Care Guides
Care guides by Rupert Foxton-Smythe
426 guides
Ornamental Grasses
The Elegance of Ornamental Grasses There are a number of ornamental grasses which can be grown for the purpose of providing good flower-stems or attractive leaves of decorative value.
How to Grow Crocuses
One of the easiest and hardiest bulbs to grow. Never cut the leaves off but tie the foliage in a knot after the flowers have faded, to make them look neater.
Increasing Your Stock of Climbing Plants
Getting something for nothing is always an appealing idea, but growing your own plants from seed, or propagating them from cuttings, also gives you immense satisfaction.
Flower Arranging Basics
The Art of Flower Arrangement Flower arrangement is an art which was created and studied in Eastern countries for hundreds of years but it is a comparatively recent development in the Western world.
The Stem of a Plant
The Structure of Plant Buds The stem of a plant, unlike the root, bears lateral appendages that are different in form from the axis that produces them – that is, the stem bears leaves.
Apricots as Wall Fruits
Apricots are the most difficult of all the fruit grown outdoors in more northerly latitudes.
Gardening for Flower Arrangement
Garden Inspiration for Flower Arrangements Ideas carried out in the garden, either in the contrast or combination of colors in a border or in the way in which they grow together can often give ideas…
Planting and Pruning Shrubs
Preparing Soil for Shrubs If the soil is not particularly good, you will need to improve it.
Growing Peaches on Walls
The peach is a hardy fruit, tougher than it looks. It will grow and ripen fruit successfully even in the north of England, given a south-facing wall.
Growing Cherries on Walls
There are two groups of cherries – add and sweet. Both grow best on a wall when they are fan-trained.
Woody Growth in Plants
Buds and Annual Growth When the axis of a bud expands to form a new length of stem, the fallen bud-scales leave ring scars, or girdle scars, at its base.
Arrangements Using Wild Flowers
Laws vary from country to country so make sure you don’t collect any endangered species. Best to cultivate your own wild flowers if possible, as there are many seed packs available nowadays.