Latest news with #HomeandGardens
Daily Record
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Four plants that love a shady garden and little attention
If you have a garden that's in the shade there are plants that will thrive in it It can be incredibly time-consuming growing your own plants. Feeding them, watering them and taking care of them as they grow requires commitment if you want to get the very best from your blooms. And if you're a lazy gardener then there are certain varieties that just won't thrive under your minimal care. Of course, one of the main issues for growing flowers in the UK is the inconsistent weather we experience even in the summer months. Britain famously receives inconsistent sun and can suffer from lacklustre summers too which means plants that need good sunlight are also going to struggle. Fortunately, there are some flower species that actually prefer the shade and that don't require constant attention either making them a great choice for hands-off gardeners and those with outdoor spaces that aren't bathed in light all the time. While sunlight is crucial for flowers to photosynthesise and grow, too much exposure can actually be harmful for some plants. It can cause issues like leaf burn, wilting and dryness, reports the Mirror. There are many plants that have actually evolved to thrive in low-light conditions. This is because they are able to maximise light absorption through features like thinner, broader leaves and the use of red spectrum light. So which flowers should you grow that thrive in the shade? Home and Gardens shares four flowers that require little sunlight or attention: Wild geranium These colourful flowers will brighten up any garden – without needing much brightness themselves. Though native to North America, they can be grown in the UK. Home and Gardens write: 'They are remarkably adaptable to a wide range of climates and situations, growing just fine in both shade and sun.' Although, they recommend that those in colder climates be exposed to some sunlight. Wild Ginger Known for its glossy deep green leaves, wild ginger makes a fantastic plant for shaded gardens. It sprawls over your garden floor, leaving little room for weeds, and enjoys moist, well-drained soil. Although, it is important to note that wild ginger differs from culinary ginger in many ways. Most crucially, it can be toxic to eat if not prepared properly. Periwinkle An evergreen plant, periwinkle will sprawl over your garden floor, providing a bloom of delightful little blue flowers. Generally, it is known to grow quite quickly. Periwinkle grows well in full shade and is a popular option to plant under shrubs and trees. Although, it is important to note that it flowers best in sunnier conditions. Japanese Spurge This gorgeous plant will provide year-round coverage in your garden with little maintenance. With its delicate waxy green leaves it's also impressive to look at. These plants don't require much sunlight to thrive. Although, Home and Gardens caution that it can be 'slow to get going' and may take a year or two to fully establish itself in your garden.
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to plant 4 flowers that thrive in shade with little attention
If your garden doesn't catch much light or you're worried about a grey summer then don't worry - experts recommend planting these four flowers that require little maintenance It can be incredibly time-consuming growing your own plants – luckily these shade-loving flowers require very little care to bloom. One of the main issues posed by growing flowers in the UK is the inconsistent weather. The island famously receives inconsistent sun and can suffer from lacklustre summers. Plus, some of us own gardens that aren't optimally positioned to receive light. Fortunately, there are some flower species that actually prefer the shade. While sunlight is crucial for flowers to photosynthesise and grow, too much exposure can actually be harmful for some plants. It can cause issues like leaf burn, wilting and dryness. In fact, there are many plants that have actually evolved to thrive in low-light conditions. This is because they are able to maximise light absorption through features like thinner, broader leaves and the use of red spectrum light. So which flowers should you grow that thrive in the shade? Home and Gardens shares five flowers that require little sunlight or attention: Wild Ginger Known for its glossy deep green leaves, wild ginger makes a fantastic plant for shaded gardens. It sprawls over your garden floor, leaving little room for weeds, and enjoys moist, well-drained soil. Although, it is important to note that wild ginger differs from culinary ginger in many ways. Most crucially, it can be toxic to eat if not prepared properly. Wild geranium These colourful flowers will brighten up any garden – without needing much brightness themselves. Though native to North America, they can be grown in the UK. Home and Gardens write, 'They are remarkably adaptable to a wide range of climates and situations, growing just fine in both shade and sun.' Although, they recommend that those in colder climates be exposed to some sunlight. Periwinkle An evergreen plant, periwinkle will sprawl over your garden floor, providing a bloom of delightful little blue flowers. Generally, it is known to grow quite quickly. Periwinkle grows well in full shade and is a popular option to plant under shrubs and trees. Although, it is important to note that it flowers best in sunnier conditions. Japanese Spurge This gorgeous plant will provide year-round coverage in your garden with little maintenance. With its delicate waxy green leaves it's also impressive to look at. These plants don't require much sunlight to thrive. Although, Home and Gardens caution that it can be 'slow to get going' and may take a year or two to fully establish itself in your garden.
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to plant 5 flowers that stop weeds from taking over
These are five gorgeous flowers that do well in British gardens and which will prevent unwanted weed growth - even better they will grow back year after year so you only have to plant them once There are few things more infuriating than dealing with an infestation of weeds in your garden. Fortunately, experts recommend planting these flowers to put them off your lawn. With summer around the corner, you're probably noticing all sorts of unsightly growth cropping up on your lawn. Warmer weather and sunlight means that invasive plants are able to reproduce like wildfire. Common UK weeds include dandelion, chickweed and the dreaded prickly milk thistle. The worst part is that they can be incredibly hard to get rid of. More than just ruin the look of your lawn, weeds are known to cause huge damage to surrounding plants. This is because they leech nutrients from the soil, leaving little for the plants growing in your garden. They can also harbour problem insects, like aphids, caterpillars and mealybugs. But before you turn to a weed killer, Homes and Gardens recommend turning to these plants instead. Not only do they look gorgeous, these perennial plants blossom year and after year, saving you the hard work. Black-eyed Susans These bright yellow flowers have jet black stigmas that automatically draw the eye – hence the name. These unusual flowers will not only add intrigue to your garden, but also help stave off weeds. This is because they tend to grow in thick patches, which leaves little room for unwanted plants to worm their way in. They're best planted in spring as they require at least six hours of sunlight a day. Coneflowers These dusky pink delights are native to North America and are incredibly hardy. This means they're well suited to survive Britain's unpredictable weather. They prefer full or partial sun and need to be water twice a week. Katie Sunderlage, operations manager at the Holland Group, told Home and Gardens: 'Once settled into your yard, you will find coneflowers remarkably low-maintenance.' Verbenas These tall plants will produce purple flowers all summer long. Even better, they provide a high amount of ground cover, preventing weeds from taking hold. They should be planted in full or partial sun and in well-draining soil. It's also drought tolerant, which means you don't have to worry about it surviving a heat wave. Blazing star With their electric purple petals, these flowers look just like their name. They typically bloom in late summer and are great weed blockers as they tend to grow in clusters. Even better, they're relatively easy to grow – all they need is direct sunlight. Blue grama Native to the American Midwest, this grass is brilliant at preventing weeds. Of course, since it prefers warmer temperatures, it's a better option for those living in the south or coastal areas of the UK. Once planted, it needs very little watering.
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Households with no time urged to plant these 'neglect thriving' flowers
If you're too busy to grow a bountiful garden this summer there is no need to miss out - these delightful climbing plants require little to no care and will grow almost anywhere While most of us enjoy a lush flower-filled garden, not all of us have the time to commit to it – luckily, experts say these gorgeous climbing plants thrive with little care. So, if you aren't naturally green-fingered, no need to miss out. One of the greatest benefits of climbing plants is that they're perfect for smaller gardens. Since they don't take up any floor space, they can easily fit in a balcony or a little nook, adding much-needed colour and charm. Equally, many also do well in shady spots with minimal watering. With that said, here are the five easiest flowers to grow, according to Home and Gardens. Virginia creeper These red-coloured vines are native to North America and famous for their hardiness. One of their best features is the fact that they can grow in practically any soil-type. Bert Bast is garden expert and owner of Bast Brothers Garden Center. He told Home and Gardens: 'Virginia creeper, or Parthenocissus quinquefolia, can grow in nearly any soil condition and requires very little care.' Even better, it doesn't need to be watered often. He continued: 'There is very little you can do to harm this plant, and once established, it shouldn't need any additional watering or attention.' Honeysuckle This delicate climbing plant is already a popular choice for its ornate white leaves and divine fragrance. A honeysuckle will leave your garden smelling like a sweet mixture of jasmine and honey. Even better, it requires next to no maintenance. Honeysuckle can be grown in any pot and left to its own devices, as it winds itself across your walls. Plumbago Notable for their powdered blue shade, these delightful little flowers are native to South Africa. Therefore, they prefer warm, sunnier climates and are best grown over the summer season. Maintaining them is incredibly easy. They can be grown either as a shrub or climbing plant. Trish Hunt, a plant expert from Millstone Nursery, advises that all they need is a small piece of garden twine to help shape them. Nasturtium April or May is the best time to plant these edible climbers, as the soil will have warmed up and the risk of frost has largely passed. With their bright red blossoms, these plants add the perfect pop of colour in summer. You don't need to worry about the kind of soil they are placed in, either. Simply provide a structure for them to climb up and they will do the work for you. Even better, their blossoms can be added to salads for a peppery kick! Morning glory These Mexican flowers truly bring to mind a tropical sky, as their petals blend beautifully from purple-blue into a pink centre. Better yet, they're easy to maintain. While they prefer full sunlight, they can be grown in partial shade – a relief for British gardeners. Plus, once planted, they can grow quite rapidly, to anything from one to three metres in a single season.
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to move their plant pots this week as UK set for 30C sizzle
Green-fingered Brits, take note: gardening gurus are sounding the alarm to shuffle your potted plants this week. With the Bank Holiday weekend set to sizzle with temperatures potentially hitting a balmy 24C, it's prime time for beach trips and firing up the BBQ. While the Met Office is also cranking up expectations even higher before the weekend, forecasting scorching highs of up to 30C tomorrow, May 1. While we lap up the rays, our leafy friends in the garden might not be feeling quite so chipper. Gardening expert Rachel Crowe has dished out some sage advice to Home and Gardens. She warned: "Container plants will be the first to dry out in a heatwave so you need to take extra care to ensure they do not perish in especially hot spells." To shield your botanical buddies from the sun's fierce embrace, which can lead to scorching when plants can't slurp up water fast enough, causing outer leaves to crisp up, it's best to relocate potted plants, hanging baskets, and window boxes. Given that pots tend to hoard heat and their soil heats up quicker due to being shallower, dehydration is a real risk, reports the Express. Crowe advises: "Move containers into a shady spot where they will be protected from the heat of the midday sun." A cosy nook in your garden that dodges the full glare of the sun should do the trick. But don't go overboard by dragging your outdoor plants indoors; such a drastic change of scenery could give them quite the jolt, stunting their growth. If you've missed the boat and your potted plants are already showing signs of sun damage, Houseplants Corner suggests immersing the entire pot in water for a thorough soak. However, bear in mind this is a last-ditch effort and not all plants may respond well to it. For plants that are just looking a bit under the weather, experts advise trimming off any dead or dry stems, flowers and leaves, and watering the soil as per usual.
