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Lythrum is a group of herbaceous perennials that can be reproduced by division.
Plants grow 2-3 ft. high and flower in July and August .
Lythrum salicaria is a herbaceous perennial plant that  forms colonies
Lythrum like damp soil and often found growing alongside streams.
Other Loose Strife Species
Last month I listed three popular gardening books for children based on my observations at RHS library. Here are some other books that can be bought from Amazon by clicking on the cover.
‘Grow It Eat It’ is a book for adults and kids to work on together.
‘Starting Gardening’ sets out simple gardening skills in a fun manner.
If you think gardeners are getting younger then look at this Activity book for 3-5 year olds .
‘…All the activities are designed to develop important preschool skills and are based on the Areas of Learning for under-fives recommended by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.’ I am in favour of Kids learning but do we need gardening on the under 5’s curriculum?
I recently spent six months voluteering at the RHS library. I was amazed at the enthusiasm and interest of children in books and garden related matters.
Below is just a small selection of books that may make unexpected stocking fillers for Christmas.
‘Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots: Gardening Together with Children’ by Sharron Lovejoy includes themed gardens like the “Pizza Patch” and the “Moon Garden”, and a list of the top 20 plants for children.
‘The Playground Potting Shed: A Foolproof Guide to Gardening with Children’ by Dominic Murphy will inspire young people to get gardening whether at home or at school.
The RHS starts off with the ever popular Sunflower on the cover of ‘Ready, Steady, Grow’. The book includes details of quick and easy garden projects
Books can be ordered from Amazon by clicking on the images above.
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Ginkgo trees are sacred trees planted around shrines and temples in China. They do not flower but have male and female plants with male catkins and long stalked ovules.
Leaves of Ginkgo
Growing Tips for Ginkgo
This fine collection of sundry containers were getting a soaking in our summer rain. The wheel at the back only contains fresh air but could become a feature for a ‘Herb Wheel’ if laid on poor soil.
photo by medoriastar
Bottle Gardens for children can be entertaining and educational. Plants can be supplemented with small toys as any gardening is meant to be fun.
Containers and Bottles
At the larger end you may want a fish tank garden, which is easier to plant up and maintain. Cut a piece of glass to fit on the top.
An old sweet jar laid on it’s side or a goldfish bowl can be planted up
Clear glass is needed to get photosynthesis working.
The larger the bottle top the easier it will be to fill and maintain.
How to Plant up
Put in a 2″ layer of fine gravel to aid drainage
Cover with a layer of compost no more than 2-3 ”
Plant mini plants in the compost, taller growers at the back.
Cover again with a thin layer of gravel to hold soil in place.
Small Plants for a Children’s Bottle Garden
Select plants that are slow growing and dwarf in habit like:-
Cultivation of your Bottle Garden
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If you are in the ‘protection racket’ then a gardeners best friend is a walled garden. This protects from wind and driving rain and helps create a micro climate. Walls retain heat from the sun and are great for training climbers and some tender plants.
Protecting crops and ornamentals from natures predators is next on the list. The tent over this fruit cage keeps the birds away and the plant pot on a cane holds the mesh in the centre. Micro-fleece barriers are now regularly used to protect carrots, brassicas and other crops from insect and pigeon damage.
These Tulips are named ‘Shirley’ and have an appropriate airy feel.
Tomato Shirley has a sobriquet F1 and is one of the well named best performers.
A white Peony has been named after Shirley Temple and is available from Jersey Plants
The Rhododendron Shirley a ‘Yak’ hybrid is dark red with markings.
The Americans have patented a red geranium with the name of Shirley
Shirley Poppies also spring readily to mind.
I thought ‘shirley’ there will be a Rose named after a Shirley but so far I have been unable to find one. Let me know what is missing
We all know about seeds many of which make good eating as well as perpetuating a species. Peas, beans, pumkin, carraway, lentils and sunflower seeds are all useful in the kitchen. Spores are less edible.
What is a Spore
This autumn has produced many great displays of reds and yellows but think on about next years softer colours.
The garish and brash have no place in some muted garden designs. Out with fiery reds and sizzling oranges and in with pastels and soft colours.
White and Creams
Pink – Shocking or Candyfloss
What can gardeners do in the cold wet months of December and January? The soil will probably be cold and wet as so will be the weather particularly if you live in the north of England.
Stay warm and dry and do all the cleaning and maintenance jobs you have avoided. When the growing season starts in earnest you wont have the time.
One tip for indoors is to invest in a ‘blue light’ or natural light bulb. This can con plants into thinking the days are a bit longer and the light levels a bit brighter.