Gardening Posts Archives | Thompson & Morgan Blog

Shrubs masterclass: best expert content

by Sophie Essex | Jul 25, 2024 | Blogs we love, Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts | 0 Comments

Award-winning Hydrangea ‘Runaway Bride’ is the perfect flowering shrub for a container
Image: Hydrangea RUNAWAY BRIDE® SNOW WHITE (‘USHYD0405’) (PBR) from Thompson & Morgan

If you’re looking for ways to add low-maintenance interest to your garden, shrubs are ideal. And if you need help to choose the perfect varieties, this collection of expert articles, Instagram posts and videos is the perfect place to start. Whether you want evergreen structure, winter colour or container shrubs to liven up your patio, here’s everything you need to help you choose, plant, prune and care for your shrubs.

For more inspiration, browse our wide range of online shrub plants including winter-flowering, climbing, scented, evergreen shrubs, and many more…

This article was reviewed by T&M’s horticultural team and updated on 25th July 2024.

Sophie Essex

Sophie Essex is a freelance garden writer with a passion for horticulture and environmental conservation. With a BSc in Botany/Plant Biology from the University of Plymouth, she further honed her expertise through a Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from The University of Edinburgh.

Sophie has also worked as a professional gardener and landscaper, showcasing her practical skills by transforming outdoor spaces. Her commitment to fieldwork is further evident in her acquisition of a Certificate in Field Botany from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and over the years, she has interned at the Eden Project, Cornwall, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Find more information about Sophie over at LinkedIn.

Cucumber pickle recipe

by Thompson & Morgan | Jul 10, 2024 | Gardening Posts, Recipes | 0 Comments

Cucumber pickle recipe

Elizabeth McMahon from Ayrshire has sent in this cucumber pickle, which is great for using up a glut of cucumbers. Elizabeth says "It is very easy to make and delicious served with cold chicken any cold meat and salad - any left over juice can be used as a dressing for your salad. Also the cider vinegar is good for arthritic problems."

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Ingredients

2 cups sliced or cubed cucumber
5 medium onions thinly sliced
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
3 garlic cloves (optional)
2 cups wine or cider vinegar
5 cups white sugar
1 ½ tsp turmeric
1 ½ tsp celery seed
2 tbsp mustard seed

Instructions

Put cucumber, onions, peppers and garlic into a bowl layered with salt. Cover and put into the fridge for 2 hours. Drain and wash out salt well.
Put sugar, spices and vinegar into a pan and slowly bring to the boil. Boil for 5 mins. Add vegetables and slowly bring to boiling point, but do not boil. Pot and cover.

Notes

Find helpful cucumber growing tips & variety advice at our dedicated cucumber hub page.

Lead image: Cucumber 'Diva' from Thompson & Morgan

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Thompson & Morgan

Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.

How to grow hibiscus

by Sara Taylor | Jun 20, 2024 | Flowers, Gardening Posts, House plants | 3 Comments

Pink hibiscus with red centre and white stamen

Hibiscus flowers add a tropical dimension to any planting scheme
Image: Hibiscus syriacus ‘Pink Giant’ from Thompson & Morgan

Hibiscus shrubs produce huge, beautiful flowers that make a real statement in any planting scheme. Whether you opt for a hardy garden variety or a tender house plant, these exotic-looking shrubs usually reach about 2-3m tall in the UK and deliver a distinctly tropical feel to your space. In this article we share planting and care tips along with five of the best varieties to start your new obsession!

Browse our full collection of hibiscus shrubs for even more inspiration.

This article was reviewed by T&M’s horticultural team and updated on 20 June 2024.

Sara Taylor

Sara Elizabeth Taylor has been a lover of things that grow, and that love has been a major part of her life. She’s a biologist specialising in flora and is also a passionate indoor gardener. You can find her at @indoorgardennook.

Within her house, located in the middle of the bustling city, Sara hides her lush and beautiful indoor garden, full of both decorative plants and of various fruits and vegetables. Throughout the years she has amassed a lot of experience regarding gardening and is more than eager to share all of her knowledge and exchange tips and tricks with gardening enthusiasts both young and old.

“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.”

Roses masterclass: best expert content

by Sophie Essex | Jun 13, 2024 | Blogs we love, Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts, Roses | 2 Comments

Roses are quintessential English country garden plants
Image: Rose ‘Peach Melba’ (Climbing) from Thompson & Morgan

Delve into these gems of expert knowledge to help you grow fabulous roses. We’ve scoured the internet to find the best planting, propagating and pruning advice available. Whether you’re caring for a single bush or planning an entire rose garden of bare root plants, these top tips will inspire and inform you every step of the way.

This article was reviewed by T&M’s horticultural team and updated on 13 June 2024.

Sophie Essex

Sophie Essex is a freelance garden writer with a passion for horticulture and environmental conservation. With a BSc in Botany/Plant Biology from the University of Plymouth, she further honed her expertise through a Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from The University of Edinburgh.

Sophie has also worked as a professional gardener and landscaper, showcasing her practical skills by transforming outdoor spaces. Her commitment to fieldwork is further evident in her acquisition of a Certificate in Field Botany from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and over the years, she has interned at the Eden Project, Cornwall, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Find more information about Sophie over at LinkedIn.

Garlic masterclass: best expert content

by Sophie Essex | May 31, 2024 | Blogs we love, Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts | 0 Comments

Carcassonne Wight is one of the most successful garlic varieties for overwintering
Image: Garlic ‘Carcassonne Wight’ from Thompson & Morgan

If you love the taste of garlic and want to try growing your own garlic sets from scratch, here’s where you’ll find some of the best advice. These YouTubers and bloggers are garlic growing experts and will help you get the most from this tasty bulb. Here’s how to plant, care for, and store your own homegrown garlic…

This article was reviewed by T&M’s horticultural team and updated on 31st May 2024.

Sophie Essex

Sophie Essex is a freelance garden writer with a passion for horticulture and environmental conservation. With a BSc in Botany/Plant Biology from the University of Plymouth, she further honed her expertise through a Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from The University of Edinburgh.

Sophie has also worked as a professional gardener and landscaper, showcasing her practical skills by transforming outdoor spaces. Her commitment to fieldwork is further evident in her acquisition of a Certificate in Field Botany from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and over the years, she has interned at the Eden Project, Cornwall, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Find more information about Sophie over at LinkedIn.

Fruit masterclass: best expert content

by Sophie Essex | May 28, 2024 | Blogs we love, Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts | 0 Comments

Try growing Raspberry ‘Little Sweet Sister’ in containers on the balcony for early crops of deliciously sweet fruit
Image: Raspberry ‘Little Sweet Sister’ from Thompson & Morgan

Do you want to grow fresh fruit in your garden, allotment or balcony? We’ve brought together a wealth of expert videos and articles to help you choose the best fruit plants for bumper crops of delicious produce. Everything you need to know to start growing fruit is here, whether it’s classic berries and currants or exotic melons and kiwi fruit.

This article was reviewed by T&M’s horticultural team and updated on 28th May 2024.

Sophie Essex

Sophie Essex is a freelance garden writer with a passion for horticulture and environmental conservation. With a BSc in Botany/Plant Biology from the University of Plymouth, she further honed her expertise through a Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from The University of Edinburgh.

Sophie has also worked as a professional gardener and landscaper, showcasing her practical skills by transforming outdoor spaces. Her commitment to fieldwork is further evident in her acquisition of a Certificate in Field Botany from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and over the years, she has interned at the Eden Project, Cornwall, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Find more information about Sophie over at LinkedIn.

T&M achieves third place in RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2024

by Thompson & Morgan | May 20, 2024 | Gardening News, Gardening Posts | 0 Comments

T&M is thrilled to announce that its entry has achieved third place in the Plant of the Year at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024:

Mangave Mad about Mangave® ‘Praying Hands’ PBR

Thompson & Morgan

Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.

New T&M Variety Shortlisted For Plant Of The Year Award 2024 At the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

by Thompson & Morgan | May 15, 2024 | Flowers, Gardening News, Gardening Posts | 1 Comment

T&M is proud to announce that one of its new plant varieties has been shortlisted for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year 2024 award and will be judged at the event.

T&M’s new introductions for 2024 include show-stopping, high-performing and breeding breakthrough varieties to inspire gardeners everywhere to grow something new.

Plant of the Year is a much sought-after award that recognises innovation, appeal, excellence and impact in plant breeding. T&M is proud that its plant introduction has been shortlisted this year, with the finalists and winner announced on Sunday 19th May.

The T&M team wishes the best of luck to its fellow shortlisted companies.

Thompson & Morgan

Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.

Summer bedding plant masterclass: best expert content

by Sophie Essex | May 15, 2024 | Gardening Masterclasses, Gardening Posts, Summer gardening | 0 Comments

Plant petunias for bright splashes of colour
Image: Petunia ‘Easy Wave Ultimate Mixed’ from Thompson & Morgan

Do you want a spectacular display of bedding plants in your garden, pots and hanging baskets this summer? We’ve searched the internet to find the best independent expert advice on bedding plants and annual flowers. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing, growing and caring for these colourful plants.

This article was reviewed by T&M’s horticultural team and updated on 15 May 2024.

Sophie Essex

Sophie Essex is a freelance garden writer with a passion for horticulture and environmental conservation. With a BSc in Botany/Plant Biology from the University of Plymouth, she further honed her expertise through a Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from The University of Edinburgh.

Sophie has also worked as a professional gardener and landscaper, showcasing her practical skills by transforming outdoor spaces. Her commitment to fieldwork is further evident in her acquisition of a Certificate in Field Botany from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and over the years, she has interned at the Eden Project, Cornwall, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Find more information about Sophie over at LinkedIn.

How to plan a garden for all year round colour

by Sophie Essex | May 8, 2024 | Autumn gardening, Flowers, Gardening Posts, Spring gardening, Summer gardening, Winter gardening | 1 Comment

Acers provide beautifully shaped and colourful foliage
Image: Acer palmatum ‘Taylor’ from Thompson & Morgan

It’s easy to fill your garden with colour through the summer when many plants burst into bloom. But which varieties should you choose for a vibrant display all year round? We asked trained horticulturalist, Sophie Essex, for her expert advice on the plants, flowers, shrubs and trees that represent the best of every season. Here are her suggestions…

Browse our wide variety of garden plants for even more ideas.

Sophie Essex

Sophie Essex is a freelance garden writer with a passion for horticulture and environmental conservation. With a BSc in Botany/Plant Biology from the University of Plymouth, she further honed her expertise through a Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from The University of Edinburgh.

Sophie has also worked as a professional gardener and landscaper, showcasing her practical skills by transforming outdoor spaces. Her commitment to fieldwork is further evident in her acquisition of a Certificate in Field Botany from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and over the years, she has interned at the Eden Project, Cornwall, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Find more information about Sophie over at LinkedIn.

Thompson & Morgan Gardening Blog

Shrubs masterclass: best expert content

Cucumber pickle recipe