Prunus lusitanica
Portuguese laurel
A lovely large, evergreen shrub that has dark green leaves with red stalks. Small white, slightly fragrant flowers are borne on...
GOES WELL WITH
How to create a wildlife-friendly garden
Wildlife-friendly gardens are not only more interesting as you can watch all the comings and goings, but they are often more productive as many creatures will help increase pollination. Garden ponds act as a magnet to dragonflies and damsel flies, along w
Read full articleJapanese
Make the most of over 3000 years of gardening tradition by creating an oriental-style garden. Originally designed as a place for intellectual contemplation and meditation, they are an ideal sanctuary from the pressures of modern living. Japanese gardens a
Read full articleMay pruning of trees, shrubs and climbers
Most shrubs, trees and climbers are in full growth at this time of the year, but don’t be in a hurry to put away your secateurs because there are still pruning jobs that can be carried out this month. It’s still not too late to check all plants over for s
Read full articlePlanting a hedge
Hedges by their very nature are often planted in exposed positions, so the secret of successful establishment is to make sure that they are well protected from prevailing winds for the first few years. Carefully planting and covering the surface of the so
Read full articleEvergreens for leaf alone
The Victorians loved evergreens and they planted Aucuba japonica widely. Familiarity shouldn’t breed contempt though, for the all-green leaves of Rozannie are a high gloss rich green and red berries also follow. These long-lived shrubs grow far faster tha
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