Potpourri Magazine

Robin's pincushions, sometimes referred to as bedeguars (from the Middle French bedegard, and Persian bādāward) are distinctive galls that form on wild roses when the gall wasp, Diplolepis rosae, lays...

The Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis) is probably one of the most exciting botanical discoveries of the 20th century.  Endemic to Australia this conifer was unknown to science until 1994, when...

Snowdrops, Galanthus nivalis (meaning ‘milk flower of the snow’), originated across Central and Southern Europe.  Botanical historians believe the Romans may have introduced the plant.  The first documented cultivation is...

We’ve previously written about the traditional production of rubber from plantations of the Amazonian rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis.  It may come as a surprise that rubber is also produced commercially...

Lee Connelly, better known to some as The Skinny Jean Gardener, came to prominence as CBBC’s Blue Peter Gardener, appearances on BBC ‘Teach’, and BBC Radio One.  His theatre tour...

Prune climbing roses December can be a good time to deal with any climbing roses you have on the cottage or garden walls.  We always try to keep everything tight,...

Every year, December visitors to Trafalgar Square in London get to enjoy a  Christmas tree that stands as a symbol of friendship between Norway and Britain.  It’s a tradition that began...

What bird could be more symbolic of winter that the red breasted Robin?  A gardener’s friend, the robin will often follow keen gardeners around the garden, investigating any recently turned...

Mistletoe's Christmas association and traditions can be found in both ancient mythology and relatively modern customs.  The familiar custom of kissing beneath mistletoe, while often assumed to be ancient, only...

Cotton has been shaping human civilization for millennia, with evidence of its use dating back to prehistoric times.  The soft, fluffy fibre that grows protectively around cotton seeds was domesticated...

The tawny owl (Strix aluco), is a medium-sized owl species widely distributed across Europe and western Siberia.  It’s a common sight in woodlands and has successfully adapted to urban environments...

Clearing Borders   With many plants now beyond their best it’s time to consider clearing your borders.  Although an operation that many are choosing to leave until the spring, we...

The blackthorn or sloe, scientifically known as Prunus spinosa, is a well known countryside plant and appears frequently in Celtic folklore and mythology.  This thorny shrub is intrinsically linked with...

Isaac Newton's 370-year-old apple tree at Woolsthorpe Manor has been a symbol of scientific inspiration for over three centuries.  While the exact details of his famous epiphany are hard to...

Roy Lancaster, born in 1937, is one of British horticultures most recognised figures.  Growing up in Bolton, Lancashire, he embarked on a journey that would take him around the world...

Rubber is a versatile material with ancient roots first utilised by indigenous cultures like the Olmecs, Maya, and Aztecs who discovered natural latex from the Hevea tree, using it in...

Ginkgo biloba, commonly known as ginkgo or maidenhair tree, is a unique species, native to East Asia, and is the last survivor of the Ginkgoales order of plants, which first...

From fishing rods, to cooking utensils, sunglasses to flooring, bamboo has a multitude of uses.  In recent years bamboo products have been appearing in shops offering a sustainable alternative to...

Harriet Rycroft is best known for being the Queen of Pots.  Her position as head gardener at the Warwickshire based Whichford pottery gave her the chance to hone her skills...

Sow sweet peas Sweet peas sown towards the end of October will be well developed by next spring and ready to plant out giving a nice early display.  We sow...

Often known commonly as silver grass, the versatile Miscanthus is a tall grass that has been gracing our gardens for generations, evolving from a Victorian favourite to a modern landscape...