Plants

In the April issue of the magazine (issue 184) we feature the garden of plant enthusiast and Geum National Collection holder, Sue Martin. Here are some of her tips to consider when growing these lovely bright garden jewels.

GROWING GEUMS:
• The key to growing geums is moisture retentive soil but the pH of soil is not an issue. Sue Martin’s heavy clay soil has been enriched by years of manuring by the previous owner. Sue adds both grit and compost to the soil when planting a new area of Geum and continues to mulch annually with garden compost.

Here's a selection of images from this year's International Garden Photographer of the Year. You can find out more about each of these images shown at International Garden Photographer of the Year.

Organised by the National Trust, in partnership with BBC Countryfile Magazine, the awards mark the centenary of the death of Octavia Hill, the social reformer and environmental campaigner who helped found the National Trust, who died in August 1912.

Join this one-off trip and not only will you discover some of Scotland’s great historic and contemporary gardens, you are also invited to stay at the private homes of some of the garden owners, giving you a unique view of these properties not normally experienced by visitors.

Unfortunately we missed off the clue to 27 DOWN for the March issue (183) crossword. Apologies to anyone who has been trying to complete it. Here is the clue:

27 Down: Sound of Lady Nancy's daisy-like flower (5)

Specialist nursery Pomona is offering two cultivars of one-year-old, ‘grade A’ asparagus crowns at a special price of £14.50 for 12 crowns, or £27 if you buy both cultivars (p&p included). These will establish quickly to give your first crop in just one year after planting.

Three themes to inspire your spring planting combinations and 9 gardens to visit that show you how its done.

PASTELS COLOURS

Pastels work at this time of the year because the light is soft enough to flatter milky blues, whites and pinks. Bare earth frames low-growing woodlanders and these could include gentle wood anemones, bright-eyed primroses, smaller crocus and miniature blue bulbs among many others. These woodlanders nestle under an ambient canopy provided by deciduous trees and shrubs.