I personally don’t think pansies were ever ‘out’ … but they are now definitely ‘in’ fashion. I love them. Masses of them. We have lots and lots of them in stock at The Potting Shed and they will cheer you up through the cooler months when everything else is asleep. Pansies can be grown in the garden or in pots, hanging baskets or window boxes. They like a sunny spot through the cooler months but in warm areas (Sydney to Perth and north) light shade in spring and early summer will mean they keep flowering longer. Prepare the soil well before planting by digging in compost and aged manure. Liquid feed regularly and pick the flowers, or deadhead them to keep plants blooming. Plant seedlings in autumn for winter and spring flowers. In cooler climates delay planting until late winter, for a summer flower display.
Month: March 2014
A few early photos from The Potting Shed
Well, we’re a long way from being fully set up but we’ve had lots of requests for photos of the shop … so here are some early snaps taken during setup over the past few days. We have a lot more stock arriving tomorrow and Friday so I’ll update this page when we have a bit more to show you. Also … there’s a new cafe opening next door in the Dirty Janes Antique Emporium on Thursday which is a bit exciting … we’re setting up chairs and tables outside The Potting Shed so you can meet friends for coffee and have a browse around the 35 antique stands and, of course, pick up a few plants on the way! See you soon. Maureen x
Light is Fugitive
Good morning from The Potting Shed. Yesterday I was given a lovely little stool to decorate my office and I promptly dressed it up with a big bowl of old fashioned roses from the garden. It made me think of this beautiful picture by Laura Jones, which unfortunately was sold by the time I got to the exhibition opening recently.
What talent we have living here in the Highlands. Laura resides in Exeter and her exhibition “Light is Fugitive” (from a quote by celebrated Australian artist Margaret Preston), is on until March 21 at the gorgeous Gallery Ecosse, opposite the General Store. Don’t miss it. Laura’s pictures of floral arrangements reflect her considerable skill as a trained florist and her masterful use of colour. She has taken the subject of floral still life and added a modern zing, a liveliness, a bold use of colour. The result is wonderful. I dream of having one of Laura’s works hanging here in my little Potting Shed!
A love affair with clipped box
After one of the hottest summers on record, I am more in love than ever with box. What a great plant it is. While everything else in the gardening was flustered and scorched, my English, Japanese, Korean and Dutch box hedges and balls were powering along, cool and collected. Here are some notes on how to care for your buxus.
- Once established – buxus is drought tolerant – if potted keep moist.
Buxus hate being over watered and soggy soil. - Buxus love a PH of 6.5 to 7.5 PH. They don’t like acidic soil. Use dolomite lime to neutralise the soil.
- When planting – plant up to lower branches. They do not get collar rot. This eliminates gaps under your hedge.
- When planting ‘bare rooted’ stock:
- Plant deep – up to and including lower branches
- Flood the roots with water – this eliminates air pockets – then water normally
- Always cut hedges on a cool day with quality hand shears – electric or petrol cutters tend to rip or shred hedges – and hand shears generally give a cleaner cut.
- Box loves chook manure or pellets. At least twice a year. If box hedges are going a bronze colour or yellow orange, check soil for too much water- or they may need a big feed of fertilizer and/or dolomite lime.
The Potting Shed 