Plant Deliveries
Have you received a delivery of plants? Here’s some information about each variety, and how to look after them.
Bacopa Topia Mixed
Low-growing perennial but cannot handle cold temperatures so often grown as an annual. Grow to about 15 - 20cm in height and spreads/trails 50 - 60cm
An abundance of flowers in a mixture of blue and white throughout the summer months (from June to October).
Where to plant:
Grow Bacopa Topia in full sun to part shade. It will be okay in most soil types.
-Ideal to grow in a border, where it will quickly spread and cover bare ground under taller plants. Or plant along the top of a low wall, where it will cascade over.
-Great as a filler plant in any mixed container or hanging basket.
Care and maintenance
Low maintenance but suffers in dry soil so water every day in summer. If allowed to dry out, Bacopa will drop its flowers and stop flowering. It will take a week or two for it to send out a new crop of flowers.
Feed Bacopa regularly with a dilute solution of liquid fertilizer (7 to ten day intervals) in order to keep up with its rapid growth (if planted in containers with other flowers or vegetables, all the plants will benefit from a weekly feed).
Sometimes bothered by aphids, which can be removed with a strong blast of water from a hose or spray bottle. If that doesn’t work, treat them with a soapy spray. A little washing up liquid diluted in water will work fine.
No deadheading is required (and no pruning), they will just keep on producing masses of flowers all summer long.
You can take stem cuttings in late summer, grow on indoors over winter and plant out next year.
Further info:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/bacopa-plants/growing-bacopa-plants.htm
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Bacopa-Plants
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1_mGBZB9j8 – how to take cuttings
Calibrachoa Kabloom Mixed
Tender woody-based perennial usually grown as an annual. Commonly called million bells or trailing petunia. Height 8-20cm and spreads/trails to approximately 50-60cm.
Lots of leaves, along trailing stems with masses of ‘petunia like’, trumpet shaped flowers (in shades of either violet, blue, pink, red, magenta, yellow, bronze or white), throughout the summer (May to September).
Where to plant:
Calibrachoa flower best in full sun. They prefer free-draining soil so make sure they have good drainage.
-A trailing plant, perfect for hanging baskets. Also works well in other containers
-In a border as ground cover for a small area.
Care and maintenance
Low maintenance and easy to grow.
Keep soil wet but not soggy. If grown in containers, they will need watering more regularly.
Feed Calibrachoa regularly with a diluted solution of liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks (if planted in containers with other flowers or vegetables, all the plants will benefit from a weekly feed).
Deadheading is not required, the spent flowers will drop following flowering.
You can pinch out the growing tips regularly to encourage a more compact shape.
Can be propagated from stem cuttings in late summer, grow on indoors over winter and plant out next year.
Further info:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/million-bells/calibrachoa-million-bells.htm
https://www.thespruce.com/calibrachoa-great-container-plants-4125238
Dichondra Silver Falls
'Silver Falls' is a tender perennial, usually grown as an annual. Height up to 10cm and trailing up to 1.2m with a waterfall effect. Evergreen, heart-shaped, silvery leaves and very small pale yellow-green or white flowers in early summer.
Where to plant:
Grow best in full sun. Will also grow in partial shade but leaves will be more silvery in full sun. Do not like wet soils. Drainage is essential for them to thrive.
-Best in a position where its trailing silvery leaves can be appreciated, such as in a basket or tall container or from a wall. As they begin to mature they take on a delicate waterfall appearance.
-Also excellent ground cover but best in a position where it can trail.
-They are a great indoor plant, and with a little care, they will thrive! Use an indoor hanging basket or put on top of shelves. Choose a spot that gets some direct sunlight.
Care and maintenance
Plant out when all danger of frost has passed.
Will need weekly watering. In hot weather, a little more water helps.
Prefer warm, dry growing conditions and can handle heat and mild drought when established.
Do not need pruning.
Generally pest and disease free.
Move to a frost-free position overwinter.
If growing indoors, add grit/gravel to the soil to improve drainage. A saucer and pot is ideal. However, you can get away with a saucer-free pot by adding about 3 cm of pebbles to the bottom of the pot.
Further info:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/219360/Dichondra-argentea-Silver-Falls/Details
Hedera helix ‘gold’ trailing Ivy
Evergreen climbing or trailing shrub with light green young leaves, margined with bright yellow. Older leaves are grey-green edged with pale yellow. Grown for its foliage and does not produce flowers.
Where to plant:
Prefers full or partial shade. Although it will grow in full sun. Too much sun may damage the leaves. Will grow in most soils but prefers fertile soil.
-Ideal for hanging baskets and containers.
-Also grow in a border as ground cover, on banks or slopes or up a wall.
-Can be grown indoors in pots.
Care and maintenance
Water regularly.
Can be pruned at any time.
Can sometimes get aphids, scale insects and vine weevil.
Can be propagated from semi-hardwood stem cuttings in summer.
Further info:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/59375/Hedera-helix-Goldchild-(v)/Details
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ivy/ivy-plant-propagation.htm
Nepeta Trailing
Nepeta is a popular hardy, evergreen, spreading or trailing plant. It should survive normal winter conditions outside. The long trailing pale-green leaves have variegated cream splashes and a distinctive scent, along with small lilac to mauve flowers in summer. Height 15cm and spreads/trails 1 - 1.5m.
Where to plant:
Prefers full sun, or partial shade. Will tolerate most types of free-draining soil or compost.
-Great in a hanging basket on its own, or with other plants. Also good for tumbling over the sides of containers.
-Suitable for use as ground cover and will stay all year round (although it can become invasive).
Care and maintenance
Low Maintenance, vigorous growth, so can take over an area if planted in the ground.
Water regularly.
Watch out for slugs and snails.
Prune/cut back untidy foliage before new leaves grow in spring.
Can be divided and planted elsewhere, once established and can be propagated from softwood stem cuttings in summer.
Further info:
https://www.shootgardening.co.uk/plant/glechoma-hederacea-variegata
https://www.kernock.co.uk/acatalog/Nepeta-Grannilocks-U537.html
Lobelia Trailing Regatta Mixed
Lobelia Regatta is an attractive annual plant with a mass of small trailing flowers in shades of blue and white. It will flower from late spring/early summer and continues right up to the first frosts. Height 7 – 10 cm tall, trailing up to 1m.
Where to plant:
These plants require an area with full sun but will tolerate partial shade. They prefer moist, rich soil.
-Perfect in hanging baskets, window boxes and containers.
-Fantastic trailing over walls
Great in borders and as ground covers and can be used pretty much anywhere in your garden or yard.
Care and maintenance
Once established, lobelia does not need much maintenance.
Water little and often, enough to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Water more regularly especially in dry periods and if grown in hanging baskets or other containers.
Feed regularly with a general-purpose liquid fertilizer every 1-2 weeks (if planted in containers with other flowers or vegetables, all the plants will benefit from a regular feed).
Lobelia do not need deadheading, the spent flowers will drop on their own. If you have time though, it can help them to continue flowering well and to keep them looking good for longer.
Flowering may slow down in mid-summer, when it’s hotter. You can pruning them back, which will encourage new growth.
Lobelia are not susceptible to many diseases and pests.
Further info:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/lobelia/lobelia.htm