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Monday 22 March 2010

Hamamelis Witch Hazel first flowering shrubs of Spring

How to grow Hamamelis Mollis-life between the flowers Britains best gardening blogs
Hamamelis is probably one the earliest flowering shrubs that can fill Winter weary eyes with warmth and colour like no other. Especially given that it begins blooming spider like flowers that give off a slightly scented subtle fragrance, as early as chilly February. It is commonly called Witch Hazel. There are different varieties with colours of yellow, red and orange.
How to Grow Witch Hazel
Hamamelis Mollis  the yellow blooming shrub is probably the most commonly planted here in Britain
 Small black berries usually appear after flowering followed by greyish green leaves through the summer which fall in Autumn. It is the very early Winter-Spring flowers which gives this otherwise unremarkable shrub it's interest, but what a show they are, drawing the eye from an otherwise bleak Winter garden.
How to prune Witch Hazel
The shrub belongs to the Hamamelidaceae family of flowering plants, which is made up of almost all shrubs and small trees of approx 90 species native across Southeast Asia, North America and China.  The origin of the witch hazel name is thought to come from the Old English word 'wyche' meaning a tree with pliant branches. . Indeed the stems of witch hazel as well as common European hazel are very bendy and have been used for water divining a somewhat mystical method of finding underground water springs.
First flowering shrubs of Spring Witch Hazel
Ideally witch hazel hamamelis shrubs prefer a rich loam on the acidic side (PH 5.5-6.5) but will  tolerate slightly more alkaline conditions. Equally happy in full sun or partial shade this hardy shrub can grow to approx 12ft x 12ft unchecked.  Pruning is minimal as this shrub is a slow grower, just trim to shape as soon as flowering has finished in the spring. Witch hazel is best planted in Autumn. As with all shrubs soak the root ball prior to planting. Dig a hole twice the size of the pot or bare root and add in plenty of compost and fish blood and bone meal. Keep watered through the summer months in the shrubs first year.
Orange Witch Hazel first flowering shrubs of Spring
 Different Coloured witch hazel hamamelis varieties are available. Hamamelis mollis  is yellow whilst Hamamelis x intermedia Aphrodite for example is orange.
Orange coloured witch hazel
Pictures top: 1 Hurstbourne village church. 2-5 witch hazel hamamelis .  General discussion and your views are welcome please say hello. I regret however because of my busy schedule, I am unable to answer many questions. Sneaky advertising will be deleted sorry. Thanks so much for visiting my blog today.

Friday 5 March 2010

Ballerina Rose pink bushy shrub rose.

                   
How to grow Pink Bushy Ballerina Roses
                           Hybridized and introduced to Britain in 1937 by Ann and John Bentall, Ballerina (Hybrid Musk parentage unknown) is a prolific flowering shrub rose that will, if regularly dead headed, provide clusters of pink and white flowers throughout the Summer.
How do I prune my Ballerina Rose Grown more for its blooms, as there is only a slight fragrance, Ballerina has a tight bush like habit that suits either being planted singularly or in a group.
Pink Rose with clusters of flowers Ballerina
 They can grow quite tall (4-6ft) if allowed to and it is not unheard of for them to ramble into a nearby tree.  Although best grown in full sun, Ballerina is probably one of the best roses to tolerate partial or dappled shade.  It should be noted however planted in full shade they will become very leggy and flowering will be substantially reduced so is best avoided.
Continuous flowering roses Ballerina
 As with all roses planting should be in a humus rich soil. Roses have a PH value of 6.5 so slightly on the acidic side. Add a peat rich but not ericaceous compost and mix in a handful of fish blood and bone. The stock of the rose should be level with the soil and not buried. If you buy and plant a containerized rose almost all year round. Bear in mind not to plant if the ground is frozen. In summer or dry periods make sure you water regularly. The same applies if you purchase bare root roses which will usually only be available in winter.
Best pink shruby roses to buy that flower all summer BallerinaI usually feed a handful of rose fertilizer in March and again in June, sprinkling the dressing around the base and forking in lightly. There are specialist rose fertilizers on the market such as Toprose but the cheaper Growmore is equally as effective.
Ballerina is a tough and reliable rose
Ballerina is reasonably resistant to mildrew and rust but although not as badly affected as some roses, Blackspot can be a problem in badly infected areas.  In such cases spraying with a suitable garden fungicide is recommended. Pruning is required only to remove the dead flower clusters and to  keep it in general shape. 
What is the best Rose food for Ballerina roses
Pictures(copyright simon tinks davis) Top: Summer at The Cricketers Pub Tangley village. Other photos pink flowering shrub rose Ballerina.
General discussion and your views are welcome please say hello. I regret however because of my busy schedule, I am unable to answer many questions. Sneaky advertising will be deleted sorry. Thanks so much for visiting my blog today.