Potpourri Magazine

Body, soul and gardening - the joy of gardening with others
Much as I love gardening alone, there’s something particularly good for the soul about gardening with others.  It’s great to be with like-minded people who share your horticultural passion.  And...
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Wildlife in the garden - Otters
Twenty years ago we would never have thought that otters (Lutra lutra) could be an occasional, if not common, visitor to gardens in the UK.  Once on the decline due...
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Modern heroes of horticulture - Mike Palmer
Mike Palmer has become a familiar face to keen gardeners in recent years.  His live ‘Sunday Morning Stroll’, something he started on Instagram during lockdown, has garnered a loyal following...
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Gardeners' notes - what to do in May
Lawn care With soil temperatures now reliably into double figures, it's a good time to carry out any renovation work on your lawn.  Rake out any moss and scatter fresh...
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Exceptional trees - General Sherman Sequoiadendron giganteum
There surely can be nothing more impressive than seeing trees that are champions in their genus.  Huge trees, tall trees, wide trees, or very, very old trees.  Estimated at over...
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Plant folklore - Hawthorn Crataegous monogyna
The thorny shrub known as hawthorn is commonly spotted in hedgerows especially around May when its blossom fills the air with a pungent scent of galvanised rubber or spicy almond. ...
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The plants around us - linoleum
Next time you walk into a room at home consider the plants that have been utilised to give you the life you enjoy.  Cotton curtains, cardboard packaging, and plant-based shampoos. ...
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Q&A with Dutch designer, Carien Van Boxtel
How did you get into horticulture? I’ve been gardening and cutting flowers since I was four, as both my parents and grandparents were keen gardeners.  We had vegetables from our...
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Body, soul and gardening - soil makes you happy
Whilst wearing gardening gloves protects your hands, in the right circumstances and for those who are generally healthy, it might be beneficial to get your hands dirty occasionally.  Research into...
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Garden trends - coast-inspired gardens
Resilience is a buzz word in garden design with designers looking to environments such as the coast, where plants are exposed to the extremes of weather, for planting inspiration.  The...
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Shrub of the month - Exochorda
Also known as pearl bush, this is an excellent shrub for an uplifting display of early blossom.  In early April to May, this otherwise unassuming shrub is belle of the...
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How to ... take softwood cuttings
Growing plants from softwood cuttings is an excellent way of bulking up your garden cheaply and duplicating favourite plants in your own or a friend’s garden -a cutting also makes...
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Podcast - Two Good Gardeners
Dan Cooper and Julia Parker present this podcast for fellow gardeners where they share their wealth of experience of growing and their passion for plants and gardens. Dan is a...
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Technology in the garden - dipping tanks
Collecting rainwater has become a priority for gardeners looking for sustainable ways to grow.  But while most water butts aren’t particularly attractive and tend to be hidden away behind a...
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Technology in the garden - pressure washers
It’s at this time of year that our patios tend to look dirty and green from the inevitable moss, dirt and algae that builds up over the cold wet weather. ...
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How to... winter prune wisteria
There’s something glorious about the sight of wisteria dripping with gorgeous purple or white perfumed flowers in late spring and early summer.  They are stunning trained against a sunny wall...
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Podcast - UK Wildlife Podcast
Presenters Victoria Hillman and Neil Phillips explore the incredible plant and animal life we have in this country, from urban Bristol to the Outer-Hebrides. Each episode kicks off with the...
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Shrub of the month - edgeworthia chrysantha
Winter is when edgeworthia suddenly shouts its presence to the world with a mass of fragrant golden flower clusters on bare branches.  This is a stunning deciduous shrub with an...
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Q&A with Maddy Bailey, house plant specialist
How did you get into horticulture? I inherited a deep love of plants from my mum. Since I was little, we'd plod around the garden together - she'd point out...
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Garden trends - feeling peachy!
Peach Fuzz has been named the Pantone colour of the year.  It’s the prettiest of colours, soft and warm, sitting somewhere between apricot and pale pink that will add a...
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Body, soul and gardening - get a memory boost
One of the myriad benefits of gardening is that it may be particularly good for the memory.  In fact, a Swedish study shows that daily gardening may lower the risk...
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