Plants to Attract Insects and Birds

Plants to attract Butterflies include Alyssum, Buddleis Davidii, Monarda didyma, Heliotropum x hybridum, Iberis matronalis, Anethum Raveolens, Gypsophilia paniculata, Hebe and Lunaria.

Plants to attract Birds include Acuba, Barberry, Buddleia, Callicarpa, Japonica, Clerodendrum, Cotoneaster, Daphne, Euonymus, Hebe, Hippophae, Hypericum, Illex, Mahonia, Rhus, Ribes, Skimmia, Snowberry, Syringa lilac and Viburnum.

Plants to attract Ladybirds include Achillea Millefolium, Anthemis, Buddeleia davidii, Convolvulus tricolour, Cosmos, Solidago.

Plants to attract Bees include Berberis, Buddleia, Ceanothus, Daphne, Lamium maculatatum, Escallonia, Ulex, Fuchsia, Lavender, Syringa Lilac,Mint, Marjoram, Cistus-rock rose, Skimmia, Spirea and Rhus

Beautiful Spring Plants

Bleeding Heart- Dicentra spectabilis. This is a wonderful, elegant herbaceous perennial. In late spring/ early summer the plant has arching stems that bear hanging heart shaped flowers with pink outer petals and crisp white inner flowers. The leaves are very fine and are almost fern like. These plants grow to 1.2m 4ft in height and 45cm 18inchs wide. It is best to be planted in damp, neutral soil with fertiliser and divided every three to four years.

Garden Maintenance- Deadhead Daffodils

Now that Daffodils are starting to go over ,it is time to deadhead them. Snap the flower heads off from just behind the swollen part, the stem can be left intact. If dead flowers are left on, the plants energy will go into regenerating plant seeds. However if you remove the head the plants energy is diverted into next years bud within the bulb. It used to be thought that you had to leave the foliage on the plant and let it die back completely to give the plant a good time to build up energy for next year. However research has now shown that the foliage can be cut down six weeks after the foliage has died. Either method is fine to use but dead flower heads can look messy.

Cleaning out your pond

Cleaning out your pond does not need to be done every year, however if the plants are getting bigger and making your pond crowded now is the time to do it. To start cleaning out your pond lift all plants and their baskets out. Now may be a good time to remove fish using a net. Put the removed fish in a temporary home with pond water and not tap water. Pump out the water and gently scoop out mud from the bottom being careful not to damage any liners. Hose and wash the liner using a soft brush and them remove the murky water left as residue. You can now begin to refill your pond, refill with your plants and divide them up and replace unhealthy plants. Lastly put the fish back into the pond along with the water they have been sitting in. After the pond is refilled, the water may go green but this will soon sort itself out when the plants re- establish.

Planting Tips for April

These are our top planting tips for April...

-Time to feed established lawns

-Plant evergreen trees and shrubs and continue to water new trees and shrubs when they become dry

-Trim your shrubs from dead leaves, to keep them healthy and bushy

-Prune early flowering shrubs

-Secure all tall perennials and trees with stakes

-Put slug pellets down to protect young growth and flowers

-Start weeding

-Deadhead Daffodils

-Time to now plant any annual climbers and grasses you have

-It is your last chance to plant summer flowering bulbs and sow Sweet Peas

-Continue planning vegetable plants outdoors

Growing Herbs in Pots

Growing your own herbs is easy and fuss free. They will grow well in patio pots or window boxes potted in multi purpose compost. Herbs such as Mint and Basil can be rotated by bringing them into the kitchen to use them and return them outside to resprout once you have used all the leaves. Fennel makes a beautiful border plant with the Bronze variety is particularly attractive and can bring colour and flavour to your garden. Rosemary and Sage are good to plant near a doorway so that their aroma can be enjoyed when you brush past them. Edible flowers such as Marigolds, Violas and Roses can be grown in the garden and can brighten up a salad.

Our Top Ten Herbs...

*Mint- put with Potatoes, Peas and for making Mint sauce

*Parsley- Great with Fish and the flavour sauces

*Rosemary- Put with Lamb and to flavour soups and stews
*Sage- Great with stuffing and putting with Pork

*Thyme-Gives a great flavour to Fish, Sausages and Stuffing

*Basil- Great with Italian dishes, Spaghetti and Soups

*Chives- Put with Potato, Eggs, Cheese and use in Salads and Omlettes

*Coriander- Tastes great in Curries, Soups and Salads

*Fennel- Garnish Fish

*Oregano- A lovely Italian, Greek and Mexican cooking.

Whitehalls Plant of the Month- Ceanothus

For April Whitehall`s plant of the month is the Ceanothus. These plants are noted for their deep blue flowers and glossy green leaves. They can be grown as a small tree or shrub. They are a popular evergreen plant which flowers from March to September, producing bright blue scented flowers. They like to be planted in an area that is in a sunny position but is protected from the wind. They also enjoy neutral to slightly chalky soil that is free draining. Three varieties that are popular are the Puget Blue, Blue Mound and the Sky Lark. Click here for Ceanothus