Garden And Gardener

Everything for the Gardener and their Garden

Archive for May, 2013

New products at MowDirect

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

New items today at MowDirect

Mountfield 827M Compact Lawn Rider

Mountfield 827M Compact Lawn Rider £1099.00
The Mountfield 827M has one of the most compact cutting-widths of any ride-on mower (66cm), so will prove a great choice for those with gardens that have narrow gateways and similar space-restricted areas a larger machine would struggle to negotiate. Powering it is a trusty Mountfield 550-Series engine (196cc), which, thanks to its overhead valve positioning, you’ll find cheap to run; environmentally sound; and pleasingly smooth and quiet in operation. Mountfield have provided an electric key starter for stress-free ignition at each time of asking. The Mountfield 827M Compact Lawn Rider has a five-speed gearbox (four forward; one reverse), so you can choose the most appropriate forward speed for the grass-length and terrain you’re dealing with. For example long grass and/or rough ground would be best tackled at a slower speed; while a faster gear will be fine for a flat formal lawn. The roomy 150-litre grassbag on the Mountfield 827M is made from breathable fabric, which allows spent air to escape, in turn ensuring the maximum amount of clippings are packed in. The collector can be emptied from the driver’s seat. To help you deal with changing grass-conditions, and also to enable you to create your preferred finish, Mountfield have equipped this model with a six-stage cutting-height, which can be adjusted from 25 to 80mm. Optional accessories include a trailer-hitch and mulch-kit.

Read the rest of this entry »

Price reductions at Gardens and Homes Direct

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Gardens and Homes Direct has cut the price of these lines

Pack of 10 Galvanised Steel Ground Pegs

Pack of 10 Galvanised Steel Ground Pegs was £2.99 now £1.99
A pack of 10 versatile galvanised steel ground pegs for securing garden furniture, gazebos or tents to soft ground.Features:• Perfect for securing garden furniture, gazebos, bird tables and feeders or tents to soft ground.• Galvanised rust-resistant steel.Dimensions:Length 18cm/7in Diameter 4mm or 1/8th in.

Read the rest of this entry »

New products at Gardens and Homes Direct

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Gardens and Homes Direct has these new lines today

Suntime Curve Rattan Garden Swing Seat

Suntime Curve Rattan Garden Swing Seat £299.99
A beautiful piece of contemporary chic design, the Suntime Curve Rattan Garden Swing will look great in the garden, on the patio or at the poolside. Ultimately relaxing, the strong woven rattan-style, contoured seat is freely-suspended from a robust black powder-coated steel frame, allowing you to float in comfort on the thick, soft fitted cushion. Features: • Stylish contemporary design.• Strong and sturdy steel construction.• Smart, black coloured frame with contrasting removable beige cushion.• Weather-resistant design and build*. Dimensions: Height 190cm/75inOverall Depth 166cm/66.5inMax. Width 98cm/38.5in   *We advise that all garden furniture should be kept under cover during the winter months and in particularly adverse weather conditions.

Read the rest of this entry »

Price reductions at Thompson and Morgan

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Thompson & Morgan reduced the price on these products today

Fuchsia 'Duke of Wellington' - 3 Postiplugs

Fuchsia ‘Duke of Wellington’ – 3 Postiplugs was £7.99 now £4.99
The climbing fuchsia family is growing! New for this year we have burlesque, double-flowered ‘Duke of Wellington’. Create some really different screening or cover fences with this unique beauty, which climbs 6 feet and more

Read the rest of this entry »

New products at Thompson and Morgan

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Thompson & Morgan just added hundreds of new items

Narcissus 'Shrike' - 20 bulbs

Narcissus ‘Shrike’ – 20 bulbs £39.99
RHS AGM variety, Daffodil ‘Shrike’ is one of kind! Its pretty white petals unfurl to reveal a breathtaking, yellow centre surrounded by a collar of tiny, coral pink trumpets that turn a deeper pink as it opens and matures. These unique narcissus flowers boast superb weather resistance, lasting up to 15 days. Height: 35cm (14"’). Spread: 15cm (6"’)

Read the rest of this entry »

New products at Suttons Seeds

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

New items at Suttons Seeds

Chive Cha Cha Plant

Chive Cha Cha Plant £14.97
This beguiling development, with its punky head of spiky chive leaves, where flowers are normally formed, provides a very unusual but tasty talking point for the herb or ornamental garden. Flowers are replaced by a charming head of miniature chives which can be plucked and used as a garnish or incorporated as an element in a posy bouquet. When the ‘Cha Cha’ plants have concluded the production of the ‘mini chive’ heads, normal chive leaves continue to grow throughout the summer. Plus it’s cold hardy and very resistant to pests and diseases! Supplied in 9cm pots. Limited stock available.Entered for the Centenary Plant of the Year Award at RHS Chelsea 2013.

Read the rest of this entry »

New products at GreenFingers

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

GreenFingers just added hundreds of new items

Bermuda Pre-Formed Pond - Bay 460 litres

Bermuda Pre-Formed Pond – Bay 460 litres £59.99
Imagine the beauty of a fabulous pond in your garden without all the hard work and now make it a reality! The Bermuda Pre-Formed Pond Bay has a 460 litre capacity and is easily fitted so that anyone can install it. The shape is already determined so all you need to decide is where you will enjoy it the most. Place it close to an outdoor sitting area such as your patio or if possible close to a window so that you can view it from inside your house too. Wherever you decide to place it try to ensure that part of it is slightly shaded. It is manufactured from tough UV resistant high-density polyethylene for maximum durability and has a 20 year guarantee. It features an integral pump stand and an integral wildlife escape route. It is a great feature to add to your garden and one that you can turn into a fabulous focal point by adding aquatic decorations such as a fountain or rocks or even a bridge

Read the rest of this entry »

Grow an olive tree

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Whilst you’d probably want an italian hillside for your olive grove, you can grow an olive tree in your garden. These lovely olive trees available from crocus.


Olea europaea (olive tree – (mini 1/2 standard))
 £26.99
Position: full sun Soil: deep, fertile, sharply drained soil (or loam-based potting compost for container-grown specimens) Rate of growth: slow-growing Flowering period: June to August Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection in cold areas) As our climate gets milder, the popularity of olive trees continues to grow. Olives respond particularly well to pruning, and they look elegant and modern grown as standards with a long, clear stem. The leaves are pointed, grey-green and leathery and are retained all year. Tiny, fragrant, creamy-white flowers are followed in hot summers by edible, green fruits. Olive trees make excellent specimens for a sunny, Mediterranean-style garden, or try this standard in a large pot to frame an entrance or terrace. In milder winters it can be left outdoors in a sheltered spot, otherwise, it will need to be overwintered under glass. Garden care: To protect against wind damage stake using a low angled stake, driven into the ground on the windward side at a 45° angle. Water regularly during dry periods, keeping the planting area weed-free. Apply a top-dressing of a nitrogen-rich general purpose fertiliser twice or three times each year during the growing season. Size Guide: 1/2 Standard plants have a 40-45cm clear stem with a 25-30cm diameter head 3/4 Standard plants have a 70-80cm clear stem with a 35-40cm diameter head

Olea europaea (olive tree)
 £29.99
Position: full sun Soil: deep, fertile, sharply drained soil (or loam-based potting compost for container-grown specimens) Rate of growth: slow-growing Flowering period: June to August Flower colour: creamy-white Other features: in hot summers the flowers are followed by edible, spherical, green fruits Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection) Tiny, fragrant, creamy-white, summer flowers and grey-green leaves, retained all year. This elegant, evergreen tree makes an excellent specimen plant for a sunny, Mediterranean-style garden. In frost-prone areas it’s best grown in a large container under glass or planted at the base of a sunny, sheltered wall. Garden care: To protect against wind damage stake using a low angled stake, driven into the ground on the windward side at a 45° angle. Water regularly during dry periods, keeping the planting area weed-free. Apply a top-dressing of a nitrogen-rich general purpose fertiliser twice or three times each year during the growing season.

Bee friendly silver posie thyme

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

A great plant for the garden and the kitchen. Thyme is a lovely herb to grow and is one that you can use regularly in your cooking too. Harvest fresh thyme from your own garden. The bees will love this plant too.


Thymus vulgaris ‘Silver Posie’ (thyme)
 £5.99
Position: full sun Soil: well-drained neutral to alkaline soil Rate of growth: average to fast Flowering period: May and June Flower colour: bright purple to white Other features: the aromatic leaves are a useful ingredient in bouquet garni, stuffings and sauces; highly attractive to bees and other beneficial pollinating insects Hardiness: fully hardy Bright purple to white flowers in late spring and early summer and wonderful, white-margined, aromatic, grey-green leaves. This bushy, creeping thyme is an excellent ground cover plant. Perfect for a sunny rock garden or for edging paths and borders, the aromatic leaves are useful for making bouquet garni, stuffings and sauces. Garden care: After flowering cut back hard using garden shears to retain a neat compact shape. Lift and divide large clumps in early spring

False indigo

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Will grow to 1.5m tall and spread is 0.6m making this a great filler plant. It’ll self seed too and spread so is perfect for a garden with plenty of space that you want to fill with these beautiful flowers.


Baptisia australis (false Indigo)
 £4.99
Position: full sun Soil: deep, moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June Flower colour: dark indigo-blue Other features: the flowers are followed by dark grey seed- pods; mid- to deep green leaves Hardiness: fully hardy Upright spikes of dark indigo-blue, pea-like flowers in June, often flecked white or cream. False indigo is perfect for a well-drained border or a dry, sunny bank. Resist the temptation to cut the plant back in autumn since the seed-pods and slender stems look wonderful frosted in the winter garden. Garden care: Lift and divide large colonies in early spring