Bold foliage and subtle blooms for year-round interest 🌿 Plant Overview 🌱 Planting Tip: Avoid planting in areas prone to winter waterlogging – roots are prone to rot in soggy soils. 🌼 Seasonal Interest 🌦️ ...
Local Gardener Latest Articles
On: April 26, 2025
Grow Guide: Corydalis ‘Blue Heron’
Elegant blue blooms for shady borders and woodland gardens 🌿 Plant Overview 🌱 Planting Tip: Corydalis ‘Blue Heron’ prefers consistently moist, cool soils – work in plenty of leaf mould or compost to improve clay ...
On: March 25, 2025
Grow Guide: Ensete ventricosum ‘Hiniba’
Overview Ensete ventricosum ‘Hiniba’ is a rare and striking cultivar of the Abyssinian banana. It is distinguished by its deep blue-green, waxy leaves and rapid growth, making it a dramatic feature plant. Unlike true bananas ...
On: March 17, 2025
Growing Butia odorata in the UK
Butia odorata (formerly misidentified as Butia capitata) is one of the hardiest feather palms suitable for UK gardens, particularly in milder regions. Its graceful, arching fronds and edible fruit make it a striking feature in ...
On: January 6, 2025
“The Power of Flowers in a Tropical Garden”
Podcast Episode: “Welcome to Local Gardener, where we explore the art, science, and beauty of gardening. Today, we’re looking at using flowers to enhance the exotic charm of a tropical garden. Whether you’re designing a ...
On: January 6, 2025
The Clever Mechanics of the Venus Flytrap: A Plant That Can Count
The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is one of the most fascinating plants in the natural world. Found natively in the nutrient-poor soils of the Carolinas in the United States, this carnivorous plant has evolved a ...
On: September 19, 2024
Trochodendron aralioides: A Comprehensive Grow Guide
Trochodendron aralioides, also known as the Wheel Tree or Aralia-leaved Trochodendron, is a unique evergreen tree native to East Asia, specifically Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. It’s a monotypic genus, meaning it’s the only species ...
On: September 18, 2024
Growing Boehmeria sieboldiana in a UK Tropical-Style Garden
Boehmeria sieboldiana, also known as Japanese false nettle or Siebold’s False Nettle , is a hardy perennial from the Urticaceae family that brings lush, exotic foliage to tropical-style gardens. Its large, textured leaves and bushy ...
On: September 4, 2024
Five Yellow Flowers for a Tropical-Style Garden: Exotic Blooms with Unique Appeal
Creating a tropical-style garden can be a rewarding endeavor, especially if you choose flowers that not only add vibrant colors but also bring unique textures and interesting stories to your garden. Here are five excellent ...
On: September 4, 2024
Growing Tree Tomato in a UK Tropical Garden
The tree tomato, also known as tamarillo (Solanum betaceum), is a small tree or shrub that produces vibrant, egg-shaped fruits. Native to the Andean regions of South America, tamarillos are prized for their tangy, flavorful ...
