Funny how Monty said he couldn't grow heathers in the alkaline soil at Longmeadow, but had a healthy looking Rhododendron lutea?
Really? I generally just sit back and let the regular Monty bashing on here wash over me, as it seems to be the "in" thing to do when GW is mentioned, but this just seems a step too far.
I wasn't Monty bashing at all. Bizarre that you interpreted it as such tbh! I was surprised, and the question mark at the end of my comment was an invitation for others to come along and explain...
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
@Loxley - there are different groups of heathers from callunas to ericas and more which will tolerate and/or thrive in different growing conditions. Some like good drainage and some like boggy moorland conditions. Winter flowering forms are OK in more alkaline conditions.
As far as I know, all the azaleas and rhododendrons like acid conditions so I expect Monty's is in a pot or a specially prepared acid bed.
As for Monty bashing, given that Beeb declares GW to be a "flagship" gardening show I expect it to be accurate at all times and whilst I recognise that the production and topics covered may not be Monty's choice, what he says and does should be correct, timely and informative. Unfortunately, he gets it wrong sometimes - quite a lot according to some experts.
Still worth recording tho for the good bits.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Rhodendrons and azalea like acidic soil but they can grow in neutral slightly alkaline soil too. In many gardens in my area i have seen good size rhodendrons and azaleas growing near hydrangeas which flowers pink. Also Camelias and Acers. I guess some people just plant what they like, and with some care plants grow well despite not the exact preferred soil.
At 9pm, last but one programme in the current series .
" At Longmeadow, Monty shares his tips on how to feed the birds over the coming months, plants raspberries both in the ground and in a pot, and makes a start on lifting his tender salvias.
Joe Swift visits a nurseryman in Essex who loves to experiment with ornamental grasses, and Arit Anderson meets Fergus Garrett, head gardener at Great Dixter, to discover how the planting and garden management have increased biodiversity.
The programme meets a couple in Staffordshire with a particular fondness for Japanese maples and a man whose love of dahlias has taken over his back garden in Stockport. Plus what viewers have been doing in their own gardens. "
It'll be recorded as neither OH nor Possum think gardening is good evening TV. That means I can FF Joe Swift and ornamental (not for me) grasses but I look forward to Arit's visit to Great Dixter and Fergus.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
" In the final programme from Longmeadow this year, Monty harvests his pumpkins, plants bulbs in a pot and has plenty of jobs we can be getting on with over the coming weeks.
Frances Tophill travels to Winkworth Arboretum in Surrey to celebrate the season and to explain the science behind the golden and red tones of autumn leaves. The team takes inspiration from RHS Harlow Carr and has a look at their winter borders and the plants which will add interest and drama to gardens over the coming months.
There is a second chance to meet a woman who has inspired a generation of young people and taught them gardening skills from her garden in the West Midlands, and the show revisits Hampshire twins Stuart and Ian Paton to find out what it takes to grow record-breaking pumpkins.
And revel in the films of the gardens and gardening tips viewers have shared this year."
Posts
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I wasn't Monty bashing at all. Bizarre that you interpreted it as such tbh! I was surprised, and the question mark at the end of my comment was an invitation for others to come along and explain...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
As far as I know, all the azaleas and rhododendrons like acid conditions so I expect Monty's is in a pot or a specially prepared acid bed.
As for Monty bashing, given that Beeb declares GW to be a "flagship" gardening show I expect it to be accurate at all times and whilst I recognise that the production and topics covered may not be Monty's choice, what he says and does should be correct, timely and informative. Unfortunately, he gets it wrong sometimes - quite a lot according to some experts.
Still worth recording tho for the good bits.
" At Longmeadow, Monty shares his tips on how to feed the birds over the coming months, plants raspberries both in the ground and in a pot, and makes a start on lifting his tender salvias.
Joe Swift visits a nurseryman in Essex who loves to experiment with ornamental grasses, and Arit Anderson meets Fergus Garrett, head gardener at Great Dixter, to discover how the planting and garden management have increased biodiversity.
The programme meets a couple in Staffordshire with a particular fondness for Japanese maples and a man whose love of dahlias has taken over his back garden in Stockport. Plus what viewers have been doing in their own gardens. "
" In the final programme from Longmeadow this year, Monty harvests his pumpkins, plants bulbs in a pot and has plenty of jobs we can be getting on with over the coming weeks.
Frances Tophill travels to Winkworth Arboretum in Surrey to celebrate the season and to explain the science behind the golden and red tones of autumn leaves. The team takes inspiration from RHS Harlow Carr and has a look at their winter borders and the plants which will add interest and drama to gardens over the coming months.
There is a second chance to meet a woman who has inspired a generation of young people and taught them gardening skills from her garden in the West Midlands, and the show revisits Hampshire twins Stuart and Ian Paton to find out what it takes to grow record-breaking pumpkins.
And revel in the films of the gardens and gardening tips viewers have shared this year."