We must say we’re quite pleased that our first exhibit in nearly two decades at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show resulted in a gold medal!
It was such a privilege to be there and we had the grandest time! Just marvelous being part of the festivities again.
If you couldn’t make it, we’ve put together some of the highlights for you:
Anyone Can Be a Gardener
Gardening is becoming the new black! Many more people are taking to gardening now than ever before. We don’t need large tracts of land to bring a bit of nature into our lives. Window sill, balcony and indoor gardening can be just effective and satisfying. And it doesn’t have to be small. Large trees can be planted in pots, creating a foresty atmosphere.
It’s a Jungle in There
During this past year when access to outdoor spaces was limited, many people found it life-saving bringing the outdoors in. There are many varieties of plants you can choose for your home. Alstroemeria make great indoor plants. Just make sure the container is roomy enough and the soil well-drained. A sunny window-sill or any spot with lightly filtered sunshine will do.
Work With the Earth
With an emphasis on biodiversity and sustainability, even if our contributions are small and seemingly inconsequential, we are all responsible and have a part to play in turning the tide. We can do this by improving the quality of our soil as much as possible, planting in harmony with the seasons, using water-wise plants and recycled materials.
Let Loose
Wild flower meadows attract wildlife. But if you really want a perfectly coifed patch of grass, do the insects a favour and leave the edges wild and free. You’ll have the best of both worlds - a walkable lawn and some happy and useful creatures to share it with. Also, alstroe are loved by bees and hummingbirds so they are a good addition if you want to bring in the wild.
Plants = Free Therapy
The love of nature is in our DNA. Research has shown that being in the presence of plants has numerous physical and emotional benefits such as increasing concentration, reducing blood pressure, anxiety and stress and speeding up the process of post-operative healing. Good reasons to add some greenery to your space.
If you have an alstroemeria you’ll likely still be enjoying the benefits of gazing at their blooms, as they have been known to flower right up until November.
But let’s see what you’ll want to bear in mind when winter starts rolling in.
Prepping for Winter
- Mulch ‘em! Mulching can be done late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb) and will help them to stay cosy and get through the winter outside. This is particularly helpful for newer plants that are still establishing.
- If keeping them in pots outside, you can lay the pots on their sides once the plants are dormant to protect from frost and heavy rains
- You could also keep your alstroemeria inside in a greenhouse or similar sheltered spot for protection
- Give them a good and proper soak every so often (as opposed to frequent light watering), making sure their soil is free draining
