Perfect Poinsettias
Red, white, pink, orange and various shades in between, add a lovely pop of colour to our houses in winter. These plants like a warm room away from any drafts.
An Abundance Of Bulbs
Published 11/01/2022
In the garden centre this month there is a large selection of beautiful potted bulbs ready to plant into the garden or to add to your pots along with some colourful primroses, violas or pansies.
Nothing is more cheerful than the first pops of early spring colour from the snowdrops and crocus bulbs, and we all look forward to the dancing daffodils.
Planting a Pot: You could choose a colour theme, for eg. blues of Anemone, Iris, Muscari, Crocus; or Puschkinia with its blue striped petals along with some strong blue primroses or pansies to finish off with. A contrasting pot would show them off beautifully, glossy white or bright orange/terracotta are stunning options.
A mix of yellows and blues, or whites and pinks, both of which would be striking in a black pot. Whatever you prefer, a riot of colour in the early spring will look cheerful and bright.
Ensure that your drainage in the pot is really good as this is what the bulbs will need. Add plenty of grit to the compost if required.
For planting in the ground you could add grit there too - this will assist with drainage. Be sure to handle the potted bulbs carefully when putting them in place. We look forward to seeing what you all create!
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Create a stylish winter wreath
Winter is a wonderful time to get creative. As the days are short and cold we tend to spend more time inside and less in our gardens. For this project you can bring a little bit of nature inside, or hang it on your front door. You can take cuttings from the garden, forage for foliage, berries, and cones (if the weather permits!), or buy real or artificial foliage and flowers instead. It's up to you what you want to include on your wreath!
First off it's best to go with a theme. Are you wanting a traditional wreath, with red, gold and green? Or maybe something more modern like silver, blue and green? Or you could even go rustic with a simple green and brown colour palette. There's so many different options to suit every taste.
Next decide what kind of wreath base you want to use. You can use rattan (like I have here), or a base with wire and moss. Moss is a good option as it holds moisture, keeping your wreath fresher for longer.
Once you've decided on a theme and you have your base, it's time to choose what foliage, flowers or fruits and decorations you want to include. Make sure to have plenty of foliage, as this is the back bone of your wreath and what makes it look full. There's no right or wrong combination, so just experiment with what you think works well together, and have fun!
Stick the stems into the base until they are secure, or for extra hold you can use a little florists wire to keep the stem in place. Work your way around the wreath ensuring there is a balanced amount of foliage. I tend to add odd numbers of things as this works best.
Once you're happy with the foliage you can start to add in any cones, berries, dried flowers and fruit. You could even wrap around a small set off lights, which will illuminate your wreath and add a bit of festive sparkle. Finish off by adding any bows (you'll need something at the top to hang the wreath from, but you can also add for decoration).
And voila, a festive wreath! Mist the foliage each day to keep your wreath fresher for longer, avoiding the berries, dried flowers or fruit. And for those of you who don't feel so confident making your own or simply don't have the time, we have a lovely selection of pre-made wreaths in store now in a range of styles and sizes.