28
Aug

This Week’s Guest Blogger is James Miller, a Horticulturist at the Royal Horticultural Society


My Horticultural Story


I first became interested in plants and gardening at an early age. I would help my parents and grandparents in their gardens. Things that really inspired me as a child were growing plants from seed; vegetables and flowers, like snap dragons. Growing unusual plants quickly became a hobby. I would grow all sorts of unusual tropical fruits from seed; avocados, citrus, pomegranates and Lychees to name a few. I loved discovering interesting fruits or vegetables, with growing potential in greengrocers’ shops, whenever we visited China Town in London.

A family holiday to Cornwall, when I was ten years old, really enthused me and fuelled this interest. Seeing pineapples in the kitchen garden, tree ferns and bromeliads in the jungle at The Lost Gardens of Heligan, captivated my imagination as a child. Once home (with lots of plants), I started developing my patch of the garden into an exotic paradise. It is still flourishing to this day, with a chusan palm approaching three or four metres tall. I also planted other curiosities; like white mulberry, so that we could raise silk moth caterpillars.
In my mid-teens, I created an Asian inspired woodland garden, at the top of mum and dad’s garden. These experiences inspired me to do a work experience, at my local garden centre; Olivers Nurseries, when I was fifteen. I worked there seasonally and part-time whilst I studied my horticultural degree, at Writtle University College. After graduating, I took the journeyman root, working for the National Trust, Longwood Gardens in the USA, an Orchid Conservation Centre called APROVACA, in Panama and at Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.
I then settled into my current role, with the Royal Horticultural Society, as Horticulturalist (Horticultural Award), in the Alpine Team. Seeing alpines in the wild, in mountain environments really got me hooked. Whilst working at Wisley, I have had the opportunity to develop some exciting new planting schemes, helping select plants for the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM). I also created a new National Plant Collection of Astilbe, false goat’s beard, bred by nurseryman Georg Arends.


I passionately believe that plants and gardening can bring joy to everyone. People from all walks of life or any part of the world, can benefit from being able to watch something grow; whether that’s a trip to the local park, your garden, allotment or flat windowsill. No matter how much space you have, the enriching experience of nurturing plants and greenspaces brings relaxation and fulfilment to all.

My blog website https://jmwisbeymiller.wordpress.com/ and my Instagram is https://www.instagram.com/miller_jamesm/ 

21
Aug

This Week’s Guest Blogger is Bettina Sytner a Garden Designer at Chelsea Green

This blog is written in two parts. The first was in April and then the second in early August this year.

I had began writing a while ago before I became unwell, everything paused  and slowly came to a halt. I was at home, just recovering and planning my working schedule when the virus struck. Being Italian, my heart was broken each day by the news. And now it is here, I continued my isolation and, apart from a short early morning walk with my dog. My garden only contains two raised border and two shallow ones by the neighbouring fences, but it is my salvation and my haven. Clearing out winter’s debris, cleaning pots and mossy paving and checking the new shoots, and finally beginning re-potting last year’s plants and potting out the cuttings which have taken roots in tiny containers on the window sills .
The clematis are rapidly growing and canes are now in place to support them and shoots are encouraged to meander around and grow through shrubs and other climbers, so that there will be a succession of blooms. The roses are inspected each day, and even twice daily, and gently shaken to remove greenflies which are greedily feeding on the tender shoots – no need for spraying! 
Several small bedding plants have survived the winter and they only need a little pinch to tidy them, then a good clearing around them, a sprinkle of organic fertiliser and a topping of good compost. Not forgetting to water plants well, as the recent windy weather and now sunny and dry days are drying the soil a great deal. And the garden is ready for spring

Mid summer. It has been, and still is, a strange summer: hardly any rain , extreme temperatures, and Covid. But, for gardeners as for farmers, the unpredictability of the weather is quite normal, and we adapt and help plants adapting as much as we can, with more water and more protection.
Japanese anemones, dahlias, sedum, asters, cyclamen – to name a few – are all flowering with abandon, while most herbaceous borders have faded in the heat.


I have planted tomatoes, courgettes, peppers and herbs and the crop is amazing and abundant. However, there is a great deal of extra watering to be carried out, and feeding with good organic fertiliser. There are also, alas, many diseases around, primarily rust and fungus and mildew, which need to be kept under control with, again, organic methods where and when possible. And sadly the foliage of plants, shrubs and trees looks dry and scorched by the sun and the intense heat.
But it is also time to enjoy being in the garden during the evenings, looking at the stars and spotting meteor showers, and being grateful for the joys nature brings.


I have planted tomatoes, courgettes, peppers and herbs and the crop is amazing and abundant. However, there is a great deal of extra watering to be carried out, and feeding with good organic fertiliser. There are also, alas, many diseases around, primarily rust and fungus and mildew, which ned to be kept under control with, again, organic methods where and when possible. And sadly the foliage of plants, shrubs and trees looks dry and scorched by the sun and the intense heat.
But it is also time to enjoy being in the garden during the evenings, looking at the stars and spotting meteor showers, and being grateful for the joys nature brings.

14
Aug

This Week’s Guest Blogger is Connor Smith, a Horticulturist at The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

It will be of no surprise that an attractive plant has been found in this particular genus. One in which has been so highly regarded by the garden, the country and indeed the world. Rhododendron has seamlessly found a home in many of our hearts. In all the countries I have lived in, I am always asked about our sophisticated Scottish counterparts who scour for prized Rhododendron.
During a post-Christmas amble through the garden I decided to venture into the glasshouses; Pigs & blankets, turkey included. A safe haven within the warmth of the collection and less strenuous activity post-Christmas. Despite being based at the botanics for a few years now I always seem to find something new, hidden to me previously through inexperienced eyes or brought into focus when showing off. This day was no different.
Rhododendron himantodes was practically eye level when immersed within the cloud forests of Borneo. Tucked into a nearby tree the plant poked perfectly out catching my attention. The narrow strap foliage was complemented beautifully with an explosion of white flowers in the upper half of the plant. However, it was the back of the flowers which caught my eye. The backs matched my complexion, pasty white with freckles. The leopard print patterning permeated through the back of the flower, diffusing into the floral performance.

The backs of the flowers are painted with freckles

A close up of the inner markings

The unopened bud and the long strap like leaves

It would not be fair to mention this plant without paying tribute to the collector. The late George Argent who collected it in Sarawak, Malaysia, 1978. This plant resides in the Montane Tropics glasshouse at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

07
Aug

This Week’s Guest Blogger is Nigel Payne, a Horticultural and Landscape Professional.

Horticulture – Pass it on Blog

I was 17 and desperate for a job. At the time my older brother worked for the local council in the parks department and suggested that I apply for a job there. The council? No thank you, I have more ambition than that? However, in reality, I had no choice.  I submitted my job application and waited to hear back from them. Within two weeks, I started work as a nurseryman working in the council glasshouses, helping to grow plants for the parks and gardens throughout the borough. 

Within a number of days my line manager asked a question that would change and steer my career to this day: “Would you like to go to college and get some qualifications?” I was 17 of course not! I had only left school the previous year and didn’t fancy going back into a classroom. He continued “It would mean you would be at college every Thursday instead of coming to work”. Every Thursday off work? “Yes absolutely” I replied. The following September I embarked on my City & Guilds Amenity Horticulture course at Oaklands College in St Albans.

The Councils glasshouses

At the end of the academic year I passed the course with flying colours but more importantly I had loved every minute of it. Horticulture almost seemed to come naturally to me. Hey, I could make a career of this I thought? At the time no one in the council had ever chosen to progress further than the first year of college but with the council’s agreement I pushed on and three years later I had passed all the exams. With some further management qualifications, I went on to work for some of the country’s largest horticultural maintenance businesses.
Horticulture has given me the opportunity to develop a career that has brought enjoyment and reward as well as professional and personal growth. It is an industry that can offer many successes to those that join its ranks, with its diverse and long term opportunities and the obvious health and wellbeing benefits.
But for myself, my biggest joy has been that it has allowed me to pass on my skills, knowledge and life experience to others who have then gone on to achieve and succeed. Developing the teams and the people around me has been my biggest horticultural success and ensures that the next generation are well equipped to be the future of our industry. It doesn’t matter if you garden for leisure or professionally, do something worthwhile and ‘PASS IT ON’.