Our Village Flooded!

Oh my goodness, we had one massive storm in the night followed by a second storm in the morning. With the surrounding fields saturated the excess water poured into the only road into the village! Unfortunately the autumn leaf fall was blocking the drains and so the inevitable happened! The only route in and out of the village was flooded, blocking only the toughest and tallest 4x4 vehicles. In fact after I videoed this even there was even more rain in the evening bringing the depth to approximately 3ft and one of the neighbours cars stalled in the middle of it entirely blocking the road for anyone at our end of the road! Anyway, by the next day it was all sorted and we were free. This is my story....

England Best Garden: RHS Wisley (ALMOST) Full December Walk-Round

Join us as we visit our last garden of the year and of course it is my favourite English garden - RHS Wisley, to me the home of modern British horticulture. Of course I love Kew too, but it is truly a butt-pain to visit, unless the Royal gardens can provide me with a special parking permit. Anyway, we spent the best part of the day with a camera and the key parts have been stitched together for this extended video. You may have caught one or two of the of the videos we have published that are included here but this time you can just sit and watch the whole experience in one go without trying to find all of the other parts.

If you would like to see more content like this then pop over to our YouTube channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners'. It is also free and you will have the pick of any of the videos we have published over the past year. While you are there why not support our channel by subscribing? It is absolutely free and you can be notified of whenever we publish a new video by clicking the notification 'bell' button.

Tropical Gardens UK: Arid Glasshouse During Wisley 'Glow' Gardens Light ...

During our last visit to RHS Wisley UK, we were fortunate to be there as they were setting up the large light displays for their 'Wisley Glow' season. Although not quite dark enough for the full effect (which we may well have not been unable to film on our camera), conditions were suitable to get at least a hint of it while inside the arid glasshouse. Hopefully we will be popping back to watch the whole display at the end of the year and maybe have some suitable footage to share with you. If you think that the glow even is just in the arid glasshouse then you may be surprised to learn that is is in fact almost across the entire gardens - including fire and fountain displays. 

Wisley Glow opening times for 2022 are from 17 November – 8 January from 4pm – 9pm. Just be aware that there is no Glow event 24–26 December.

Alternatives to box plant hedging - 'Buxus sempervirens'

Brought over by the Romans almost a thousand years ago, Box plants had proven to be extremely robust and versatile right up until the past decade or so when the calamitous introductions of Box blight and Box caterpillar moth occured. With few effective methods of control, arguably the best option is to no longer plant Buxus sempervirens and instead consider alternative species and cultivars in its place. 

The problem with both of these inflictions' is that an awful of of damage has happened before the problem is identifies. Then secondly, it is difficult or even illegal without a commercial spraying licence for the man-in-the-street to purchase any of the control methods.

This is where the magnificent plant boffins at RHS Wisley come in. They have dedicated a large garden in the grounds dedicated to the possible alternatives to box hedging, and in doing so have created what could be called a masterpiece of mixed topiary.

So if you would like to see see more content like this then why not consider subscribing to our YouTube channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners'. It is absolutely free and you can be notified of all off our future videos by clicking onto the notification bell icon.

Tropical Gardens UK: Walled Exotic Garden, Wisley- December 2022

Back in the day, the exotic walled garden here at Wisley was the only specifically designed display of cold hardy, exotic effect plants. However this has since been superseded by the massive and highly impressive exotic garden further out in to the grounds - one of our favourite garden displays here. That being said the exotic walled garden is an absolute jewel in the crown at Wisley and should not be missed. Why, because it is a lesson in understatement by implementing a highly competent design, clever planting and extremely high standards and attention to detail across the board!

So why not join English Horticulturist Simon and Lorna and they walk around this space pointing out the key features and plants that catch their attention.

If you would like to see more content like this then why not subscribe to our YouTube channel 'walking Talking Gardeners'? It is absolutely free and by clicking onto the notification bell you can be informed whenever we post a new video.

Tropical Gardens UK: How to Protect and Overwinter (Winterize) Tree Ferns

If you have visited a premium garden centre recently then two things may have caught your attention. The first would be a stunning display of tree ferns of possibly more than one species. The second would be the phenomenal price of these plants which have at least quadrupled in the past ten years making any tree fern specimen likely to be the most valuable plant in you garden.

Now living in the UK, and even the mildest regions of the UK, tree ferns can experience weather far too cold to maintain their condition and in extreme conditions can kill the crown. So to avoid killing off these beautiful plants it is not good enough to give it a quick wrap in fleece, you need to make sure that the crown is adequately protected and the canopy protected well enough that it is still viable come the spring. Of course, the further north you live the colder it gets and you will need to provide even more cold protection.

If you would like to see more content like this then consider subscribing to our channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners'. You can support us further by sharing our videos, clicking the 'Like' button and leaving a comment.

Tropical Grardens UK: Wisley Exotic December Walk-round

Yes the weather is freezing. Yes it is the middle of December, but unlike our own garden which is sited in the milder climates of the south coast, the Exotic garden at RHS Wisley still has structure, seasonal colour, and a number of surprises that we didn't expect to see! 

The Fuschias and Abutilons are still in flower and despite a number of the key plants being wrapped in anticipation of winter frosts many of the specimen plants still have excellent ornamental value. In fact, now that some of the stock has died back or have been cut back to ground level other plants which were hidden in the greenery are now showing the splendour - in particular we found an amazing and extremely rare variegated Trachycarpus palm!

So after following us around the gardens here at Wisley, why not follow our YouTube channel 'Waling Talking Gardeners' by clicking the 'SUBSCRIBE' button. It is absolutely free and you can be notified whenever we publish a new video by clicking onto the notification bell icon.

Tropical Garden: How to Overwinter (winterize) Japanese Hardy Banana - M...

The freezing depth are becoming ever nearer and so any gardener worth their salt will have winter protection on their mind. On such plant in need of at least some winter protection (even in the mildest regions of the UK) is the brilliant Musa basjoo - commonly known as the 'Hardy Banana' and 'Japanese Banana'.

While te hardy banana is considered root hardy, which mean the root system will tolerate temperatures down to -10 degree Celsius, the pseudo stem (truck) is less hardy and should be protected when freezing temperatures or hard frost are forecast. If the pseudostems are damaged in freezing conditions then luckily all is not lost as they will generally grow back through in the spring. However if you are aiming to achieve the impressive height that Musa basjoo pseudostems can attain then you will need to manage their winter protection so that they survive intact in order to add to the existing growth.

So in this video English horticulturist Simon explains the overwintering technique that is used at the Royal Horticultural Society gardens Wisley.

If you would like to see more content like this they why not consider subscribing to our YouTube channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners'.

Tropical Gardens UK: How to overwinter (winterize) Gunnera manicata - Gi...

Winter is here and a certain amount of cold management will need to be put in place for those plants which are not fully hardy in the UK. One such plant species are the magnificent Gunneras - in particular Gunnera manicata. In this video English horticulturist Simon explains a very simple method of how to protect the delicate crown which can easily be damaged by a hard frost.

Now you may be able to get away without frost protection on large, established specimens in the milder regions of the UK, but be aware that young plants, or specimens planted in the north of the country can be killed off by sustained hard frosts!

If you would like to see more content like this then why not consider subscribing to out YouTube channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners'. It is absolutely free and by clicking onto the notification bell icon you will be notified when we publish a new video.

Tropical Gardens UK: Victorian Cacti and Succulent collection - West Dea...

We wanted to visit the amazing, refurbished glasshouses at West Dean gardens near Chichester as they are among the best in the country as every time, we visit there is a surprise. Today is no exception as we can across this fantastic collection of specimen cacti and succulents temporarily displayed in one of their period Victorian lean-to glasshouses.

Join us as we walk though and point out any specimens which catch out attention. If you would like to see more content like this then why not check out the other videos on out YouTube channel - 'Walking Talking Gardeners'. You can subscribe for free and by licking the notification button you will be 'notified' when ever we publish a new video.

Historic Nymans Gardens: Full walk-round (including Exotic, Tropical Pla...

Nymans can be found  to the east of the village of Handcross, in West Sussex, England and is home to some wonderfully ornamental Edwardian pleasure gardens. In particular the alpine garden, herbaceous border and the exotc borders which is our personal favourite. So why not join us as we walk around through the gardens pointing out the plants and sites of interest.

If you would like to see more content like this then why not subscribe to our YouTube channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners'? It is absolutely free and by clicking the notification button you can be informed whenever we publish a new video.

Tropical Gardens UK: Exotic Garden November Walk-Round

Well, we have finally made the last walk-round video of the year and the shine has definitely come of of our once lovely tropical effect, exotic garden! However that us the reality of growing cold-hardy exotic plants. There is very little happening in the spring then you get an amazing summer and autumn before most of the stock runs out of steam.

So it time for a tidy up to keep things tidy for the winter, plus its a great time to come up with any plant moves to positions which will show them to their best.

Now come next March we will be planting up a new range of exotic plants to show you and hopefully have fews tasty morsels breaking through the soil which we can show you in a possibly the first new video of 2023!

If you would like to see more content like this then don't forget to subscribe to out YouTube channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners'.

MInd Blowing Bonsai at the UK National Collection of Bonsai, Birmingham ...

The National collection of bonsai at Birmingham botanical gardens is a rare treat indeed. Hidden away and under a surprising about of security, these extremely valuable specimens are amongst the best in the country! So hidden away are they that they were nearly missed on Lorna and Zoes visit!

Any the national collection here at Birmingham are some of the highest quality and therefore valuable specimens you are likely to see which is why so much effort has been put into the security.

So why not join English horticulturists Lorna and Zoe as they check out this wonderful display and point out things of interest that catch their eyes.

If you would like to see more content like this then consider clicking the 'LIKE' and 'SUBSCRIBE' buttons. You can also be notified whenever we publish a new video by clicking the notification bell icon.

Tropical Gardens UK: Amazing Exotic Plant Collection at West Dean Victor...

This collection of gorgeous tropical plants housed in an original, Victorian, refurbished glasshouse is one of the highlights of West Dean Gardens near Chichester, West Sussex UK. In its day glasshouses like this were the pinnacle of environmental technology, in fact the technology within works as perfectly and effectively today as they did when it was first constructed! During our visit the glasshouse still had their white-wash shading so it was impossible to see what lay inside. This meant that every time we opened a door we were always in fora surprise!

So why not join English horticulturist Lorna and Simon as the investigated this fantastic collection, pointing out plants and other features of interest. Do forget that you can support out channel by clicking the 'LIKE' and 'SUBSCRIBE' buttons. 

Tropical Garden UK: November Exotic Garden maintenance

It finally came! A day when it had stopped raining and the sun began to shine! I can't put it off any longer as it was a perfect day for working on the garden - despite the strong winds. However garden maintenance in November is not much fun so I have made this video as fun as my imagination would allow.

So beside dealing with the carnage which is my busted hardy banana, I need to clear out all of the collapsing and degrading specimens such as the Dahlias and Coleus, remove any dead or dying foliage and pick up the huge amount of apples that the last storm ripped from the tree. 

You would also look at doing perhaps your final weeding but I don't really have too many weeds in this as I have been intolerant of such things for years and never allow then to take hold if one catches my eye!

Anyway if you would like to watch more content like this the click onto the subscribe button and notification bell.

Tropical Gardens UK: Nymans Exotic Plant Border

The exotic gardens found next to the ruins at Nymans are one of the highlights of this historic garden. Established more than a decade ago the established tropical-effect specimens are a delight to behold! Planted in the shelter of the fire-ruined Gothic/Tudor style house, the exotic border has a fantastic range of unusual cold-hardy exotic plants, many of which have grown to to a size rarely seen in the UK.

So when you visit Nymans check the map and make sure that you don't miss out on this treat that looks as though it is the last remnants of a lost civilisation now overtaken by an all consuming jungle!

If you would like to see more content like this then check out some of the other videos on out YouTube channel - 'Walking Talking Gardeners'.

Don't forget to 'SUBSCRIBE' and if you click the notification bell you will be informed when we publish a new video.

Tropical Gardens UK: Storm Disaster in our Exotic Border!

 

We had a massive overnight storm and come the morning we woke up to find that our beloved Banana - Musa basjoo, was completely snapped in half, amongst other damage!

So why not join us as we have a quick walk around the garden with our heads in our hands as we look at the destruction that we must now repair. Luckily, winter is just around the corner so it won't be long until many of our plants are cut back down for winter protection.

If you would like to watch more content like this then why not consider subscribing to our channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners'? It is absolutely free and you can be notified of future videos by clicking the notifications bell icon.

Tropical Garden UK: Exotic Subtropical borders at West Dean Gardens, Wes...

West Dean gardens near Chichester is a fantastic example of a Victorian/Edwardian pleasure garden, especially as the large complex of original Victorian glass house were recent refurbished in order to  preserve them for future generations.

In past visits to this historic country retreat, it is the glasshouses and their fantastic collection which have always caught out eyes, however this time came across a wonderful exotic border - as well as a few chickens!

So why not join us as we investigate the planting highlights we find of interest. If you would like to see more content like this then why not support our channel by clicking onto the 'Like' and 'Subscribe' buttons.

Tropical Gardens UK: How to Grow Free Cordyline australis (Cabbage Tree)...

Cordylines are among the most popular of all the cold hardy, exotic, tropical effect plants, yet specimen plants has still fairly pricey despite being very easy to grow. However it is possible to grow your own cordylines from naturalised seedlings for absolutely free!

In this video English horticulturist Simon explains firstly how to recognise cordyline seedlings in the ground and then how to lift and pot them on for planting in the garden during the next season. The good news is that throughout large parts of the UK cordylines have naturalised and will readily produce viable seeds.

If you would like to find out more about exotic and tropical effect gardening then why not support out YouTube channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners'. That way you can be notified whenever we publish a snew video.

Tropical Gardens UK - Why do Tree Ferns Need So Much Fertiliser?

Tree ferns are becoming ever more expensive to purchase so keeping them in top condition has got to be priority. Unfortunately many of the specimens I come across in the UK are usually pale in colour with stunted growth and a narrowing crown. However it is always possible to improve their condition with correct watering and fertiliser application.

In a previous video we discussed how your should feed your tree fern, however in this video we go into detail as to why tree ferns require so much more feeding and at a higher concentration. However watch the video to the end as over fertilising any plant incorrectly can cause root damage!

If you would like to see more content like this as well as check out any of our new videos then why not 'SUBSCRIBE' to our YouTube channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners'.

Preparing Tortoises for UK Winter Hibernation

 Autumn is upon us and winter is now just around the corner. However while the overnight temperatures are still mild it won't be long before we will need to look at putting in some preparation for over-wintering the tortoises. They can't really be left outside in the freezing conditions so Lorna will now be making arrangements to have everything in place to hibernate her tortoises so that can do so in the safest possible way before it gets to cold.

With that in mind we thought it would be a great idea to have a chat with Lorna to find out what she has in mind and the reasons behind it. 

If you would like to see more content like this the why not consider supporting our YouTube channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners'. It is absolutely free and you can be notified whenever we publish a new video.

We Built a Tortoise Prison!

Since Lorna's tortoise came back, she has been worried about him escaping again so I was tasked to build a stronger garden enclosure - which I call the prison. Reluctantly, as I could have been watching TV, I took my man-tools out of the garage and set to work with no plan.

So far neither of them have escaped which I feel is a reflection on my craftsmanship!

If you would like to see more content like this then why not click on to the 'SUBSCRIBE' button. This helps to support our channel and you can be notified of any future videos.

Fuchsia Gall Mite - What is KIlling my Fuchsia?

Fuchsias used to be a mainstay of the garden and why wouldn't it be? Originating predominately from the tropical or subtropical regions of south America. For years Fuchsia used to be bullet proof with very little problems with pests and diseases but recently this has changed.

If you are looking at your Fuchsias and wondering what on earth is all that hard, horrible cankerous growth then you are not alone. Sadly, gone are the days when fuchsia will look amazing and continue to flower until the first hard frost. Now they look stunted, sickly and full of distorted, shapeless lumps! So what is causing this scurge on one of our favourite garden plants and what can you do about it? Well it's not good news as English horticulturists Simon explants just what Fuchsia gall mite is and what can be done about it.

If you would like to see more content like this the why not support us by 'SUBSCRIBING' to our YouTube channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners'. It is absolutely free and you can be notified whenever we publish a new video.

Preparing Greenhouse for overwintering (Winterizing for American viewers) Cacti and Succulents

With the overnight temperatures starting to drop now that autumn (fall for our American viewers) is upon us we need to make sure that we have all of our cacti and succulents in the right place moving forward for winter. A good part of our cacti and succulent collection will overwinter or winterize in the unheated greenhouse but that is because the ones which weren't capable of surviving the freezing temperatures died out a few years back when I decided I didn't want them in the house (Lorna doesn't know that and is very unlikely to read this either)! 

However, we are thinking about putting them into next year's show against the local chapter of the The British Cactus & Succulent Society (BCSS) so I am going to have to put the work in this year to make sure that that at least some of our plants are of show quality, and that means sorting out the greenhouse and bringing the tender specimens inside for protection. 

So why not follow us on our journey as we campaign to kick the BCSS in the backside and take their trophy's? To make sure you are notified of future video consider clicking on to the 'SUBSCRIBE' button. It is absolutely free and helps to support out YouTube Channel.

Tropical Garden UK - October Autumn Walk-Round

With the full force of autumn upon us the poor tropical effect garden is suffering the effects of the cooler nights and lower light levels of our rubbish English climate. So plant species such as the Hostas, Dahlias and Salvias are beginning are drawing the nutrients from their leave to store in their roots and as such the vibrant colours of summer are now tarnishing.

However all is not lost as with a little remedial maintenance the last vestiges of quality can be kept for a few weeks more. With that in mind, English horticulturist walks around the garden to see what can be done to keep the standards going for a little while longer.

If you would like to see more content like this then why not consider clicking the 'Subscribe' button. That way not only will you be supporting our YouTube channel 'Walking, Talking, Gardeners' you can also be notified of when be publish new videos.

Tropical Gardens UK - We bought even more exotic, cold hardy, tropical-effect plants!

 After the initial planting of our new exotic cold-hardy effect garden earlier on in the year we thought we would pop out and see if there was anything interesting in the local garden centres and nurseries which we could add to our collection. We wasn't expecting there to be too much around but lorna manages to find a lot more than I was expecting her to.

So in this video Lorna explains what she has picked up and will even try to pronounce some of the botanical names which is always good for a laugh!

A few of my favourites were picked up including the Dasylirion longissimum - Mexican Grass Tree and the wonderful Sphaeropteris cooperi.

If you would like to watch more content like this the why not consider supporting our YouTube channel but clicking onto the 'SUBSCRIBE' button. It is absolutely free and that way you will never miss an episode.

TOP 100 UK GARDENS - Chelsea Physic Garden: October Tree Walk

Established in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, the four acre site which makes up the Chelsea Physic garden London, England was originally created simply to grow plants to be used as medicine. It is among the oldest botanical gardens in Britain and its rock garden is indeed the oldest in Europe, devoted to alpine plants and Mediterranean plants. 

Recently, English horticulturist Lorna had the opportunity to visit Chelsea Physic Garden and go on an autumn tree walk. So why not join her and her guest Zoe Spicer as they check out the wonders of this historic garden.

If you would like to watch more content like this the why not consider subscribing to our YouTube channel - 'Walking Talking Gardeners'. It is absolutely free and you can be notified whenever we publish a new video.

How to Grow the Tropical Effect 'Must-Have' Garden Plant - Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex'

Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex' is arguably one of the best exotic, tropical effect, cold-hardy plants around. It has magnificent, architectural leaves and has proven to be hardy to the extreme. Native to southern China and the island of Taiwan it is commonly known as the 'Rice Paper Plant' as the stem pith is used to make a substance commonly called rice paper, but more properly called pith paper.

In the UK you can expect to see Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex' at its full height anywhere between 3–5 metres tall, however in its native habitat 7 meters have been observed!

So how do you grow the tropical effect 'must-have' garden plant that is Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex'? For best results position in full sun to dappled shade and prior to planting add a very rich compost such as composted farmyard manure to a rate of 50/50 with your existing soil. Dig a hole at least twice the size of the root ball, ideally followed by a layer of good quality multi-purpose compost at around 3-5cm thick, this helps the young Tetrapanax transition from the container compost to the soil.Tetrapanax like to be moist but not waterlogged. They will not tolerate standing in water (even during the heat of the summer) as this can promote the incidence of root rots!

The species is grown as an ornamental plant and has received the Royal Horticultural Society 's Award of Garden Merit .

African Cacti 'Stapelia schinzii' - Carrion Flower Cactus

Stapelia schinzii (otherwise known as the Carrion Flower) is a wonderful looking specimen and native to SW. Angola to Namibia. It is a succulent subshrub and grows primarily in the desert or dry shrublands often under the light cover of larger plants. It was first discovered for western science in 1908, its findings published in the German publication Vierteljahrsschr. Naturf. Ges. Zürich 53: 491 by A.Berger & Schltr.

It is the largest flowering Stapelia in the Namibia (but not within the entire genus) with a bloom reaching upwards of 20cm. The  size is important as it is fly pollinated and required the surface area to produce the pungent carrion-like odour to attract them.

As an ornamental specimen it can be grown as a glass house specimen or outside during mild weather as either groundcover or as a hanging basket plant.

Careful watering is required over the summer months but keep them dry over the winter with a minimum temperature of around 10 degrees.

HOW TO GROW STAPELIA SHINZII

Stapelia schinzii is a rarely seen (at least it is in the United Kingdom)  clump forming succulent plant grown for its impressively large, ornamental flowers. Native to Namibia, Southwest Africa the roughly star-shaped blooms open to show the largest of all native Stapelia blooms at an impressive 20 cm in diameter! Un the UK the flowering period will be around September

Its native habitat is found between 800-2000 meters above sea level yet unlike the majority of cacti tends to be found growing in the shade of other plants. Once established Stapelia shinzii can form a lax clump of approximately 100 cm in diameter.

It is difficult to find a specimen to purchase but sometimes propagation material can be found online. Stems should be allowed to callous off for a few days before planting into a good quality, compost. Avoid free draining or specialist cacti composts as these will keep the root system too dry. water regularly over the summer but never leave the compost waterlogged or completed dry. Feed monthly with a high potash fertiliser over the spring and summer.

Tropical Garden UK - Early Autumn maintenance

 

Its is now October and autumn is upon us. So this with the cooler night temperatures and lower light temperatures out exotic cold-hardy tropical effect plants are starting to run out of steam. Dahlias are getting leggy, canna lilies are losing the intensity of leaf colour and the hostas are beginning to die back in preparation for winter.

However, this slow decline can be halted, albeit superficially by dead-heading flowering specimens, keeping weeds at bay and supporting those plants that are now beginning to struggle under their own weight.

Autumn maintenance will also push into winter preparations so watch English horticulturist walk round his garden and discuss the up and coming jobs that will need to be done in a timely fashion to ensure great displays next year.

If you would like to see more content like this then don't forget to click onto the 'LIKE', 'SUBSCRIBE' and 'NOTIFICATION' buttons. Furthermore we would love to hear from you so if you have any questions for us them please leave them in the YouTube comments.

Grow Free Aeonium (Tree Aeonium or Irish Rose or Tree Houseleek) from Cu...

Aeoniums are arguably one of our absolute favourite succulents. I think it is because of how the apical rosette of leathery leaves look like exotic blooms. Admittedly under the super-soft environment experienced in the UK the leaf rosettes can become extremely elongated to the point that the stems struggle to support them, but I think that this is a far more favourable ornamental effect that the tight 'buttons' of foliage seen in the harsh climate of the southern Mediterranean basin. 

Anyway, they keys to the success of Aeoniums is one - how easily the can produce unusual and exciting colour variations. And two - how easy they to propagate vegetatively. So in this video we show you just how easy it is to grow Aeoniums from cuttings and of course that makes them (almost) entirely free!

If you would like to watch more content like this then consider subscribing to our YouTube channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners'. don't forget to press the 'Like' button, and if you would like to be notified of future videos then click on the bell icon.

Free Giant Ornamental Onions 'Allium giganteum' from Seed

 

The giant ornamental onion - Allium giganteum is not only one of my favourite of all the flowering bulbs, it is one of my favourite plants of all! And why wouldn't it be with its strongly held, large spherical globe-like blooms it is arguably the best of all 'drumstick' style flowers.

However the bulbs can be difficult to obtain and then difficult to find ones large enough that will flower in the following year. However there is a low cost option to growing plenty of  giant ornamental onions and that is to do so from seed. So why not check out English horticulturist Simon as he explains the very simple method of propagating Allium giganteum.

If you would like to see more content like this then consider subscribing to out YouTube channel - 'Walking Talking Gardeners'. Click on the notification bell and you will be notified of all our future videos

How to Plant Giant Allium and Giant Ornamental Onion Bulbs

Giant Allium bulbs and their cultivars are a great way to add both colour and architectural effect to the garden. However they need to have a cold period to initiate flowering in the spring so planting them as fresh as you can find them and have them in the ground in both a timely fashion and during the right season is all important. So assuming your bulbs are as good a quality as you can find them then this video explains how to plant giant allium and giant ornamental onion bulbs in such a way that you can maintain those impressive flower heads year after year.

If you would like to see more content like this then why no consider subscribing to our YouTube channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners'.l It is absolutely free and you moving forward you can be notified of all our future videos assuming you have also clicked the bell button. 

Best Mediterranean Gardens - S'Hort del Rei, Palma, Mallorca (Aka. Majorca)

Join horticulturist Simon and Lorna as they take a walk around the S'Hort del Rei in Palma, Mallorca (Majorca). We wouldn't say that this was a flourishing garden or even one that is particularly well-maintained, but it is undoubtedly hugely historic and sited on the outskirts of the superb Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma and 13th century Palace de l'Almudaina. The very name of S'Hort del Rei means King's garden so you are literally walking in the footsteps of  Royalty!

The problem with this garden as well as the other public gardens and spaces in Mallorca is that they are not valued, maintained or respected by those responsible. So while the original design of the gardens is truly lovely and clearly thought through the grounds have not been maintained and left to degrade (hence the number of fenced off areas). The borders are not finished as shown by the exposed irrigation pipes and dead plants are left in the displays

However by comparison to the other gardens we visited it is still arguably the best in Palma which really isn't a great accolade.

If you would like to see more honest reviews then why not consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel. It is absolutely free and that way you will be notified when we post any new videos.

Tropical Invasive Plant Monster - Clerodendrum bungei

Back in the day I used to sell this plant in the garden centres and to be fair it was handsome looking specimen with lush bold leaves and usual yet exotic blooms. It was definitely an eye-catcher. Fast forward 20 years and I haven't really seen them since until I moved into our village where they have proven themselves an absolute menace. Using vigorous roots they have managed to race across to my garden from the original planting 200 meters down the lane! No wonder Clerodendrum bungei no longer seems to be sold. It is genuinely an invasive menace. However Lorna likes it so we are currently arguing as to whether we are going to keep it or not.

So why not join us in our conversation regarding the merits of this garden menace and if you have any strong views yourself then you are very welcome to leave us a message in our YouTube comments section.

If you would like to see more content like this then consider 'SUBSCRIBING' to our YouTube channel. It is absolutely free and you can be notifies of all our future videos. (Also don't for get to click on the 'LIKE' button).

African Cacti 'Orbea variegata' - Carrion Flower or Star Flower

If you are interested in growing African cacti then Orbea variegata is probably the easiest species to begin with. Although not actually a cactus but instead a specialist succulent it is super-easy to grow, super-easy to propagate and will even survive outside in an unheated greenhouse (at least it will where I live on the south coast of England. And this isn't a bad thing as when the blooms open they will smell of carrion! 

They can be difficult to find but they will pop up at Cacti and Succulent shows as well as maybe some plant material on-line from which you can propagate your own specimens. Of course the best thing about these wonderful plants are the gorgeous blooms which are incredible intricate in their colouration and design. The second best thing this that they will thrive on neglect just so long as you water them at least once a month but preferably weekly during the growing season.

If you would to see more content like this then why not consider subscribing to our YouTube channel. It is absolutely free and you can be notified of all of out future videos when they are published.

How to Grow the Tropical Effect Garden 'Must-Have' - 'Kniphofia caulescens'

 

If you are looking for plants to provide you with both exotic colour and architectural effect then Kniphofia caulescens - (Red Hot Poker) has to be up there for strong consideration. Unlike the majority of the rather dull (my opinion only) pastel shades of weak, overly-leafy growth that seems to the the trend for Kniphofia cultivars at the moment, Kniphofia caulescens is an absolute man of a plant with bold, muscular blooms on stocky stems which shine magnificently against the backdrop of gorgeous powder, glaucous-blue foliage. 

However the news is better than that is is evergreen, extremely hardy and capable of surviving plenty of neglect. Just avoid planting in areas prone to waterlogging over the winter. As a tip, tie leaves together in late autumn to form a canopy over the crown in order to prevent water from settling in the crown and freezing.

If you would like to see more content like this then why not consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel. It is absolutely free and by clicking onto the 'notification' icon you will be notified whenever we publish a new video.

I bought dead plants from the supermarket. Will they recover?

I took a risk and bought some of those dead-looking plants off the supermarket reduced trolly, but should I have bothered? Only time will tell but with some good cultivation technique I may be able to revive at least one of them. So in this video we discuss the problems associated with buying dried-out supermarket plants, something I wouldn't usually do as they are usually beyond the point of revival. However on this occasion I was persuaded by the super-cheap price.

If you would like to see more content like this then you can subscribe to our Youtube channel. It is absolutely free and you will then be notified whenever we publish a new video.

Free Tropical Plants by Propagation - Update

For the uninitiated, growing a tropical garden in the UK must appear to require huge amounts of backbreaking work and specialist horticultural knowledge. But this is simply not true. With minimum knowledge and the most basic of equipment (bag of compost, a glass of water and some second hand pots) will get you started and allow you to propagate a surprisingly amount of fancy species and cultivars for absolutely free! And who doesn't want that?

Less than two months ago English horticulturists Lorna and Simon began making a few videos on propagation, but now its time to see if their techniques actually worked. So in this video they bring to the table the plats that have been featured in the previous videos for an update as well as quickly go over the techniques they used.

If you have any questions on propagation the feel free to leave a comment on out YouTube Channel. Also, if you would like to support our channel then consider clicking the 'LIKE' and 'SUBSCRIBE' buttons.

PLANT CHOICES FOR AN EXTREMELY COLD-HARDY, TROPICAL EFFECT GARDEN

 

It is easy, or at least relatively so, to create a cold-hardy, tropical effect garden, but is it still possible to produce a tropical effect garden if you experience extremely cold winters? By that I mean parts of the world where winter temperatures can drop to around - 15 degrees celsius or 5 degrees Fahrenheit in old money!

Well the answer is of course yes, however there will be some more cultural work involved with some of the plants in my following selection to give them a helping hand over the finish line of survival. To promote the effect add canna and dahlias which can be lifted and brought in under protection each year. Also consider growing salvias and tobacco plants as cheap annuals for their vibrant colours and architectural effect. 

Palms

Trachycarpus fortunei 'Chinese Windmill Palm' -15 Celsius

Bismarck Palm 'Bismarckia nobilis' -9 Celsius (my absolute favourite)

Mediterranean Fan Palm 'Chamaerops humilis' -12 celsius

Bamboo 

Phyllostachys aurea -15 to possibly -20 Celsius

Phyllostachys bissetii -25 Celsius!

Phyllostachys nigra - Black bamboo -20 Celsius

Phyllostachys aureosulcata f. spectabilis  -25 Celsius

Banana

Musa basjoo, root hardy to -12 celsius with a thick mulch

Musella lasiocarpa -7 with protection such as thick mulch and a wrapping of horticultural fleece

Hostas

Giant leaved hostas -15 easily but if you are worried apply a dry mulch to the crown

Crocosmia

Most species and cultivars will go down to -15 Celsius

Fatsia

Established species and cultivars can tolerate down to -10 Celsius but they will look shocking until the re-grow through the damage.

Phormium

Phormium species and cultivars will generally go to -10 Celsius, but can go colder is protection is in place

Cordyline

Cordyline species and cultivars will generally go to -10 Celsius, but can go colder is protection is in place

Kniphofia

Kniphofia species and cultivars will go down to -15 but it is worth putting a dry mlch on the crow to be on the safe side

Yucca

Yucca baccata -20 Celsius

Yucca filamentosa - 20 Celsius

This list is by no means exhaustive but it will set you in the right direction for building yourself an extremely cold-hardy, tropical effect garden.

 

HOW TO FEED AND FERTILISE YOUR TREE FERNS

No-one can argue that tree ferns have an incredible architectural presence in the garden but unless they are maintained correctly they can lose their vibrant colour and easily fall into poor and often stunted condition. Correct feeding of Tree Ferns is imperative when it comes to maintaining a quality look to your plants but it is not as simple as pouring liquid soluble fertiliser around the root system. English horticulturist Simon explains in detail how tree ferns have evolved to survive in their cloud forest environment and how that effects the way they access nutrients. This means that tree ferns require fertilisers applied differently to most other plants which once in place drastically improves the condition of these amazing plants.

If you would like to see more content like this then consider subscribing to our Youtube channel. It is absolutely free and you can be notified of all of our future videos.

Tropical Upgrade for Boring Trees!

You tend to see the same ten ornamental trees wherever you go in the UK. This is because they are tried, tested, have an element of ornamental value and generally easy to grow. However if you are seeing the same trees time and time again then eventually they end up fading into the background, no longer drawing your attention. This doesn't need to be the case as they can be adorned and upgraded simply by mimicking the tree environments found in the tropics where a single tree can be home to a dozen other plant species, greatly enhancing the look of a tree and adding multiple layers of ornamental interest!

There are a range of hardy plants that can be employed to give you this look that is created by tropical epiphytic plants such as bromeliads and orchids and even Spanish moss!

So with English Horticulturists Lorna and Simon first attempt at upgrading their boring trees how did they get on? And what do they have in store for next season?

Tropical Garden Successes and Failures! We show you our dirty secrets.

Many gardeners aspire to grow a cold-hardy, tropical effect garden and to be honest it is not as difficult as you might think. Once you have done a little homework on what plants have been proven to be hardy and where it should be planted it requires no less work that a typical herbaceous border.

That being said it is easy for things to go wrong and often this a problem with suppliers wrongly labelling plants or plants being sold with underlying bacterial or fungal infections. Of course, simple bad luck can also be a factor.

That aside there are many videos on how clever gardeners are in growing their cold-hardy tropical effect garden (we are no exception) but this doesn't help those who are struggling to achieve the same result. Therefore we decided that it would be a far more valuable teaching tool to showcase the mistake and failures we experienced. Therefore by standing in solidarity with our gardening brethren we can share our bad experiences and use these as a teaching moment to improve our gardens in the future.

Top 100 UK gardens: Highdown gardens full tour and review

Deep in the West Sussex countryside, Highdown gardens has an enormous amount of horticultural history attached to it and rightly so. Originally a working chalk quarry it was purchased by Sir Frederick Stern in 1909 who, against the advice of the contemporary leading horticulturists created what would have been a world class garden in the wonderful countryside of what is now the South Downs national park. 

Groundbreaking in his attempt to grow anything he could get his hands in his chalky soils, he managed to prove many of those around him wrong. Over the years he published several books on chalk gardens, on peonies and snowdrops and part-funding expeditions to China to bring back yet more exotic plants to try out at Highdown. He was rewarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Victoria Medal and became vice president of said organisation. He was chairman of the John Innes Horticultural Institute from 1947 to 1961 and vice-president and treasurer of the Linnean Society from 1941 to 1958.[4] Stern was knighted in 1956 for his services to horticulture

Do the gardens reflect this grand history? Well why not join English Horticulturist Simon and Lorna as they visit this historic site. If you would like to ask us a question then you are very welcome to leave a message in the comments section. Also consider supporting our chanel by clicking the 'LIKE' and 'SUBSCRIBE' buttons. 

Desert Cacti and Succulent Glasshouse, Wisley walk-through, and review

The Royal Horticultural Society gardens at Wisley are not only the best of the five gardens currently under the RHS stewardship but they are also amongst the best in the world! So why not join English horticulturists Lorna and Simon as they walk around and discover the delights of their Desert glasshouse which holds their permanent collection of established cacti and succulents as well as a rolling display of quality pot grown specimens. Keep your eyes out and you will always see a number of extremely rare and unusual cacti and succulents usually only found in the grasp of the most ardent and enthusiastic cacti and succulent collector!

We have visit Wisley numerous times over the years and the desert glasshouse is always an absolute treat. If you would like to ask us a question then please leave a message in the YouTube comments section. Also consider pressing the 'LIKE' and 'SUBSCRIBE' buttons. It is absolutely free and also as helps to support out channel.

How to Grow Tradescantia from Cuttings

Tradescantia are a fantastic genus of plants which can provide exotic ornamental foliage as house plants, ganging plants and even garden plants! Surprising under-rated and even non-exist and in many garden centres, they are extremely tough with some species capable of surviving freezing conditions!

However, arguably their best feature is that they are super easy to propagate from cuttings, in fact they will even root in a glass of water.

In thus video English horticulturist Simon explains two, very simple technique to grow Tradescantia from cuttings and so if won't be too long before you will have them coming out of your ears.

If you would like to see more content like then then consider pressing the 'SUBSCRIBE' button. It is totally free and it allows you to never miss a future episode. Also we would love to hear from you so if you have any questions why not leave a message in the comment section.

Best Tropical Garden in England! RHS Wisley

If exotic or cold-hardy tropical effect gardens are your thing then you are in for a treat because in this video we get to visit the impressive exotic gardens planted out at the Royal Horticultural Society's flagship garden - RHS Wisley. Created in 2017, it has over the years matured into one of England finest examples of an exotic garden - if not the best exotic or cold-hardy tropical effect garden in England!

So why not join English horticulturists Simon and Lorna as they walk-through the exotic garden pointing out and discussing the plants that catch their attention? There is a lot to see and the planting scheme is full of species and cultivars that you really won't see in regular garden centers. However you can use the RHS's plant finder services to located the required specialist nursery should you see anything that your hearty desires. Ginger lilies, the range of hardy palms and the various cultivars of hibiscus moscheutos were of particular interest to us.

If you would like to see more content this this then you can by click onto the 'SUBSCRIBE' button. And don't forget that you can support our channel by leaving a comment and by clicking the 'LIKE' button.

How to Grow Coleus From Cuttings

I love Coleus, they are just a fantastic choice for any garden - let alone an exotic or tropical effect garden. Yes they can be taken by slugs and snails but with a little cultural help this can be resolved. So why do I love them? Well they are one of the best species for providing colour in the shade and they are super easy to grow from cuttings. So easy are they that they will root in a glass of water in just two weeks!

However there is just a little bit more you need to know to really succeed in growing Coleus for cuttings and this is all explained in the above video.

If you would like to see more content like this then click on the like button and the 'SUBSCRIBE' button. That way you will be notified of all of our future videos.

The Prodigal Tortoise Returns

Oh my goodness it has been a rollercoaster of emotions these past couple of weeks! One of the tortoises had escaped its quarters and after a detailed search of both ours and our neighbours gardens realised that it was definitely missing. After a lot of emotion, all from Lorna by the way we had a stroke of luck. A couple walking their dog found Gonzales in the woods nearby, at which point they may have decided to keep him for themselves or just leave him there, however they decided to rescue him and taking him down to their local vets in the next town along. The vet then put out a notice on their facebook page however we are not on their friends list so our search could have ended right their!

Luckily one of our neighbours came across this listing and passed it on to us. We called them and went down with proof of ownership and fortunately the tortoise that they had was no other than Gonzales himself. Our family is now completed.

If you would like to see more content like this then consider subscribing to our channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners'. It is completed free and you will be notified as soon as we upload a new video.

Acer griseum 'Paperbark Maple' - Information dump!

If you have even the most basic of horticultural training then you would probably been introduced to the wonderful Acer griseum -'Paperbark Maple'. Native to central China it is considered to have one of the very best ornamental barks of any garden tree. Due to the price it isn't often seen in the suburban garden but it is a favourite of many temperate public gardens.

So if you are looking for a small tree that is as tough as nails and capable of surviving in a range of soil types and positions then Acer griseum has to be on your list. To find out more check out the video where English horticulturists Simon and Lorna discuss both the history and the merits of this wonderful species.

If you would like to be notifies of our future videos then consider subscribing to our channel. It is absolutely free plus to will be notifies every time a new video is published.

How to Grow Free Tobacco Plant from Seeds

Growing free tobacco plants from seeds is arguably the easiest propagation you will ever experience. So viable and wanting to germinate are the seeds that you can literally shake a seed head over a damp bag of compost and they will grow - 100% guaranteed!

This is the beauty of propagation, the ability to grow new plants for free instead of only being able to purchase the limited plants available in your local garden centre or super market.

To find out more check out this video where English horticulturists Lorna and Simon go into detail on Nicotiana sylvestris. If you like content like this don't forget to press the 'LIKE' and SUBSCRIBE' buttons.

Caterpillar damage on Aeonium

Do you love Aeonium plants? Would you like them to not be eaten by caterpillars? UNlikely, but what can you do about it. In this video English horticulturist has found an infestation of caterpillars on one of their specimen Aeonium plants and discuss the various method of control that can be employed. These range from a live and let live philosophy to organic and inorganic management.

If you like this kind of content the don't forget that by subscribing to the Walking Talking Gardeners Youtube channel you will be notified of all future videos and it is a completely free service. Also we would love to hear from you so if you have anything you would like to ask us then please leave a message in the YouTube comments section. Oh and by the way, clicking the 'LIKE' button if you like any of our videos is also super helpful.

Tropical Gardens at Monte Palace, Madeira - Full Unscripted Walk-Through...

Monte Palace Tropical Gardens is arguably one of the most exotic and flamboyant of all the gardens on the gorgeous island of Madeira. Yet despite being located half way up a steep volcano it is surprising easy to get to due to the extremely convenient cable car that takes you straight there from the harbour.

You can easily loose a couple of hours here so make sure you either take refreshments or purchase something in the cafe/bar on site. Once finished you can choose to take yet another cable car to the eat of the island to the Madeira Botanical Gardens or perhaps take the opportunity to almost get back to Funchal by experiencing the fantastic Monte toboggan ride. You can check out the video we made when we took the toboggan here - https://youtu.be/AwFUAK3IU7c

If you would like to see more videos on out trip to madeira then check out out YouTube channel - 'Walking Talking gardeners'. And if you would like to support our channel then consider clicking on to the 'LIKE' and 'SUBSCRIBE' buttons.

Unboxing my new succulent plant - Cotyledon 'Choco Line'

Hello YouTube friends and family and welcome to our first ever unboxing video. We will be watching English Horticulturist Simon as he receives and opens a mail order succulent to add to his collection. The packaging of mail order plants is always a bit worrying as the boxing materials vary greatly.

If you want to see more content like this then check out our other videos and if you would like to support out channel consider clicking onto the 'SUBSCRIBE' button. It is completely free and that way you will always be notified of any of our future videos.

We Lost Our Tortoise - This is What Happened Next!

Oh, my goodness, our family has been on an emotional rollercoaster for the past week or so! One of our tortoises managed to force its way out of one of the summer enclosures and make his escape. After checking both our gardens and the neighbours gardens to no avail we assumed that he was just hiding and would naturally reappear a few days later. However ten days had passed and still no tortoise. 

Then out of the blue, a chance notification on facebook have us a tenuous lead. A tortoise had been handed in at the vets in a town 3 miles away for us. Was it our missing tortoise? Well you can find our as it happens in the accompanying video.

If you would like to see more content like this then let us know in the 'comments'  or consider supporting our channel by clicking on to the 'SUBSCRIBE' button. It is absolutely free and allows you to never miss one of our future videos.

Unboxing Tortoise super complicated Lego - Likey!

Unboxing videos are a cultural phenomenon and of course we at the 'Walking Talking Gardeners' YouTube channel are never ones to shy away from jumping onto any popular band wagon. That being said welcome to our very first Unboxing video where English Horticulturist Lorna opens up a brand new box of lego-likey bricks to build herself a brand new tortoise to add to her already 'too-many' collection of tortoise garden art. This my opinion not hers.

So start yourself in and prepare you mind for Lorna boxing video and if you like this kind of content then don't worry as i will be publishing my very own unboxing video in the next to distant future.

If you would like to get in contact with us on any subject then write something in the comments, we would love to hear from you. Also don't forget that you can support this channel by pressing the 'SUBSCRIBE' button.

Giant Tropical Canna Lily - What is the deal with it?

If you though that Canna lilies were lovely, small to medium sized ornamental plants ideal for the suburban border then you are wrong. |It turns out that Canna lilies can be huge and even take over the garden like a giant, creeping weed! Anyway, Lorna really loves this plant and wanted to invite you to see why she thinks it is so amazing. 

Unsurprisingly it is not my 'Cup to Tea', as it means that I am going to have to go in to the broader over the winter and dig out most of this years growth before it finds its way into the field next door at which point I will have the farmer banging down my door demanding that I deal with it!

Anyway check out the video and if you have any strong opinion on giant canna lilies we would love to hear from you in the comments. Don't forget that you can support our channel by pressing the 'Like' button, and even more so by click onto the 'Subscribe' button.

Cold Hardy Spanish Moss? Try growing Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls'

It is undeniable that the pendulous hanging growth of Spanish moss - Tillandsia usneoides is evocative of the tropical and subtropical climates of central America. However if you want to replicat this effect in colder, northern European countries then unfortunately Spanish moss isn't going to survive. However if you are happy to squint a little you can achieve a strongly similar look by growing Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls'.

This wonder hanging plant cultivar makes for a great substituent albeit that it is not an epiphyte and will need to have its root system growing in a pot.

To find out more about this under-used yet tough-as-old-boots (at least in the south of England) herbaceous perennial then check out our video above. If you would like to support our YouTube channel then consider subscribing buy click onto the 'Subscribe' button and that way you will never miss a video.

How to Grow Englands Tallest Flower Spike - The Tree Echium 'Echium pini...

If you live in the warmer climates of southern and south-western corners of the United Kingdom and Ireland then you may well have noticed a very unusual and overly tall flowering plant that has been coming increasingly common in these parts. It is the Tree Echium - Echium pininana and despite being endemic to La Palma in the Canaries, it has begun to naturalise here in the warmest regions of our country.

The fact that Echium pininana is naturalising proves that conditions are great for growing this super-impressive plant in your own garden. However the further north you go the more difficult it will be for it to cope with the colder winters. Of course you can consider wrapping juvenile plants with horticultural fleece to protect the growing tip ensuring that the magnificent flowering spike in produced the following spring.

To find out more check out the above video and why not consider supporting our YouTube gardening channel by subscribing. That way you will never miss an episode.

How to grow bananas from seed without a day and night temperature heated...

Do you love the idea of growing banana plants from seed but don't have the specialist equipment to do so? Well most of the regions of the world were bananas naturally grow are usually tropical or at best Mediterranean or for a few special species warm temperate. So if you live in a northern European climate it will be possible to grow maybe a handful of species at a pinch and will a little helping hand but growing them from seed, well how would that work?

Well germinating bananas from seeds outside of their natural environment is a little bit of an art. You will need a heated propagator which can produce differing day and night temperatures. It sound more complicated than it is as you just need to connect it to a timer which switches off for 12 hours at a time.

But how would you replicate the germination conditions without a heated propagator? That can be achieved by timing germination with your local seasons. To find out more check out our video above where everything will be explained.

If you would like to support out channel or watch more content like this then why not consider subscribing?We would love to hear from you so if you have any questions for us or would just like to ay hello then you are very welcome to leave any message under 'Comments'.

HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS! We did the Monte Toboggan Run in Madeira

Hello there and welcome to another video from the 'Walking Talking Gardeners', however instead of our usually horticultural fare we thought we would show you something a little different. While we were checking out the various amazing gardens that Madeira has to offer we had the opportunity to take part in the Monte Toboggan Run. This was something I had wanted to do since I watched it on Blue peter as a child.

So why don't you join us as we step in to the rather rickety wooden frame of the taboggan and slide our way down to only halfway down to where we actually wanted to be!

You can support this channel by 'Subscribing' and that way you will never miss the opportunity to watch another episode.

Echeveria 'Sea Monster' - How To Propagate and Pot Up

If, like me, you are a big fan of cacti and succulents then this video may be right up your street. I had a large specimen of Echeveria 'Sea Monster' and in my usual fashion became bored with it and left it outside over the winter to fend for itself. Of course with temperatures down to minus 6 degrees celsius the whole thing turned to mush - or so I thought. I cam across this little section of stem which was found growing through the bark chips which went down this early June!

So if you are interested in what became of this lucky survivor then why not check out our video. We also discuss a little more about the simple propagation techniques required to grow more of this wonderful cultivar for free.

If you like this kind of content then why not consider subscribing to our channel or pressing the 'Like 'button'. Don't forget you can also leave a comment,we would love to hear from you.

Free Tropical Cold Hardy Plants and How to Get Them

Walk around any garden center nowadays and you may be surprised at just how much regular plants cost - let alone anything a little out of the ordinary. So what if I told you that you could have tropical cold-hardy plants for free? Well you may not believe me, but believe me you should as you can easily propagate many tropical cold-hardy plants with very simple propagation techniques.

In this latest video myself and Lorna walk around our garden pointing out the plants of interest as well as discussing the propagation requirements of the easiest ones. In fact many of the plants you see here are already ones that we have propagated previously! Some require no skills at all!

So why not join us on what could be the first step to obtaining plants for free. Please leave a comment and remember that you can support our channel by pressing the 'LIKE' and SUBSCRIBE' button..

Super Easy Growing Citrus from Seeds

Everyone (who is as like-minded as me) loves the idea of having citrus plants in their garden. Why? Because they are exotic, aspirational and just absolutely gorgeous looking. There is also the 'I would love to grow my own lemon for gin and tonics' cliche to be considered. However citrus plants are expensive and if you are not confident in looking after them going forward this could constitute a financial risk that you may not be willing to take.

Be that as it may, growing citrus plants from seed is actually super easy and can be sown straight from the fruit once it is clear of pulp. There are a number of techniques that can be employed to grow citrus from seeds but in the accompanying video we will discuss the easiest and most straightforward method.

If you have an even easier method to growing citrus from seeds then why not leave a message in the comments section of the video, we would love to hear from you. And do for get that you can support our site by clicking the 'Like' and 'SUBSCRIBE' buttons.

How to dead-head Dahlias

There is often some confusion when it comes to dead-heading Dahlias as the spent blooms and the newly forming buds can look very similar. Also there seems to be a general habit of snapping off the heads of Dahlias and leaving unsightly stalks behind. So if you want to know the difference between an finished flower and a bud about to bloom and the best technique to remove the stalks then check out our video above on everything you need to know about dead-heading dahlias.

If you have any questions at all then don't forget to leave a message in the comments, we would love to hear from you. Also consider pressing the subscribe button so that you never miss an episode.

Best Plants for a Cold Hardy, Tropical Effect Garden

For many, having a tropical garden in the cold, rainy climate of England is little more than a fantasy. Why? Because tropical plants live in the tropics where the sun shines all year round with temperatures rarely dropping below 25 degrees Celsius. And of course that is true. However  just because you cannot grow genuine tropical plants due to your climate, this does not mean that you cannot grow similar looking plants that are cold hardy which will give you the same effect. Tropical forests are synonymous with tall specimens, large leaves and unusual architectural plant structures, so with a little research it is easy to pick out plant which match these criteria to bring the look of the tropics to your very own back garden. So which are the best plants for a cold hardy, tropical effect garden?

Luckily the choice is fairly limited which makes designing a cold tropical effect garden relatively simple and starts with knowing which are the two largest leaved plants you can grow here. They are the giant ornamental Rhubarb - Gunnera manicata and the rice-paper plant - Tetrapanax rex. Moving on from there you can check out Fatsia species and cultivars, hardy bananas, variegated spanish reed, Cannas, large leaved hostas and the range of hardy palms that are available. 

Another trick to add to the tropical effect is to mimic the colour palette of the tropics which means adding plenty of red flowering plants wit a lesser splattering of orange, hot pink and vibrant yellows.

To find out more about with are the best plants for a cold hardy, tropical effect garden then check out the above video. Don't forget to comment with your favourite cold hardy , tropical effect plants, and consider supporting out YouTube channel by pressing the 'Like' and 'SUBSCRIBE' buttons.

How to propagate Orchid cactus (Disocactus) from cuttings

Living in the UK you wouldn't think that it would be possible to find epiphytic orchid cacti hanging from a tree, but grow them here you can. In fact arguably the most attractive of them all - Disocactus × jenkinsonii (usually always miss-named as Disocactus ackermannii) is considered hardy in the UK and has be given the prestigious Award of Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society! In reality, this is a hybrid between Disocactus phyllanthoides and Disocactus speciosus. It has a very complex taxonomic history and has been mistaken for Disocactus ackermannii for a long time.

It is extremely rare to see Orchid cacti (Disocactus species) for sale but assuming you come a cross a speciment it is very easy to take cutting to propagate you own specimen. Check out the video above where the surprisingly simple process of propagating Orchid cactus (Disocactus) is explained.

If you would like to leave a comment we would love to hear from you, and consider pressing the 'Like' buttoned or subscribe to our channel so that you never miss an episode buy pressing the 'SUBSCRIBE' button.

Quinta Magnolia Gardens walk-through with horticultural commentary

The Portuguese island of Madeira, also known as the Garden Island - and for good reason, is a magnet for all those who are lovers of all things Horticultural. There are the tree main gardens that you really do not want to miss is you every come to visit :

Monte palace tropical gardens

Madeira Botanical gardens

Palheiro Gardens

However you you are staying on the island for a few days and want to looks at some other worthwhile hardens as well as walk amidst its colonial history then consider having a visit to Quinta magnolia gardens in the west of the Islands capitol Funchal, and only a ten minute walk away from Reid's Palace hotel..

Formally an Edwardian pleasure garden and until more recently the British Country Club', the facilities at Quinta Magnolia are now open to the public and the 40,000 square metres of mature trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns are now free to the public to visit and walk around.

So if you are considering visiting Quinta magnolia and what to have an idea as to what is there then why not join English Horticulturists Simon and Lorna as they walk through and discover what they find of interest.

Don't forget that you can support this channel by leaving a comment, or pressing the 'Like' and 'Subscribe' buttons.

CACTI AND SUCCULENT GARDEN AT MADEIRA BOTANICAL GARDEN

Hello and welcome to another video from the 'Walking Talking Gardeners' YouTube channel. In this feature we are walking around and discovering the wonders found in the cacti and succulent garden at the Madeira Botanical Garden, Funchal.

Interestingly this property was originally part of an estate belonging to the family of William Reid, founder of Reid's Hotel. However in 1960 it was opened to the paying public.

So why not take a walk along with English horticulturists Simon and Lorna as the discover for the the first time the plants and landscaping as one of madeira not-to-miss gardens.

If you would like to see more content like this? Then why not support out caneel by pressing the 'Like' and 'Subscribe' button. That way you will never miss any of our future videos.

HOW TO GROW YUCCA ELEPHANTIPES FROM A CUTTING

You will probably recognise the extremely popular Yucca elephantipes from the houseplant department from your local supermarket or garden centre. However what you may know know is that the Yucca plant can also be grown outside as a full-size garden plant quire happily in the milder regions of the UK! So this would include London and the south of England, and southern Ireland.

Native to Mexico and Central America it is an evergreen shrub capable of growing  between  up to 8–12 metres however in the UK it is more likely to grow to 3-4 metres at most.

Growing Yucca elephantipes from cuttings is a lot easier than you think so why not check out our latest video to find out more? Don't forget that you can support our channel but pressing the 'Like' and 'Subscribe' buttons

TORTOISE BAD-BOYS INTRODUCTION: Say hello to Speedy and Gonzales

Hello and welcome to the YouTube channel 'Walking Talking Gardeners', and just to give you a heads up the video we are looking at today is a little different to our usual fair. Instead of looking at the world of plants and gardens my wife Lorna wanted to make a video on the two main loves of the life - her tortoises Speedy and Gonzales.

So sit back and enjoy Lorna introducing her two favourite beings and talking a little about what they eat and the differences between them.

If you would like to see more content like this then consider pressing the 'Like and 'Subscribe' buttons.

If you would like to ask Lorna a question about her tortoises then leave a note in the comments.

How to propagate Kalanchoe (Bryophyllum) from pups

Hello there and welcome to another video from the 'Walking Talking Gardeners'. In this video horticulturist Simon will demonstrate how to propagate the Madagascan succulent Bryophyllum from pups. All you need is a modular seed tray, multipurpose compost and a small dibber or pencil.

Fortunately, propagating Kalanchoe (Bryophyllum) from pups is super easy but check out the above video for all the information you will need for success.

Do forget to subscribe to your YouTube channel so that you won't miss out on any of out other content.

Palheiro Gardens, Madeira, walk-through with horticultural commentary - Part 2

Welcome back to the 'Walking talking Gardeners' YouTube channel. We recently posted Part 1 of our visit to Palheiro Gardens in Madeira. Well hold on to your pants as we have part 2 ready for you. Join English Horticulturists Simon and Lorna as the continue their walk around Palheiro Gardens on the Portuguese island of Madeira.

Palheiro gardens is open to the public and is one of the premier garden on the island next to Monte Palace Tropical Gardens and Madeira Botanical gardens. Once a private estate is now house a massive collection of plants from across the world planted in stunning Edwardian pleasure gardens.

If you don't want to miss out on future videos don't forget to click the like and subscribe buttons.

HOW TO STOP TREE FERNS FROM SHRINKING OR NARROWING AT THE CROWN

Tree ferns always looks fantastic when you come across some fresh stock at the local garden centre (sadly they tend to decline under the steward ship of the same garden centre staff), however once you have had them in the garden their quality can quickly begin to suffer. One of the biggest issues is as the crown rises with year on year growth it can also become narrower and the growth considerably weaker. Over time this will create a stunted plant, miles away from the handsome specimen it once was and really, with the right management, should still be. So how do you stop the crown of tree ferns from shrinking or narrowing at the crown?

English horticulturist takes a look at the problem and proposed a couple of ways of maintaining its original shape. Of course without the perfect growing conditions of its native habitat it will be extremely hard to maintain its original thick dense habit. However with good horticultural practice and a little trick up his sleeve, horticulturist Simon will give his tips to growing quality tre ferns in the above video.

If you don't want to miss out on futeure videas then don't for get to press the liek and subcribe buttons.

HOW TO GROW A COLD HARDY TROPICAL GARDEN IN SIX MONTHS

Yes it's true, you can grow a tropical garden in 6 months. However you will need to purchase the right plants at the right time and plant them in a position with conditions that will best suit their environmental needs. Ok, that can sound quite daunting but with the majority of cold hardy tropical plants require not much more that full sun and free draining soil. It is a lot easier than you might first think - there are of course some exceptions.

So welcome to English horticulturist Lorna's cold hardy tropical garden. Planted 6 months ago to when this video was taken, it is now a mature, lush corner of the garden filled with colour and architectural foliage. We have specifically chosen large-leaved specimens, brought in a few specimen plants from our old garden - just two in fact, the hardy banana Musa basjoo and the Tetrapanax 'Rex'. Most other plants are herbaceous plants we have propagated through division or late spring or summer flowering bulbs bought and stored from earlier on in the year.

We have added a few hardy palms -  Phoenix canariensis and Trachycarpus fortunei and Chamaerops humilis, along with ornamental grasses such as the black bamboo, variegated Arundo donax and rebra grass.

For new stock there is a good range of bulbs, Canna lilies, Dahlias, montbretia, Salvias and Coleus to capture that vibrant tropical palette

We like to try and stick to orange and red blooms to further enhance the tropical look. So why not join Lorna as she walks around this tropical effect border and explains some of the plants andr choices she has made.

Monte Palace Tropical Garden, Madeira, walk-through with horticultural c...

Hello and welcome to Part 2 of our walk around Monte Palace Tropical Garden on the Portuguese island of Madeira. If you have missed Part 1 then the link for that is below:

Monte Palace Tropical Garden, Madeira Part 1

Monte Palace Tropical Gardens have been open to the public since 1991, and houses a huge exotic plant's collection, coming from around the world. It also includes one of the most important tile collections in Portugal originating from palaces, churches, chapels and private houses throughout the former Portuguese empire. The gardens are open everyday except for the 25th of December.

So why not join English horticulturists Simon and Lorna as the continue their walk around the gardens providing horticultural commentary on the stunning plants and landscaping they find.

Canna 'Cleopatra' Comin' Atcha! Plus description and cultivation.

 

Canna 'Cleopatra' is a gorgeous herbaceous plant which despite being introduced in 1895 has been seemingly missing from the plants beds of UK garden centres. Growing to approximately 1.2 metres tall, this bi-coloured ornamental specimen has the star quality to stand out amongst the regular collection of canna lilies. Its strange, haphazard chocolate/green leaf colourisation is due to it being an unstable colour hybrid. It is as though two distinctly different colour forms have been spliced together but rather than one dominating so that the hybrid reverts to just the one type, the variation is extremely stable! There is even a colour choice of red, yellow and even a mixture of the both. Remember to dead-head your spent booms to encourage more flowering.

Flowering from mid-summer to the autumn, it will perform best in organically rich, well drained soils. Canna 'Cleopatra' will tolerate a shady position but to get the best show of blooms position in full sun. However it will require watering during periods of drought. 

Regarding its cold tolerance, you can leave Cana 'Cleopatra' outside in the ground in zones 8-11, but for colder regions you would be best lifting the tubers after the first frost and potting them into a dry mulch to overwinter in an unheated frost-free environment.

As the buds begin to show in early spring you can lift and divide in order to produce new specimens. Canna 'Cleopatra' is relatively disease free although keep an eye out for Canna Leaf Roller and Canna Leaf Virus.

HOW TO WATER TREE FERNS - What the garden centres don't tell you!

With the effect of climate change affecting summer temperatures and rainfall in the UK, maintaining tree ferns in peak condition is becoming increasing difficult. The reason for this is simple. Tree ferns typically thrive in cloud forests, also called a water forest, characterized by a persistent, frequent or seasonal low-level cloud cover. The result of this is a something equivalent to 1 metres of rainfall per year. Now transfer this plant to the drought ridden summers of the United Kingdom and something has to give. You either need to provide your tree fern with the conditions it requires or you can watch it slowly disappear due to attrition!

In order to cope with the specialist conditions of the cloud forest tree ferns have evolved several ways to enhance these unique environmental conditions. The canopy has developed a funnel-shaped structure to drawn in as much moisture and rainfall to the crown,and the trunk itself is like a huge sponge full of woody, fibrous roots. To reduce the risk of the trunk drying out the old fronds remain on the tree but bend downwards to help retain moisture in the trunk. If you look careful you can even see an indented channel running along the centre of the fronds stipe to help direct water to the crown.

As you can imagine, watering tree ferns is a little more involved than simply watering the roots in the soil to check out the above video to find out exactly how you should be watering your tree ferns.