Latest news with #Calibrachoa
Daily Mirror
30-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Alan Titchmarsh says hanging baskets last longer if you add one ingredient
A hanging basket offers a colourful welcome at your front door when you return home, or can be used as a handy mini herb garden – Alan Titchmarsh recommends a cheap addition that will make plants last much longer Hanging baskets can provide a splash of colour outside your front door, but the downside is that they require a huge amount of water compared to other garden displays. With heatwaves coming around seemingly every other week, hanging floral displays need more care than ever. On his new YouTube channel, Gardeners' World expert Alan Titchmarsh has shared three new ideas for hanging baskets, including a drought-resistant design based around succulents. However, the most essential tip for preparing a new hanging basket, he says, involves a cheap addition that can be bought for a few pounds at any garden centre. He explains that water-storing crystals are a game-changer for hanging baskets: 'You can add them to the compost, sprinkle them in, work them in with your fingers, and once water hits that, they expand and they become a kind of gel. They stop the hanging basket drying out.' Gardeners have also been advised to use old sponges for similar reasons. 'The funny thing about hanging baskets is they divide the population,' Alan says. 'You either love them or loathe them.' They're generally made of plastic-coated wire, or in some cases lightweight plastic, and lined with materials such as materials like coco coir, jute, or moss. Alan recommends getting a good sturdy wide-framed one, and standing it on top of a bucket to keep it steady while you add your plants. Alan chops holes in the coir mat to allow a few plants to peep through, as: 'Otherwise, you end up looking at a load of wire and coir rather than plants.' While ordinary peat-free compost is perfectly fine, Alan recommends getting some specially-formulated trough and basket compost. Mixing some water-storing crystals in with your compost will increase the longevity of your plants, so you don't end up returning from work on a hot day to find your plants dried out. As you then plant your first batch of plants, around the edge, you can use the pieces of coir that you've cut out to fill in any remaining gaps. He lists a number of plants that do well in hanging baskets, including ivy, which can create a decorative trailing border, and bacopa Megacopa Blue. Bacopa is a popular choice for baskets, with attractive bluish-purple, five-petalled flowers that cascade attractively over the rim of the basket – lasting several months from June right up until October. He also recommends Diascia Flying Colours Appleblossom, which has pink blooms that also flourish from summer to early autumn, and Million Bells, also known as Calibrachoa, featuring small, pleasing, petunia-like flowers. But Alan's most interesting recommendations are for his all-succulent basket: 'They have their own in-built supply of water in these fleshy leaves and they can go without water for days.' While succulents might seem a bit unexciting, there are flowering varieties such as Echeveria. Echeveria is a comparatively easy plant to grow, doing well in bright but indirect light. They require comparatively little watering, but you should collect rainwater rather than filling your watering-can from the tap, because many succulents aren't keen on fluoride. The only thing you have to watch for with Echeveria is bringing it indoors before the first frost - it really doesn't like the cold.
Straits Times
27-06-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Root Awakening: Flowering plants grow best outdoors
It is difficult to grow flowering plants in high-rise gardens because they need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. PHOTOS: SOWMYA GOPI Plants may have root rot I have a hibiscus, petunia and dianthus. The hibiscus gets bright filtered light, and the other two get a few hours of direct sunlight on sunny days. The hibiscus has developed white patches and looks unhealthy. The leaves of the other two plants are yellowing. The plants are watered daily and have been fertilised recently. I also applied neem oil to the hibiscus. What is wrong? Sowmya Gopi It is difficult to grow your flowering plants in high-rise gardens because they need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Dianthus and Calibrachoa (the plant with petunia-like flowers) are often produced in moisture-retentive growing media that remain moist for a long time, if they are not grown in a sunny location. Wet feet can cause the plants to suffer from disease and root rot. You may be able to save your plants by taking healthy cuttings and propagating them. Your hibiscus does not seem to have pest issues , so you need not apply neem oil. Pomelo infested by mealy bugs These sap-sucking pests produce a sweet secretion that attracts ants. PHOTO: FONG KAH WAI I see hairy white patches and ants on the undersides of my pomelo leaves. Are the patches eggs? How can I remove them? Fong Kah Wai Your plant has likely been infested with mealy bugs. These sap-sucking pests produce a sweet secretion that attracts ants. Take your plant to the bathroom and wash off the pests. Spray summer oil to suffocate any remaining bugs. Complete coverage of the plant, and repeated applications, are needed to manage and reduce the pest population. Inspect the plant regularly and act promptly. Hibiscus needs more light The plant may be aborting flowers due to pest damage or a lack of light. PHOTO: DASGUPTA SUDHANSU RAJAN My hibiscus' buds are aborted before blooming. I rotate the plant through various locations so it can get direct sunlight for a few hours every day. What is wrong? Dasgupta Sudhansu Ranjan From the thin, stretched and soft new growth of your plant, it seems that your hibiscus is not getting enough light. It grows best as a shrub planted outdoors under full sun, a common scene in local parks and gardens. In high-rise apartments, it will need at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. Water consistently and do not let the plant dry out, be it from wind or lack of water. This can stress the plant and cause it to abort its flowers. Check the fallen flowers for any sign of thrip damage, which will appear as white or grey streaks on the petals. These pests can cause flowers to abort prematurely. They can be difficult to control, but pesticides such as abamectin and spinosad can reduce their population. Brown patches on leaves could be due to injury The injuries are vulnerable to secondary infections by pathogens such as fungi. PHOTO: NANCY LEE There are brown spots on my Monstera and they seem to be growing in size. What is happening? My plant gets indirect light. Nancy Lee The patches seem to have been caused by a past injury, such as contact with hot surfaces, for instance, a window glass on a sunny day. The injuries make the plant vulnerable to secondary infections by pathogens such as fungi. You can prune the affected leaves, as they will not recover. You may want to move your plant to a brighter spot periodically for exposure to filtered sunlight for several hours. Do this slowly and carefully, as your plant has been grown in deep shade and its soft tissue is susceptible to sunburn. Over time, however, the increase in light levels will strengthen the leaf tissue and improve your plant's overhall health. Epiphyllum leaves eaten by snails Garden pests like snails and slugs are active at night during the wet season. PHOTO: JOHN LEE My Epiphyllum plant has white patches. What are they? How do I get rid of them? John Lee The white patches are a result of feeding by snails or slugs. These garden pests hide in the day and are active at night during the wet season. Check for small snails or slugs in the growing media of your plant and remove them promptly. Hang your plant in such a way that these pests cannot access it. Answers by Dr Wilson Wong, an NParks-certified practising horticulturist and parks manager. He is the founder of Green Culture Singapore and an adjunct assistant professor (Food Science & Technology) at the National University of Singapore. Have a gardening query? E-mail it with clear, high-resolution pictures of at least 1MB, if any, and your full name to stlife@ We reserve the right to edit and reject questions. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Irish Sun
11-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
Upgrade your front door in seconds with Lidl's £8 buy – it adds instant bursts of colour & lasts all summer
A BUDGET buy can instantly level up your outdoor space this summer. Lidl shoppers can elevate their garden with a splash of colour that lasts until autumn. 2 Hanging baskets can help to add colour to your outdoor space all summer long (stock image) Credit: Getty Placing this middle aisle buy by your front door can elevate the look of your home. The shop's They include a wide variety of flowers, including Sutera, Lobelia, Calibrachoa, Petunia, and Verbena. And if these plants aren't enough to brighten up your space, you can also choose from a variety of colour options for the basket. Read More On Lidl Shoppers can opt for purple, pink, red, purple, or white baskets. The pot itself is fully UV resistant, making it perfect for placing outdoors all summer long. These hanging baskets measure around 29 centimetres to 35 centimetres. As well as adding a splash of colour to your space, they can also help level up your garden's privacy. Most read in Fabulous According to the experts at Placing the baskets at different levels can provide a more natural barrier for your outdoor space. I transformed my garden patio into summer haven for less than £100 with cheap B&M buys including gadget to keep bugs out "It creates the sense of separation without shouting 'keep out,'" the pros explained. They also highlighted the importance of taking care of your planters, recommending regular watering in hot weather. Or you can opt for a more classic privacy product to shield your garden from public view. Another How to create privacy in your garden CREATING privacy in your garden can be achieved in a number of ways depending on your budget, and the size of your space. Here are some effective ways to enhance privacy in your garden: 1. Fencing Install a tall, solid wooden or vinyl fence. This is one of the most straightforward ways to gain immediate privacy. Or use lattice panels, trellis, or slatted fencing to add a decorative touch while still offering privacy. 2. Hedges and Plants Fast-growing evergreen shrubs or trees like Leylandii, Thuja, or Bamboo along the boundary of your garden can help with privacy. Grow a dense hedge using plants like Boxwood, Privet, or Laurel. It may take time to grow, but it provides a natural and green privacy screen. Use climbers like Ivy, Clematis, or Wisteria on fences or trellises to create a lush, green privacy barrier. 3. Outdoor Curtains Hang outdoor curtains around pergolas, gazebos, or patios for an easy-to-adjust privacy solution. 4. Sound Barriers A water fountain or small waterfall can help drown out noise, adding to the sense of privacy. Or install fencing designed to reduce noise if privacy from sound is also a concern. And a £10 B&M You can also A £3 buy from B&M is can also help to And its not just fences that can help give you privacy in your garden, one 2 The Large Hanging Planters will be available from the Lidl middle aisle for just £7.99 Credit: Lidl
Scottish Sun
11-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Upgrade your front door in seconds with Lidl's £8 buy – it adds instant bursts of colour & lasts all summer
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BUDGET buy can instantly level up your outdoor space this summer. Lidl shoppers can elevate their garden with a splash of colour that lasts until autumn. 2 Hanging baskets can help to add colour to your outdoor space all summer long (stock image) Credit: Getty Placing this middle aisle buy by your front door can elevate the look of your home. The shop's Large Hanging Planters are available for just £7.99 from Thursday, June 12. They include a wide variety of flowers, including Sutera, Lobelia, Calibrachoa, Petunia, and Verbena. And if these plants aren't enough to brighten up your space, you can also choose from a variety of colour options for the basket. Shoppers can opt for purple, pink, red, purple, or white baskets. The pot itself is fully UV resistant, making it perfect for placing outdoors all summer long. These hanging baskets measure around 29 centimetres to 35 centimetres. As well as adding a splash of colour to your space, they can also help level up your garden's privacy. According to the experts at Monrovia, you can use staggered hanging planters to create a natural separation from the outside world. Placing the baskets at different levels can provide a more natural barrier for your outdoor space. I transformed my garden patio into summer haven for less than £100 with cheap B&M buys including gadget to keep bugs out "It creates the sense of separation without shouting 'keep out,'" the pros explained. They also highlighted the importance of taking care of your planters, recommending regular watering in hot weather. Or you can opt for a more classic privacy product to shield your garden from public view. Amazon also has a £14 privacy buy that is described as "perfect" for summer. Another privacy fence is also available from Amazon, for just £5. How to create privacy in your garden CREATING privacy in your garden can be achieved in a number of ways depending on your budget, and the size of your space. Here are some effective ways to enhance privacy in your garden: 1. Fencing Install a tall, solid wooden or vinyl fence. This is one of the most straightforward ways to gain immediate privacy. Or use lattice panels, trellis, or slatted fencing to add a decorative touch while still offering privacy. 2. Hedges and Plants Fast-growing evergreen shrubs or trees like Leylandii, Thuja, or Bamboo along the boundary of your garden can help with privacy. Grow a dense hedge using plants like Boxwood, Privet, or Laurel. It may take time to grow, but it provides a natural and green privacy screen. Use climbers like Ivy, Clematis, or Wisteria on fences or trellises to create a lush, green privacy barrier. 3. Outdoor Curtains Hang outdoor curtains around pergolas, gazebos, or patios for an easy-to-adjust privacy solution. 4. Sound Barriers A water fountain or small waterfall can help drown out noise, adding to the sense of privacy. Or install fencing designed to reduce noise if privacy from sound is also a concern. B&Q has an affordable privacy fence currently on sale, and you can put it up yourself. And a £10 B&M product adds inches to your fence, elevating your garden's privacy. You can also add a stylish touch to your privacy fence with another B&M buy. A £3 buy from B&M is can also help to add privacy to your garden this summer. And its not just fences that can help give you privacy in your garden, one B&M item can help shield you from nosy neighbours and the sun.
