The Reference Library

A categorised archive of useful gardening topics. This is a 'read only' area.

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Annuals and biennials
Annual plants are those whose life cycle lasts for only one year, including germination, bloom, and production of seed, after which the parent plant dies.
Biennial Plants have a life cycle that is completed in two years or seasons, with the second season usually devoted to flowering and fruiting. The odd
short-lived perennial that is treated as a biennial may have crept in here too.
Topics: 27 Posts: 206

27 Topics

206 Posts

Last post by kitty58 View the latest post
December 15th, 2008, 12:12 pm
Bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes
A bulb is any plant that stores its complete life cycle in an underground storage structure. A corm is a swollen stem base that is modified into a mass of
storage tissue; it does not have visible storage rings when cut in half. A tuber differs by not having a basal plant from which roots develop and not having a
protective tunic covering. Rhizomes are horizontal underground stems that strike new roots out of their nodes, down into the soil, and that shoot new stems out
of their nodes, up to the surface. This rhizome activity represents a form of plant reproduction.
Topics: 45 Posts: 239

45 Topics

239 Posts

Last post by moth01 View the latest post
February 13th, 2004, 6:47 pm
Perennials
Perennials have a life cycle of 3+ years. Some perennials may be killed by climatic conditions in your garden but this doesn't change their classification:
they are merely perennials whose life cycle has been cut short.
Topics: 132 Posts: 866

132 Topics

866 Posts

Last post by Trish003 View the latest post
November 17th, 2003, 10:47 pm
Shrubs
Shrubs are woody plants, usually with multiple shoots or stems from the base. Some shrubs can be trained into 'standards' but they remain classified as
shrubs because of their natural habit.
Topics: 171 Posts: 1.1K

171 Topics

1.1K Posts

Last post by salli c View the latest post
November 28th, 2003, 9:06 am
Trees
A tree is a woody plant, usually with one main trunk and a rather distinct and elevated head.
Topics: 29 Posts: 196

29 Topics

196 Posts

Last post by PauleneS View the latest post
February 29th, 2004, 1:30 am
Hedges
A hedge is a fence formed by a row of closely-planted shrubs.
Topics: 8 Posts: 60

8 Topics

60 Posts

Last post by pipnsox View the latest post
February 15th, 2004, 2:00 pm
Lawns
A lawn is generally an area of grass, tended or mown, but it can be made up of other plants such as Chamomile.
Topics: 10 Posts: 72

10 Topics

72 Posts

Last post by Laurel360 View the latest post
February 12th, 2004, 7:07 pm
Water gardening
Construction and maintenance of ponds is covered here as well as pond and bog plants.
Topics: 20 Posts: 176

20 Topics

176 Posts

Last post by Rich View the latest post
February 12th, 2004, 5:53 pm
Fruit and vegetables
Anything edible is covered by this section.
Topics: 14 Posts: 42

14 Topics

42 Posts

Last post by Beaver97 View the latest post
April 5th, 2004, 2:13 pm
Propagation
Whether it is seeds, cuttings, layering or any other method of multiplying on your stock, you will find information from our archives in this forum.
Topics: 59 Posts: 445

59 Topics

445 Posts

Last post by scotia10 View the latest post
February 7th, 2004, 2:02 pm
Pests & diseases
If one of your plants is looking sickly, then pop in here and you may find the answer. There is also a comprehensive list headed 'Wildlife friends and
foes' that can be accessed from RG homepage.
Topics: 51 Posts: 429

51 Topics

429 Posts

Last post by scotia10 View the latest post
January 14th, 2004, 4:44 pm
Weeds and other thugs
It is said that a weed is a plant in the wrong place. This area discusses plants that can be a problem in a cultivated area.
Topics: 15 Posts: 115

15 Topics

115 Posts

Last post by MaCoggon View the latest post
February 20th, 2004, 3:18 pm
Soil and compost
Hopefully everything you ever wanted to know about maintenance and improvement on these subjects, but if the answer isn't here then just post a query in
one of our other forums and someone is sure to know the answer.
Topics: 38 Posts: 292

38 Topics

292 Posts

Last post by scotia10 View the latest post
January 14th, 2004, 4:44 pm
Climate and microclimate
They say the Brits never stop talking about the weather, but gardeners become concerned about the microclimate in small areas of their gardens as well. Whether
it is the big picture or the small one hopefully the answers will be here.
Topics: 8 Posts: 75

8 Topics

75 Posts

Last post by Guest View the latest post
April 21st, 2004, 7:14 am
Hard landscaping
Walls, fences, paths, patios, decking, pergolas and raised beds are all examples of hard landscaping.
Topics: 5 Posts: 70

5 Topics

70 Posts

Last post by Flowerofshona View the latest post
March 15th, 2004, 9:08 am
Greenhouses, polytunnels & cold frames
Whether choosing, maintaining, heating, shading or managing in any other form, this is the place to find the information.
Topics: 17 Posts: 181

17 Topics

181 Posts

Last post by jo m 1 View the latest post
February 18th, 2004, 10:00 pm
Design
Many people allow their garden to develop naturally, but design can be great fun. Take a peek in here for an insight.
Topics: 11 Posts: 147

11 Topics

147 Posts

Last post by kitty58 View the latest post
March 10th, 2004, 7:12 pm

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Garden Design, is it just me?

by pipnsox » January 11th, 2003, 6:59 pm

sixfootdwarf
42

January 21st, 2003, 8:57 pm

Garden Design, is it just me?

42 Replies

3.5K Views

Last post by sixfootdwarf January 21st, 2003, 8:57 pm

2003-01-11T18:59
Everlasting Sweet Peas

by h2yoho » April 1st, 2003, 9:21 am

kitty58
5

December 15th, 2008, 12:12 pm

Everlasting Sweet Peas

5 Replies

2.4K Views

Last post by kitty58 December 15th, 2008, 12:12 pm

2003-04-01T08:21
Muscari

by Pip at Home » March 4th, 2008, 4:45 pm

Pip at Home

March 4th, 2008, 4:45 pm

Muscari

0 Replies

2.1K Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 4th, 2008, 4:45 pm

2008-03-04T16:45
Chionodoxa forbesii

by Pip at Home » March 4th, 2008, 4:43 pm

Pip at Home

March 4th, 2008, 4:43 pm

Chionodoxa forbesii

0 Replies

2.5K Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 4th, 2008, 4:43 pm

2008-03-04T16:43
Daffodils

by Pip at Home » March 4th, 2008, 4:41 pm

Pip at Home

March 4th, 2008, 4:41 pm

Daffodils

0 Replies

611 Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 4th, 2008, 4:41 pm

2008-03-04T16:41
Salix sachalinensis 'Sekka',

by Pip at Home » March 4th, 2008, 3:03 pm

Pip at Home

March 4th, 2008, 3:03 pm

Salix sachalinensis 'Sekka',

0 Replies

3.4K Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 4th, 2008, 3:03 pm

2008-03-04T15:03
Catkins

by Pip at Home » March 4th, 2008, 2:55 pm

Pip at Home

March 4th, 2008, 2:55 pm

Catkins

0 Replies

7.0K Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 4th, 2008, 2:55 pm

2008-03-04T14:55
Euphorbia characias wulfenii

by Pip at Home » March 4th, 2008, 2:51 pm

Pip at Home

March 4th, 2008, 2:51 pm

Euphorbia characias wulfenii

0 Replies

1.8K Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 4th, 2008, 2:51 pm

2008-03-04T14:51
Corydalis cheilanthifolia

by Pip at Home » March 4th, 2008, 2:49 pm

Pip at Home

March 4th, 2008, 2:49 pm

Corydalis cheilanthifolia

0 Replies

718 Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 4th, 2008, 2:49 pm

2008-03-04T14:49
Cornus or Dogwood

by Pip at Home » March 4th, 2008, 2:46 pm

Pip at Home

March 4th, 2008, 2:46 pm

Cornus or Dogwood

0 Replies

1.5K Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 4th, 2008, 2:46 pm

2008-03-04T14:46
Eupatorium rugosum "Chocolate".

by Pip at Home » March 3rd, 2008, 5:58 pm

Pip at Home

March 3rd, 2008, 5:58 pm

Eupatorium rugosum "Chocolate".

0 Replies

2.2K Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 3rd, 2008, 5:58 pm

2008-03-03T17:58
Saxifraga fortunei "Black Ruby"

by Pip at Home » March 3rd, 2008, 5:55 pm

Pip at Home

March 3rd, 2008, 5:55 pm

Saxifraga fortunei "Black Ruby"

0 Replies

2.1K Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 3rd, 2008, 5:55 pm

2008-03-03T17:55
Liriope muscari

by Pip at Home » March 3rd, 2008, 5:54 pm

Pip at Home

March 3rd, 2008, 5:54 pm

Liriope muscari

0 Replies

618 Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 3rd, 2008, 5:54 pm

2008-03-03T17:54
Mecanopsis cambrica

by Pip at Home » March 3rd, 2008, 5:41 pm

Pip at Home

March 3rd, 2008, 5:41 pm

Mecanopsis cambrica

0 Replies

905 Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 3rd, 2008, 5:41 pm

2008-03-03T17:41
Ornamental grasses

by Pip at Home » March 3rd, 2008, 5:37 pm

Pip at Home

March 3rd, 2008, 5:37 pm

Ornamental grasses

0 Replies

589 Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 3rd, 2008, 5:37 pm

2008-03-03T17:37
Callicarpa bodinieri

by Pip at Home » March 3rd, 2008, 5:35 pm

Pip at Home

March 3rd, 2008, 5:35 pm

Callicarpa bodinieri

0 Replies

631 Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 3rd, 2008, 5:35 pm

2008-03-03T17:35
Eccremocarpus scaber

by Pip at Home » March 3rd, 2008, 5:29 pm

Pip at Home

March 3rd, 2008, 5:29 pm

Eccremocarpus scaber

0 Replies

1.0K Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 3rd, 2008, 5:29 pm

2008-03-03T17:29
Vitex agnus-castus latifolia

by Pip at Home » March 3rd, 2008, 5:28 pm

Pip at Home

March 3rd, 2008, 5:28 pm

Vitex agnus-castus latifolia

0 Replies

1.3K Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 3rd, 2008, 5:28 pm

2008-03-03T17:28
Hydrangea

by Pip at Home » March 3rd, 2008, 4:25 pm

Pip at Home

March 3rd, 2008, 4:25 pm

Hydrangea

0 Replies

741 Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 3rd, 2008, 4:25 pm

2008-03-03T16:25
Calceolaria integrifolia

by Pip at Home » March 3rd, 2008, 4:21 pm

Pip at Home

March 3rd, 2008, 4:21 pm

Calceolaria integrifolia

0 Replies

1.4K Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 3rd, 2008, 4:21 pm

2008-03-03T16:21
Lobelia tupa

by Pip at Home » March 3rd, 2008, 4:19 pm

Pip at Home

March 3rd, 2008, 4:19 pm

Lobelia tupa

0 Replies

713 Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 3rd, 2008, 4:19 pm

2008-03-03T16:19
Paulownia tomentosa

by Pip at Home » March 3rd, 2008, 4:17 pm

Pip at Home

March 3rd, 2008, 4:17 pm

Paulownia tomentosa

0 Replies

835 Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 3rd, 2008, 4:17 pm

2008-03-03T16:17
Hymenocallis festalis

by Pip at Home » March 3rd, 2008, 4:13 pm

Pip at Home

March 3rd, 2008, 4:13 pm

Hymenocallis festalis

0 Replies

2.1K Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 3rd, 2008, 4:13 pm

2008-03-03T16:13
Lavatera variegata

by Pip at Home » March 3rd, 2008, 4:11 pm

Pip at Home

March 3rd, 2008, 4:11 pm

Lavatera variegata

0 Replies

2.3K Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 3rd, 2008, 4:11 pm

2008-03-03T16:11
Heuchera

by Pip at Home » March 3rd, 2008, 4:07 pm

Pip at Home

March 3rd, 2008, 4:07 pm

Heuchera

0 Replies

897 Views

Last post by Pip at Home March 3rd, 2008, 4:07 pm

2008-03-03T16:07