Latest news with #Pansies
The Irish Sun
17 hours ago
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Vibrant £5 plant flourishes in dry conditions and even has a second bloom – now is the time to add it to your garden
AS Britain is set to be hit by 29 degrees weather next week, your garden plants might suffer in the heat. With the summer arriving, the high temperatures will leave many Brits in high spirits. 2 A vibrant flower will bloom even in dry conditions Credit: Getty 2 Azurea can bloom twice and has a rich blue colour Credit: Suttons And if you want your garden to look its best as you soak up the sun or enjoy a barbecue with family, you might want a flower that will bloom even in drought. Even with plenty of water, many flowers will droop and wither in hot weather . But if you want your garden to remain blooming despite the heat, Suttons has the ideal, affordable answer. The retailer sells vibrant blue Anchusa azurea 'Dropmore' for only £5 per potted plant. read more on fabulous The beautiful and bright flowers are in bloom from late spring to early summer. Azurea deals well with the dry conditions, which makes it the perfect choice for hot weather. The rich blue colour adds vibrancy to your garden, and complements other flowers. But Azurea isn't only ideal for a garden or a bouquet, but it can also be added to food. Most read in Fabulous These edible flowers can be used in ice cubes as a stunning decoration and a final touch to a summery cocktail or a refreshing lemonade. The blue petals could also elevate your dishes or salads from a homemade to a restaurant level. 'Big weekend' - Peter O'Mahony embarking on hectic gardening project as he aims to add '300 plants' You could trim it back after flowering for a second flush of smaller blooms. Anchusa azurea is a short-lived perennial that will easily self-seed in the areas of the garden that are most suitable for it. Meanwhile, Aldi has launched a £4.99 , which can withstand drought and is set to arrive in stores on Thursday, June 1 9. Other examples of flowers that bloom even during droughts are geraniums, daisies and coneflowers. The bargain superstore is also stocking large perennials for just £4.99, and Hibiscus plants for only £6.99, which will add colour and height to any patio or garden display. Lidl customers can And for those looking for flowers that bloom all year round, Pansies start petite in size but can spread, so they make the perfect plant to add to your garden borders, pots and hanging baskets. 8 must-have plants to brighten up your garden Nick Hamilton owner of Tricyrtis A spectacular plant that gives a real exotic feel to any garden with its orchid-like, spotted flowers giving the impression that this plant should be tender but it is 'as tough as old boots!'. Penstemon I love this plants genus of because most will flower all summer and autumn. They'll grow in sun or semi-shade in a well drained soil and produce a non-stop display of tubular flowers in an array of colours and colour combination to suit all tastes. Luzula sylvatica 'Marginata' With the evergreen leaves edged with yellow it's great asset is that it will grow in sun or shade in any type of soil and is great as groundcover in the hardest spot to fill - dry shade. Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue' A stunning, nectar-rich plant that will feed the beneficial insects in your garden. Leave the flowerheads once they have turned brown because they look stunning with winter frost and snow, extending the plant's interest period. Sarcococca hookeriana 'Winter Gem' If you need winter scent then look no further than this compact, evergreen shrub. The scent is stunning and the evergreen leaves create an excellent backdrop for the summer flowers. Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange' A dwarf version of 'Midwinter Fire' the very colourful stems create a stunning winter display, particularly on sunny days. Rosa 'Noisette Carnee' A very well-behaved climbing rose that is perfect for training over an arch, pergola or gazebo. The small, 'noisette' flowers are blush-pink and produce the most amazing clove scent constantly from June to November. Sanguisorba hakusanensis 'Lilac Squirrel' I've never seen a squirrel with a drooping, shaggy lilac tail, but this variety will give your garden an unusual and different look throughout summer. It does need a moisture retentive soil but will grow in sun or semi-shade.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
The 35p IKEA flower that blooms all summer AND survives winter – it comes in loads of bright colours & perfect for pots
SEASONAL flowers are beautiful, but perennial plants provide infinite colour and joy. Pansies are considered a short-lived perennial, meaning they can survive for more than one growing season. Advertisement 3 Pansies come in an array of colours and flower for months if deadheaded, watered and fed Credit: Getty 3 The pansies come in packs of 10 from IKEA Credit: IKEA They are super colourful, often marked in the centre and look like faces - sometimes with darker blotches or 'whiskered' or plain. They come in an enormous range of colours and variations - from blue, mauve, pink, purple, red, yellow, and white. What's more, they Pansies start petite in size but can spread, so they make the perfect plant to add to your garden borders, pots and hanging baskets. Advertisement READ MORE GARDENING STORIES And IKEA is selling trays of 10 pansies for just £3.50 - that's 35p a plant! The online product description for the pansies reads: "Let your indoor and outdoor plant pots bloom with lively pansies." And IKEA customers were impressed with the pansies, one said: "They've provided continuous spring colour to our garden." Another wrote: "Good value great price, lovely plants." Advertisement Most read in Fabulous A third reviewed: "Good value pansies nice colours and healthy plants." How to care for pansies Pansies do best in full sun to partial shade. If there has been continuous hot weather, they need to be watered regularly - and water the soil rather than the foliage as this avoids the spread of fungal diseases. From spring to autumn, it's recommended that you feed them fortnightly with a liquid fertiliser, and remove the faded and dead flowers regularly, which encourages the plant to keep producing new blooms. Advertisement Maura Derrane leaves fans 'inspired' as she shows off impressive city garden You can do this by either pinching them off with your finger and thumb, or using a pair of garden snips or secateurs to cut off the dead heads. Other flowers that come back every year Chrysanthemums A hardy perennial, Chrysanthemums if planted in the right conditions will return the following year. Campanula portenschlagiana Advertisement Nicknamed the Dalmatian bellflower, Campanula portenschlagiana is a hardy perennial, meaning it will typically return each year. June gardening jobs The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you should take this month. Stake out leggy perennials With all the dramatic weather we've been having, it's definitely time to stake out your leggy perennials (the ones that come back every year). Heavy rain and growth spurts, can make them collapse and flop. Picking out the slugs and snails Hopefully as we move into summer they will do less damage as the plants get bigger. The best way is still to go out at night with a head torch to find them. Pick elderflower heads You can use them to make your own cordial, or add to cakes, champagne or even fry them in batter. Get on top of weeds It's around now that weeds really ramp up in the garden, so keep on top of them with hoe-ing - or just the traditional 'on your knees with a hand fork'. Try and avoid chemicals - remember weeds are just plants in the wrong place. Up the mowing You'll need to mow your lawn weekly now - if you've got time, weed it beforehand as once you mow you chop off the leaves and its harder to see them. Check on your tomatoes Your tomato plants will need attention - water, feed and regularly and pinch out the sideshoots. Chelsea Chop There's still time for the Chelsea Chop - plants like Rudbeckia's, Asters, Penstemons, Sedums and other perennials can be cut back by a third to help them get a bit more bushy, and prolong the flowering period. Sort out your tulips If you can be bothered and have space - lift and story your tulip bulbs to ensure colour next Spring. Deadheading your roses Take them down to the first set of healthy leaves - which will ensure more flowers for longer. Enjoy your space Take some time to sit and enjoy your garden or outside space - it's great for your mental health. Even just a few minutes a day can make a big difference. It forms a mat-like ground cover and is known for its spreading habit which is perfect for the front of garden borders or under trees and shrubs. Kalanchoe Also known as "widow's thrill" for its reputation for being very hardy and able to thrive in harsh conditions, including neglect and minimal watering. Advertisement As perennial succulents, kalanchoe thrives indoors and required a period of reduced light and water to simulate winter dormancy. 3 A lovely display of spring flowers – cosmic blue petunias and sunny yellow pansies.
