Potpourri Magazine

Q&A with hellebore expert, Kevin Belcher, of Ashwood Nursery
Can you give us an overview of the different species of hellebores? Helleborus x hybridus are more showy and colourful than most of the species.  H. niger, the traditional Christmas rose,...
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Podcast - Andrew O'Brien, gardens weeds & words
Gardener and RHS writer Andrew O’Brien’s podcast is an interesting combination of thoughtful, lively conversation, horticultural advice and readings from garden and wildlife writers and poets.  Guests include both gardeners...
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Technology in the garden - eco-friendly thermal weeders
If you’re looking for ways of avoiding polluting the environment with chemical weed killers, but find hand weeding time consuming and unreliable (it’s often hard to get the whole root...
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Body, soul and gardening - black vegetables for health
As well as fruit such as blackberries and blueberries, black vegetables like carrots and tomatoes not only look amazing in your garden and on your plate, they’re also extremely nutritious. ...
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Black plants and foliage - drama in your garden
Whether it’s splashes of inky tulips or swathes of purple foliage, dark hues add depth and drama to the garden borders.  There is a wealth of dusky beauties to explore. ...
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Gardening hero - Danny Clarke (aka The Black Gardener)
Garden designer and television presenter, Danny Clarke is passionate about transforming gardens, and can be seen on our screens as part of Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Garden team on ITV...
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Garden trends - fashionable black features
From seating and planters to fences and walls, black looks stylish in the garden.  It’s also versatile, working in both contemporary and traditional settings.  Here are three ways to use...
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Cut flower corner - stylish black berries
Berries are great for adding contrasting texture and shape to floral arrangements.  Black berries are particularly sophisticated.  Here are a few varieties of to look out for.  Several viburnum varieties...
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Black gold - leaf mould
As well as being free and easy to make, leaf mould is one of the best soil improvers there is.  Here’s what you need to know: Made entirely of leaves...
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Savon noir - black soap for natural garden health
As gardeners we’re always seeking out products that look after our plants as well as the environment and Le Savonnier Marseillais black liquid soap is a natural way of protecting...
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Cut flower corner - what to pick in late October
There’s something very beautiful about the warm, faded colours of autumn, moving us slowly into the colder months.   There are fewer flowers in the garden, but you might still...
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Body, soul and gardening - companion planting
Companion planting is a natural and healthy way of protecting plants from pests and diseases.  Growing particular species together, such as aromatic plants next to a row of vulnerable vegetables,...
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Garden trends - greenhouse for living
Having a greenhouse in the garden for growing tomatoes, sowing seeds and extending your growing season is ever-popular.  But as well as this, people are increasingly using greenhouses for other...
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The Celebrity Gardener - the Duchess of Cornwall
It’s well known that Prince Charles is passionate about gardens, the countryside and the environment.  But less so that his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, shares his passion for gardening. ...
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Q&A with Christopher Skinner of Sheffield Park
What do you enjoy most about your job? I just love my job, I've been doing it for 10 years, and I hope to be doing it for many more. ...
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Talking Dirty with The Get Gardening Podcast
A gardening podcast for plant lovers, this is a lively video podcast presented by Thordis and Alan Gray (of East Ruston Old Vicarage gardens) where they catch up with their...
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Technology in the garden - Husk
We’re become increasingly conscious of minimising plastic, and sustainable companies such as Husk are making great strides in helping this happen.  A family-run business who have been on a mission...
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Piet Oudolf Field, Bruton, Somerset
This small but perfect garden, designed by Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf, is a beautiful tapestry of colour even at this time of year.  The gardens were created from the...
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Body, soul and gardening - the sound of silence
The world is often a noisy place, especially in urban settings.  Research indicates that noise pollution can cause harmful levels of stress, both physically and mentally, and that taking time...
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Garden trends - gravel gardens
Low maintenance and drought-tolerant, gravel gardens are becoming increasingly popular. They’re perfectly suited to our hot dry summers and have a relaxed airy feel, with plants growing up through gravel...
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Cut flower corner - what to pick now
The late summer garden can still be full of colour.  There are roses on their second flush, hydrangeas blushing pink and the last of the echinacea, phlox and penstemon taking...
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