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  • Re: books on latin plant names?

    Forum post by AlexS on 19 May 2013

    The RHS Latin for Gardeners is a lovely book - as you say, a gift book, which I was very happy to receive for Christmas. It's more than just pretty, it is authoritative too, but not ideal for travelling with - too big and heavy. 'Plant Names Simplified' is much more basic and will slip into a pocket, and has most of the common and botanical names in general use. The pronunciation guide can be useful too. Read more..

  • Re: Has anyone heard of Ploskorez (flat-cutter) from Russia?

    Forum post by AlexS on 10 May 2013

    Dear Vladimir, It must be disappointing that no-one has responded to your offer so far. I watched the youtube video (in russian) and must say that, for working in English gardens, I wasn't enthused. These tools might be better for Allotment holders or people working the land in commercial horticulture. They look robust but not particularly user-friendly (e.g. bolts sticking out to catch yourself on; shafts not shaped for ease of use). So although your 'free tools' offer is tempting, I Read more..

  • Re: What should I feed my bay tree

    Forum post by AlexS on 08 May 2013

    If you've repotted it in fresh soil or compost you won't need to feed it at all, not for ages. Let it get established in its new space. Next year you can add a general fertiliser round the roots and top up the compost. But it won't need a lot of feeding. Read more..

  • Re: Deadheading hellebores

    Forum post by AlexS on 06 May 2013

    I can think of a good reason for cutting the flowerheads off hellebores: you won't be troubled with all those new little hellebore seedlings next year, your stock won't increase, and you'll go out and buy more hellebores! Very good for the professional growers, so perhaps this is where the advice comes from. In nature no-one deadheads hellebores, and the plants have coped well enough to survive from generation to generation for millions of years. If you prefer to leave the flowers on Read more..

  • Re: Topiary ideas - Metal containers

    Forum post by AlexS on 06 May 2013

    Clematis, if you still have a local library they should have a book on topiary. Or you could check out your local charity shops which usually have plenty of gardening books, maybe including topiary advice. As for Baggesen's Gold, it's a quick grower with a lax habit, so needs clipping very frequently as topiary. Good for learning on - but consider other subjects for the longer term. Cheers, Read more..

  • Re: Closing RHS forums

    Forum post by AlexS on 05 May 2013

    Likewise, I joined other forums but can't summon up enthusiasm for any of them. This is the only one for me. Good gardening all! Read more..

  • Re: Arthritis - special gardening tools

    Forum post by AlexS on 02 May 2013

    My mother uses a trowel similar to this - don't know where she got it. The website Chriss mentions is www.peta-uk.com/ (googling 'PETA' takes you to links for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - an entirely worthy organisation, but not one that does gardening tools!). Cheers, Read more..

  • Re: Lily Beetle

    Forum post by AlexS on 01 May 2013

    They've started appearing around here (Berks and Oxon, UK) over the last two weeks. They're a pest of fritillaries just as much as lilies. Read more..

  • Re: Centranthus ruber

    Forum post by AlexS on 26 Apr 2013

    Yes, it is a struggle to get pics on here. If you can upload them somewhere else though, could you post the link here? that might work. Read more..

  • Re: Centranthus ruber

    Forum post by AlexS on 25 Apr 2013

    Kaydee, if you can post some pics we might be able to take a view on whether it's variegation or something else.. Cheers, Read more..