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<p>Find out <strong>how to prune your hydrangeas</strong> with our simple guide.</p>

<p>With their large flowerheads and striking foliage, hydrangeas are an excellent choice for shady borders, offering structure and stunning late summer hues. Proper pruning ensures hydrangeas bloom reliably year after year. Discover how to prune your hydrangeas with our straightforward guide.</p>

<h2>Identifying Your Hydrangea</h2>

<p>Hydrangeas come in diverse types, each with unique pruning needs. Before reaching for your pruning shears, it&#39;s crucial to identify your hydrangea. The simplest way is by their flower type. If uncertain, allow it to grow for a season before pruning.</p>

<p><img alt="How to prune hydrangeas" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/how-to-prune-hydrangeas-4-1200x500-64ecb1af96c94.jpg" title="How to prune hydrangeas" /></p>

<h2>Hydrangea Types</h2>

<p>Most garden hydrangeas fall into these categories:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Hydrangea macrophylla: Compact, bushy shrubs known as mophead or lacecap hydrangeas, characterized by their flowerheads. Mophead hydrangeas boast round flowerheads with small flowers, typically pink or blue based on soil pH (white varieties remain unchanged). Lacecap hydrangeas feature flat flowerheads with a ring of petals around tiny flowers&#39; center.</li>
	<li>Hydrangea paniculata: A deciduous shrub with elongated, conical flowerheads on arching stems, with some varieties shifting colors as they mature.</li>
	<li>Hydrangea arborescens: A larger shrub displaying immense round flowerheads, often in white. Hydrangea &#39;Annabelle&#39; is a well-known Hydrangea arborescens variety.</li>
	<li>Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf hydrangea): A medium-sized shrub with elongated conical flowerheads and bold lobed leaves turning red in autumn.</li>
	<li>Hydrangea anomala sp. petiolaris (climbing hydrangea): A self-clinging deciduous climber with lacecap flowers and autumnal yellow leaves.</li>
</ul>

<h2>How to Prune Hydrangeas</h2>

<p><img alt="How to prune hydrangeas" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/how-to-prune-hydrangeas-5-1200x500-64ecb1c83c57e.jpg" title="How to prune hydrangeas" /></p>

<ul>
	<li>Pruning Hydrangea macrophylla: Avoid deadheading mophead hydrangeas in autumn. Let dried flowerheads remain through winter for frost protection. In early spring, prune by cutting back last year&#39;s flowered stems to the first pair of strong buds below the old flowerhead. Trim one or two old stems to the base for new growth and more blooms. Lacecap hydrangeas can be deadheaded after flowering, cutting back to the second pair of leaves beneath the flowerhead. Trim one or two old stems in spring.</li>
	<li>Pruning Hydrangea paniculata and Hydrangea arborescens: Spring pruning involves cutting back last year&#39;s growth to healthy buds lower on the stems. Hard pruning around 25cm above ground yields a compact shrub, while pruning to approximately 60cm height produces a taller plant.</li>
	<li>Pruning Hydrangea quercifolia: Spring pruning eliminates deadwood and trims overlong stems.</li>
	<li>Pruning Hydrangea anomala sp. petiolaris: Post-flowering pruning trims overlong shoots. As most flowers emerge atop the plant, avoid excessive pruning in this area.</li>
</ul>

<p>From flowering shrubs to vibrant perennials, our center offers plants for every garden. Visit us today to infuse your garden with autumnal colors!</p>

How to prune hydrangeas

<p>Here&rsquo;s the lowdown on <strong>why pollinators are important</strong> and how to help them.</p>

<p>The sight of a flowering plant covered in busily buzzing bees brings joy to any gardener&#39;s heart, and for good reason! Pollinators are essential to the health of our planet, so we need to do all we can to look after them. Here&#39;s the lowdown on <strong>why pollinators are important and how to help them</strong>.</p>

<h2>Why we need pollinators</h2>

<p>Pollinators are a vital part of our food system. Without them, we wouldn&#39;t have most of the vegetables and fruit that we eat. This includes things like zucchinis, pumpkins, beans, peas, apples, pears, cherries, and strawberries &ndash; the list is almost endless. Many plants can&#39;t produce seeds without being pollinated, so without pollinators, there would soon be nothing to eat!</p>

<h2>What is pollination?</h2>

<p>Before a plant can produce fruit, it needs to be pollinated. This means that pollen has to be transferred from the male part of the flower (the anther) to the female part (the stamen). Some plants, such as sweetcorn, are pollinated by the wind, which blows pollen from anthers to stamens, but most of the plants we eat are pollinated by insects that visit the flowers to collect sweet, energy-rich nectar for food. While getting to the nectar in the heart of the flower, the insects pick up pollen on their bodies, and this gets transferred to the stamens of the next flower they visit, thus pollinating the flower, which can then start to develop into a fruit.</p>

<p><img alt="Bees pollitating" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/bees-pollitating-1200x500-64c8d755ea867.jpg" title="Bees pollitating" /></p>

<p>Plants to attract pollinators You can do your bit to help pollinators by planting pollinator-friendly flowers. In return, these helpful insects will boost your harvest by pollinating your fruit and vegetables! Single flowers (those with just one layer of petals) with open centers are better for pollinators than very full double flowers with masses of petals, as it&#39;s easier for the pollinators to reach the nectar at their centers. There&#39;s also evidence to suggest that bees are especially attracted to blue flowers, which tend to be rich in nectar. Umbellifers &ndash; plants with flat flowerheads &ndash; are very popular with pollinators, and they also attract other beneficial insects like hoverflies and ladybugs, which help to control aphids.</p>

<p><img alt="Plants to attract pollinators" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/plants-to-attract-pollinators-1200x500-64c8ad1c1d8d6.jpg" title="Plants to attract pollinators" /></p>

<p>Here are a few of the many pollinator-friendly plants that will bring butterflies and bees to your garden:</p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p>Dahlia &#39;Bishop of York&#39; &ndash; golden yellow flowers and purple-green leaves.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Leucanthemum x superbum &#39;Snowcap&#39; (shasta daisy) &ndash; masses of daisy-like white flowers all summer.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Echinacea purpurea &#39;Magnus&#39; (coneflower) &ndash; rich red-pink flowers with striking orange-red centers.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) &ndash; fragrant purple flower spikes and aromatic grey-green leaves.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Geranium &#39;Rozanne&#39; &ndash; abundant blue flowers for months in summer.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Coriander &ndash; flattened flowerheads of tiny white flowers, especially popular with honeybees.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Ammi majus (Bishop&#39;s flower) &ndash; a gorgeous annual with lacy domes of white flowers on long stems.</p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p>Want to bring more pollinators to your garden? Visit our center, where we have a fantastic range of pollinator-friendly plants to suit every taste!</p>

Why pollinators are so important

<p>We&rsquo;ve put together our top tips on gardening more sustainably, making the best use of our natural resources and avoiding<strong>&nbsp;waste</strong>.</p>

<p>For many of us, gardening is a way to connect with the natural world, so we want to be sure that when we&rsquo;re gardening, we&rsquo;re not harming that world. To help, we&rsquo;ve put together our top tips on how to garden more sustainably, make the best use of our natural resources, and avoid waste.</p>

<h2>How to save water in the garden</h2>

<p>Water is one of our most precious resources, and it&rsquo;s also vital to the health of our gardens. Here are a few ways to minimize water waste while still giving your plants what they need to grow.</p>

<ul>
	<li>Install a water butt to collect rainwater and use this to water your plants whenever possible. As well as saving our precious water supplies, rainwater is often better for plants than tap water, especially in hard water areas.</li>
	<li>Put away your hosepipe and use a watering can to water your plants. This allows you to get every drop of water to where it needs to be, with minimal waste.</li>
	<li>Fix leaky hoses and dripping taps straight away.</li>
	<li>Water the garden in the morning or evening to reduce water loss through evaporation.</li>
	<li>Place a plant tray under your pots so that the roots can soak in the water from the bottom.</li>
	<li>Mulch your beds with a thick (5cm/2in) layer of garden compost or well-rotted farmyard manure in spring or fall. This improves soil structure and helps lighter soils to retain moisture, meaning you need to water less often.</li>
</ul>

<p><img alt="Plant tray to save water" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/plant-tray-to-save-water-1200x500-64b7f49dc8c33.jpg" title="Plant tray to save water" /></p>

<h2>Make your own compost</h2>

<p>Making your compost not only benefits your soil, it also helps reduce carbon emissions from transporting garden waste. If you don&rsquo;t have space for a big compost heap, get a green waste bin from your local council and start composting!</p>

<ul>
	<li>Aim for a 50/50 mix of soft green waste (like grass cuttings, stems, and leaves) and brown waste (like shredded woody stems and cardboard).</li>
	<li>Don&rsquo;t compost perennial weeds like bindweed or brambles in a home compost heap or bin, as the temperature doesn&rsquo;t get high enough to kill them off, and you could end up just spreading them back onto your garden!</li>
	<li>Pile up fall leaves separately to make leaf mold, one of the best soil conditioners there is.</li>
</ul>

<p><img alt="Make your own compost" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/make-your-own-compost-1200x500-64b7f526b7968.jpg" title="Make your own compost" /></p>

<h2>Re-use and recycle plastic</h2>

<p>Disposing of plastic pots and old compost bags has long been a problem for gardeners, but thankfully, solutions are now available!</p>

<ul>
	<li>Many of the larger supermarkets have recycling collection points for plastic bags, so wash out those old bags and find your local collection point.</li>
	<li>Garden centers often offer collection points for old plastic plant pots. Unfortunately, black plastic pots can&rsquo;t yet be recycled, so try to choose colored pots when buying plants.</li>
	<li>Wash out your old plastic pots and use them for potting on seedlings.</li>
	<li>Re-use old compost bags as grow bags for vegetables such as tomatoes or peppers.</li>
</ul>

<p>From peat-free compost to organic vegetable seeds, you&rsquo;ll find everything you need for your garden in our center. Come in and see what&rsquo;s in store!</p>

Gardening with natural resources in mind

<p>Keep your garden looking great this month with our <strong>top 15 gardening tips for August</strong>.</p>

<p>It&rsquo;s August&nbsp;and it&rsquo;s time to really make the most of your garden. Borders are filled with late summer flowers, and there&rsquo;s plenty to harvest in the vegetable plot! Keep your garden looking great this month with our <strong>top 15 gardening tips for August</strong>.</p>

<h2>Top 15 Gardening Tips for August</h2>

<ol>
	<li>
	<p>Keep up with deadheading. Roses, daylilies, dahlias, and cosmos will all keep on flowering for longer if regularly deadheaded, and they make beautiful cut flowers!</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>If the weather is dry, water camellias and rhododendrons regularly as they start developing their flower buds for next year&rsquo;s display.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Trim faded lavender flowers to keep the plants looking tidy, taking care not to cut too far back into old wood. Check down the stems to see where new leaf buds appear and cut above these.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Now&rsquo;s the time to prune rambling roses. Remove one in every three old stems and tie any loose growth into supports. Shorten side shoots by approximately two-thirds.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Water container plants regularly in dry weather and feed flowering plants weekly with Powerbloom or All Purpose Fertilizer.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Annuals like nigella and poppies will be setting seed now. Collect the seed in paper envelopes for sowing next spring &ndash; and don&rsquo;t forget to label the envelopes!</p>
	</li>
</ol>

<p><img alt="Collecting seeds from poppies" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/collecting-seeds-from-poppies-1200x500-64b7ea9ec6c88.jpg" title="Collecting seeds from poppies" /></p>

<ol start="8">
	<li>
	<p>Remember your garden wildlife when the weather is hot. Keep bird baths and ponds topped up to give birds and insects somewhere to drink and cool off.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Keep picking courgettes and beans to keep the plants producing more. Potatoes, tomatoes, beetroots, onions, and carrots should all also be ready for harvesting this month.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Feed container-grown&nbsp; peppers, and tomatoes biweekly with a high-potash liquid feed to boost fruit production</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Mow the lawn less often if the weather is dry, and raise the blade height on your lawnmower.</p>
	</li>
</ol>

<p>Borders looking tired? Visit our gardemcenter where you&rsquo;ll find a fantastic range of shrubs and perennials to give your garden a late summer boost!</p>

15 Gardening Tips for August

<p>Summer’s here and it’s the best time of year to be out in the garden, with flowers blooming, bees buzzing and long days to enjoy it all! Keep your garden looking fabulous this summer with our <strong>top 15 gardening tips for June</strong>.</p>

<p>Summer’s here and it’s the best time of year to be out in the garden, with flowers blooming, bees buzzing and long days to enjoy it all! Keep your garden looking fabulous this summer with our <strong>top 15 gardening tips for June</strong>.</p>
<ol>
<li>Fill pots and hanging baskets with summer bedding plants for fantastic colour that will last for months. Trailing geraniums, petunias and lobelia love sunny spots and busy lizzies and begonias are great for shady spots. Feed fortnightly with a high potash feed for maximum flowering.</li>
<li>Harden off and plant runner beans, French beans, squash, courgettes and tomatoes.</li>
<li>Keep on sowing salad greens, beetroot, and carrots to give you a supply all through summer.</li>
<li>Feed tomatoes fortnightly with a high potash feed to encourage fruit development. Container-grown vegetables like dwarf beans and courgettes will also benefit from a fortnightly high potash feed – tomato feed works for them all!</li>
<li>First early potatoes should be ready to harvest this month. Dig up one or two first to check how big they are, and if they’re too small, let them grow for a few more weeks.<br />
<br />
<img alt="15 gardening tips for June" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/harvest-potatoes-1200x500-647078f3cf21b.png" style="width: 100%;" title="15 gardening tips for June" /><br />
&nbsp;</li>
<li>Harvest garlic and onion once the leaves turn yellow and start to flop over.</li>
<li>Net strawberries as they start to ripen so that the birds don’t get to them before you can enjoy them.</li>
<li>Weeds grow fast in summer, so keep them under control. On dry days, run a Dutch hoe over the soil to cut down annual weeds like spurge, chickweed, and hairy bittercress, and leave the weeds on the soil to wither.</li>
<li>Deadhead repeat-flowering roses and pick sweet peas regularly so that they will keep on flowering all summer.</li>
<li>Once hardy geraniums have finished flowering, cut them back to promote a flush of new foliage and flowers.</li>
<li>Give wisteria its summer prune by cutting back all this year’s long whippy shoots to around 20cm long.</li>
<li>Mow the lawn regularly, but in long spells of dry weather, mow less often and on a higher blade setting to reduce stress on the grass. If you have space, leave an area of lawn uncut to provide a home for insects and other garden wildlife.<br />
<br />
<img alt="15 gardening tips for June" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/mowing-lawn-june-1200x500-64707992e1748.png" style="width: 100%;" title="15 gardening tips for June" /><br />
&nbsp;</li>
<li>Prune summer-flowering shrubs like Philadelphus (mock orange), Weigela, and Forsythia once they’ve finished flowering. Cut back the flowered shoots to strong buds lower down and removing one in every 3-4 old stems to encourage new growth.</li>
<li>Trim evergreen hedges to keep them neat, but always check first to make sure you aren’t disturbing any nesting birds.</li>
<li>Water in the early mornings or evenings to reduce water loss through evaporation, and install waterbutts to conserve rainwater for use on the garden.</li>
</ol>
<p>Whether you’re planting, weeding or simply relaxing in a deck chair, you’ll find everything you need in our centre, so pay us a visit soon!</p>

Top 15 gardening tips for June

<p><strong>Topiary</strong> is the art of training plants to take different shapes, and it’s a fascinating way to add your own unique touch to your garden. All you need is patience, a suitable plant and some sharp secateurs. Here’s our simple guide to making your own topiary.</p>

<p><strong>Topiary</strong> is the art of training plants to take different shapes, and it’s a fascinating way to add your own unique touch to your garden. The range of shapes that can be achieved with clever pruning is amazing, from simple balls and cones to elaborate models of elephants and even peacocks! All you need is patience, a suitable plant and some sharp secateurs. Here’s our simple guide to making your own topiary.</p>
<h2>Choosing the best plants for topiary</h2>
<p>Box (Buxus sempervirens) has traditionally been a favourite choice for topiary as it has small leaves, dense growth and ability to be neatly clipped into shapes. Sadly, in recent years, box blight and box tree caterpillars have made it difficult to grow healthy box plants in many areas, but there are plenty of other suitable plants to choose from for your topiary.</p>
<p>Yew (Taxus baccata), one of the few conifers that will grow back after hard pruning, is another classic topiary plant, especially for large shapes. Other plants that work well are Delavey privet (Ligustrum delavayanum), bay (Laurus nobilis), holly (Ilex aquifolium), Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) and shrubby honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida).</p>
<p><img alt="How to grow topiary" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/topiary-2-1200x500-647f546780de3.png" style="width: 100%;" title="How to grow topiary" /></p>
<h2>How to create a topiary</h2>
<ul>
<li>To create a topiary from scratch, choose a well-developed, bushy plant with dense, healthy growth that suits the shape you want to produce (for example, a rounded, bushy plant if you are planning a ball-shaped topiary, or an upright conifer for a corkscrew or cone shape).</li>
<li>Plant your chosen plant in a pot or in the ground. Feed and mulch it to promote strong healthy growth.</li>
<li>Using sharp secateurs or shears, clip the foliage roughly into shape. For simple geometric shapes, you can do this by eye. For more complicated shapes, you may find it easier to make a template to fit over the plant to guide your pruning, or to buy a frame. To create a lollipop topiary from a bushy shrub, select the most upright shoot to form the main stem, tie this to a cane to keep it growing straight and remove all other shoots from the base of the plant to achieve a clear stem. As the plant grows and bushes out, clip it into a rounded shape.</li>
<li>Creating topiary does require patience, as it can take several years for your plant to grow into the shape you want. If you want quick results, the simplest solution is to visit your garden centre and buy a plant that has already been shaped. You can then keep it to the shape with regular pruning.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p><img alt="How to grow topiary" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/how-to-grow-topiary-1200x500-647f5486c54d7.png" style="width: 100%;" title="How to grow topiary" /></p>
<h2>How to care for topiary</h2>
<p>Water topiary plants regularly in dry periods, making sure you water around the roots, and feed container-grown plants monthly during the growing season with a balanced liquid feed. Prune your topiary annually in summer to maintain its shape. Fast-growing plants may need a second trim in late summer to keep them looking neat.</p>
<p>Want to try your hand at topiary? Come in and choose from our fantastic range of shrubs and let your imagination go wild!</p>

How to grow topiary

<p>Have you ever considered making your own&nbsp;<strong>compost</strong>? Not only does it save money, it also means your garden becomes more sustainable and biodiverse as compost heaps, when kept well, can also be beneficial to wildlife. So, what does it take to make good compost, how to make it and how to use it?</p>

<p>When <strong>making your own compost</strong>, there are a few aspects to know about to ensure your compost breaks down well and becomes the perfect compost for your plants to grow in. Homemade compost is invaluable to have in the garden; you will be able to use it as a mulch, soil improver or as an organic growing medium. Not only does it save money, it also means your garden becomes more sustainable and biodiverse as compost heaps, when kept well, can also be beneficial to wildlife. So, what does it take to make good compost, how to make it and how to use it? This guide will help you.</p>
<h2>What you need when making your own compost</h2>
<p>First, you will need somewhere to store it permanently - or at least for a long time. Compost can take from just 3 short months to years to break down and form the perfect garden medium. How long it takes depends on what you put in and how you care for it. When you have created space, think about what you will store your compost in. From large, dalek bins to wood pallet bins, there are many options. Think about your space and what fits and suits it.</p>
<h2>Know how before you start making your own compost</h2>
<p>A good compost heap consists of a 50/50 mix of nitrogen and carbon mixed materials. Nitrogen will come from green materials, such as grass clippings, annual weeds, and tea bags. Carbon comes from brown materials such as cardboard, straw and woody stems. So, every time you add some green materials, try to also add the equivalent amount of brown materials. Scrunch up paper, cardboard toilet roll tubes, and egg boxes to help aerate the compost. If you have too much nitrogen you will end up with a soggy pile or too much carbon means it will take a very long time to break down.</p>
<p><img alt="Making your own compost" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/homemade-compost-1200x500-647f5286a4571.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Making your own compost" /></p>
<h2>Making your own compost means taking care of it as well</h2>
<p>Turning your compost pile every now and again will also help to aerate the pile, and it will break down quicker. Using a garden fork, start from the outside and turn the material toward the inside. It can be helpful to cover your bin so it doesn’t get drenched with rain.</p>
<h2>When making your own compost, consider it’s uses</h2>
<p>Think about how you will use your homemade compost because when it is dark and crumbly, you’ll be able to mulch your plants and pots, improve your soil, and grow healthy plants. Visit us in our store for all of your composting needs.</p>

Making your own compost

<p>Children are always excited about being in the natural world, and express awe and curiosity.&nbsp;This natural affinity with the garden can keep children entertained for hours as they learn how to sow seeds, nurture and watch plants grow and learn where their food comes from. There are some really easy ways to get started and here are our <strong>top five</strong>.</p>

<p>These top five tips to get kids gardening will help you <strong>encourage kids</strong> in your family or friends to get engaged with growing plants. Children are always excited about being in the natural world, and express awe and curiosity. Without fear they will usually climb trees and run barefoot on the lawn. This natural affinity with the garden can keep children entertained for hours as they learn how to sow seeds, nurture and watch plants grow and learn where their food comes from. There are some really easy ways to get started and here are our top five.</p>
<h2>1. Get their hands dirty</h2>
<p>Unless they are gardening where pets have been or near thorny or stinging plants, let them get their hands in the soil. It’s a great opportunity for them to learn about how important the soil is for plants to grow and all about the magical life beneath their feet. Remember turning over a stone or rock to discover woodlice, worms and millipedes? It’s fascinating to look at what goes on in the garden and kids love to explore.</p>
<p><img alt="Five tips to get kids gardening" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/gardening-with-kids-1200x500-647077d0527c1.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Five tips to get kids gardening" /></p>
<h2>2. Have a growing competition</h2>
<p>This competition could be between members of your family or a wider friend group or even at school! Who can grow the tallest Sunflower is always a great one to get kids involved with because the seeds germinate fast. Ultimately, they become something so big and pretty that kids will be amazed and it’s great for kids to enjoy. The winner could be given a packet of Sunflower seeds for next year!</p>
<h2>3. Sow fast growing seeds</h2>
<p>While gardening teaches adults patience, kids perhaps need something to keep them engaged sooner and for longer! Choosing seeds that tend to germinate quickly along with some others as well means they will see what happens sooner and will stay engaged. Most peas, squash and even micro greens will grow fast enough to keep them happy while the other seeds take a bit longer.</p>
<p><img alt="Five tips to get kids gardening" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/child-vegetable-garden-1200x500-647077fbe034e.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Five tips to get kids gardening" /></p>
<h2>4. Choose fun edibles</h2>
<p>There are many flowers that are also edible, such as pansies, nasturtiums, and herb flowers. Add some of these into the kids’ garden area and they can try some petals to eat as well! Lots of fun, lots of colour and lots of different flavours.</p>
<h2>5. Give them their own space and tools</h2>
<p>If you want to look after the rest of your garden in your own way, why not allocate them a space to grow whatever they want, to dig, and to learn? By giving them a little space and their own tools, they will take ownership and love to watch things grow.</p>
<p>Visit us in our store for plenty of fun seeds to sow, children’s tools, and lots of inspiration.</p>

Five tips to get kids gardening

<p>Many <strong>climbers</strong> can be great to encourage insects for birds and bats to eat plus provide resting and nesting spaces as well. Whichever climber you choose, it is sure to add interest and delight to your garden. Here&#39;s our top 5!</p>

<p>Our <strong>top 5 climbers</strong> to grow have been chosen by us so you can decide which you would like to grow up your trellis or fence or perhaps against a pergola for privacy. Many climbers can even be grown in larger containers with support or a back board of trellis so they have something to climb on. There are so many to choose from, some growing more vigorously than others, some with flowers and some with varied foliage. Many climbers can be great to encourage insects for birds and bats to eat plus provide resting and nesting spaces as well. Whichever climber you choose, it is sure to add interest and delight to your garden.</p>

<ol>
	<li>Clematis &lsquo;Taiga&rsquo;</li>
	<li>Rambling Rose&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Honeysuckle</li>
	<li>Virginia Creeper&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Star Jasmine&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

<h2>1. Clematis &lsquo;Taiga&rsquo;</h2>

<p>There are so many varieties of Clematis to choose from; there really is one or more for every garden, every aspect and most soils. But if you are looking for an absolute showstopper, this Clematis was a nominee for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year Award and it is a stunner. With lots of flowers, almost looking like a Passion flower, it&rsquo;s a hardy climber and very easy to grow and care for.</p>

<h2>2. Rosa Rambling Rector</h2>

<p>This rambling rose has many large clusters of creamy white flowers all the way from early summer through to late summer. The hips are red and is a vigorous rambler that you can grow for privacy or to hide unsightly walls and fences. It will even grow on a north-facing wall and, true to the rambling habit, looks great in a wildlife garden.</p>

<p><img alt="Rosa Rambling Rector" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/rosa-rambling-rector-1200x500-6461da518c78f.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Rosa Rambling Rector" /></p>

<h2>3. Honeysuckle &lsquo;Dart&rsquo;s World&rsquo; (Lonicera japonica)</h2>

<p>There are plenty of honeysuckles to choose from and that have some of the best scents in the garden. They are ideal to be planted somewhere near to where you will sit or walk by. This variety flowers from late spring through to late simmer with dark pink flowers that change shade as they age. This will grow quickly and is a great feature climber.</p>

<h2>4. Chinese Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus henryana)</h2>

<p>You may know the well-known colour-changing climber that soon takes over and lasts forever. This one is far less vigorous and can even be grown in smaller gardens. The flowers and berries, although loved by bees, are fairly insignificant. It&rsquo;s the autumn colour that really stands out. Easy to grow in fertile, well-drained soil, it will soon climb up a supporting structure.</p>

<h2>5. Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)</h2>

<p>This is a stunning, fragrant evergreen climber with dark green leaves that change colour in autumn and put forth white star-shaped flowers in summer. It is easy to grow and will soon climb if planted in well-drained soil in full sun. This can also be grown indoors.</p>

<p><img alt="Trachelospermum jasminoides" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/trachelospermum-jasminoides-1-1200x500-6461dabf1b19f.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Trachelospermum jasminoides" /></p>

<p>Choose your next climber from our range in store.</p>

Top 5 climbers

<p>With lots of <strong>sustainable kitchen garden ideas</strong>, you may be wondering where to start and what is best for your garden. Here’s some ideas we love for sustainable gardening.</p>

<p>With lots of <strong>sustainable kitchen garden ideas</strong>, you may be wondering where to start and what is best for your garden. First of all, it is great news that you want to think about gardening sustainably and secondly, we think it is all the more fun to do so! There are many ways to incorporate sustainable ideas in your kitchen garden that all start with thinking about every single thing you do. Before you do anything, first ask yourself if it is good for the planet. Here’s some ideas we love for sustainable gardening.</p>
<h2>Everything is organic</h2>
<p>One of the best ways to ensure your garden is happy and healthy is to use organic products and practices. This means soil, wildlife, and plants all grow naturally without the use of harmful chemicals. Non organic products can deplete the soil of nutrients and destroy pollinators. Try organic feeds such as Comfrey or Nettle, and biological pest controls.</p>
<h2>Reuse, recycle and up-cycle</h2>
<p>This is the fun part! When you garden sustainably you will look at everything you use and wonder how you can reuse it, if it can be recycled in the garden or put in the compost or up-cycled in some way. Cardboard tubes from toilet rolls can become seed pots, drawers become quirky planters and even baths and beds can be used in the kitchen garden to grow vegetables.</p>
<p><img alt="Sustainable kitchen garden ideas " src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/sustainable-garden-7-1200x500-644bbbfed4c90.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Sustainable kitchen garden ideas " /></p>
<h2>Choose the right plants</h2>
<p>One of the most important aspects of gardening sustainably is to ensure your planting suits your environment. If the environment is very hot and dry, make sure your plants are drought tolerant. If it is shady and moist, plant accordingly. This will help your garden thrive long into the future.</p>
<h2>Look after your soil</h2>
<p>Everything starts in the soil. Without good soil, not much will grow. Your soil is home to millions of organisms that are beneficial to the garden and will help your vegetables to grow. Collect fallen leaves to use as leaf mulch, use grass clippings, put garden waste in the compost bin and use it when it is ready, mulch to retain moisture and provide nutrients and always ensure it is organic.</p>
<h2>Collect rainwater</h2>
<p>Minimising water usage in the garden, especially during hot and dry weather is really important. Water containers in the kitchen garden are a great way to collect rainwater to reuse when your plants need it, which is what plants prefer. These containers can be connected to your shed or greenhouse or freestanding and will soon fill up over winter.</p>
<p><img alt="Sustainable kitchen garden ideas " src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/sustainable-garden-6-1200x500-644bbacfd0784.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Sustainable kitchen garden ideas " /></p>
<p>Ensure your garden is sustainable by choosing from our organic range of products in our store.</p>

Sustainable kitchen garden ideas

<p>Making an <strong>outdoor living space</strong> in your garden gives you the best of both worlds – a place to enjoy being in nature and all the comforts of your living room at hand! There are many ways to turn an outdoor area into an extension of your home and here are a few of our favourite ideas.</p>

<p>Making an <strong>outdoor living space</strong> in your garden gives you the best of both worlds – a place to enjoy being in nature and all the comforts of your living room at hand! There are many ways to turn an outdoor area into an extension of your home and here are a few of our favourite ideas.</p>
<ul>
<li>Decide how you want to use your outdoor living space – whether it’s a space for entertaining family and friends, or somewhere you can escape to when you need some time to yourself. Think about how much space you need, and what sort of furniture you want to include. Spend some time noticing where the sunlight falls in your garden throughout the day to help you decide where to make your outdoor living room.</li>
<li>Add a parasol, umbrella, or shade sail. This not only provides a shady retreat on sunny days, but also makes your space feel more intimate and private.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Create the ultimate outdoor living room" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/outdoor-living-room-6-1200x500-646328a238203.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Create the ultimate outdoor living room" /><br />
&nbsp;</li>
<li>Include benches and comfortable chairs with cushions and rugs to add softness, texture, and colour, and give your outdoor space an air of cosiness.</li>
<li>Make a small space feel bigger by hanging a mirror on a fence or wall. The mirror acts like a window into a new part of the garden, reflecting areas you wouldn’t otherwise be able to see. Choose a mirror designed for outdoor use.</li>
<li>Place outdoor rugs over decking to define a seating area and add a splash of colour. If made of durable, weather-proof fabrics, these will cope with summer rains, although they’ll last longer if you bring them indoors over winter.</li>
<li>Look for furniture that would suit being used indoors (for example, in a conservatory) as well as outdoors. This helps create the feel of an outdoor room and also means you can use the furniture indoors in winter! Stylish bamboo and rattan furniture is perfect for outdoor living rooms.</li>
<li>Lighting lets you extend the use of your outdoor room well into the evening. Strings of fairy lights create an atmosphere of celebration, and solar stake lights are ideal for marking pathways and boundaries.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Create the ultimate outdoor living room" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/outdoor-living-room-3-1200x500-64632902dcc4c.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Create the ultimate outdoor living room" /><br />
&nbsp;</li>
<li>Create a boundary for your outdoor room. You can do this very simply by using screening plants such as bamboo in pots, or a trellis covered with flowering climbers.</li>
<li>Create a focal point for your outdoor room. This could be a water feature, a fire pit or even a small ornamental tree such as a Japanese maple in a large container.</li>
<li>Link garden and house with outdoor plants that replicate the look of those indoors. Ferns and bold-leaved canna and arum lilies are ideal for creating an indoor/outdoor connection. You could even move indoor plants outdoors in summer, but remember to bring them inside again before the first frosts arrive.</li>
</ul>
<p>Create the perfect outdoor room with our extensive ranges of plants and outdoor furniture. You’ll find everything you need in our centre!</p>

Create the ultimate outdoor living room

<p>The <strong>Pantone 2023 colour of the year</strong>&nbsp;is a colour full of strength, exuberance, joy, and optimism. There are many ways to bring the&nbsp;colour of the year into your home and garden.</p>

<p>The <strong>Pantone 2023 colour of the year</strong>, viva magenta 18-1750, is a colour full of strength, exuberance, joy, and optimism. Said to be rooted in nature, it’s a stand-out colour that invokes self expression and a rebellious spirit. The colour ties in with a natural dye of this shade and represents ‘all that is real’ in a time of technology. But how can you use the colour magenta in your garden? From plants to accessories, there are many ways to bring the 2023 Pantone colour of the year into your home and garden.</p>
<h2>Magenta coloured garden flowers</h2>
<p>If you simply want to bring in the colour of the year to your home with some flowers, keep an eye out for magenta coloured cut flowers to pop in a vase. There are plenty of garden plants with a similar shade that can be cut for a vase, such as Zinnia elegans ‘Giant Purple Prince’, Geranium Patricia (‘Brempat’), Peony 'Felix Crousse’, Rosa 'Timeless Purple’, Calibrachoa ‘Goodnight Kiss’, Impatiens Sunpatiens Magenta and many more.</p>
<p><img alt="Pantone 2023 colour of the year in your garden" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/magenta-pantone-1200x500-6463261c89650.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Pantone 2023 colour of the year in your garden" /></p>
<h2>Indoor and outdoor cushions</h2>
<p>If you want to try making your own cushions, find some magenta material and get your sewing machine out! Otherwise you will find plenty of indoor and outdoor seating options with cushions either in a magenta colour or with similar shades in the patterns of the cushions. A cream cushion with magenta flowers or stripes on would look seriously stylish in any garden.</p>
<h2>Houseplants with magenta flowers or foliage</h2>
<p>Yes, there are indoor plants with glorious colours thath can definitely bring some trendy magenta into your home. From colourful flowers such as magenta-coloured Orchids to stunning foliage of Oxalis trianuglaris. Calathea roseopicta ‘Rosy’ has lovely pink&nbsp; leaves, or a pink Saintpaulia or a Calathea with pink stripes, a cactus with pink flowers or even a pink flowering Bromeliad.</p>
<h2>Magenta home and garden accessories</h2>
<p>It isn’t just plants that can bring the magenta magic into your home and garden but cushions and many other accessories will add a splash of colour where you want it. Candles, plant pots, tea towels, even gardening gloves, kneeling pads, and a painted shed can all be magenta! Lightshades, picture frames, storage baskets - there’s really no reason why viva magenta can’t be introduced into your home and garden this year.</p>
<p><img alt="Pantone 2023 colour of the year in your garden" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/pantone-magenta-1-1200x500-646326457f5d1.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Pantone 2023 colour of the year in your garden" /></p>
<p>Grow your magenta flowering garden plants with plenty of lime green foliage and white umbellifers and make your garden look full of life this year. For plants and accessories to bring your garden to life, visit us in our center.</p>

Pantone 2023 colour of the year in your garden

<p>When you’re short on space for a garden, sometimes the only way to go is up! Vertical gardening is ideal for <strong>balconies</strong>, making use of walls, upright supports, and cleverly designed planters to turn even the smallest space into a little green piece of paradise.</p>

<p>When you’re short on space for a garden, sometimes the only way to go is up! Vertical gardening is ideal for <strong>balconies</strong>, making use of walls, upright supports, and cleverly designed planters to turn even the smallest space into a little green piece of paradise.</p>
<h2>Tips on balcony gardening</h2>
<ul>
<li>Spend some time watching where the sun hits your balcony over the course of a day, so that you know where the sunniest and shadiest spots are. Most fruit and vegetables will need at least six hours of direct sunlight a day to do well.</li>
<li>Balconies can be very windy, and this means plants will dry out fast. Putting up a windbreak of cane matting will make things easier for your plants.</li>
<li>Be careful not to overload your balcony with heavy pots. Remember that soil and compost can weigh a lot when wet.</li>
<li>Use drip trays under pots to stop water overflowing onto your neighbours below!</li>
</ul>
<p><img alt="Vertical balcony garden" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/balcony-garden-1200x500-6461dfec478e2.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Vertical balcony garden" /></p>
<h2>5 vertical gardening ideas for balconies</h2>
<ol>
<li>Balcony railing planters are specially designed to sit over or hang from a balcony railing. They take up hardly any space at all, and they’re perfect for small plants like herbs and strawberries or trailing summer bedding plants like petunias and begonias.</li>
<li>Stackable planters are another clever solution for small spaces. These modular planters can be stacked on top of each other to whatever height you choose. They have planting pockets at each level that are perfect for flowering plants or herbs like parsley, basil and mint.</li>
<li>Grow climbers in pots, trained up an obelisk or a trellis fixed to your balcony wall. Miniature climbing rose like ‘Warm Welcome’ will grow happily in a pot and produces masses of bright orange flowers all summer. You could also combine flowers and food by growing a climbing bean like the French bean ‘Blauhilde’, which has gorgeous violet flowers in summer followed by tasty purple beans that turn green when cooked.</li>
<li>Tiered plant stands are great for small spaces like balcony gardens, letting you grow three or four times as many plants in the same amount of floorspace. On a balcony, the lower levels are likely to be shaded for part of the day, so put the sun-lovers on the upper levels and the plants that prefer shade lower down.</li>
<li>Add height to your balcony garden with an ornamental tree in a container. The dwarf Japanese maple called ‘Wilson’s Pink Dwarf’ has gorgeous variegated leaves and prefers to be sheltered from hot afternoon sun, making it ideal for balconies that often only get sun for part of the day. You can even grow a small fruit tree in a container. Ballerina apples like ‘Samba’ and ‘Flamenco’ produce fruit in short spurs off the main trunk, so they have a very narrow, upright shape that takes up very little space, and they have beautiful flowers in spring.</li>
</ol>
<p><img alt="Vertical balcony garden" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/balcony-garden-1-1200x500-6461e01a4f928.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Vertical balcony garden" /></p>
<p>However big or small your garden is, we have everything you need to make it look fantastic this year. Visit us today and get gardening!</p>

Vertical gardening for balconies

<p>After a long winter, our gardens often need a bit of sprucing up, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With these <strong>six makeover tips</strong>, you can give your garden a new look without breaking the bank!</p>

<p>After a long winter, our gardens often need a bit of sprucing up, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With these <strong>six makeover tips</strong>, you can give your garden a new look without breaking the bank!</p>
<ol>
<li>Clear away any old plant pots, stray footballs, and other bits and pieces, so that you can see what’s needed in the garden. Rake up any remaining fallen leaves and put them in a black bag somewhere out of sight so they will break down into leaf mulch. &nbsp;</li>
<li>Clean paths and patios to get rid of moss and algae. A hard-bristled brush and a bucket of hot soapy water will do wonders, or you can hire a pressure washer, but take care when using this as it can damage the surface of paving stones. Spray from a distance and at an angle of around 30 degrees, using the fan spray rather than the jet, and sweep the spray in a diagonal movement across the pavers to avoid damaging the surface.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Six low-cost garden makeover tips" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/clean-paths-1200x500-643d06137a224.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Six low-cost garden makeover tips" /><br />
&nbsp;</li>
<li>Refresh your garden furniture. A mixture of hot water and mild detergent soap is ideal for cleaning up wrought iron furniture. Add vinegar or bleach to the mix to clean teak furniture, and use a soft brush. A new coat of paint gives wooden furniture a new lease of life and adds colour to the garden.</li>
<li>Re-cut and trim your border edges. After a few years, borders can start to blur into the lawn, and re-cutting the edges is a quick way to make your garden look better. Use a half-moon edging tool to dig a new edge or re-emphasise an existing one. Press the curved blade into the ground with your boot to cut through soil and turf, then use it as a spade to lift out the clumps of soil, creating a groove around the edge of the bed. To make a straight line, lay down a wooden plank and cut against it. For a curve, use a length of rope to outline the shape you want to achieve, then cut along the line. Once the edge has been cut, use edging shears to trim the lawn along the edge to give a neat, crisp effect.</li>
<li>Trim the hedge. A well-trimmed hedge gives a garden shape and structure, and spring is a good time to do the trimming. Before you start, check that there are no birds nesting in the hedge as it’s illegal to disturb nesting birds. Make sure your shears are sharp, as this not only gives the best effect but is also better for the plants if you make clean cuts which will seal faster.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Six low-cost garden makeover tips" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/trimming-hedge-1200x500-643d0832cabe3.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Six low-cost garden makeover tips" /><br />
&nbsp;</li>
<li>Sow hardy annuals for summer colour. Nigella, calendula, poppies, and cornflowers are some of the most popular hardy annuals. They’re very easy to grow from seed and will give you months of colour in summer.</li>
</ol>
<p>If your outdoor space needs a makeover, visit our centre where you’ll find all the plants, seeds, and garden tools you’ll need to create your dream garden!</p>

Six low-cost garden makeover tips

<p>With summer just around the corner, May is a beautiful time to get out into your garden! Get your beds and borders into great shape with our top <strong>15 gardening tips for May</strong>.</p>

<p>May is a beautiful month to be outdoors; all the spring flowers are in full bloom and summer just around the corner. With everything bursting into growth, there’s plenty to do in the garden, and here are our top <strong>tips for gardening jobs in May</strong>.</p>
<ol>
<li>If you’ve been growing dahlia and canna tubers in pots, start hardening them off now, ready to plant out at the end of the month.</li>
<li>Sow hardy annuals like cornflowers, Nigella, and poppies for a fantastic summer display. Get the kids involved sowing sunflowers and nasturtiums outdoors or in pots.</li>
<li>Sow pumpkin, courgette, and French bean seeds in pots indoors so they are ready for planting out next month.</li>
<li>Pinch out the growing tips of broad bean plants once the first beans appear. This helps reduce the risk of blackfly infestation as they tend to gather on the succulent young shoots.</li>
<li>Get a head start on summer by filling pots and hanging baskets with begonias, geraniums, and other colourful bedding plants, but keep an eye on the weather forecast and don’t plant them out until there is no risk of frost.<br />
<br />
<img alt="15 garden tips for May" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/may-gardening-jobs-1-1200x500-644bb18537540.png" style="width: 100%;" title="15 garden tips for May" /><br />
&nbsp;</li>
<li>Harvest rhubarb, but remember to pick only one-third of the stems on each plant to conserve the plant’s energy for next year’s harvest.</li>
<li>Keep on hilling potatoes – it gives you a bigger harvest and also stops the sunlight getting to the tubers turning them green and toxic.</li>
<li>Sow basil seeds in pots on a sunny windowsill. They germinate easily, so don’t sow too thickly.</li>
<li>Summer may be almost here but it’s never too soon to start thinking about your winter veg! Sow kale in pots in a greenhouse, and parsnips and Brussels sprouts in vegetable beds outdoors.</li>
<li>Start hardening off tomato seedlings for planting out next month.</li>
<li>Keep on top of weeds. Use a Dutch hoe on dry days to tackle annual weeds in borders and vegetable beds, taking care not to damage the roots of your plants. Dig out perennial weeds with a hand fork or daisy grubber. Don’t let annual weeds go to seed if you can help it – remember “one year’s seeding makes seven years’ weeding”!<br />
<br />
<img alt="15 garden tips for May" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/weeds-1200x500-644bb05479b5d.png" style="width: 100%;" title="15 garden tips for May" /><br />
&nbsp;</li>
<li>Cut back the foliage on spring bulbs once they starts to turn yellow. Now’s a good time to lift and divide overgrown clumps of spring bulbs while you know where they are! &nbsp;</li>
<li>Prune early-flowering (Group 1) clematis like Clematis Armandii and Clematis Montana once they finish flowering to keep them from getting too big.</li>
<li>Prune spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia once they have flowered to give them plenty of time to develop flowers for next year. Cut any flowered shoots back to strong buds lower down.</li>
<li>Mow the lawn regularly, but try to leave an area unmown this month to give pollinators and other garden wildlife a boost.</li>
</ol>
<p>Get your garden into great shape this May with a visit to our centre. With our fantastic ranges of plants, seeds, and tools, you’re sure to find everything you need!</p>

15 gardening tips for May

<p>Planting these top 5 <strong>drought-tolerant plants</strong> means they will thrive in dry conditions and longer hot summers. This will ultimately mean you can have a low maintenance garden to suit the environment.</p>

<p>Planting these top 5 <strong>drought-tolerant plants</strong> means they will thrive in dry conditions and longer hot summers. This will ultimately mean you can have a low maintenance garden to suit the environment. All plants need water, but drought-tolerant plants need far less, meaning you can use the water from your water butt for other plants that need it. Creating a dry garden is great for hot spots and there are many plants that flower, have texture, and fragrance and are perfect for a drought-tolerant space. Many will have long roots which are able to draw up water from deep below the surface, others have evolved to grow smaller leaves meaning less transpiration, and others may have fleshy stems where they store water for times of low rainfall.</p>
<h2>1. Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile)</h2>
<p>This is a well-known and distinctive plant that grows really well in containers or in garden borders. There are many varieties, but we love ‘Fireworks’ as the lilac and white flowers look just like fireworks at the top of the long sturdy stems. Agapanthus need water as they establish but after the first year they will need much less.</p>
<h2>2. Delosperma (Hardy ice plant)</h2>
<p>This is a wonderful drought-tolerant plant needing very little water. Delosperma cooperii is a low-growing variety that is exceptional for ground cover in containers or in borders. Grow in full sun and well-drained soil.</p>
<p><img alt="Our top 5 drought-tolerant plants" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/delosperma-1200x500-644f6396cc84c.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Our top 5 drought-tolerant plants" /></p>
<h2>3. Oenothera (Gaura)</h2>
<p>This plant flowers through midsummer into autumn often where nothing else is growing, the white and pinkish flowers float gracefully in the breeze and will thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Oenothera is a lovely addition to any garden giving it a whimsical feeling, especially if planted among grasses and other drought-tolerant perennials.</p>
<h2>4. Mangave</h2>
<p>This is a cross between and Agave and Manfreda and most have really interesting patterned foliage such as ‘Inkblot’ that looks just like ink splashes on the leaves. Mangave needs very little water and should be planted in well-drained soil.</p>
<h2>5. Eryngium (Mediterranean Sea holly)</h2>
<p>The spiky lilac and blueish bracts surrounding the cone-like centre of little flowers is really stunning and make a bold statement in a sun-filled dry garden. Very little water is needed and the flowers look really pretty in cut flower bouquets.</p>
<p><img alt="Our top 5 drought-tolerant plants" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/top-5-drought-tolerant-plants-1200x500-644f63c3a4f39.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Our top 5 drought-tolerant plants" /></p>
<p>There are many more plants that will thrive in drought conditions. Always read the label on any plants you buy as this will tell you if the plant needs a lot of watering or not. Other drought-tolerant plants include Erigeron, Verbena bonariensis, Liriope, and Nepeta. We have many plants in our store suitable for a dry garden and we have advice on hand when you visit us.</p>

Our top 5 drought-tolerant plants

<p>There are numerous benefits to growing <strong>houseplants</strong>, from cleaning the air of toxins to softening the aesthetics of a room. Houseplants are a joy to have and care for, especially these incredible ones that you may just want to add to your home.</p>

<p>These <strong>top 5 rare and unusual houseplants</strong> are some of the most coveted houseplants of enthusiasts and collectors. If you can add one of these to your collection, you’ll be the talk of the neighborhood! There are numerous benefits to growing houseplants from cleaning the air of toxins to softening the aesthetics of a room. Houseplants are a joy to have and care for, especially these incredible ones that you may just want to add to your home.</p>
<ol>
<li>Kalanchoe Delagoensis x Daigremontiana (Pink Mother of Thousands)</li>
<li>Peperomia Argyreia (Watermelon Peperomia)</li>
<li>Monstera deliciosa variegata (Variegated Monstera)</li>
<li>Rhipsalis Heteroclada (Mistletoe Cactus)</li>
<li>Syngonium Mottled Arrowhead</li>
</ol>
<h2>1. Kalanchoe Delagoensis x Daigremontiana (Pink Mother of Thousands)</h2>
<p>Kalanchoe is a well-known houseplant but this one is pink! It’s very pretty and a very rare variegated Kalanchoe. It has green arrow-shaped leaves with pink cups which are truly stunning and eye-catching. It’s because of low chlorophyll levels meaning they don’t turn green. Even better than that is although it is rare, it is so easy to care for. As a succulent, it barely needs any water!</p>
<h2>2. Peperomia Argyreia (Watermelon Peperomia)</h2>
<p>This Peperomia has attractive oval-shaped leaves that look just like watermelon! It’s a really interesting plant to look at and a good air purifier as well. It’s non-toxic for pets which is something to consider when buying houseplants, easy to look after, and can even be propagated easily for more free plants.</p>
<p><img alt="Watermelon Peperomia" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/watermelon-peperomia-1200x500-643d03d6b9d44.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Watermelon Peperomia" /></p>
<h2>3. Monstera deliciosa variegata</h2>
<p>Perhaps the most well-known of all the rare houseplants thanks to the many photos on social media. The variegation means white is mixed in with the green and it looks stunning. They need bright, indirect light and moist but not overwatered soil that has good drainage. A warm room and humidity will help to keep this beauty thriving.</p>
<h2>4. Rhipsalis Heteroclada (Mistletoe Cactus)</h2>
<p>A lovely trailing cactus with thick stems which trail downwards. Great for a high shelf or hanging in a macrame plant hanger. This is an epiphyte meaning it grows on tree branches and trunks but doesn’t harm the host. So, if you want to kiss under the mistletoe all year, you’ll need one of these in your home. Another easy-to-care-for houseplant.</p>
<h2>5. Syngonium ‘Mottled’ (Arrowhead Vine)</h2>
<p>Last but by no means least is this beautiful houseplant that has green leaves which are variegated with green and yellow mottled markings. Place this in bright, indirect light making sure it isn’t too sunny because the leaves can become damaged. Allow the top few centimeters of the soil to dry out before watering. It can tolerate lower light conditions, but too much direct sunlight can damage the leaves.</p>
<p><img alt="Syngonium ‘Mottled’ (Arrowhead Vine)" src="https://staging.tuincentrumvoorbeeld.nl/files/files/syngonium-mottled-1200x500-643d044e8d2d4.png" style="width: 100%;" title="Syngonium ‘Mottled’ (Arrowhead Vine)" /></p>
<p>We have plenty of houseplants for you to choose from, so do come and visit us in our store.</p>

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