SEMSGARDEN

SEMSGARDEN

Author: admin

  • Always flowery compositions

    Always flowery compositions

    If the pots and planters composed in May still bloom in mid-August, they are running out of steam. Do not neglect the few required actions that will ensure a beautiful flowering until the first frosts, or even longer!

    Dahlia

    Dwarf dahlias adapt perfectly to growing in pots or planters. Mid-August, surface the pot by 1 cm, scraping the substrate with a fork, and fill with compost while continuing to water – the soil must remain cool – and add liquid fertilizer every 15 days.
    Remove faded flowers to induce the appearance of new flower buds and prolong flowering.

    Calibrachoa

    Calibrachoas, with their countless little petunia flowers to which they are close, will bloom well into November if given a boost.No need for daily cleaning, and faded flowers fall off by themselves. On the other hand, a small pruning, in the middle of summer, will help them to branch out and bloom more beautifully. Fold down each stem by a third. Continue the watering, without forgetting the fertilizer, every week, for these greedy.

    Diascia

    The diascias have been covered with florets since the beginning of summer, but they are starting to get tired. For their flowering to continue for the next three months, cut back the clumps by half. In order not to strip the pots all at once, stagger the cuts: one foot this week, another next week. Continue watering – the soil must remain cool, but not soggy – and add fertilizer every fortnight.

  • Planters: a pampering summer

    Planters: a pampering summer

    August, pots, and planters, put together several weeks ago, are in full bloom. So that they don’t get tired and stay beautiful until the frosts, be attentive and help them get through the hot weather.

    Even though the plants seem healthy, the soil is running out and they are running out of steam. In order for them to remain beautiful until frost, they must be given daily attention. The nutrients brought in at the beginning of summer have disappeared during repeated waterings. 

    The surfacing of planters and pots

    Scrape the surface soil, remove it and replace it with good compost, even if it is only about 2 cm, then mulch . These operations are not always easy to carry out when the vegetation has taken its place, especially with hanging plants. However, they are essential whether your pots are made up of annuals or perennials.

    Watering pots from summer to September

    Continue watering in the evening as long as it is warm. During September, when the nights cool, water is preferably in the morning. In hot weather, some plants, such as begonias or hydrangeas, require two daily waterings. Operate with a small watering can with a long spout so as not to wet the foliage, as this favors the appearance of diseases. 

    Cleaning

    • Every day, cut the faded flowers with scissors or pruning shears according to the size of the peduncles and branches.
    • Do not hesitate to cut back the stems if they seem exhausted because they will quickly reform.
    • Proceed in several stages so as not to strip the pots all at once.
  • What to do on a terrace when you return from vacation?

    What to do on a terrace when you return from vacation?

    Care to take after returning from vacation:

    • With pruning shears, cut off faded or rain-damaged flowers.
    • Refresh overly long branches that stick out.
    • Remove yellow leaves inside shrubs, impatiens, and geraniums.
    • Generously water pots and planters that lack water.
    • Empty saucers that are soaked with rain.
    • Pierce containers with non-existent or insufficient drainage.
    • Remove weeds that have grown in the pots.
    • Scratch the top of the pots to loosen and aerate the substrate.
    • Wash pots covered with green algae.
    • Feed your plants with granular or liquid fertilizers, for example, to make a chlorotic lemon tree green again.
    • Hang up the branches of the cucumber and tomato plants grown in a container.
    • Spray a natural black soap insecticide on all pots. Start again three days later in case of aphid invasion.
    • Pick up the dead leaves that line the floor of your terrace.
    • Inspect the irrigation network: seals, guns, taps, and programmers. Adapt the flow for the next few days.

    In the space of a week, your plants will regain all their splendor!

  • Planting dwarf bamboo

    Planting dwarf bamboo

    Whether it is creating a low hedge, decorating a pot on a terrace, or quickly covering an area, dwarf bamboo is a precious ally, but beware of invasion!

    Difficulty of planting

    Easy.

    When to plant dwarf bamboo?

    Fall or early spring.

    Prepare to plant dwarf bamboo

    Choose a beautiful subject in a container or pot. It must be free from pests and diseases: the foliage must be shiny.

    The establishment of an anti-rhizome barrier is necessary to avoid invasion:

    • Delimit the space with a rope and dig a trench 40 cm deep.
    • Install the anti-rhizome barrier respecting an inclination of approximately 15 °. This will facilitate the rise of the rhizomes to the soil surface.
    • Leave the barrier 2 cm above the ground to prevent the roots from jumping it.

    Work the soil: dig, remove the weeds and add well-decomposed compost.

    Before planting, let the pot soak for a quarter of an hour in a bucket of water to thoroughly hydrate the root ball and facilitate the unloading operation.

    Exposure

    Sun to partial shade.

    Ground

    Fresh rich and humus but never soggy.

    Distance between 2 dwarf bamboo plants

    1 meter.

    How to plant dwarf bamboo?

    • Deposit the plant, taking care not to injure the roots too much. If necessary, cut the pot.
    • Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball. Add compost at the bottom.
    • Install the bamboo. Recap.
    • Form a bowl at the foot of the plant to facilitate watering.
    • Leave a space of one meter between two subjects.

    After planting dwarf bamboo

    • Water copiously after planting.
    • Regular watering will be necessary, especially in hot, dry weather. The installation of an automatic sprinkler system can be considered.
    • Mulch the base of the plant to retain maximum humidity and protect the roots from any risk of frost.
  • Multiply a large grass by division

    Multiply a large grass by division

    There are two methods of multiplication. Seeding and clump division as here for this miscanthus sinensis. This can be done either in spring when the earth is warming, or in autumn when it is still warm.

    Divide the tuft:

    • Make a trench to clear the root ball.
    • Remove as much soil as possible around it.
    • Slice the rhizomes with a spade.
    • Keep the canes to pull it out of the ground.
    • Replace the soil in the hole by adding organic fertilizer.

    Plant the extracted tuft:

    • The earth must be worked in-depth and in width.
    • Add organic fertilizer rich in nitrogen and compost to the bottom of the hole.
    • Place the root ball in the hole.
    • Fill in the earth hole.
    • Water.
  • 8 decorative berry bushes for birds

    8 decorative berry bushes for birds

    In the front of the trees in autumn tones, spectacular fruit-bearing bodies hanging like lanterns play on streamers.

    In flower beds, thickets, hedges, or isolated on the lawn, trees or shrubs with berries and fruits are placed in your garden. Thanks to the latest types, you will be able to appreciate the eclectic palette of berries, fruits, and multi-colored drupes hanging on branches like precious stones to the very heart of winter. As for the decorative apple trees, of which there are so many, they are also invaluable for pollination in the garden and, thus, for excellent harvests.

    Viburnum, oleander, flounder, and callikarp

    Viburnums are full of fruiting species, like the blueberries of Viburnums and David oleander, those of pink “Pink Beauty”, and yellow of Xanthocarpum snowballs or red of many other choices, Burning bush and cotoneaster are also rich in fruit forms. At the foot of large shrubs, pink or white symphorines, callicarpas with turquoise berries, sacred bamboos with an Asian profile, pheasant trees, and generous tasty berries with a caramel smell are preferred. By installing these woody plants, you will place the birds, providing the best biological balance in the garden. They will save you from unwanted insects.

    Malus ‘Nicolas Hennebelle’

    The white flowering of the ‘Nicolas Hennebelle’ apple tree is followed by healthy foliage and long-lasting fruit.
    Cultivation conditions: the sun / calcareous soil/watering before recovery.
    Planting: in autumn or winter, for subjects with bare roots.
    Care: possible balance sizes at the end of winter.
    Our advice: it has an effect on its own and is a good pollinator in the orchard.

    Snowberry ‘White Edge’

    Snowberry ‘White Edge’ candy brightens up autumnal scenes with white.
    Cultivation conditions: the sun or in the shade / all soils / Watering before recovery
    Planting: in a ball or in a container from autumn to spring.
    Care: remove dried twigs.
    Our advice: it will be perfect under tall shrubs or trees

    Winterberry

    Female winterberry plants are prized for their abundant fruiting
    Cultivation conditions: partial shade / in humus soil, neutral to acid / sporadic watering
    Planting: in a container from November to April.
    Care: do not prune it, but rather pick opulent armfuls for Christmas.
    Our advice: its original hedges, cut at the end of winter, provide the setting.

    Penalty ‘Indian Magic’

    The compact habit of the ‘Indian Magic’ apple tree, with orange fruits, makes it suitable for small gardens.
    Cultivation conditions: the sun / in calcareous soil/watering before recovery
    Planting: with bare roots from November to March.
    Care: if necessary, prune this apple tree early in the spring.
    Our tip: its shiny leaves are disease resistant.

    Penalty ‘Crittenden’

    The red fruits of the ‘Crittenden’ apple tree are reminiscent of cherries until winter.
    Cultivation conditions: the sun / in calcareous soil/watering before recovery
    Planting: with bare roots from November to March.
    Care: treat this fruit tree against scab with Bordeaux mixture.
    Our advice: preserve its fruits from the greediness of the birds.

    Berberis ‘Superba’

    The thorny bushes of barberry ‘Superba’ offer fall foliage and scarlet berries.
    Cultivation conditions: the sun / all soils except wet / watering before recovery
    Planting: in a container from September to May.
    Care: powdery mildew can be prevented with sulfur sprays.
    Our advice: use barberry as a quickset hedge or defensive fence.

    Penalty ‘Countess of Paris’

    The ‘Comtesse de Paris’ apple tree explodes into a cloud of pinkish-white flowers, then into original fruit.
    Cultivation conditions: the sun / in calcareous soil/watering before recovery
    Planting: with bare roots from November to March.
    Care: prevent scab by spraying Bordeaux mixture.
    Our advice: plant this vigorous tree (H. 6 x spread. 5 m) isolated.

    Pyracantha ‘Yellow Sapphire’

    The fruits of the opulent burning bush ‘Yellow Saphyr’ take color late.
    Cultivation conditions: the sun / in drained soils/watering before recovery
    Planting: in a clod from September to April.
    Care: prune the hedges at the end of winter, not too short, to obtain good fruiting.
    Our advice: this variety is spectacular in isolation or free hedge.

  • Dipladenia Bella (Mandevillea x sanderi): advice on growing

    Dipladenia Bella (Mandevillea x sanderi): advice on growing

    Easy to grow, requiring only limited maintenance, the cultivars of the ‘Bella’ series offer their exceptional blooms throughout the beautiful season. In a compact version to decorate a balcony, this plant also finds its place to decorate trellises and pergolas in its climbing version. Something to satisfy all gardeners!

    Characteristics

    Soil: drained, rather dry
    Spread: 50 cm
    Planting: in May
    Flowering: from May to October
    Exposure: sun
    Use: open ground and pot
    Height: 35 to 1.20 cm depending on the variety

    Culture

    The new dipladénias of the ‘Bella’ series have been selected for their extraordinary floridity. Covering themselves with star flowers, these new varieties, very appreciated for their generous development, are declined from white with ‘White’, to pink with ‘Pink’ and ‘Pink Star’ a little darker and marked by a pale pink star in its heart, passing through red with the sumptuous ‘Red Compact’. The latter presents an ideal bushy habit in pots, while the other cultivars are more talkative and can be trained along a wall on a trellis. Easy to grow, requiring only limited maintenance, the dipladénias of the ‘Bella’ series ensure the show from May to October without weakening!

    • Wait until all risks of frost have been ruled out in the spring to plant the dipladenia ‘Bella’ because it is cold. Moreover, it can only be grown in the ground in regions with very mild winters. In the ground, it appreciates a light, well-drained soil and full sun to flower well. In the southernmost regions, it tolerates partial shade at the hottest hours of the day, especially when grown along a south-facing facade.
    • For planting in the ground, soak the root ball in a basin of water for half an hour. Meanwhile, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball in all directions. Pour at the bottom a mixture of sand and decomposed compost then install the dipladénia so that its collar is flush with the surface of the soil. Fill the hole and tamp the base of the plant before watering copiously. In soil, the waterings will be regular the time to ensure the recovery, then let dry the soil on the surface between two waterings.
    • In pots, choose a container pierced at the bottom to ensure water drainage. Make a layer of clay balls, then fill the pot with a mixture of potting soil and river sand to which a handful of dried blood will have been added. Install the plant in the pot before filling the gaps with this substrate. Pack and water. This plant does not require very much water, however, in a pot, the substrate dries very quickly. During the beautiful season, water when the mixture dries on the surface on 3 cm and never leave water in the cup. Add liquid fertilizer ‘Special flowering plants’ every 15 days to support flowering.
    • Not very hardy, dipladenia can only be grown in the ground all year round in regions where frost does not prevail, elsewhere it is necessary to winter it in a frost-free room. In this case, it will only be watered when the substrate is almost completely dry.

    Use

    The dipladenia ‘Bella’ offers a multitude of possibilities both in the garden and on a terrace or balcony. The variety ‘Red compact’, very resistant to the scorching sun and presenting a stocky habit (35 cm in height) finds its place in a pot on a balcony or a terrace, or even in suspension in the company of annuals. The varieties ‘White’, ‘Pink’ and ‘Pink Star’, more talkative (1.50m), will be trained along a facade, a pergola, or a fence.

  • Sowing catnip: tips and method

    Sowing catnip: tips and method

    Although cats are carnivorous, they also nibble on plants to eliminate hairballs when they vomit. But be careful in an enclosed space, the cat can attack green plants, which is a danger to its health. To guard against it, we explain to you how to sow plants called “catnip” made from grasses which will allow it to regurgitate without danger.

    What are catnip?

    Different kinds of grasses can be planted in the garden as well as indoors. These catnip are young shoots of wheat, barley, or oats.

    How to sow catnip

    1. Choose a deep enough container filled with universal potting soil.
    2. Broadcast seeds or one by one.
    3. Water copiously.
    4. Install the pot in heat and light.
    5. The grains rise very quickly.
    6. Place catnip on the windowsill or outside.
    7. Show catnip only when it is well developed.
    8. Renew the sowing every week to have fresh herbs available at all times.
  • Flowery compositions

    Flowery compositions

    If the pots and planters composed in May always bloom in mid-August, they run out of steam. Do not neglect the few actions required which will ensure a beautiful flowering until the first frosts, or even more!

    Dahlia

    The dahlias dwarfs are perfectly adapted to growing in pots or planters. In mid-August, surface the pot over 1 cm, scraping the substrate with a fork, and fill with compost while continuing watering – the soil must remain cool – and add liquid fertilizer every day. 15 days.
    Remove faded flowers to cause new flower buds to appear and prolong flowering.

    Calibrachoa

    The calibrachoas, with their countless small flowers of petunias they are close to, will bloom until November if they receive a boost.
    No need for daily cleaning, with faded flowers falling off on their own. On the other hand, a small size, in the middle of summer, will help them to branch out and flower more beautifully. Bend off each stem by a third. Continue watering, without forgetting the fertilizer, every week, for these greedy ones.

    Diascia

    The diascias are covered with flowers from early summer, but they begin to tire. To continue flowering for the next three months, cut the clumps in half. In order not to thin out the pots all at once, stagger the cuts: one foot this week, another next week.
    Continue watering – the soil should stay cool, but not soggy – and add fertilizer every two weeks.

  • Culture sheet: black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra)

    Culture sheet: black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra)

    In a hedge in the garden or on a pot terrace, its black canes and fine foliage bring a touch of exoticism. Black bamboo ( Phyllostachys nigra ) is not very cautious and can therefore be grown in many regions.

    Fast-growing, this medium-sized bamboo ( Phyllostachys nigra ) reaches 6 to 8 m in height in our climates. It’s fine, tight culms form a thick screen quite quickly. Olive green when it emerges from the ground, it gradually turns shiny black. Its fine foliage, of glossy dark green, very dense from the base to the top of the canes, persists in winter. Its rhizomes are not very invasive in heavy soils.

    Technical sheet

    Situation: rustic down to -20 ° C. The wind dries up the foliage from -10 ° C.
    Exposure: sunny or slightly shaded and sheltered from strong winds.
    Soil: ordinary, rich in organic matter.
    Family: Poacea.

    Planting

    In isolated tuft or in the hedge, spacing the feet from 1.50 to 2 m, associated with other bamboos with colored canes. It supports cultivation in containers placed outside or on a veranda.

    Interview

    If it snows, shake off the heavy stubble. Wait until the end of summer or fall to install it in the ground, surrounding it with an anti-rhizome barrier. Straw the footwell to protect the roots from the cold. It multiplies by dividing its rhizomes at the end of winter. Bring water in dry weather in all seasons.

    Variety

    The variety ‘Boryana’ is even more astonishing than the others with its glaucous green culms speckled with brown like a panther skin. She is also much more vigorous.