets of groundcover (45cm high) towards the front of a border and is happy in full sun to partial shade. G. clarkei 'Kashmir Blue' and 'Kashmir Pink' are also pretty cultivars. Geranium 'Mavis Simpson' The attractive, soft pink flowers of this geranium are held above silvery green foliage from June to October. Near evergreen, useful and low growing, it will tolerate some shade and comes in handy as ground cover. Geranium sanguineum 'Album' This low-growing geranium has neat hummocks of the purest white flowers from late spring into summer. Leaves are finely cut and delicate, often taking on good autumn colour. Happy in full sun to partial shade, it is perfect for ground cover, the edges of borders, and in rock gardens. Other varieties of Geranium sanguineum span from palest pink through purple to the vivid magenta of the species. For wild edges Geranium pratense Native to the UK, the meadow cranesbill can be found growing wild in verges and fields across the country. There are various cultivars perhaps more easily found in a garden centre (Geranium pratense 'Mrs Kendall Clark', for example), but the species cannot be beaten for its beautiful blueish flowers, natural effect, and ability to self-seed in sun or light shade. It can be used to great effect when combined with grasses at the wild edges of the garden, in meadows, or in wildlife schemes. How to grow geraniums Most varieties will tolerate a wide range of soils and aspects, as long as not waterlogged (though some are especially tolerant of dry shade, see above). Once established, hardy geraniums are largely self-sufficient. Although the majority of geraniums are fairly low-maintenance plants, it is worth cutting them back after flowering – particularly the more vigorous varieties – to encourage new growth and a second crop of flowers. They are also very easy to divide once established.
