OWN
Learn how growing food can save you money with top tips from Lucy Hutchings
TOPHILL
An insight into how you can design a beautiful garden while still watching those pennies
Discover our new plants being launched this year
Our exclusive Hillier Gardening Club spring magazine is truly a sign that the most productive gardening season has begun. As we look forward to designing and refreshing our outdoor spaces, it’s the ideal time to reflect upon the past year.
It has been an interesting 12 months since the last Hillier spring magazine. We understand that many of you are now using your gardens for new purposes, whether it’s to escape into, to provide fresh fruits and vegetables, or as a new hobby to embark upon, and we are very happy to be sharing this with you all.
We are delighted to be updating you on a number of exciting happenings at Hillier.This spring, we will be partnering with BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair for the third time, showcasing a stunning range of beautiful plants and our teams equipped with knowledge and inspiration will be on hand to help visitors every day.
We are also extremely pleased to welcome our recent acquisition of three new garden centres at Aldermaston, Hampton-in-Arden and Weyhill, which adds an even wider gardening community to the Hillier family. We’re delighted to be introducing Hillier-grown plants and gardening essentials to each of these centres, to complement their successful food halls and restaurants.
As we all look forward to taking the plunge back into our gardens, this edition is packed full of motivating and inspiring tips and advice on how to care for your lawns, how to help pollinators, and choosing brilliant plants for specific purposes to incorporate into your garden. Also, this edition allows you to catch a glimpse of the fantastic new plants we have to offer this year.
Chris FrancisWe are hugely thankful for your continued support and look forward to welcoming you to a Hillier Garden Centre soon!
For the third year running we will be partnering with BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair. Located in the stunning grounds of Beaulieu, Hampshire, from 28th April – 30th April 2023.
We are delighted to unveil our specially designed garden for 2023 that provides inspiration for your own outdoor space. Inspired by The Secret Garden, the experience features a colourful herbaceous display, a low-maintenance contemporary space and a stunning
wildflower surround, all of which enable visitors to get up close and personal with the plants displayed. We look forward to welcoming visitors to this incredible garden exhibit and offering top tips on how to replicate it at home.
We are very grateful to our supporters of our garden:
12-13
14-15 Spring Wildlife
18-19 Outdoor Living
20-21 Repotting Your Houseplants
22-23 Growing Your Own Food, Can It Save You Money?
24-25
26-27 Hillier Seasonal Recipes
For over 155 years, Hillier Nurseries has prided itself on the creation, innovation, and introduction of new plants. A fantastic majority of these can still be found in gardens today. This year, we are excited to announce the introduction of four new additions to our nurseries and garden centres, some of which are exclusive to Hillier customers.
Charles Carr heads up the production of plants at Hillier Nurseries and he chose these bright Erysimum varieties from a hybridisation program. ‘Colour Vibe’ Red and Orange, the first two colours are exclusively launched at Hillier this year, and the plants really live up to their names. With strong single-coloured varieties and large flowers borne on strong, upright stems, the varieties were selected for their non-fading, vibrant colours. These hardy varieties provide a real statement piece for all different types of gardens. Plant in a patio container or border for a vivid display of blooms that work well with Tulips for a contrast of form.
Flowering time: March – early summer
Sun requirements: Full sun/light shade
Soil: Free-draining
Size: 0.5m x 0.5m
Developed at Hillier Nurseries, and exclusively launched this spring, Lavandula x intermedia ‘Exceptional’ (hillav) is the ideal, easy-to-grow, drought tolerant plant for the garden. ‘Exceptional’ has wonderful, pure white flowers on long stems that are brilliant for cutting with a rich aroma that attracts bees and butterflies alike. It makes an ideal addition to your garden as a low hedge, mixed border, or patio container, with its prolific flowering and strong upright stems bearing pure white flowers, working well with Echinacea and Alliums that complement with colour and height. This unique hybrid is particularly hardy and holds its bright silver foliage making it attractive all winter.
Flowering time: May – October
Sun requirements: Full sun
Soil: Free-draining/thriving in poor soils
Size: 0.8m x 0.8m
This unusual and striking Cordyline is first launched in the UK this year and is simple to grow, drought tolerant and reasonably hardy. With its unique form and impressive colouration, it brings an exotic feel to any garden. Due to its dramatic appearance, it is an excellent feature plant but will also bring an architectural aspect to a mixed patio container. When planted amongst Dahlias and Crocosmia, it can create a bold and fiery display.
Sun requirements: Full sun
Soil: Free-draining soil
Size: 2m x 0.8m (after 10 years)
Launched this spring, this beautiful Dicentra variety is easy to grow and integrates well in all types of gardens. With attractive blue-silver foliage, it is the ideal complement to other plantings. ‘Amore Titanium’ is brilliant for bees and butterflies with its unique summer-long, repeat flowering period, which sets it apart from other Dicentra, and delicate flowers in pure white. Combine Dicentra ‘Amore Titanium’ with Hosta and Ferns to create a colourful and eye-catching display.
60 years
Flowering time: May - October
Sun requirements: Partial shade
Soil: Free draining
Size: 0.45m x 0.45m
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At Hillier, we are proud to announce that we do not use any peat on our nurseries, and all of our plants are potted in peat-free growing media.
Our very own Alan Postill celebrated his 60-year anniversary with Hillier Nurseries last year. Alan, Master Propagator and Plant Breeder, has been responsible for a stunning array of new plants that we have introduced at Hillier Garden Centres, including Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’ and Choisya x Aztec Gold. Having started his Hillier career on the Chandlers Ford nursery at the tender age of 15, Alan is rightfully recognised as one of the world’s number one experts in his field and after a fantastic 60 years has chosen to retire. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Alan for all his hard work during his time at Hillier and wish him the happiest of retirements.
There are lots of factors to keep in mind when choosing plants for your garden. The location, the soil type, how useful the plant is, and the temperature can make designing your garden that little bit more tricky. At Hillier, we’ve compiled a list of different plants that will suit numerous situations to help you design your garden more easily. Discover what plants will work best in your garden.
There are many spaces in the garden where the sun can’t reach, but this doesn’t mean that it can’t be bursting with life. Many plants can tolerate shade and some even prefer being tucked away. It’s important to remember that this is an already dark spot, so think carefully about the colours that you select. Avoid overusing dark green foliage and opt for bright and vibrant alternatives to draw the eye to places that have been missed before.
This wonderful perennial is a great spring option for planting underneath the cover of other plants for extra interest. Featuring concave flowers in a deep red, they produce clumps of flowers, offering an attractive, full look. The dark green foliage makes great ground cover and constrasts well with the flowers. Plant at the front of a shady spring border to draw the eye.
Top variety choices: Barolo, Dark Picotee, Early Red, Picotee, Red, Rosalie, White
For a long-flowering period lasting the whole of summer, Hydrangea paniculata brings stunning colour to your garden and is ideal for an area that’s in full or partial shade. They are famed for their ability to change colour as the shrub matures. Producing an array of different coloured flowers, it’s easy to grow, hardy, and looks beautiful in a shady summer cottage garden.
Top variety choices: Limelight, Little Lime, Little Spooky, Vanille Fraise, Skyfall, Fraise Melba
Avoid overusing dark green foliage in dark spots, and opt for bright and vibrant alternatives to draw the eye to places that have been missed before.Helleborus Ice N’ Roses Red Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’
Anemone x hybrida
Great for adding height to your plantings, Anemone x hybrida are attractive perennials that will grow in dappled shade. The dark green foliage provides a perfect backdrop for the attractive flowers throughout the autumn. Working well in a coastal garden or amongst other flowers in a herbaceous border, Anemone x hybrida can spread quickly once matured.
Top variety choices: Honorine Jobert, Pamina, Serenade, Whirlwind
Chalk and clay soils can help your plants thrive, as long as you plant them in the correct arrangement. Chalk soil (also referred to as lime-rich soil) consists of calcium carbonate, both in a light and heavy form, and is very alkaline. Clay soil (also referred to as heavy soil) can be very fertile ground for planting. It is relatively hard to manage as it can become very wet but will also dry out very quickly. However, it is rich in nutrients and will appear smooth, dense, and sticky to touch.
Corydalis ‘Porcelain Blue’
Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’
This deciduous shrub is attractive not only for its incredible foliage but also for its red stems that become brighter in the winter. With its ovate red leaves in autumn, ‘Sibirica’ has fantastic all-year desirability. Plant Cornus in a shady cottage garden for a wonderful display of unique colour and form. It is the ideal shrub to offer a talking point in the garden.
Top variety choices: Aurea, Baton Rouge, Elegantissima
This fern-like perennial boasts wonderful green-blue foliage with a hint of bronze hue. During spring, aqua-blue flowers appear in a tubular shape that will repeat flower in the autumn months, meaning there is wonderful, bright colour for a good portion of the year. Corydalis ‘Porcelain Blue’ is very lowmaintenance and requires no pruning. It looks brilliant when incorporated into a rock garden, but can also be used to plant under roses or taller shrubs.
Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’
This deciduous shrub grows well in clay soil as long as you keep it moist and well-drained. Flowering in pink and white clusters from autumn to spring, it’s an attractive option for a good portion of the year. ‘Dawn’ is an excellent, low-maintenance shrub with deep green, ovate leaves. It has a wonderful fragrance and would look great planted in a border or as a single specimen.
Clay soil (also referred to as heavy soil) can be very fertile ground for planting.
On chalky soils, smaller plants establish more quickly than specimens.Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ Corydalis ‘Porcelain Blue’ Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ Anemone‘Whirlwind’
For a cheerful and vibrant herbaceous perennial, Coreopsis is a brilliant choice for a chalksoil garden. The flowers appear from June until October and are bright and striking in colour, often yellow. Coreopsis is very easy to grow and is consistent in the garden, offering a profusion of flowers. To take advantage of the bright colour, plant around ornamental grasses in full sun.
Top variety choices: Early Sunrise, Solanna Golden Sphere, Uptick Cream, Uptick Yellow and Red
Rosa ‘Gertrude Jekyll’
This versatile rose is growing increasingly popular in cottage and courtyard gardens across the UK. The beautiful rosette of pink has a wonderful aroma and features from early summer through autumn.
‘Gertrude Jekyll’ works well when planted as a shrub rose in the garden or as part
of a border or bed alongside Erysimum and Salvia for a colourful display.
Agastache
Brilliant for bees and butterflies, Agastache is an interesting herbaceous perennial that is upright in form and ideal for a midsummer and autumn flowering. With subtle, warm colours and delicate tubularshaped blooms, Agastache has a wonderful liquorice aroma from its deep green foliage and lanceshaped leaves.
Top variety choices: Morello, Peachie Keen
Escallonia laevis ‘Pink Elle’
For a great burst of pink in the autumn garden, Escallonia laevis ‘Pink Elle’ is a brilliant evergreen shrub that is ideal for a sunny position. The leathery foliage is glossy in appearance and works as a backdrop for the brighter flowers throughout the season. Ensure to shelter from cold winds to avoid any damage, and work into a hedge for a burst of colour.
Aucuba japonica ‘Rozannie’
For excellent and lustrous foliage during the winter, Aucuba japonica ‘Rozannie’ is a compact shrub that will frequently produce ornamental red berries in the spring, adding to the garden’s interest. This adaptable shrub will thrive in any environment, whether full sun or full shade.
Bergenia ‘Overture’
Also known as elephant’s ears ‘Overture’ due to its glossy leaves and large leaf surface area, Bergenia ‘Overture’ has an eye-catching red stem with green foliage throughout the year turning red in colder months. Bright pink flowers bloom in the spring for a burst of seasonal colour. ‘Overture’ will thrive when planted in lighter positions as it enhances the leaf colour.
As a significant part of our natural world, our gardens need to keep pollinators happy, healthy and frequently visiting.Coreopsis Golden Sphere Rosa ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ Escallonia laevis ‘Pink Elle’ Aucuba japonica ‘Rozannie’ Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’
Bees, butterflies, and moths are extremely important when it comes to the pollination of plants. Insects that feed on the nectar of flowers will transfer pollen from one to another as they travel, ensuring that flowers are fertilised and seeds and fruits can develop.
For an impactful choice in your spring garden, Chaenomeles x superba is a fantastic option. A deciduous shrub with collections of cup-shaped flowers in a variety of colours, it acts as a great attraction for pollinators into your garden. During the summer and autumn months, green and yellow fruits appear, that, when matured and cooked, can make a delicious edible jelly. Use for screening in the garden to create privacy.
Top variety choices: Jet Trail, Orange Trail, Pink Trail, Red Trail
Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’
Also known as Catmint ‘Walker’s Low’, this flower is a favourite of pollinators. Not only this, but the colourful blooms of blue and purple add brilliant impact to flower borders and beds. The silvery green leaves provide a wonderful fragrance to the garden, and they will thrive in the sun. Ensure to cut this extremely hardy plant back after flowering to encourage a second flowering.
Understanding plants requirements is essential for selecting the best garden position. Fortunately for those who have a garden that is usually covered in full sun, there are plenty of options for plants that will thrive in hot and sunny conditions.
A very floriferous plant, Salvia x jamensis ‘Hot Lips’ is an excellent variety choice for an autumn garden. The colours change to red and white as the season progresses, catching the eye and making it an excellent choice for Mediterraneaninspired gardens. The aromatic nature of the plant attracts pollinators, and it will continue to look beautiful until the first frosts providing a long period of interest in the garden.
Lonicera x purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’
With nectar and pollen-rich flowers, Lonicera is great for the bees and butterflies visiting your garden. Lonicera x purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’ is a traditional choice for a cottage garden, with a fantastic aroma and winter flowering originally bred by Hillier. The cream flowers make it ideal to work with other plants, adding a softness to brighter tones.
The ‘Papillon’ variety of Lavandula stoechas is nectar-rich, making it ideal for a wildlife friendly garden. The stunning purple colouration is excellent for welcoming the spring, while the unique form of the flower makes for an interesting display. Lavandula stoechas has a delicate aroma and looks great when planted with grasses. It will thrive in a sunny position in the garden.
Verbena bonariensis
Aptly known as “purple top,” Verbena bonariensis produces small clusters of purple flowers that sit upon tall green stems. Originating from South America, Verbena bonariensis loves the hot and sunny weather and looks pretty in a prairie planting. Its height works well for a diverse display and can be appreciated from summer through the autumn months.
Rudbeckia
With numerous varieties to choose from, the glorious and vibrant Rudbeckia is the ideal autumn flower for a hot and sunny garden. Its striking colour stands out in a garden and appears vivid and bright in full sun. The daisy-like flowers offer a bold appearance, while the seedheads continue to create interest when winter arrives. Plant alongside Echinacea and Salvia for a colourful display.
Top variety choices: Smileyz Kissing, Smileyz Loving, Smileyz Joyful, Smileyz Tiger
by FrancesTophill
Photo taken for BBC Gardeners’ World Live © Stuart Purfield / BBC Gardeners’ World Live
Nowadays, budget constraints affect us all more than ever and finding ways to create beauty and function in our outdoor spaces without breaking the bank is critical.
The bonus is that thinking our way around budget constraints can actually lead to creative, innovative and really unique outdoor spaces, give us projects to keep us busy and save us money we might spend occupying our time doing other things.
Growing food can save us money in our gardens, especially if we grow produce in the ground rather than in pots or compost bags, to save that extra cost. So, include vegetable and fruit areas in your design. Grow the produce that will save you the most money, so keep away from potatoes, onions, carrots and parsnips, which take up a lot of room and cost very little from farm shops, and instead go for the costliest produce like salad leaves, beetroot (which gives a fairly quick yield compared to most root crops), squashes, which can produce multiple fruits from just one seed and even grow in a compost heap if you’re short on space. Fruits like raspberries, currants and blueberries all cost a lot at the shops so grow them instead.
Carefully considered hard landscape design is crucial when on a budget, as this is often the costliest element of the garden. Reducing the dimensions of pathways (though they will need to have extra width for wheelchairs and pushchairs) to reduce materials can help and smaller hard features can trick the eye into making the garden appear bigger. What you build with can also have a significant impact on your budget. Reclaimed materials can be cheaper than brand new ones. What I would watch out for is putting the cost above all else, though. Some of the cheapest materials have come from very far away, contributing to excessive shipping and environmental damage. Buying cheap and buying twice can also come into play. Make sure your materials are as high quality as you can afford to ensure longevity.
In terms of inexpensive design features, lawns grown from seed
(quickly as verdant as laid turf) costs virtually nothing. Flower beds, if conservatively planted, can also cost a lot less than hard landscape features.
Creating great soil keeps plants healthy, and doesn’t need to cost the earth. Local council waste compost, made from our food waste, is often free; all you pay for is delivery. Many farmers and equestrians will also have manure, so if you’re prepared to do some bagging up and transport it yourself, you may find you’re able to get some manure for a bargain.
Making your own compost – using twigs, vegetable peelings, grass clippings and non-perennial weeds you already have in your garden - creates fantastic organic matter without any cost at all; in fact, it saves you the money you’d spend on waste disposal.
Using existing materials to build structures that you can then clad in new products can create a lovely finish, so long as the materials you’re using are suitable for the outdoors and in good condition. Even things like removed strips of turf can be turned upside down to create landform and seating that appear to be built from the landscape itself.
Plants may not cost as much as hard landscape features but they still add up. Generally, I prefer not to skimp on quality with plants, though. Buy them from a good nursery or garden centre, and ask the experts who have grown them where and how they like to grow; nothing wastes money like dead plants! The key is buying fewer plants than you might ordinarily do and learning how to propagate them yourself, one of the most cost-effective things we can do as gardeners. Cuttings can be taken from all sorts of plants, often shrubs, and even fruits like currants, grapes and loganberries are really easy to strike from. Division is usually for herbaceous perennials, but also for things like raspberries. Fruit trees are generally grafted, which is a fairly specialised skill, but a great one to learn. And virtually
anything can be grown from seed, with practice. If you are buying plants rather than propagating them, then buy them healthy but small, especially with trees. Plants will establish better and growaway faster if they’re planted when they’re young and vigorous.
Getting tools from websites like Freecycle and Facebook Marketplace, or even from car boot sales can save you a small fortune. In terms of maintaining a garden on a budget, then holistic methods like improving your soil to save you money on fertiliser, watering in the evenings and mornings to save your water bills, using a water butt to collect rain water instead of using a hose, and switching to hand tools or electric tools rather than petrol tools can all add up and make keeping on top of your garden and your budget inseparable.
Looking after your lawn, whether it’s been scorched in the hot summer sun or damaged by the winter weather, is an important process, and it can be difficult to know how best to help it. Whatever your aim or reasoning, there are ways of promoting healthy growth and undergoing various tasks to keep your lawn looking lush and green.
While we love the sun blessing our garden in the summer, it can have adverse effects on our lawns. You can tell if your lawn is scorched if it looks a little worse for wear or feels a bit crunchy underfoot.
Was your lawn damaged in the drought last year? Follow these simple steps to ensure you have a great lawn again this year:
1. Time can be your friend. Don’t panic if your lawn doesn’t bounce back right away; this doesn’t mean the end for your greenery. Your grass may just be lying dormant to survive the heat and will eventually return to its natural state
2. While it may be tempting on those beautiful days, resist the urge to set up your barbecue on your lawn. The increase in temperature will mean your grass has to work even harder to soak up water or nutrients, and you may inadvertently dry out your lawn more
3. Reduce how much you walk on your lawn. Like a new lawn, a scorched lawn can be just as vulnerable to movement, so try to walk around it rather than across it
4. Come autumn, fertiliser is your best friend. Apply fertiliser during this season for nutrients and to encourage later growth
5. Keep an eye out for the rain. There is a happy medium when it comes to watering a scorched lawn, so avoid watering when it is expected to rain to avoid giving too much. On the other hand, if no rain arrives, provide your lawn with a helping hand of water
6. Plant new seeds to fill in any patches that may have been scorched. Keep your lawn moist but not soggy to allow the seeds to germinate. Miracle-Gro Professional Super Seed Drought Tolerant Lawn needs 30% less watering to remain green, making it ideal to add to a summer lawn
Winter can inadvertently thin out your lawn, especially if it’s been colder than usual along with frozen ground. Ensure your lawn is spring-ready by assisting in its rejuvenation:
1. Discard any debris that doesn’t belong on your lawn. Rake and scarify to give you a fresh canvas to begin your repairs
2. Sow new seed into the bare patches of lawn to encourage the grass and seed to blend well before growth. RHS Supreme Green Lawn Seed with rootgrow is ideal for repairing worn patches in established lawns and is naturally tough and hardwearing
3. Apply a layer of fertiliser like Mo Bacter to your grass and keep the soil moist by regularly providing a sprinkling of water
4. Avoid mowing your lawn until after the frost has passed. You don’t want to add to the damage by cutting your grass
According to the experts at RSPB, since the 1930s, we have lost more than 97% of ‘unimproved grasslands’, so it’s no surprise that the replication of these habitats has become increasingly fashionable in place of your standard lawns.
There are lots of ways that we can help the natural world, and creating a wildflower meadow within your garden is one of them. Not only do they look and smell fantastic, but they are also great at attracting insects, birds and other small animals to your outdoor space.
A wildflower meadow is a grassy area of land filled with wildflowers; it can be as big as you like or reduced in size, for example, in a container. A wildflower meadow will work best if planted in unproductive soil, meaning the flowers will bloom amongst the growing grass.
1. Begin planning your wildflower meadow in late spring and early summer, ready to start planting throughout the autumn months. The soil during autumn will help your seeds germinate and establish quicker than if you’re planting in heavy soil.
2. Choose a place in your garden that receives a lot of sunlight and has plenty of room to grow into. You
Toolkit:
O Wildflower seed mix
O Spade
O Gardening gloves
O Black plastic sheeting (optional)
O Grass shears
may want to choose a border, bed or container to plant your wildflowers, the beauty is, it can be as big or small as you prefer.
3. As wildflowers grow best in poor soils, strip back your soil to ensure that you undo any fertiliser effects and remove around 4 inches worth of topsoil. Your soil should be dug over to resemble breadcrumbs. If you think your soil is too high in nutrients, spend a season sowing mustard or oil-seed rape as these will soak them up for a preferable level. Be sure to remove the plants before they establish. Remove any weeds that are present.
4. Adding a layer of black plastic on top of your soil will cause any weeds to naturally germinate and suffocate.
5. You can then apply a layer of your own wildflower seeds. Aim for an even spread and a high volume of seed application. Tread these into your soil for increased contact chances.
6. Wildflowers do not require any extra feeding as the flowers will provide the grass below with the requirements needed to grow, ultimately reducing
the space for your wildflowers. Only water your wildflower meadow if it’s necessary and whilst the seeds are germinating. Avoid doing so after it’s fully established.
7. For new wildflower meadows, cut the growth back and remove any dead material. For established meadows, mow during the autumn and once in early spring. Remove any debris. And avoid mowing between April and August.
8. Enjoy the visiting wildlife. You should see an increase in the numbers of bees, butterflies, birds and other creatures as your wildflower meadow becomes more popular.
Top choice: Rhinanthus minor (Yellow Rattle) Rhinanthus minor is the ideal plant to incorporate into your wildflower meadow. Referred to as ‘nature’s lawnmower’, it offers stunning yellow colour to your garden whilst also halting the growth of any grass. Yellow Rattle will use its roots to find those of grass nearby, stealing any water or nutrients from them, preventing any further growth and leaving plenty of room for wildflowers to bloom.
Types of bees you may find in your garden:
• Honey bees
• Bumblebees
• Solitary bees
Types of butterflies you may find in your garden:
• Common Blue butterfly
• Holly Blue butterfly
• Large Skipper
• Large White (Cabbage) butterfly
• Orange Tip butterfly
• Painted Lady butterfly
• Peacock butterfly
• Red Admiral butterfly
• Small Skipper
• Small Tortoiseshell butterfly
• Speckled Wood butterfly
Pollinators are such a significant part of our natural world, and it’s important that we act quickly to keep them happy in our garden. It is thought that around 4/5 of the wildflowers in Europe require pollinators to reproduce, and ultimately, our natural ecosystems are relying heavily on them. This means that we need to keep our pollinators healthy and help increase their numbers in our gardens. The garden is one of the best homes for pollinators due to the variety of flowers and plants that are available, but there may be more that we can do.
The simplest way to encourage pollinators to visit your garden is to plant nectar-rich and fragrant plants to attract them. Each season is important for pollinators in its own right: Spring: planting options that will bloom early in the season like Crocuses, Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrops), and Alliums will provide much-needed posthibernation food.
Summer: This is when you will see the highest number of pollinators in the garden. Buddleja davidii, Echinops ritro and Monarda are fantastic sources of nectar, and the longer days allow more time for foraging.
Autumn: Anemone hupehensis, Helianthus, and Elaeagnus are ideal for fuelling pollinators through hibernation.
Winter: In the cold months, plants are just as important for pollinators because of the shelter they offer. Clematis cirrhosa, Helleborus, and Sarcococca confusa can be left during the winter for the pollinators.
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Offer a constant source of water for pollinators to help them keep their bodies healthy and functioning.
Don’t spray any open flowers with pesticides, as this can have harmful effects on pollinators. Avoid cutting your lawn as often as you may have previously. A longer, more ‘meadow-like’ lawn can be helpful to pollinators, as certain weeds that grow (including dandelions and ground ivy) will benefit the bees.
Placing nesting opportunities for pollinators in your garden will protect them from predators, allow the next generation of pollinators to develop, and give them shelter.
Bee B&B Measures (approx.): 25cm x 24cm x 9.5cm
This product is a slightly larger bee and wasp house that can be set up anywhere in the garden. The hollow bamboo B&B has a painted roof and is made with certified sustainable timber.
Insect home Measures (approx.): 9cm x 28cm x 29cm
This product is painted with low voc paint and made with certified sustainable timber. It has a 6mm mesh to protect against predatory ladybirds.
Insect hotel Measures (approx.): 9cm x 28cm x 40cm
This product is designed with a section that enables leaf litter to be added in for extra shelter for insects. Made with certified sustainable timber, it also prevents access by predatory ladybirds.
Measures (approx.): 8cm x 8cm x 25cm
This product has been created using hollow bamboo and drilled wood and features a low voc painted roof. It is ideal for attracting solitary bees and wasps into your garden.
As birds may face food shortages throughout the year, it’s critical to keep your tables, feeders, and bird baths filled at all times. If a bird’s food source becomes limited, they may look for solace in a garden that has provided fresh water and food for them to eat.
There are certain offerings you can provide to various types of birds in your garden:
Robins love worms and can often be seen digging them up on a lawn or in plant pots, but they can also benefit from a little bit of support, particularly during the winter. Small seeds, crushed peanuts, and sunflower hearts are a great source of energy for robins and a healthy handful of mealworms for protein.
A common visitor to the UK garden, the Collared Dove, will feed nearly entirely on seeds and grains. When leaving food out for Collared Doves, make sure there is a platform for them to feed upon, like a feeding tray or bird table. This is so they can be steady as they enjoy their meal.
The sight of a blackbird in the garden isn’t unusual, and their song is one of the most frequent to be heard early in the morning. As omnivores, the diet of a blackbird is quite broad, so there’s a lot you can feed them. Blackbirds will often forage for worms, caterpillars, and snails themselves, but they also enjoy eating berries, flaked maize, and suet fat balls.
Goldfinches can usually be attracted to bird feeders in the garden as their natural sources are slowly deteriorating. Offering foods such as Niger seeds and sunflower hearts will encourage Goldfinches to visit. The numbers of Goldfinches in the UK have dramatically increased in the past decade, and it’s thought that the introduction of bird feeders has had an immense effect on this.
The diet of the Great Tit is usually driven by the seasons and what they can find when rummaging.
Insects and caterpillars are a great source of food for them, particularly when they have young chicks to feed. However, when the natural food supply has disappeared, they will visit gardens to find sunflower hearts, peanuts, or suet fat balls during winter.
The Chaffinch, as a ground-feeder, will usually appear in the garden to collect any insects it can find (caterpillars are a favourite). You may also see it tidying up after other birds, collecting any fallen seeds or fruit at the base of the bird table. Keep mowing your lawn for easy access to insects to increase your chances of enticing them into your garden.
Tracing its roots back to 1730 in Sheffield, Burgon & Ball combines expertise in garden tools with a passion for gardening. The result is a range of stainless steel garden tools which are both beautiful and expertly crafted.
Burgon & Ball tools are the only garden tools endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society. Each stainless tool comes with a lifetime guarantee, giving the confidence that you’re investing in a garden tool which will stand the test of time. A large selection of Burgon & Ball tools are available from your local Hillier Garden Centre.
Each stainless tool comes with a lifetime guarantee
Double riveted ‘Y’ handle - crafted from FSC® hardwood.
‘Strapped’ socket introduces flex at key joint - for added longevity.
Mirror polished tool heads for minimum resistance in soil.
Pointed, sharpened head slices easily into ground.
Lightweight and compact for improved control.
A longer handle than most spades, to save your back.
Wide comfort treads at the top of the blade to protect feet.
Lightweight and compact, ideal for use in borders.
Wide comfort treads protect feet.
Groundbreaker Large
Pointed, sharpened head slices easily into ground.
Long handle and wide treads for comfort.
Transplanting Spade
Narrow blade for digging in dense planting
Wide comfort treads protect feet
Help your vision come to life with a focal point in your outdoor space
Finding furniture and accessories to suit your outdoor space can be challenging, particularly if you don’t have a specific design in mind. However, once you’ve established the objective of your garden, it can become easy to find a scheme that suits you. Working with what your garden lends itself to is another sure-fire way to create a stunning and inviting environment in which to spend your time.
Contemporary garden designs exude style, but it is critical to consider both the social and practical aspects of the theme. For those who love to entertain, contemporary gardens offer an arrangement that enforces relaxation while also having a fresh and modern feel. Garden furniture is essential in modern gardens because it serves as a hub of interaction and, in many cases, dining. When designing your contemporary garden furniture, keep the following points in mind: it should feel comfortable and deluxe while also being appropriate for people of all ages.
The Salcombe range , new for 2023 is a stylish and practical selection for a modern outdoor space, and is fantastic for entertaining friends and family. Showerproof and with a durable and aluminium frame, it can be used for years to come, and the comfort it provides will mean your guests will love to spend a lot of time relaxing in your garden. Neutrally considered in an anthracite grey colourway, it is ideal for a clean look where pops of colour and vibrancy can be added through accessories.
The Dubai range , new for 2023 has a simplistic, contemporary feel and can lend itself to a variety of modern styles. This minimalist set features a modern rope design and a Tuscan ceramic glass table that is scratch-resistant and tempered for safety – ideal for younger family members that may be visiting. The luxuriously padded cushions not only provide comfort for your guests, but they are also permeable, so there’s no need to worry about your furniture in the sometimespoor British weather.
Providing an enchanted and classic elegance, the traditional garden style mixes the quaint with the luxurious for a wonderful outdoor space. Traditional
gardens often play with natural materials and a soft landscape where furniture plays a pivotal role. As seating areas are the ideal place in a traditional display to admire the colours and sights the outdoor space offers, it’s important to choose a beautiful set to create the chic look you desire.
The Sussex range is an attractive and fashionable option for a traditional garden design, with stunning all-weather grey rattan seating that is brilliant for incorporating into your outdoor space. Not only this, but the Sussex set is also a functional choice with deluxe seasonproof smoke cushions on lightweight, durable aluminium frames. The curved corner sofa set is an inviting place for the whole family to gather and works well when accessorised with pastel colours.
The Chichester range is a superb, low-maintenance collection that is the ideal choice for a more compact traditional garden. It’s ideal for corner spaces where you can enjoy a delightful picnic or two, thanks to its lightweight, durable aluminium frames and all-season weatherproof synthetic rattan.
The whimsicalness and romance of a cottage garden are ones to adore, and the welcoming sense shouldn’t stop at the plants. Furniture in a cottage design helps to add to the vintage and informal look that is quintessential to the theme. By designing a charming and characterful seating area that doesn’t follow the rules, you can really highlight the cottage theme.
The Berkeley range , new for 2023 really allows you to make the most of each season in your cottage garden. Stylish for both alfresco dining and sitting to read a book, it features a smooth contemporary lattice and is crafted from cast aluminium for durability, prettiness, and quality. The “Weatherready®” cushions are permeable and can be left outside in the summer months for a fantastically lowmaintenance, distinctive cottage style.
If you are working with a small garden, it doesn’t mean you can’t use your creativity and imagination. By making the most of any patio you have for a wonderfully
cosy seating area or by creating layers and shade, you can really achieve a lowmaintenance yet appealing place to spend your summer evenings. When designing your small space, think vertically rather than horizontally, as this will help you maximise the area you are working in.
St Ives Single Cocoon is a beautiful hanging chair that will make a stunning feature of a small space without encroaching too much on the garden. This single-person cocoon comes with a luxuriously soft cushion for a comfortable seat. If you have a little bit more space to play with, the Padstow Double Cocoon is a double-person option that will suit those late-night stargazers.
If you find that your garden is often covered in glorious sun, then you may consider a little relief in a cool point of shade. The Royce Executive Standard Square Grey Cantilever with concrete base is ideal to integrate into any design scheme, and the neutral colour means that it is a subtle touch of practicality.
In most gardens, there is a clear centre of attention, and depending on your needs, you can help your vision come to life with focal points in your outdoor space. Click here for our list of essentials to suit every space!
Royce Executive Standard Square Grey Cantilever
Just like people, as plants grow, they require more room to spread out in, and repotting your houseplants becomes an important part of their care. Repotting can be easy and will set your plant up for increased growth.
and encourage a more established, fullerlooking plant. If your plant was maturing in soil outdoors, then it would have the ability to soak up its required nutrients from the ground. Nutrients help your houseplant to grow, reproduce, and fight possible diseases. However, when planted in a pot, your plant doesn’t have the opportunity to access fresh nutrients, so it’s important to repot with new, enriched soil to support its development.
When does your houseplant need repotting?
Why should you repot your houseplants?
Repotting your houseplants is very important to promote healthy growth
As well as this, after a period of time, your houseplant will outgrow its pot. The older and larger your houseplant gets, the more room it requires. Throughout maturation, the roots of your houseplant will grow in order to gain nutrients and water. If your plant has outgrown its container, the roots will become suffocated and will be unable to absorb the necessary nutrients.
It’s relatively easy to tell when your houseplant will want to be moved to a larger pot. If you haven’t noticed any increased growth from your plant, then it might be time for it to have a little more space. When you water your plant, do you find that it dries out more rapidly than before? This might be due to it needing a new pot as there are a lot of roots soaking up the water. Also, if you notice the roots pushing out of the top of the soil, it’s likely that it’s outgrown its current space. Similarly, if you lift your pot up and there are a lot of roots poking out of the hole in the bottom of the pot, then it’s time to give it more room. It’s a good idea to repot your houseplants every 18 months when dormant.
For our guide on caring for houseplants when you’re on holiday!
Some plants don’t need repotting as often as others because they thrive in smaller spaces or have shallow root systems:
• Monstera deliciosa (Swiss cheese plant)
• Crassula ovata (Jade plant)
• Succulents and Cacti
• Dracaena trifasciata (Snake plant)
Before you begin repotting your houseplants, it’s a good idea to gather all necessary equipment beforehand, as it can be quite a messy process. Of course, you will need your original plant pot with its outgrown plant, along with the new plant pot that you will be transferring it into. When choosing your new pot, ensure that there is a drainage hole in the bottom to avoid any overwatering and it is two sizes up from your current pot. If you have a pot all ready to go and you notice that it doesn’t have a hole in the bottom, you can cover the bottom of it with a layer of pebbles. This will help the drainage system, as the water can escape under the pebbles rather than being soaked up by the new soil and too much of it reaching your plant. Just be aware that you will need to drain this regularly to stop the water pooling. You will also need fresh soil enriched with nutrients for plant development. Lay out some newspaper for easy cleaning, and use gloves, especially if you are repotting a plant that may cause irritations.
When repotting your houseplants, keep in mind that you want to cause as little trauma to your plant as possible. Use delicate, slow movements to ensure that you don’t damage your plant.
1. To remove your plant from its original planter, hold your plant on its side and gently tap the bottom of the pot. This should help it slide out of the pot easier, but you may need to lightly pull on the base of the stems to remove it.
2. As the roots have been tucked into a small space, they will need to be loosened so that they can access water and nutrients in their new pot. The thicker, more developed roots should be placed toward the top (closest to your foliage), so they have room to grow down. You may wish to remove any roots that are extremely flimsy and thin.
3. Remove the old soil from your plant to make space for the fresh soil that you will replace it with.
4. In your new pot, add the fresh soil that’s packed with nutrients. Don’t overfill the pot, as you need to leave space for your plant and for watering.
5. Centrally position your plant on top of the first layer of soil, and add more soil to surround it. Be careful not to compact the soil on top of the roots too much, as this will suffocate them and they will not have the space to breathe or grow.
6. Give your newly potted houseplant a good watering.
Orchids work in a slightly different way when it comes to repotting, as they grow in a coarse medium that needs to be changed to provide them with enough space to continue growing and being healthy.
It’s important that you don’t repot your Orchid while it’s in flower; usually, just after flowering before the roots start growing is a sensible opportunity to repot. After you’ve removed your plant from its original pot, you can remove any roots that have browned or rotted. The pot that you’d like to transition your Orchid into should be around 5cm bigger than its previous home, and it should have holes around the surface area to enhance the circulation of air. Look out for specific orchid pots in centre.
Orchids are extremely fragile, and they can easily attract bacteria, so soak your new pot with a domestic sterilising solution prior to planting. Place the new coarse medium in a bowl of boiling water and leave until it reaches room temperature. You can then drain the mixture before adding it to the new pot and placing your Orchid on top of it. Delicately push some of the mixture between the roots of your orchid and mist for around a week. You should then see new roots developing.
When choosing your new pot, ensure there is a drainage hole in the bottom to avoid overwatering.
Lucy Hutchings, better known as @SheGrowsVeg on Instagram, is on a mission to make gardening accessible for everyone.
On the following pages, Lucy gives us an insight into how to save yourself money when growing your own and inspiration on how to transfer green-fingered skills into your own garden.
Our society has become rather dependent on supermarkets and their ability to provide everything we need, at any time of year at a reasonable price. However, recently, our faith has been severely shaken by soaring prices, supply chain issues and woefully limited selections.
It seems the time has come for the nation to get back a little of that ‘Dig for Victory’ spirit we once embraced and take back some control over what we eat, how it’s produced and how much it costs us. Yes, growing your own food, or at least some of it, can save you money on your grocery bills. It’s just a case of finding an approach that suits you and knowing where to focus your efforts and what is worth investing in for the future.
Getting started does not have to be expensive; you do not need elaborate raised beds; many crops will grow very well in containers as simple as a large flowerpot Just remember to always choose containers with a depth of at least 25cm and with decent drainage.
If you want to dedicate a little more room to your self-sufficiency drive, a simple no-dig bed can be created cheaply by spreading a double layer of scrap cardboard (remember to remove any tape) over an area of lawn to suppress the grass. Add a 10cm layer of compost on top and you are ready to go. The cardboard will break down, leaving what is essentially a bottomless veg bed. It’s also a great idea to find a composting solution that works for you so that you can ultimately stop buying commercial
compost. There’s an option for every space, including heaps, bins, worm farms and bokashi.
Some crops have more bang for your buck than others, so it is well worth focusing your attention on these rather than lower yielding tricky crops. Tomatoes are always at the top of my list, as it is realistic to become close to selfsufficient in a relatively small space. Fast growing and super productive all summer, freeze any excess whole to enjoy in sauces and cooking through the winter. Other highly productive crops include French and runner beans, rhubarb, chard, perpetual spinach, pumpkins, courgettes, cucumbers, kale, chillies, beetroot, nasturtiums and shallots. Other crops such as brassicas, melons, sweetcorn, sweet peppers, rocket and aubergines
can be harder to get a high yield from, so your precious garden space may be better used elsewhere.
There are all sorts of clever tricks for saving money while growing food. Firstly, I’d recommend only growing open-pollinated varieties; that’s basically anything that doesn’t say F1 or hybrid on the seed packet. You can save the seed of open-pollinated plants, meaning that you only have to buy the seed once and never again. Rather than buying expensive seed composts, I propagate all plants in multi-purpose composts. Aim to find one with a finer texture or pass the compost through a soil sieve before use, you can also split it 50/50 with coir for tiny seeds. Food punnets can make great seed trays. They have perfect drainage holes in the base. Also, unlike most propagation equipment, when you are done, they can be recycled.
For any kit or equipment that you do have to buy, invest in the best quality you can afford, then take care of it. Buying the cheapest option may be a false economy if it quickly breaks.
Seek out strong seed and module trays that can be washed and reused year after year. Invest in a whetstone along with secateurs and sheers and take time to clean and oil them. They will reward your efforts with a lifetime of service. Buy strong spades, forks and tools and store them in a shed where the weather can’t shorten what should be decades of life. Look after your kit and each item should serve you well, saving you money in the long run.
• Plant fruit trees for many years of harvests
• If you buy plants, keep the pots to reuse
• Embrace the idea of preserving food using methods such as freezing, canning, drying, dehydration and fermentation so you can eat homegrown food year round
• Cucumbers and courgettes are extremely productive but are hard to preserve; try to only grow what you can eat in summer
• Consider making room for some more expensive gourmet foods such as garlic, mushrooms, speciality herbs, ginger and chillies
• Make the most of all your space! How about herbs in the window boxes, edible ornamentals in the flower beds or mushrooms in the airing cupboard?
• Pumpkins are great winter food, but the plants can be huge. Consider growing smaller fruiting varieties over arches to save space
• Make some room for drying beans such as borlotti, another great winter food supply
• Try to pick crops so that they can give you multiple harvests. For example, slice spring onions off above the roots and they will regrow or harvest just the outside leaves of the lettuce rather than picking the whole head
• Share your excess with friends, family and neighbours and encourage them to do the same – a great way to make friends through food and get hold of homegrown crops you didn’t have room for
I have been following (and enjoying) this series since the first episode, and it has just inspired me so much that I wanted to share some of the varieties and ingredients featured.
Read on to find out more about these regional varieties, how to grow them and how they are traditionally used in the kitchen.
(Series 1:1 Naples)
Sow: Feb to May.
Very thin skin, meaty, sweet, and with very few seeds inside, this is the best cooking tomato. It is used to make passata in particular but is also used for canning, sauces, ketchups and more. The fact that this variety originates in Naples, as do both Pizze(a) and Pasta, tells you how these three things are so intricately tied together. And they are under threat, so much so that they are on the Slow Food ‘Ark of Taste,’ a register of ingredients and varieties at risk of being lost.
(Series 2:8 Liguria/Italian Riviera)
Sow: from spring to late summer. What evokes the memory of summer best if not basil?
Most basil seed bought here is not Italian, but Franchi has basil ‘Tigullio,’ which is used to make Pesto Genovese and should be grown in the ground in May, June and July but in pots before or after that. Pesto is traditionally eaten with Trofie pasta, which catches the basil flakes; green beans to cut through the Ligurian olive oil (considered to be the best in Italy) and boiled potatoes, which will turn green as they soak up the basil oil.
“This series has inspired me so much that I want to share more about these regional varieties and how to sow, grow, and cook them in the kitchen.”
Paolo Arrigo, Director of Franchi Seeds, takes a look at varieties featured in the
Paolo Arrigo Director at Franchi Seeds
(Series 2:5 Calabria)
Sow: spring for the same year and autumn for the following.
Red onions originate in Italy. The Hairy Bikers called the Tropea onion “the best onion in the world” (‘2018 Mediterranean Tour’) and it is said that it is so sweet that you can almost eat it like an apple. They add sweetness and have the most amazing flavour. They caramelise beautifully, but don’t let me talk you into buying them; just watch the episode on iPlayer at 21 mins in!
(Series 2:7 Puglia)
Sow: In the winter for a spring harvest and again in the spring for an autumn harvest. They are utterly delicious but frowned upon by some, who just boil and serve them as ‘bitter.’ You can make a simple Puglian broad bean mash called N’Capriata by simply boiling two peeled potatoes with your broad beans. Remove the transparent shell from the broad beans and mash them with a good olive oil and a pinch of salt. The potatoes add sweetness and this usually served alongside a bed of boiled Catalogna chicory. This is undeniably classic ‘Cucina Povera’ (peasant food). N’Capriata also happens to be vegan.
Sow: March – July (early crop), April – mid August
While it is not featured in Searching for Italy, I wanted to highlight the bestselling turnip variety in the UK. It is Italian and stocked on Franchi seed stands in Hillier centres! In the news recently, they do get a bit of a bad rap (Blackadder springs to mind!), but like the humble Brussels sprout, if you have the right approach, they can be quite tasty.
The centre of excellence for turnip production in Italy is Milan, and the best-selling varieties in the UK are the Milan purple-top types. Milan is in the alpine north with stoney soil, warm summers and cold winters, so very much like our conditions.
A thing to remember about traditional foods, but Italian food in particular, is that it is very much based on ‘Cucina Povera,’ where there are three characteristics: it is cheap, local and filling. Turnips would have definitely fit this brief in the same way that Cornish
Pasties would have contained swede along with other local produce like lamb, onion and potato.
In the alpine regions of Italy, where we have more cows with bells on than we do olive trees, it is much more common to use butter in cooking and let’s face it, when it is -25°C, a plate of spaghetti with a drizzle of olive oil just won’t cut the mustard! One of the easiest ways to serve up turnips is to roast them in butter in a stoneware or Le Creuset type pan covered with a lid and gently fry with a pinch of salt and some French thyme. I have even had cooked mashed turnips served with butter and truffle oil, which was just delicious.
Another failsafe way to serve turnips is to pick them smaller and roast them with other root veg, such as multicoloured carrots, potatoes, onions and parsnips. Alternatively, if they are small, put some in a stew or casserole, where they will ‘melt’ into the rich gravy but not dominate it. Enjoy! Turnips are the new tomatoes!
“Tropea Onions are so sweet that you can almost eat it like an apple!”
“San Marzano are easily the best cooking tomatoes, used to make passata in particular, but also for canning, sauces, ketchups and more.”Reference: Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, BBC iPlayer, 2022
The ideal spring comfort food, this Chicken & Asparagus Pie is bursting with flavour and great for the whole family. This simple-to-make recipe is great when served with seasonal vegetables.
Serves 6
INGREDIENTS
For the Filling
600g boneless chicken thighs
• 50ml chicken stock
• 50ml white wine
• 1 bunch asparagus – washed, ‘woody’ ends removed
For the White Sauce
• 50g butter
• 50g plain flour
• 250ml milk
• 2 tablespoons chopped tarragon
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Block puff pastry
• 1 egg
1. Set the oven to 170ºc/150ºc fan
2. Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish along with the chicken stock and wine. Season well.
3. Cook in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes until done. Put to one side to cool.
4. Increase the oven temperature to 190ºc/170ºc fan.
5. Keep back 125ml of the chicken cooking juices. Discarding the skin, chop the chicken into bite size pieces.
6. Cut the asparagus into 3-4cm pieces.
7. Make the sauce by melting the 50g of butter. Stir in the flour and cook for one minute.
8. Gradually add 125ml of the chicken cooking juices and then the milk, cooking until thickened. Add a little more milk if too thick. Stir in the tarragon and season with the salt and pepper.
9. Mix the chicken and the asparagus into the sauce and pile into a 2lt pie dish. Allow to cool completely.
10. Roll out the pastry.
11. Wet the rim of the dish and lay the pastry over the filling. Trim to fit and crimp the edges.
12. Score a pattern over the pastry and brush with egg.
13. Bake for 30-40 minutes until heated through and the pastry is golden brown.
For a zingy and delectable dessert, this Rhubarb & Orange Crème Brûlée is sure to impress your guests.
Combining the tanginess of the fruit with sugar and cream creates the ideal end to a meal.
1. Place the rhubarb in a saucepan along with the orange zest and 40g caster sugar.
2. Cook them gently for 15-20 minutes. The rhubarb should soften and just begin to break down.
Serves 6
For the Rhubarb Base
• 400g rhubarb, cut into 3cm pieces
• 2 medium oranges – zest only
• 40g caster sugar
• 2 teaspoons cornflour
For the Custard
• 500ml double cream
• 150g caster sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla paste
• 3 large eggs
For the Topping
• 5 tablespoons Demerara sugar
3. Mix a little juice from the rhubarb with the cornflour and pour back into the saucepan, stirring the rhubarb until thickened.
4. Once done, divide the mixture between 6 oven proof dishes (15-20cm diameter) and allow to cool.
5. Make the custard by simmering the cream, 150g caster sugar and vanilla paste together until the sugar dissolves.
6. Once done, remove from the heat, whisk the eggs and then whisk the cream into them. Pour everything back into the pan, place back on the heat and stir with the whisk until thickened.
7. Pour over the rhubarb bases and chill overnight in the refrigerator.
preheated grill with the dishes placed on a baking sheet, carefully melt the sugar until it forms a crisp layered topping.
9. Allow the dishes to cool and serve with thin shortbread biscuits.
Celebrate spring with these spring recipes to try at home, created by our Hillier Development Chef.
The luxury of personal space is central to the promise of An Unrivalled Experience™ with Regent Seven Seas Cruises®
It provides the extravagant freedom guests need to explore and relax to the fullest. As the pre-eminent luxury cruise line on the ocean, we pride ourselves in offering some of the largest balconies and most spacious suites at sea.
Our wide range of speciality restaurants, al fresco and in-suite dining options, exquisite lounges, bars and expansive spaces are perfect to rest and celebrate in, knowing there is never a queue or a crowd and that every detail is taken care of and every amenity is included.
At our nurseries near Romsey, Hampshire, we grow more than one million plants, exclusively available at a Hillier Garden Centre and via our Online Shop.
At Hillier, we are proud to announce that we do not use any peat on our nurseries, and all of our plants are potted in peatfree growing media.
We carefully monitor all of our growing media on the nurseries by using probes and data loggers to record soil moisture content,
Monday - Saturday 9.00am - 5.30pm
Sunday 10.30am - 4.30pm (viewing from 10am)
temperature, and levels of feed. This enables us to ensure we give the plants exactly what they need at the right time. This means that when our plants reach the garden centres, they are in a beautiful and well-cared-for condition.
When it comes to growing in peat-free compost, watering can be tricky, as the pots may appear dry when the root zone is still wet. This is because the top will dry out a lot faster than non-peatfree composts. To ensure that you don’t overwater or underwater, make sure that your plants get a thorough watering that soaks the entire root ball. After doing this, allow the plant to dry before watering it again. A larger pot often takes a lot more water to properly soak it through than we realise. A good idea is to aim for around 10% water of
the whole pot volume (i.e., 1-litre of water for a 10-litre pot). When you are watering, take care not to overwater, as you can wash essential nutrients out of the compost that will help your plants thrive. If you are planting directly in a pot, ensure your plants are regularly fed, as the only nutrition they can receive is what you give them.
Peat-free composts are growing in popularity throughout gardens in the UK due to the heightened awareness around the extraction of peat from peatlands, which puts them at risk. For a renewable alternative, peat-free compost is a reliable and high-quality option for your plants. Peat-free compost is often made from resources like composted garden waste, bark, grit, or manure.
