Latest news with #HomeandGardens
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Low maintenance plants that will last in your garden for years to come
Maintaining a garden can be hard work, especially during the summer - luckily these beautiful flowers will continue to come back year after year with little effort Don't give up yet – it's not too late to start filling your garden with gorgeous low maintenance plants this summer. While July is typically too far into the year to start planting many common flowers, experts recommend turning to drought-resistant perennial plants instead. These hardy flowers usually have a life span of more than two years and will continue to return every spring and summer: filling your garden with perpetual blooms. Plus, while perennial flowers are best planted in spring or autumn, more drought tolerant varieties are good choices for summer planting as they can withstand hotter and drier temperatures. Though, it is important to water them in their early stages. So, which perennial plants should you turn to? Garden experts from Homes and Gardens recommend seven blooms you can start planting. Salvia Native to the Mediterranean and North America, salvia is also hardy enough to be grown in the UK - though most varieties are best placed in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Plus, aside from only needling occasional watering, these purple flowers are incredibly versatile. They are small enough to fit in little garden pots – making them perfect for a smaller garden or balcony. Yarrow These colourful flowers require little maintenance beyond the occasional deadheading. Plus, they barely need any watering. Home and Gardens writes: 'It can usually be sustained by natural rainfall as its long root system penetrates deep down into the soil to access the moisture it needs.' Black-eyed Susan Known for their bold blooms, black-eyed Susan's are a great, long-lasting way to brighten up your garden. According to Home and Gardens, they can be planted in July and will quickly establish themselves quickly if sufficiently watered over the first few weeks. Sedum This plant's fleshy pink blooms are great at holding in moisture – which also makes them remarkably drought tolerant. This makes them perfect additions to dry gardens and rock gardens. Campion Looking as though they come straight from a fairytale, these silvery-pink flowers are ideal for a low-maintenance garden. This is because silver leaves help reduce moisture loss. Coneflowers Coneflowers are bright striking blooms that make a large impact on your garden without needing a tonne of work. While they do need to be cut back at the end of a season, they don't require regular watering – making them perfect for a laid-back gardener. Agastache Somewhat resembling lavender, these tall long-lasting purple plants are known for their ability to withstand the heat. They're also fantastic at drawing more pollinators into your garden.
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
The five cheap ways to HIDE cluttered toilet paper in your bathroom – and you won't need any extra storage
NOTHING ruins a chic bathroom like an old roll of toilet paper. But it turns out there are numerous ways to make the room feel luxurious and like a spa, while still keeping supplies stocked up. 3 Professional organisers have shared their best ideas for storing loo roll so it still looks fancy. Here are the top five…. 1. Lidded baskets Why not tuck away your toilet rolls in a stylish basket, which is a bathroom feature in itself? There are numerous options which could do the job, such as wicker ones with a lid. Petya Holevich, house cleaning expert and supervisor at Fantastic Services, suggested to Home and Gardens: 'Place a lidded basket or decorative storage box near the toilet, either on the floor or on a shelf. Choose a container that complements the bathroom's decor to keep it discreet. 'Opt for a box with a hinged lid for easy one-handed access.' 2. Add floating shelves Instead of putting your rolls in full view, why not add shelving to the walls which can help keep them hidden. Petya advised: 'Installing a floating shelf with a slide-out or lift-up compartment. A custom floating shelf above or beside the toilet can include a hidden compartment that opens with a push or lift mechanism. 'These are excellent for storing a few extra rolls while keeping them completely out of view. Make sure the mechanism is easy to operate even with one hand.' 3. Rolling carts Another option is to use a rolling cart, or a slide-out unit, which discreetly stores extra toilet roll supplies. 3 You can pick up a narrow option on Wayfair, which could be narrow enough to be housed between your toilet and sink. Choose a rolling cart with a solid back, like this one, so you could also turn it against the wall to hide the shelves from sight. 4. Base or upper cabinets 3 One of the main ways to hide toilet rolls is in a bathroom cabinet, which could be placed under or above a sink or by a toilet. Tammy Cailliau, bathroom supplier and owner of Tampa Bay Granite, added that if you are doing this, you should add something to protect the rolls from water. She said: 'We often recommend people use a plastic Rubbermaid storage tote or just an extra cover, to help elevate the bottom rolls off the base when storing in a base cabinet because a water leak from a P-trap under the sink can damage the rolls.' 5. Keep them out of the bathroom If you really don't have the space, you could remove spare toilet rolls from the bathroom altogether. In fact, some home organisers prefer to do this for their longevity as well as for aesthetic reasons. Some of the popular locations outside the bathroom include airing cupboards or a hallway cupboard. Sarah Day, storage expert at Pay Less for Storage, explained why this is beneficial. She said: 'Toilet rolls are by their very nature hugely absorbent. This means they soak up ambient moisture in the air, especially in condensation-filled bathrooms after a hot shower or a bath.' She said over time, damp and soggy toilet rolls can even harbour mould spores.
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- 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
28-05-2025
- 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.
