When spring arrives and the garden starts bursting with new growth, aphids on the roses always seem determined to spoil the show. The good news is that getting rid of them naturally is much easier than you might think, and you don’t need to reach for harsh chemicals to protect your beautiful blooms. Why Aphids Love Roses in Spring As soon as our rose bushes wake up after winter, they take off quickly. Within weeks they’re covered in soft new shoots, flower buds, and the promise of a … [Read more...]
Blue Flowers Enrich a Garden
It’s almost a month into spring time now and as the weather slowly warms it is wonderful to see an array of flowers bloom. One flower that looks absolutely stunning in my garden at the moment is the Ceanothus plant – or California Lilac! We have several of these plants in our garden and they are all covered in the most amazing blue flowers. While most flowering plants look stunning when they are in full bloom, there is just something special about a plant with blue flowers! When we first … [Read more...]
Fertilizing Roses: Simple Tips for Healthy Blooms
Roses are renowned for their stunning blooms and gorgeous fragrance, and they’re one of the most cherished parts of my garden. But to truly flourish, roses need more than sunshine and water — fertilizing roses regularly is essential for giving them the nutrients they need to grow strong and stay healthy. Without fertilizer, roses would not give you the mass of spectacular flowers that we all love! I have many roses in my garden — some inherited when we moved in, others planted over the … [Read more...]
Diosmas: A Very Hardy Plant for Your Garden
Diosmas are a very hardy plant that can provide a stunning feature in any garden and which also seem to tolerate climate extremes very well. Diosma is the common name for the Coleonema Pulchrum plant. Diosmas are not often talked about but I believe the diosma plant was very fashionable in the 1980’s. However, in recent years it has lost its appeal somewhat. I am surprised that the diosma plant is not used more often because it is an evergreen shrub that provides colour and texture to the … [Read more...]
Hydrangea Plant Care: Hints and Tips for Success
When I was growing up there were always hydrangea plants growing in the garden but I have never really appreciated the beauty of this plant’s large blooms until now. When out shopping recently I came across a ‘Lace Cap’ hydrangea and instantly fell in love with the beautiful flowers. Until then I was not even aware of this variety and it looked so pretty I just had to buy it! After searching online for more information about the variety I realised that there was so much more to learn … [Read more...]
How to Prune Roses: Simple Tips for Healthy, Beautiful Blooms
When you’re not sure how to prune roses, it can feel a bit daunting, but I promise it doesn’t need to be. With a few simple rose‑care tips and a little practice, you’ll be pruning your roses with confidence and enjoying healthier plants and bigger, more beautiful blooms. Roses really are one of the loveliest additions to any garden. We have quite a few in ours because they bring such gorgeous colour through spring and summer. Most of our rose bushes are planted close to the house, which … [Read more...]
Hi, I'm Kaylene, and I'm a keen gardener,budding baker and wannabe DIYer!