Latest news with #Penstemon
The Irish Sun
13-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
10 drought-tolerant plants you can get from B&Q for as little as £2.99 – they survive extreme heat & look pretty too
IT looks like the hot weather is going nowhere. And while we might be loving it, our Especially as our plants and grass aren't just tackling the heat, they're also struggling with a lack of rainfall, and hosepipe bans are put in place. Fortunately, there are plenty of plants that can withstand the harsh conditions. And you can get them for as little as £2.99 so you won't have to spend a fortune replacing any dead ones. READ MORE ON PLANTS "Mediterranean favourites like lavender, catmint, and Echinacea are great to include in your garden, along with rosemary, which is always a welcome addition to the kitchen too. These plants are perfect for sunny spots, having evolved with adaptions such as deep roots, hairy foliage, water conserving oils in their leaves, or succulent textures that conserve moisture. "In the first year, the plants will need regular, deep watering to help them establish themselves in the garden, but once settled they flourish on minimal watering. To boost resilience, try adding organic mulch or homemade compost before hot spells to retain soil moisture and suppress any weeds. "With the right soil, sun, and a layer of mulch, these plants will bring vibrant, low-maintenance beauty to your garden all summer long.' Lavender - £14.99 10 Lavender willl last through any weather Credit: Getty Not only does lavender have a calming fragrance to waft through the Most read in Fabulous While it may look delicate, this hardy shrub can tolerate high temperatures and a dry climate with no problems. Rosemary - £4.60 each 10 Rosemary loves bathing in the sun Credit: Getty This plant has needle-like leaves that flower pink , purple, blue, or white flowers. The rosemary plant is native to the Mediterranean so it thrives in warm, sunny spots in the garden with free-draining soil - making it perfect for hot summers in the UK. Catmint - £6 each 10 You might find an influx of cats in your garden Credit: Getty As the name suggests, this plant produces a scent that felines love. It's also a tough perennial with gorgeous violet-purple flowers and aromatic leaves. Catmint needs minimal water and lots of sun to thrive. Penstemon - £9.99 10 These stunning bells have a long flowering period Credit: Getty This flowering plant is often known as beardtongue. It has a long flowering period so will add some colour to your garden well into autumn and comes in a variety of colours. Pony Tails Grass - £6.30 10 This grass will add texture to any garden Credit: Getty With thin stems and fluffy tips, this plant adds a different texture to your garden. The drought-resistant grass with feathery panicles is native to the south of the United States , northern Mexico , and Argentina so is used to the heat. Echinacea seeds - £2.99 10 These beauties are part of the daisy family Credit: Getty Native to North America , these gorgeous flowers love dry and hot climates. The flowers are particularly popular with bees and butterflies and are part of the daisy family and come in multiple colours. Ceanothus (California lilacs) - £8 each 10 this plant adds colour and loves the heat Credit: Getty This charming plant comes in various shades of blue but can also have white and pink flowers. Also known as California Lilacs, these plants love the sunshine and well-drained soil. Bottlebrush - £10.49 10 The bottlebrush plant adds a unique touch Credit: Getty This unique shrub looks striking in any garden thanks to the spikey flower which resembles a bottle brush. Native to Australia , this plant is extremely drought tolerant and grows happily in full or partial sunshine. Cordyline - £11.99 10 The pretty thick eaves will break up your flowers Credit: Getty For a dramatic display in your garden, plant cordylines, which are native to the west Pacific Ocean region and thrive best in mild climates, ideally in coastal areas. It has palm-like leaves in varying shades of green, bronze, and purple, cordylines bring plenty of drama to any outdoor space. Strawberry Tree - £18.99 10 These small trees are perfect for adding to porches Credit: Getty This stunning shrub is from the Mediterranean and blooms pink or white flowers. This plant is ideal for dry sunny areas and produces strawberry-like fruits in autumn, hence the common name, strawberry tree. Plus, it's a firm favourite with butterflies and bees.
Scottish Sun
13-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
10 drought-tolerant plants you can get from B&Q for as little as £2.99 – they survive extreme heat & look pretty too
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. Scroll down for the best plants to withstand the heat FLOWER POWER 10 drought-tolerant plants you can get from B&Q for as little as £2.99 – they survive extreme heat & look pretty too Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT looks like the hot weather is going nowhere. And while we might be loving it, our gardens aren't as big of a fan. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Especially as our plants and grass aren't just tackling the heat, they're also struggling with a lack of rainfall, and hosepipe bans are put in place. Fortunately, there are plenty of plants that can withstand the harsh conditions. And you can get them for as little as £2.99 so you won't have to spend a fortune replacing any dead ones. B&Q's Outdoor Expert, Mark Sage says: 'When the temperature rises, choose plants that not only survive in the heat, but thrive in it - think 'right plant, right place'. "Mediterranean favourites like lavender, catmint, and Echinacea are great to include in your garden, along with rosemary, which is always a welcome addition to the kitchen too. These plants are perfect for sunny spots, having evolved with adaptions such as deep roots, hairy foliage, water conserving oils in their leaves, or succulent textures that conserve moisture. "In the first year, the plants will need regular, deep watering to help them establish themselves in the garden, but once settled they flourish on minimal watering. To boost resilience, try adding organic mulch or homemade compost before hot spells to retain soil moisture and suppress any weeds. "With the right soil, sun, and a layer of mulch, these plants will bring vibrant, low-maintenance beauty to your garden all summer long.' Lavender - £14.99 10 Lavender willl last through any weather Credit: Getty Not only does lavender have a calming fragrance to waft through the garden, it also adds a gorgeous splash of colour thanks to its purple buds. While it may look delicate, this hardy shrub can tolerate high temperatures and a dry climate with no problems. Rosemary - £4.60 each 10 Rosemary loves bathing in the sun Credit: Getty This plant has needle-like leaves that flower pink, purple, blue, or white flowers. The rosemary plant is native to the Mediterranean so it thrives in warm, sunny spots in the garden with free-draining soil - making it perfect for hot summers in the UK. Catmint - £6 each 10 You might find an influx of cats in your garden Credit: Getty As the name suggests, this plant produces a scent that felines love. It's also a tough perennial with gorgeous violet-purple flowers and aromatic leaves. Catmint needs minimal water and lots of sun to thrive. Penstemon - £9.99 10 These stunning bells have a long flowering period Credit: Getty This flowering plant is often known as beardtongue. It has a long flowering period so will add some colour to your garden well into autumn and comes in a variety of colours. Pony Tails Grass - £6.30 10 This grass will add texture to any garden Credit: Getty With thin stems and fluffy tips, this plant adds a different texture to your garden. The drought-resistant grass with feathery panicles is native to the south of the United States, northern Mexico, and Argentina so is used to the heat. Echinacea seeds - £2.99 10 These beauties are part of the daisy family Credit: Getty Native to North America, these gorgeous flowers love dry and hot climates. The flowers are particularly popular with bees and butterflies and are part of the daisy family and come in multiple colours. Ceanothus (California lilacs) - £8 each 10 this plant adds colour and loves the heat Credit: Getty This charming plant comes in various shades of blue but can also have white and pink flowers. Also known as California Lilacs, these plants love the sunshine and well-drained soil. Bottlebrush - £10.49 10 The bottlebrush plant adds a unique touch Credit: Getty This unique shrub looks striking in any garden thanks to the spikey flower which resembles a bottle brush. Native to Australia, this plant is extremely drought tolerant and grows happily in full or partial sunshine. Cordyline - £11.99 10 The pretty thick eaves will break up your flowers Credit: Getty For a dramatic display in your garden, plant cordylines, which are native to the west Pacific Ocean region and thrive best in mild climates, ideally in coastal areas. It has palm-like leaves in varying shades of green, bronze, and purple, cordylines bring plenty of drama to any outdoor space. Strawberry Tree - £18.99 10 These small trees are perfect for adding to porches Credit: Getty This stunning shrub is from the Mediterranean and blooms pink or white flowers. This plant is ideal for dry sunny areas and produces strawberry-like fruits in autumn, hence the common name, strawberry tree. Plus, it's a firm favourite with butterflies and bees.
Scottish Sun
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I used B&M & Primark bargains to turn my balcony into a tropical paradise – I also made it super private with a £10 buy
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MOTHER has revealed that she hasn't got a garden, so gave her balcony a total transformation without breaking the bank. Whilst she was pregnant, Victoria Wright, who is better known as 'Vickaboox' online, nabbed a haul of bargain buys from B&M and Primark to give her outside space a mega makeover. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A savvy mum has shared how she transformed her balcony from drab to fab whilst staying on a budget Credit: TikTok/vickaboox 2 Victoria Wright also shared how she added privacy with a £10 B&M buy Credit: TikTok/vickaboox Not only was she able to add colour and style to the balcony, but thanks to a £10 buy from B&M, she was able to turn it into a tropical paradise with much more privacy. The 29-year-old content creator, who now has a baby boy called Christopher, took to social media to share her balcony transformation, leaving many totally stunned. The mum-of-one who lives in a flat, showed off her 'basic' balcony and said: 'Let's take our balcony from boring, basic, plain, crusty, dusty to year of the bad B, not the sad B, cocktail in hand vibes and of course we've done it on the cheap using everything from Primark and B&M.' The influencer then revealed the step-by-step process of the balcony overhaul, as she added: 'So first of all, we cleaned the balcony…then once everything was clean, we laid out our new outdoor rug - this one was on sale in B&M for £12. 'We also got some reed screening from B&M on sale for £10, just to give that tropical vibe and also for a bit more privacy.' Victoria attached the reed screening with cable ties to ensure it was 'nice and secure' and explained that when they move, they can remove it easily without any damage. To then give the balcony a bit of colour, she added £1 hanging pots she bought from Primark and planted some flowers. Following this, she accessorised the space with cheap LED fairy lights and tea light holders. Thrilled with her balcony's new look, Victoria beamed: 'I think this looks super fun, super colourful, also deposit friendly because we rent, so we didn't have to change anything or make any dramatic changes. 'Just added a little bit of life and a bit of colour. I love it.' I don't have a garden so made a 10p paddling pool on my balcony - it was brilliant but my downstairs neighbours will never forgive me The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @vickaboox, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 11,700 likes and 70 comments. 8 must-have plants to brighten up your garden Nick Hamilton owner of Barnsdale Gardens has shared his favourite plants and flowers you should consider adding to your garden, borders and pots. 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. Social media users were stunned by Victoria's balcony makeover and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this. One person said: 'Omg I love it.' Never thought I'd have balcony envy! TikTok user Another added: 'Looks so cute.' A third commented: 'Looks beautiful.' Meanwhile, someone else gushed: 'Looks absolutely gorgeous! "Never thought I'd have balcony envy!' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
The Irish Sun
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I used B&M & Primark bargains to turn my balcony into a tropical paradise – I also made it super private with a £10 buy
A MOTHER has revealed that she hasn't got a garden, so gave her balcony a total transformation without breaking the bank. Whilst she was pregnant, Victoria Wright, who is better known as 'Vickaboox' online, nabbed a haul of bargain buys from B&M and Primark to give her Advertisement 2 A savvy mum has shared how she transformed her balcony from drab to fab whilst staying on a budget Credit: TikTok/vickaboox 2 Victoria Wright also shared how she added privacy with a £10 B&M buy Credit: TikTok/vickaboox Not only was she able to add colour and style to the balcony, but thanks to a £10 buy from The 29-year-old content creator, who now has a baby boy called Christopher, took to social media to share her balcony transformation, leaving many totally stunned. The mum-of-one who lives in a flat, showed off her 'basic' balcony and said: 'Let's take our balcony from boring, basic, plain, crusty, dusty to year of the bad B, not the sad B, cocktail in hand vibes and of course we've done it on the cheap using everything from Primark and B&M.' The influencer then revealed the step-by-step process of the balcony overhaul, as she added: 'So first of all, we cleaned the balcony…then once everything was clean, we laid out our new outdoor rug - this one was on sale in B&M for £12. Advertisement Read more Fabulous stories 'We also got some reed screening from B&M on sale for £10, just to give that tropical vibe and also for a Victoria attached the reed screening with cable ties to ensure it was 'nice and secure' and explained that when they move, they can remove it easily without any damage. To then give the balcony a bit of colour, she added £1 hanging pots she bought from Primark and planted some Following this, she accessorised the space with cheap LED fairy lights and tea light holders. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Thrilled with her balcony's new look, Victoria beamed: 'I think this looks super fun, super colourful, also deposit friendly because we rent, so we didn't have to change anything or make any dramatic changes. 'Just added a little bit of life and a bit of colour. I love it.' I don't have a garden so made a 10p paddling pool on my balcony - it was brilliant but my downstairs neighbours will never forgive me The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ 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. Social media users were stunned by Victoria's balcony makeover and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this. Advertisement One person said: 'Omg I love it.' Never thought I'd have balcony envy! TikTok user Another added: 'Looks so cute.' A third commented: 'Looks beautiful.' Meanwhile, someone else gushed: 'Looks absolutely gorgeous! Advertisement "Never thought I'd have balcony envy!' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club How to save money at B&M Shoppers have saved hundreds of pounds a year by using B&M's scanner app. The scanner lets you see if an item's price is cheaper than advertised on the shop floor label. Products that are typically discounted are seasonal items and old stock that B&M is trying to shift. The app is free to download off the B&M Stores mobile app via Google Play or the Apple App Store. According to one ex-B&M manager, Here's how you can join the B&M bargain hunt: Download the B&M app for free on any smartphone with an App Store or Google Play. Once you've installed it on your device, click on the option labelled "more" on the bottom, right-hand side of the app home page. You'll then find an option that says "barcode scanner". Click on this and you'll open a camera screen. Use the camera to hover over the barcode of the product you wish to check. If the price comes up as lower, take it to the cash desk and it will automatically scan at the lower price. You don't need to sign up to the B&M app to use the barcode scanner.
The Irish Sun
18-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
The £4.50 B&M flower that makes your garden smell gorgeous – it comes back bigger & more beautiful every year
IF you want to make your garden look and smell gorgeous, you've come to the right place. And don't worry if your purse is feeling emptier than ever before, as thanks to this stunning 4 IF you want to give your garden a glow up, you'll need to check this B&M buy out Credit: Getty 4 This £4.50 flower will not only make your outside space smell fresh, but it'll come back bigger every year too Credit: Facebook/ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK 4 Emma Williams took to social media to share her love of the Red Oriental Lily plant Credit: Facebook/ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK 4 You can buy it for less than a fiver from B&M Credit: Facebook/ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK But that's not all, as not only is it affordable, but it'll grow back bigger and more beautiful every year - yes, you heard that correctly. It comes after one shopper took to social media to share her rave review of her favourite B&M buy, leaving many totally stunned. Posting on Alongside pictures of her Read more Fabulous stories Thrilled with her high-street Thanks to these iconic Lily plants, which are known for their vibrant blooms and strong fragrance, your The perennials are a striking addition to any garden and are said to be relatively low-maintenance, often returning year after year. Such plants thrive in sunny to partially shaded locations, with well-drained soil. Most read in Fabulous Gardening enthusiasts should note that And in order to keep your Lily plants looking good, deadheading faded blooms and ensuring proper watering is recommended. Gardeners rush to B&Q to snap up £15 bargain that will transform your home into a Mediterranean paradise, and they're cheaper than Home Bargains Emma's post has clearly impressed many, as it has quickly amassed 221 likes and 50 comments in just 21 hours. Not only were many stunned by the 'pretty' How pretty Facebook user One person said: 'Beautiful.' Another added: 'I've had mine for 4/5 years now. They always come back beautifully every year.' 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. A third commented: 'I need some!' Meanwhile, someone else beamed: "They'll grow back every year.' At the same time, another gardening enthusiast wrote: 'How pretty.' While another user thought the lilies looked 'gorgeous', she also shared a stern warning for cat owners, as she advised: 'Don't forget to cut the stamen out so you don't poison your kitties.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
