Latest news with #ScottishEnvironmentalHorticultureGrowthStrategy
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Scotsman
29-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scotsman
Plants for Hanging Baskets 2025: Here are 10 of the best colourful flowering plants for hanging baskets
According to the Scottish Environmental Horticulture Growth Strategy there are over one million people in Scotland who are regular gardeners . From communal tenement gardens to expansive private grounds, we love our borders, rockeries, lawns and patios. It's hugely satisfying to see a plant you've cared for bloom into beautiful flowers, but not all of us are lucky enough to have gardens. One solution to this are hanging baskets - all you need is an outside wall and you can enjoy flowers from spring to autumn. Here are 10 of the most colourful plants suitable for hanging baskets in Scotland, taking into account our notoriously unpredictable Scottish climate . 1 . Traling Fuchsias Fuchsias produce vibrant, bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, and red. Perfect for hanging baskets, they bloom from late spring to autumn. Trailing varieties like 'Swingtime' cascade beautifully, and they thrive in cool Scottish summers. Make sure to get the trailing variety for hanging basket. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 2 . Trailing Lobelia Trailing lobelia bears masses of small blue, purple, or white flowers from late spring to early autumn in Scotland. It creates a soft, flowing effect, making it ideal for baskets. Lobelia prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 3 . Surfinia Petunia Surfinia Petunias offer bold colour and prolific blooms from May to the first frosts. They prefer sunny Scottish spots and need regular watering. Perfect for a dramatic display spilling over baskets and containers. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 4 . Million Bells Resembling small petunias, Million Bells (or Calibrachoa, to give them their posh name) flower over a long period from late spring to late autumn. These low-maintenance plants trail well and come in a rainbow of colours. They love sun and tolerate cooler Scottish conditions with good drainage. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales Related topics: PlantsScotlandGardeningGardens
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Scotsman
20-05-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Flowering Plants For Bees 2025: Here are the 11 best plants to attract pollinators to your garden this summer
According to the Scottish Environmental Horticulture Growth Strategy there are over one million people in Scotland who are regular gardeners . From communal tenement gardens to expansive private grounds, we love our borders, rockeries, lawns and patios. It's hugely satisfying to see a plant you've cared for bloom into beautiful flowers, but you need to be careful what you choose and where you place it. One thing it's worth considering is what plants are most likely to attract beeds, butterflies and other pollinators. These frequently unsung heroes play a crucial role in any garden environment by transferring pollen from one flower to another, enabling plants to reproduce and produce seeds and fruits. Unfortunately, the UK has lost 97 per cent of its wildflower meadows since the 1930s, equal to the size of 7.5 million acres – that's an area roughly one and a half times the size of Wales. To help combat this decline and the impact on pollinators, it's highly recommended to plant pollinator-friendly plants in the garden. Even a small, untouched patch of wildflowers and long grass can create a valuable mini meadow for wildlife and pollinators, from bees to butterflies. For example, if all 20 million gardens in the UK had a wildflower space of two metres squared, that would add up to over five thousand football pitches. Thankfully, many pollinator-friendly plants are easy to grow and maintain, and nearly all are perennials – meaning they come back year after year. To help out Helen Nyul, Group Head of Biodiversity at David Wilson Homes, has shared some expert advice about the plants most likely to attract these useful creatures to gardens in Scotland. Here are the top 11. 1 . Lavender Lavender is an evergreen shrub with narrow, silvery-green leaves and spikes of fragrant purple flowers. It typically blooms in late spring to early summer, and it is highly attractive to bees and butterflies. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 2 . Marjoram (Oregano) Majoram is a tender perennial herb with soft, oval leaves and small white or pink flowers. It too blooms late spring to early summer and is very attractive for both bees and other insects. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 3 . Michaelmas Daisy This is a perennial flower that blooms later in the summer season with daisy-like flowers in purple, pink, blue, or white. They provide an excellent source of nectar for both bees and butterflies. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 4 . Marigold Marigolds are known for their bright yellow, orange, and red flowers and can come in a French or African variety. They bloom from late spring and are great at attracting pollinators. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales Related topics: ScotlandPlants
Scotsman
29-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scotsman
Flowering Plants For Window Boxes 2025: Here are 13 plants to that don't need a garden to thrive
According to the Scottish Environmental Horticulture Growth Strategy there are over one million people in Scotland who are regular gardeners . These plants all thrive in window boxes. | Canva/Getty Images From communal tenement gardens to expansive private grounds, we love our borders, rockeries, lawns and patios. It's hugely satisfying to see a plant you've cared for bloom into beautiful flowers, but you need to be careful what you choose and where you place it. But not all of us are lucky enough to have access to a garden, in which case you can still exercise your green fingers on window boxes perched outside windows. And there are plenty of pretty flowering plants that can thrive in these restricted conditions - even in the notoriously unpredictable Scottish climate . Here are 13 of our favourites. 1 . Viola Hardy and cheerful, violas bloom for months even in the notoriously-fickle Scottish weather. They tolerate partial shade and bring vivid splashes of purple, yellow, and blue to any window box. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 2 . Pansy From the same group of plants as the Viola, but with larger flowers, Pansies come in a wide range of colours and are equally resiliant making them a great choice for Scottish window boxes. Perfect for cooler climates, pansies provide bold, colorful blooms through spring and autumn. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 3 . Lobelia The glorious trailing Lobelia produces masses of tiny blue, white, or purple flowers and positively thrives in the cool, damp conditions otherwise known as a Scottish summer. It is ideal for softening the edges of window boxes and flowers prolifically all the way from late spring to early autumn - offering great value for money. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 4 . Pelargonium Often (mistakenly) refered to as Geraniums, Pelargoniums offer vibrant summer color and will flower even in breezy, coastal Scottish conditions. Their drought-tolerance also helps during unexpected dry spells, while their upright or trailing forms suit any window box. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales Related topics: PlantsScotlandGardening
