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Cherry Tree Flowers All Year

John — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:31:33 +0000

Spring flowering of cherry trees is a big celebration in Japan with people widely celebrating the arrival of the new season. The celebration is called Hanami and the people of Japan sit under flowering cherry trees and have a party.

But they might be undecided when hearing the news that Japanese scientists have created a new breed of cherry tree that blossom all year. The new tree does not require cold weather to trigger the spring growth. It will bloom all year indoors and in both spring and autumn when planted outdoors.

Personally I think in this instance nature should be left alone and the people of Japan should be able to look forward to their annual festival.

Cherry Tree Flowers All Year is a post from: Flower Shows

Frost Delays Snowdrops

John — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:07:46 +0000

The Telegraph reports that he recent icy and snowy weather has delayed the January snowdrop display. Personally, I think the snowdrop is a lovely flower and we often enjoy a family trip to nearby Ness Gardens (part of Liverpool University) to see theirs.

It’s not surprising that snowdrops are late …how could anything underground move it’s way up through the frozen ground?

Frost Delays Snowdrops is a post from: Flower Shows

James May Shows Plasticine Flowers At Chelsea

John — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:53:22 +0000

The BBC Top Gear presenter has recently swapped playing with cars to playing with Plasticine – it is claimed he made Plasticine flowers for his Chelsea Flower Show display.

Insisting the display is not a spoof (I rather think it is myself), May says that he went to both floristry and modelling classes before designing his “garden”. The model flowers include a:

veg patch
grapevine
palm trees
lawn
rockery
pond

Schoolchildren created the Plasticine daffodils and Chelsea pensioners modelled the poppies. Most of the model flowers and plants consist of a wire structure, covered with Plasticine and the bushes have a base of polystyrene and steel.

It all sounds very fishy to me!

James May Shows Plasticine Flowers At Chelsea is a post from: Flower Shows

Magnolia Plant Under Threat

John — Mon, 11 May 2009 05:43:42 +0000

Magnolia

Magnolias are in danger of dying out according to botanists at Fauna and Flora International. These ancient plants are apparently disappearing due to the destruction of their forest habitats and from exploitation for timber and medicine.

Magnolias evolved before bees appeared and some specimens in Chinese temples are believed to be 800 years old. They take a long time to start flowering and until they are they are not reproducing.

The botanists claim:

112 of the known 245 species are dying out
almost half of all Chinese magnolias are at risk
there are just 50 wild Magnolia sinica trees

You can buy magnolias from quality garden centres and online from retailers like Crocus

Magnolia Plant Under Threat is a post from: Flower Shows

Queen Cuts Kew Gardens Cake

John — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:52:26 +0000

To celebrate 250 years of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew the Queen was invited to cut the birthday cake. The Telegraph reports that as the Queen struggled to cut through the icing (evidently not Royal – isn’t that soft?) of the palm house shaped fruit cake, her husband the Duke of Edinburgh joked “Press down harder!”

Queen Cuts Kew Gardens Cake is a post from: Flower Shows

Chelsea Flower Show Feels The Crunch

John — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:05:35 +0000

This May’s Chelsea Flower Show is due to feature just 13 show gardens, down from last years record of 22 and lower than the five-year average of 19. It is suggested that several award-winning gardeners have been unable to raise sufficient funds to enter designs after companies including Marks & Spencer and Neal’s Yard decided not to offer sponsorship.

Lloyds Banking Group has also pruned its involvement in the annual flower show although it has still received criticism for sponsoring the event.

The five-day show at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea is laying on more floral displays to make up for the withdrawals, and organisers have predicted that attendances will not be hit. A spokeswoman said:

The RHS has been delivering world- class shows for over 100 years and 2009 will be no exception. Tickets are selling well and we expect to sell out.

Alex Baulkwill, the show’s manager, said:

For many, the Great Pavilion is what Chelsea is all about and 2009 won’t disappoint with old favourites, first-time exhibitors and specialist nurseries creating some 110 floral displays to fill the centrepiece of the show with the sights, smells and vibrant colours that it is renowned for.

Chelsea Flower Show Feels The Crunch is a post from: Flower Shows