How to Grow Herbs

Picking herbs from your own garden is one of the best things a gardener can experience. With being the easiest grow, whether in borders, beds, windowsills or containers they can practically grow anywhere with the right amount of nutrients. Herbs can also be grown all year round and will potentially help you save yourself money but not buying them from the supermarkets.

When creating a herb garden, it’s worth knowing whether your chosen herbs are annual, biennial or perennial. Annual or biennial herbs such as Basil, Coriander, Dill, Parsley and Chervil are fast growers and may need to be sown at intervals throughout the spring and summer to make sure you have a fresh supply throughout the year. Perennial herbs such as Chives, Oregano, Mint, Sage, Thyme and Rosemary are a much slower growing herb and will need a more permanent home.

Annual and Biennial Herbs: Basil, Coriander, Parsley, Dill, Chervil, Chamomile, Summer Savoury, Marjoram, Purslane, Borage, Lemon Grass, Mexican Marigold and Rocket.

Perennial Herbs: Oregano, Mint, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Chives, Comfrey, Sorrel, Fennel, Russian Tarragon, Hyssop, Fennel, Lemon Balm, Meadowsweet, Horseradish and Lovage.

Herbs should be ideally grown in a sunny, well drained soil with a sheltered location. Heavy clay soil can be a problem, but if you incorporate some coarse grit and organic matter such as manure or compost it can improve the drainage and then the growth of your plants. On the other hand, if you have very acidic soil then add some lime when preparing the planting area.

There are a few herbs which will happily grow in shady conditions and moist soil, such as Chervil, Meadowsweet, Lemon balm, Parsley and Chives.

If you are growing herbs from a seed, then hardly any annual or biennial herbs such as Chamomile, Coriander, Dill and Parsley can be sewn from March until August.

Hopefully this has spurred you on to build your own herb garden or just start off with one herb and build it up. For anymore information give us a call on 01509 621 300 or email us at info@seagravenurseries.co.uk

Gardening for all ages

You may have read our previous blogs about why gardening is good for your health, or why children should get into gardening, but can everyone really enjoy gardening?In a word: YES! The passion to garden can come to someone at any time in life and for many reasons. There are numerous ways for you to express your green fingers! Whether you plant flowers, or grow vegetables and fruit bushes – you can let your imagination run wild in your garden.

If you have children, it's never too early to teach them the benefits of gardening. Gardening teaches them to appreciate and have respect for the Earth. They can learn about plant varieties and enjoy being outside for fresh air and exercise.
By the same token, retirement can be a fabulous time to take up gardening. Many people may be highly anticipating their retirement, and welcome at the end of their 9-5, but others can also dread the long periods of time without something worthwhile do to.

Having huge amounts of free time can be liberating for a while, but often it becomes overwhelming for retirees. If you want something meaningful and joyous to fill some of your free time the gardening really is a fantastic option. You may want to become a part-time gardener at home, or join your local horticulture club or community garden.

No matter the type of garden you choose to tend, gardening is wonderful for everyone for anyone who chooses to pursue the hobby. If you love gardening, or want to get into gardening then you have to take a look around our website, and if you have any questions or would like any advice you can call us on – 01509 621300!

Why children should consider gardening as a career?

Do you ever wonder why children these days don’t really consider being a gardener when they grow up? It’s not exactly on the top of youngsters list of dream careers it is? Maybe it’s because they’re not taught anything about it, or because they think it’s boring, or because they think it’s something their parents and grandparents do at the weekends? Whatever the reason, we think it’s a real shame that more school leavers aren’t interested in horticulture.

But how do you persuade school leavers that horticulture is a career worth getting out of bed for? The Horticulture Matters campaign revealed that is 2012, 70 per cent of 18-year-olds regarded horticulture as only for dummies, i.e. those who ‘failed academically’.

So why should youngsters consider gardening as a career? For a start, there are loads of different jobs in gardening! Such as -

• Gardener
• Garden designer
• Florist
• Environmental scientist
• Horticultural journalist
• Greenkeeper
• Aboriculturist
• Vegetable grower
• Garden centre manager
• Landscape contractor
• Landscape architect
• Park ranger
• Plant breeder
• Soil scientist

There is a big demand for skilled gardeners! Horticulture contributes £9 billion to the UK economy every year, and employs around 300,000 people across a variety of disciplines. However, 70% of businesses say that they struggle to find the skilled workers they require and put this down to the poor perception of horticulture in schools!

In our last blog we discussed how gardening is good for your health – so why wouldn’t someone want at make a career out of it!? Gardening can help you keep fit, lower your blood pressure strengthen your immune system, relieve stress and make you happy – how many other jobs can offer these benefits?

There is a reason people take up gardening as a hobby – it’s enjoyable! Children should be encouraged to consider gardening as a career if for no other reason – they will probably enjoy it!

If you love gardening then you have to take a look around our website, and if you have any questions or would like any advice please call us on – 01509 621300

Why gardening is good for your health

You may have gathered that here at Seagrave we love gardening, and frankly it's a good thing! Gardening is a hobby that can actually improve your physical health and mental wellbeing...

Lowers your blood pressure

Just 30 minutes of moderate-level physical activity a few times a week can prevent and control high blood pressure. In fact, gardening scored a place on The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's recommendation list for lowering high blood pressure!

It burns calories

Those of you who already spent you spare time tending to your gardens will be delighted to hear that gardening is considered a moderate- to high-intensity exercise. Apparently you can burn up to 330 calories during just one hour of light gardening work, which is more than lifting weights for the same amount of time!

Strengthens your immune system

While you're outdoors enjoying burning all those calories, you'll also soak up plenty of vitamin D from the sun, which helps the body absorb calcium. In turn, calcium helps keep your bones grow strong and your immune system healthy – what a bonus!

Relieves stress and makes you happy

Gardening is taken up by so many people who want to calm down, relax and unwind – it’s a wonderfully productive (and cheap) way to forget about the world. There is also research into the emotional impact of being around flowers. We don’t know why, but we smile when we’re around flowers and plants, and according to research, gardening can have positive effects on your mood.

Here at Seagrave Nurseries, we are dedicated to supplying plants for people who do not want to pay garden centre prices. 

If you love gardening then you have to take a look around our website, and if you have any questions or would like any advice please call us on – 01509 621300

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Rain Gardens: What are they?

A rain garden is a brilliant way to add beauty and eco-friendly benefits to your garden. The concept is simple - strategically placed plants help to absorb excess rainwater before it can flow off and dirty our rivers and streams as storm water run-off.

In its simplest form, a rain garden is a shallow ‘basin’, with absorbent and free draining soil and vegetation that can withstand occasional temporary flooding. Rain gardens are designed to imitate the natural water retention of undeveloped land and to reduce the volume of rainwater running off into drains from impervious areas and treat low level pollution.

Everyone can help address the impact of climate change without making major lifestyle changes, and one simple and easy way is by changing the way you manage your outside space. A rain garden can help to reduce localised flooding whilst still providing an enjoyable area for the benefit of both wildlife and you and your friends and family.

 Providing rain gardens is part of a growing desire to have more sustainable drainage systems. Water is a vital resource for people and wildlife. In the UK we expect to have enough water to meet our needs - having water readily available is something we often take for granted.

Just one rain garden can make a small but positive difference in addressing localised flooding and the quality of the local water environment. Alongside other sustainable drainage systems and actions to tackle diffuse pollution, rain gardens can be an effective part of a bigger solution.

First developed in the USA in the 1990s, Rain gardens have become increasingly popular. Rain gardens aim to absorb all the rainwater that flows into them. If you are interested in transforming your outdoor space into a rain garden, you can find a very useful guide here.

Here at Seagrave we supply hardy architectural specimen plants for people who do not want to pay garden centre prices. Make sure you come to us for all your garden needs. 

Create your own contemporary garden

If you want a fresh new look for your garden that will look great and be easy to maintain you should go for a contemporary garden design.

Contemporary garden designs increasingly focus on turning an outdoor space into an additional living area. Often coined an ‘outdoor room’, this approach to modern garden design work well for those who want a beautiful space to enjoy, but perhaps don’t have the time to maintain a fruitful garden.

When it comes to planting, a popular approach in contemporary garden design is simplifying the space. Large lawned areas and continuous planted borders are swapped for more strategically placed organic elements, which can create a clutter-free look to your garden and reduce the amount of maintenance needed.

The plants become just one part of the architecture. You can include clipped hedges, specimen trees and uncomplicated sections of planting.

Grasses and bamboos are very easy to care for, grow quickly and can help break up areas. Large planters are useful if you have no planting areas and can be moved around easily.

Crisp, clean lines are an essential part of contemporary garden design, which can be applied to gardens of all shapes and sizes. Equally important is the use of space, geometric layout, simple design, and no clutter!

Here are some of our plants that will fit in beautifully in a contemporary garden design -

Brahea Armata Mexican Blue Palm 
Striking blue/grey colour makes this hardy palm stand out from the crowd.
Likely to reach approximately 12 feet (4 metres) in U.K, the Brahea Armata Mexican Blue Palm is indigenous to Mexico and looks beautiful.










Black Bamboo Phyllostachys Nigra 
Famous black caned bamboo which fits into any garden either modern or traditional. This bamboo produces canes which go black in their third year, beautifully offset by deep green foliage.








Ophiopogon Planiscapus Niger Black Grass
This black grass will grow to 25cm/ 10 inches and they will beautiful produce white flowers tinged with purple in summer.
They are evergreen and frost hardy and perfect for the modern, contemporary garden design.





Contemporary garden design means you can approach the project in the same way you would an interior design project. We have so many more beautiful potted plants, large planters, grasses and bamboos online for your perusal.

Come to us to create your own contemporary garden space!

Plants with Natural remedies and medicinal values!

A lot of plants not only look beautiful, but they can also have natural medicinal value. Natural remedies are not some new age hippy craze; they have actually been around for thousands of years by people all over the world. Plants are actually the basis of so many of the medicines and beauty products we use today.

In fact, it’s even possible to make your own natural remedies, health products and cosmetics from plants, from mouthwashes to insect repellent. Here are a few plants that we found make interesting natural remedies...

GREEN TEA = MOUTHWASH

Green tea is one of the latest fads, claiming to detox and help with weight loss by speeding up metabolism. Tea plants can actually be grown in the UK and used for much more than drinking. People use green tea leaves for making mouthwash! It’s naturally high in fluoride and is anti-inflammatory. This means it can help with all kinds of mouth issues, from bad-breathe to fighting plague.

OLIVE TREE = FACE MASK

Olive trees can also be grown in the UK and they have many benefits besides growing olives. The leaves on olives can be boiled down to extract oil which makes a fantastic, low-cost face mask when mixed with clay powder. Naturally fragrant and packed with anti-oxidants, a natural olive leaf face mask will leave your skin soft, smooth and super fresh!

ALOE PLANT =TREATMENT FOR CUTS AND BURNS

This one is a bit better known as there are a number of products out there that contain aloe in them, such as after sun and moisturiser etc. However you don’t need to buy such products to reap the benefits of the Aloe plant. Simply cracking open one of the leaves will reveal the aloe gel which you can rub straight on to burns or grazes for relief. It naturally cools the skin and acts as an inflammatory, hence its use to soothe sunburn and burns. 

LEMONGRASS PLANT – INSECT REPELLENT

You may have tasted lemongrass countless time in your life in dished such as Thai green curries, but its qualities don’t end in satisfying your taste buds. Lemongrass is actually used across the world for a number of things from toothpaste to perfumes! What many people don’t realise it that it’s a fantastic insect repellent. Rub it on your skin to release the natural oils and not only does it repel insect and bugs, it will actually kill them! An added bonus is that unlike many insect repellents on the market, this natural alternative smells great - like lemon sherbet!

So there you have it, plants are great for pretty much everything! These are just a few examples, please tell us if you have any of your own! Here at Seagrave we are dedicated to supplying hardy architectural specimen plants for people without charging towering garden centre prices. If you have any questions or would like any advice please call us on – 01509 621300!

The most weird and wonderful plants in the world..

Here at Seagrave Nurseries we’re pretty obsessed with our plants. Our world is covered with plants, and we are surrounded by some of the most beautiful of nature’s creations everywhere we go. Plants have a bad rep for being motionless, basic and uninteresting, but we TOTALLY disagree. Here are some of the coolest, weirdest and most wonderful plants that exist, challenging the boring stereotype that plagues their kingdom!

The Corpse Flower

As its name elegantly suggests, the corpse flower is a smelly beast, happily wafting the stench of rotting flesh. Nice, right?  Not only does it smell strongly like a decaying corpse, it looks like it just hopped out of a sci-fi film.

Coming from the forests of Sumatra, it's not actually one big flower; it’s actually thousands upon thousands of little male and female flowers. As the spathe begins to open up, the spadix becomes a gas chamber, warming its natural oil and emitting noxious fumes for 8 to 12 hours to attract pollinating beetles[1]. What’s most impressive it that a mature one of these monsters can weigh up to 200 pounds!

Venus Flytrap

Not many plants eat things besides sunlight, but this plant is carnivorous! This makes the Venus Flytrap really feel it like it might be from another planet. 

They have trigger hairs which activate the trap when two are touched within 20 seconds of each other. The teeth-like spikes act as interlocking fingers to lock the prey inside and then the rest is done with digestive juices.[2]

Silver Torch Cactus

This it is a very unusual cactus indeed. It's woolly for a start, and it grows pretty unusual flowers. But weirder still, is that this cactus actually prefers cold temperatures!

It can stand frosts up to -10 degrees and it lives in the high mountains of Bolivia and Argentina, were it gets strong sunlight and water in the summer months. So Cacti don’t just belong in the dessert!

Skunk Cabbage

This huge, putrid smelling North American member of the Aurum family leaves little to be desired. Despite looking quite pretty, the aroma from it is often mistaken for an enraged skunk, hence it’s name.  Again this unusual looking plant looks like some kind of alien artefact. Human consumption of the wrong parts of these plants in excessive quantities can cause death from severe calcium oxalate poisoning. The calcium oxalate is an extremely corrosive toxin that burns into the flesh and can shut down organ systems, so we wouldn’t recommend tucking in!

Victoria Amazonica

Commonly known as giant waterlillies and famous for having leaves so large and sturdy that you could place a child or even a petite woman upon one without the risk of sinking, these beauties are pretty incredible. The ends fold up to avoid overlapping with their pals and the bottom of them are covered in thorns to protect from being eaten. Their flowers are enormous, beautiful, and change colour over the course of the lily's lifetime. [3]

We hope you’ve enjoyed our blog. We at Seagrave are dedicated to supplying hardy architectural specimen plants for people who do not want to pay garden centre prices. If you have any questions or would like any advice please call us on – 01509 621300


[1] http://www.chron.com/news/bizarre/article/Hold-your-nose-Corpse-flower-to-bloom-at-1597222.php

[2] http://www.sarracenia.com/faq/faq2100.html

[3] http://gardenofeaden.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/the-giant-amazon-water-lily.html

Give your loved one a TREEMENDOUS Valentines gift

With Valentines just a few days away many of you will be scrambling around for ideas to surprise your loved ones. Candle-lit dinners are being planned, reservations being made and heart-clad cards are being purchased in preparation for the special day. 

So if you’re looking for a unique and unparalleled gift for the special person in your life, look no further!

Here at Seagrave Nurseries we stock a wide range of plants and trees for under £50 that would make for the ideal Valentines surprise! Here are a few reasons why -

• Trees and plants are symbolic! With a little bit of tender loving care and attention, plants and trees flourish and grow – just like the love between two people in a relationship.
•  They’re suitable for both sexes
• They make a unique gift for the person who has everything
• They are suitable for indoor and outdoor use
• They are top-quality – a special gift for your special person

So if you’re after a meaningful, one of a kind present, why not head to Seagrave Nurseries?

Chocolates and roses are a thing of the past; surprise your Valentine with an Olivetree or a Lavender Hidcote instead.

Order online before 12 noon and there’s a very good chance you will receive your plant the very next day – in time for the big day! Alternatively you can visit us and pick up you present in person. 

Create your own peaceful Japanese Garden

There is something quite calming and stress relieving about an Asian style garden. Using a combination of plants, colours, ground textures and structures, Japanese gardens are highly stylized and depict a miniature idealized landscape.

There are certain features that are sure to give your garden a taste of the orient.

Water

Water is a natural element and as such it belongs in your garden. Western gardens focus on colours and the visual appearance where as a Japanese garden focus more on nature and the natural flow of outdoors.

Water or something that represents water such as white sand in dry gardens is always represented in a Japanese garden. Any pond included in a garden should be an irregular shape to convey a natural shape.

Rocks and plants can be included in the ponds which will also help the pond look more natural and not man-made.

Trees and Plants

Although a Japanese garden attempts to symbolize nature, there is nothing wild or random in its design. Even the plants are well thought out to create the look, whether it’s for strong greens of conifers to last all year, or the changing of vivid reds in Autumn which make the gardens in Kyoto so famous.  We recommend Acers for creating this lovely bright red in Autumn.

No tree is more synonymous with Japanese culture is that of the Bonsai plant. The trees are pruned and trimmed to retain their unique shape and to not over shroud the rest of your garden.

At Seagrave Nurseries we stock a range of Bonsai trees in a variety of heights and sizes so you can find a perfect fit for your Japanese inspired garden. They’re easy to care for as long as you give them a trim every now and again.

Rocks and Sand

As mentioned, sand represents the flow of water in a dry garden. It often has lines raked into it to create a visual effect of movement and the flow of water.

Rocks are often placed in the sand to represent mountains and the earth.  If they are placed in a formation of three, the tallest represents heaven, the middle size represents humanity and the shortest symbolises the earth.

Stone features

Stone lanterns are a common feature which originally served the purpose of locating the temples they were placed around.

As gardens are often the setting for tea ceremonies, water basins were a common feature. Guests would be encouraged to wash their hands and mouth before entering the tea house.

Remember

Keep the garden simple. Don’t be tempted to include every feature of a Japanese garden all in one.

Browse our full range of trees, topiary and plants in person and see what fits with your garden whatever the theme. Our nursery is situated in Leicestershire. Contact us today for more information on our nursery plants

Winter gardening tips

The temperature is really dropping now. We've had a relatively mild November but now that our cars need de-icing in the morning, it’s clear that December is bringing in the wintry weather.
It’s going to require a lot more motivation and determination to pick yourself up from the cosy sofa but just a small amount of time treating your garden will prepare it for optimal spring planting.

If you’re having an outdoor Christmas tree make sure it is cared for. Place the cut trunk in water to allow the tree to drink naturally and like other trees keep it out of harsh winds and keep it sheltered. After the festive season it can be re-potted.

To protect your trees and shrubs from frost make sure to wrap them in fleece or protective wrapping such as straw. It might also be necessary to provide a wind break for plants in order to protect them from cold harsh winds. Though most trees will have long lost their leaves by now, dogwoods have beautifully coloured barks and are showcased well during the winter.

A white Christmas may be on everyone’s wish list this winter but snow may damage your trees. Make sure excess snow is brushed off branches and leaves as it can ruin the shape of your tree by breaking limbs. Herbs may need to be brought inside or wrapped up to protect from frost as well, especially if they are going to be used for your festive dinners.

Holly is the most iconic Christmas plant and if you want yours to remain full of fruits to use for decoration on the big day, you should keep it netted to prevent birds and other animals from leaving it fruitless.

If wildlife is a keen focus of yours and for your garden, make sure you have plenty of bird feeders that are well stocked during the colder months. Natural sources of food are sparse and an array of helpful bird feeders will attract plenty of red breasted Robins to your garden.

For any questions or advice on preparing your garden for winter, or ideas on what to try for your garden next year, then please contact Seagrave Nurseries.

Real vs. Fake Christmas trees

With little less than 7 days until December arrives Christmas is only around the corner meaning that thoughts are already turning to preparations for gifts, cards and decorations.

Each festive season there are always new takes on the old Christmas traditions, modern and contemporary decorations, colour schemes and themes.

Whatever your take on this festive season, it is likely you will still be upholding the old school tradition of a Christmas tree in your home or office and will find yourself confronted with the choice between a fresh, real tree or an artificial plastic version.

Artificial Christmas trees first appeared in the 1930’s and since then their appearance has become more widespread, however, what most people don’t realise though is that the best choice is always the most natural, and here’s why:

-          Cycle of life – Real Christmas trees are grown on farms in crops to maintain a constant, steady supply so while many people do believe purchasing a real tree can cause harm to the environment it actually supports the growth of the industry contributing to the cycle of life that can improve our environment. This happens because each tree absorbs CO² and other gases emitting oxygen as nature’s natural filtration system.

-          Recyclable – Landfills are faced with a shortage of space, with this in mind a real Christmas tree can be disposed of and used a mulch to replenish soil, create habitats and fuel while fake plastic Christmas trees have no further use once they are rubbish, do not disintegrate and will fill landfill space.

-          Scent – A real Christmas tree can bring a fresh scent of balsalm fir to your home which cannot be replicated and adds to that Christmassy feel and comfort often missing at Christmas time. If you’re having guests over for the holidays, give them that fresh ambience.

-          Unique – Because real Christmas trees are grown naturally they are all individual meaning that even though you may decorate your tree with ornaments that feel individual to you, your tree will be like no one else’s either, in height, width or stature. Go as large or as small as you want.

If you’re a garden centre or domestic homeowner and are looking for a Christmas tree or wholesale Christmas trees to sell this December take a look at our website with some great offers to be had.

Plan & Prep your garden hedge

Hedges have been an important part of the British landscape and wildlife attraction for many centuries. Whether you’re an amateur or veteran gardener, knowing when to plant one and how to prepare your hedge for the cooler and more brisk temperatures is key to a beautiful and thriving display for your gardens.

Hedges are typically planted for varied purposes to usual plants and shrubs found in the gardens, whether for protection, as an alternative to a fence or to prevent windbreak, they are a diverse form of plant life and therefore should be planted and maintained differently to other garden plants.

As the mists, darker evenings and winter chill appears in the air, believe it or not, now is the time to start planning your hedge planting.

Here are a few Seagrave Nursery tips to help you on your way to hedging heaven:

What hedge?

There are many types of hedging plants out there, but depending on how quickly you want results you will need to decide between the smaller hedging plants (whips) which are usually cheaper and easier to establish or larger plants which will provide boundaries a lot quicker. 

Deciduous hedges and evergreen hedges are ideal for planning early- mid autumn so the soil can be worked easily.

When?

The planting season starts when plants are lifted from nurseries like ours so usually October until early March. Make sure that if your soil is light you plant before Christmas and that for heavier clay-type soils you plant after Christmas so that there is less chance of water logging which can cause harm to your hedge particularly as they are more prone to risk after they have first been planted.

Prepare

Wherever you are planting your hedge you will need to ensure that the ground has been prepared enough so plough and cultivate. Kill any weeds with herbicide a long time prior to planting and consider organic mulches. The more preparation that goes into the ground, the more successfully formed your hedge will be.

Preparation is the most important part before planting any type of hedge, whether one or many.

At Seagrave Nurseries we can provide you with the correct guidance and advice to ensure that your hedges fulfil their potential.

At present we are offering customers 25% off the marked price of everything for a limited period only. Please browse our current range of hedging plants which can be brought in bulk or as single pieces.

Autumn gardening tips

Sadly for some, summer is almost over, but there is still plenty of jobs that that you can do to keep your garden looking beautiful and your plants flourishing – in fact contrary to popular belief the autumn and winter months should not be wasted and utilised as times to get the most out of your garden ready for next Summer.

The upcoming months of September and October provide the perfect time to get outside while temperatures are moderate and evenings are still light.

Here are some of our top tips to get the most out of your garden before winter sets in.

One last feed

Consider Autumn as preparation for your garden to go into hibernation over the winter months. Just like animals, your gardens will need to store food in order to survive.

Clear the moss and weeds from any areas of the grass to enable moisture and sunlight to get to it so that it doesn’t wilt. Consider purchasing lawn feed to balance out the nutrients of the soil and help your grass stay alive and looking a healthy shade of green throughout winter.

Expand your garden
If you are looking to expand your garden or completely renovate your current plants, shrubs and hedges then believe it or not, autumn is in fact the best time to do this, as new plants can make a strong start and have plenty of time to bed in before the colder weather appears.

The dormant season of late autumn is the best time to plant hedges purchased with bare-rooted whips from specialist nurseries like ours. These younger hedges are much cheaper than buying traditional pot-grown hedges from garden centres, planting them now will mean quicker growth in spring.

If you’re looking for an autumn flowering hedge, consider Fagus Sylvatica (Beech) which can brighten even the dullest of days with leaves that change to a copper colour but don’t fall until winter is over to be replaced by new leaves.

This applies with lawns too; seeds should be given the opportunity to take root before winter.

Take cuttings

Do you want to make new plants from the ones that you already have in your garden? If so, autumn is the time to make plant and create new growths, particularly if you own a greenhouse. Cuttings should be around 10cm tall and any lower leaves should be removed before planting in small pots of premium grade soil.

It is vital to keep them moist and watered, protecting them from strong winds and direct sunlight which can cause them to wilt.

Hardwood herbs such as rosemary or native banksias work particularly well at this time. 

Prepare your soil

Protecting your soil by keeping vital nutrients, which are needed for it to remain fertile, will ensure that your garden has a great head start at the beginning of the year to last all year long. Introducing wood chippings or mulch on top of your soil will protect your soil, particularly between plants and shrubs were nutrients are key for the winter months.

Earthworms cultivate the soil, so you will want to ensure that you have a healthy amount of earthworms in your soil. Adding organic matter like manure and leaves will improve the quality of your soil and attract worms.

For any questions or advice on preparing your garden for autumn, or plans you can grow over the course of the next season please contact Seagrave Nurseries.

How to care for your tree fern

Making up the Cyatheales group of ferns, Tree Ferns are groups of plants which take on a tree-like form and can grow -with the right care- up to 20 metres tall. Slow growing and striking in appearance they are ideal for placement in a sheltered and shady garden with plenty of space to thrive, as the plant can often spread.

We are excited about the arrival of our new batch of Tree Ferns at the end of this week and to celebrate we thought we would give you a comprehensive guide on how to care for yours to ensure that they flourish in your garden all year round.

As slow-growing plants that can increase at almost one inch per year you may want to consider purchasing a fern with a longer length of trunk to ensure it fills the space that you want to satisfy.

What to look for?

Look for healthy and undamaged crowns with new fronds of leaf and a well developed root system that is likely to adapt quickly to your garden, you will spot this by how robust the roots are in the container, don’t pick one that sits loose.

Ensure that the plant is completely pest free and has no aphids or scales on the leaves, ferns need to have a good start in life, so this is vital. Also make sure that your fern is good shape, this is especially important if it has been dug out of a pine forest.

Where and how to plant?

Our ferns generally flourish in full or half shaded gardens so avoid direct sunlight as this can dry the plant out. However, ensure that it is likely to get some and is not completely in the shade and protected from the wind.

If you have an outdoor tap and connected hose, perhaps consider planting near here. As your fern will need a lot of water.

Make sure that your soil is well drained upon planting and consider adding organic matter to help the new plant establish itself while providing an easy way for the roots to grow.

If your soil is heavier or made up of clay components then you will more than likely need to dig a hole that is twice the size of the container the fern comes in and line it with compost to improve drainage and conditions for the plant.

Feed and water

The trunk and crown of a tree fern will not withstand drying out so require regular and efficient watering, so make sure the plant remains damp and during hotter conditions, spray the trunk with water.

Unless you live in the wetter parts of the UK you will need to keep on top of watering and you will soon see newer fronds appearing perhaps 4 weeks after planting. 

Don’t feed your fern initially, once established look to feed the plant with liquid high nitrogen fertiliser, diluted as required once a month when the plant is in growth from mid-spring to summer, this will stimulate natural growth. 

Winter care

It is likely your plant will lose its fronds over the winter months, but this is natural and to be expected.

Prepare for winter forts by using our top tip of pushing hay into the crown for insulation on the immediate onset of colder temperatures, this will encourage fresh fronds to grow as spring approached by which time the hay will have rotted away and bestowed nutrients into the ferns growth serving two purposes at once. 

In the more severe winters consider Hessian blankets and wrap these around the trunk for further warmth.

Containers

Tree ferns can be grown in containers, pots, and in greenhouses as long as there is filtered light and only moderate humidity – use loam-based compost and adding fertilizer once a week droning growing season.

Many of our tree ferns are imported from Australia and are truly stunning additions to any garden. We are expecting new batch on July 31st and these can be ordered online however fronds will be removed prior to dispatch. We also offer wholesale prices for our ferns.

Or, why not come and browse our full range in person and see these truly beautiful plants for yourself? Our nursery is situated in Leicestershire. Contact us today for more information on our nursery plants.

Why is Spring the best time to start planting?

So you have been waiting all Winter and Spring has finally arrived. Why does that signify the start of the planting season?

Well, during Spring plants get the perfect conditions to grow. The wet/damp weather gives them the water they need in order to develop. In Spring the longer days mean that the plants will have more daylight and warmth from the Sun which raises the temperature of both the air and soil making the plant grow to its full potential.

In addition the warmer weather and longer days also means that we are more inclined to get out and work on the garden too.

When you have planted the plants that you want to grow, after time the plant will begin to grow a root which will anchor it’s self into the soil. If all the conditions are right, the bulb should grow as expected. But remember that when you plant your seeds/bulbs you will need to ensure you have given the seeds enough space to grow into strong, healthy plants. If they are too crowded they won't have enough light, water or food, which mean that the plant may not grow to its full potential and may even die.

So if you want to plant any seeds, Spring is the perfect time to do it. It is the time seeds germinate naturally in woods, fields and gardens.

At Seagrave Nurseries we can provide a full range of Plants ideal for planting in the Spring, including varieties such as the Famous black caned bamboo which fits into any garden either modern or traditional. This bamboo produces canes which go black in their third year, beautifully offset by deep green foliage. We also have vast Palm trees featuring a striking blue/grey colour which makes these hardy palms stand out from the crowd. These plants can reach approximately 12 feet (4 metres) when planted in U.K. Now that Spring has finally come around this year you can now plant these trees with no hesitation.

For more information please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions on 01509 621 300. 

The Art of Topiary

Topiary is a popular and fascinating past-time for both professional and hobbyist landscape gardeners. In-fact the Term “Topiary” is actually derived from the Latin term “toparius” which broadly means landscape gardener. For many it is seen as an art form, and accomplished Topiarists can produce complicated and imaginative creations by training, clipping, trimming and weaving plants into pre-determined shapes.

The term topiary is also given to plants which have already been shaped.

At Seagrave Nurseries we stock a wide range of plants, trees and shrubs that are ideal for Topiary. From Bay Trees to Yew Trees or Bonsai to Buxus we can provide plants that are pre-shaped into Balls, Cones, Cubes or Spirals, or plants that you can take away to shape yourself.

Evergreen varieties of shrubs and sub-shrubs tend to provide the best topiary, as they tend to have branches that grow close to each other and small leaves or needles that are easier to train into shapes. In addition evergreens do not lose their leaves/needles during the winter so they provide a good all-year-round spectacle.

If you want to create your own topiary art, then it is possible to buy or make wire “formers” which are predetermined shapes that you can use as an outline to train and clip your shrub around. Also, it is usually easier to start with a young, but strong and bushy plant that can be trained rather than trying to mould a mature plant into your creation.

If you are after inspiration, then there are some very fine examples of Topiary Gardens available to view around the country; many English Country Houses and Stately Homes have elaborate sculptures of animals and geo-metric shapes. Hampton Court’s Privy Garden is always stated as a good place to view exquisite Topiary creations.

So if you are looking for either a plant that has been pre-shaped or one that you can shape yourself then come and see the range that we have available, or purchase directly from our website.

7 Reasons to Consider Bamboo.

We have a wide range of Bamboo available at our Nurseries in Seagrave.

We have both Black and Gold Bamboo in stock and here are seven reasons why you should consider Bamboo:

1. Bamboo is a great plant to consider if you want to add a bit of colour variety to your Garden. Although its shoots start off as green, after a couple of years the shoot will turn to a jet black or golden brown depending upon the variety chosen. A great way to mix up the colours and add a bit of variety.
2. It is a giant grass so it therefore grows relatively quickly in relation to larger tree or foliage options, so it is a good option if you need to fill space in a relatively quick way.
3. Bamboo can be planted all year round and can reside in shade or sunlight. It is therefore a good plant to situate in small gardens that do not get all year round sunlight, or conversely in open space that will get a lot of sunlight.
4. It is a relatively sturdy plant, especially for a Grass, so again it can be situated in areas where other more sensitive foliage will not prosper.
5. Bamboo does not need as much attention as some alternatives when it is planted outside.
6. Bamboo can make a very good house plant that will grow nicely if looked after properly.
7. As Bamboo is a very robust and strong plant it is also ideal for planting for other uses, it can be used for fencing or flooring and is used in Asia in the construction industry.

So if you fancy trying out Bamboo, why not come along to our Nursery and speak to our experienced staff about the best option for you, or alternatively visit our website for more information.

Laurel Hedging

At Seagrave Nurseries we stock a wide range of laurel hedging all available to buy online or from our Barrow Upon Soar nursery. We are dedicated to only providing the finest quality evergreen hedging and our competitive prices make us the first choice for all your hedging requirements.

If you’re looking to mark your boundary and are deciding between a fence and a hedge, laurels are a great choice. Not only do they look beautiful, but they are more affordable than fencing and as well as offering privacy and security, act as a windbreak and can reduce noise and pollution.

Laurels make ideal hedging plants with their glossy dark green leaves creating a dense and bushy evergreen shrub. We have a great selection of laurel Hedging and lusitanica Hedging all available root-balled or in Pots.

Pot-grown or Root-balled?

Root-balled, or bareroot laurel hedging is usually cheaper than pot-grown laurel and should be planted during the winter months. They won’t usually require watering, as the rain will take care of this. Pot-grown laurel on the other hand will require watering during dry periods.  At Seagrave nurseries all of our laurel hedging is available either root-balled or in pots and is ready for immediate delivery or collection.

Types of Laurel Hedging

The main two types of laurel are Prunus laurocerasus Rotundifolia, which is also known as Common Laurel, English Laurel, and Plunus Lusitanica Angustifolia which can also be called Portugese Laurel.

Both common laurel and Portuguese Laurel are fast growing laurel hedge plants and grow well in poor soil and shady positions. The common laurel has pretty flowers which have a strong scent and it’s large leaves make it a great choice when creating a barrier to reduce noise and pollution is a consideration.  Portuguese Laurel has pinkish leaf stems, is the most hardy and is easily maintained.

If you are on a limited budget and are in no particular hurry to have a big hedge, our smaller laurels are the best choice. If you are after a hedge which looks established and mature, our selection of bigger laurels is for you. In both cases, they should be planted with plenty of compost during the winter, and pruned during the spring and summer months.

At Seagrave Nurseries, our experienced staff will be able to answer any questions you have about laurel hedging and provide useful advice. Visit the nursery today or browse online and we can arrange nationwide delivery of your laurel hedging.

Welcome to Seagrave Nurseries

Welcome to Seagrave Nurseries, a well established supplier of trees, plants, shrubs, garden furniture and topiary to customers throughout Leicestershire and across the UK.  From our easily accessible location in Barrow Upon Soar we have a vast selection of products in stock as well as an extensive range on our dedicated website.

From bedding plants, hedging and topiary to exotic plants, large shrubs and garden furniture, Seagrave Nurseries has a great selection of high quality products to suit all requirements.  We are passionate about customer service and are committed to bringing you only the finest quality greenery at highly competitive prices. Our products include: 

• Acers
• Bamboo
• Topiary
• Seasonal
• Climbers
• Shrubs
• Furniture
• Hedging
• Trees
• Christmas Trees

Our experienced and helpful team are on hand to provide more information about our range and offer advice should you need it.  We will be more than happy to pass on our knowledge to you and share our passion for gardening.

Seagrave Nurseries are also able to offer plant hireservices for promotional photo shoots, special events, weddings and parties.  Shrubs, topiary, trees and exotic plants can all be hired from 25% of our retail price. Please contact us for more information.

Based just south of Loughborough, Seagrave Nursery is open daily, or alternatively you can browse our website for inspiration whatever your budget. Purchases through our website can be delivered nationwide and we are able to offer discounts for bulk purchases.  For seasonal offers, advice or further information, please contact the team today.