Growing Guides

Hardy cyclamen seed should be sown as soon as possible in pans of John Innes Seed Compost, to which has been added a little extra perlite and some shredded leaf mould, preferably beech or oak. If leaf mould is not available mix multi-purpose compost with the John Innes. Sow thinly and cover the seed with […]

Hepaticas are generally easy to grow from seed if a few simple guidelines are followed. It’s essential to gather hepatica seed while it is still green and to sow fresh seed. The seed should be sown thinly in seed pans and  Use a very well-drained compost made up of 2 parts John Innes Seed, 1 […]

Store your Primula auricula seed in a cool place. Sow thinly at any time between November to early February and use moistened, multi-purpose, peat-based compost. Do not cover the seed, but cover pans with an upturned seed tray or pot to prevent drying out. When seed begins to germinate, cover very thinly with vermiculite to […]

Sow hellebore seed as soon as possible (preferably in July or August), in Supagro Seed Compost (our own brand available in-store only) or you can use a mixture of 50% John Innes Seed Compost and 50% good quality multi-purpose compost. Sow the seed thinly and cover with 6mm (one quarter of an inch)) layer of […]

Enthusiasts and collectors usually prefer to grow all hepaticas, whatever their country of origin, in the protected environment of an alpine house or poly-tunnel. Alpine house cultivation ensures that plants will be untouched by the vagaries of the British weather and allows their exquisite blooms to be viewed at close quarters. We strongly recommend that […]

Hydrangea macrophylla and their cultivars are happiest when given a cool moist root run and a sheltered aspect: this is why they do so well at the base of a wall. In the open border, they are best with a light tree cover and the shelter of other shrubs but they will tolerate a more open aspect […]