Ever wondered why cut daffodils are always massed on their own, rather than mixed with other spring flowers? It is because when daffodils are cut, their stems give off a slime which dissolves in water and is poisonous to other cut flowers. If you want to mix daffodils with other blooms, you must stand...
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There is no difference between daffodil and narcissus. The botanical name narcissus is used for both plants. The separation into narcissus and daffodil is an entirely artificial one that has been created by gardeners. Gardeners tend to use the name daffodil for narcissi with long trumpets. When they talk about narcissi, they are referring...
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Cutworms are fat brown or grey caterpillars 1-2in long. They are usually found just below the soil surface. Cutworm is a general name for several different kinds of caterpillar, all of which have similar habits. The main pest species in gardens are the larvae of the large, yellow underwing moth, the turnip moth and...
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If the clumps of daffodils scattered in your established borders have healthy leaves but give very few flowers then most like cause is that they have become overcrowded. You just need to lift them, separate them gently – and replant them farther apart. The time to lift the clumps is after the daffodils have...
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Azaleas and rhododendrons have shallow roots, and can suffer badly in dry weather: a good moisture-retentive mulch is therefore vital. Peat is an obvious choice for such acid-loving plants, but only so long as it’s wet. When it dries out, it forms a crust that can actually throw off water. Shredded or pulverised bark...
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Far too few gardeners seem to take seriously the welfare of bees in their gardens. This is unfortunate, for not only do honeybees produce honey for someone else, but bees of all types (together, of course, with many other types of insects) play an essential role in pollination. Image Credit: Flickr Save garden bees...
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