News - Page 64

Zamioculcas zamiifolia, aka the ZZ plant, aroid palm or fern arum, is fast becoming one of the most popular houseplants available. With its neat, arching stems and glossy green leaves, it looks a bit like an outsize fern, making a fantastic focal point in any room. And if you’re after some extra impact, there’s Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’ with its fabulous deep purple-black foliage.

When life is busy, it is easy to throw everything in a cupboard or drawer and close it up so no one can see, including you! Make it a new years resolution to go through all of your cupboards, drawers and wardrobes to have a clear out. Give books to charity, clothes to family and visit the tip with anything else that you cant repurpose or pass on. It might take some time, but it is incredibly therapeutic and will get you off to a great start for the New Year.

There are many reasons to prune shrubs and trees, especially over winter. It can help to promote bigger growth, to train trees as cordons or espaliers plus it helps to encourage flowers, shape and remove dead and diseased wood. It is an important winter task and keeps those green fingers occupied in the colder months of the year. 

With all of the festive trimmings, it is great to add some natural christmas decorations for a special personal touch. It can be great fun to get outside and start picking natural decorations to make in to your own. Not only will you be getting outside in the fresh air but you can then get home and decorate your rooms with pine cones and sprayed twigs while warming up with a tasty hot chocolate.

Conifers are everywhere at this time of year. From blue spruce (Picea pungens) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) to the classic Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana), the festive season wouldn’t be the same without them. But conifers aren’t just for Christmas. They’re easy to grow, add structure all year round, and come in so many shapes, sizes and colours that there’s one for every garden.