Growing these trees from seed is relatively easy, you just need to make sure to barely cover the seeds and to keep the surface moist during the germination phase. the tiny seedlings can be a little tricky to handle when pricking out into pots and if you are growing in an area with cold winters you should cover and keep the seedlings indoors for the first two winters.Â
Growing from seed is great as you will promote genetic diversity in your stock, especially useful for forest planting. It’s also very easy to grow Paulownia from root cuttings. Thicker root cuttings (3cm>) will be more reliable but long and thin roots (15 cm long 1cm thick) should also work well. We harvest root cuttings from 2-year-old trees during the dormant season by unearthing the plants and cutting back the lateral roots to the main stem. The tree can be replanted and will grow new roots and shoots the following season. Â
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We’ve pruned them very hard (50%) in the past but have lost a few so we’ll only prune lightly when they start to impede access. Spanish broom has been used in traditional cultures for various purposes. For example, it has been used in basket weaving and as a source of yellow dye for textiles and is believed to have diuretic, laxative, and sedative effects. It has also been used to treat respiratory problems, skin disorders, and liver diseases.
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The herb has a long history of use as a medicinal, traditionally used as a sleep aid, and some modern research suggests that it may help improve sleep quality and reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. The root of the valerian plant contains the highest concentration of the active compounds responsible for its potential sedative and sleep-promoting effects. In any case, the plant’s attractive flowers and fragrance make it a popular choice for various pollinators.
Ground Layer – Allium neapolitanum – Daffodil Garlic is a great addition to the understory of the forest garden growing well in partial shade. Their bulb proliferation results in a spreading clump that holds its territory well, eventually making a good ground cover. When the flowers do emerge there are swarms of invertebrate activity around them. Like all plants in this genus, they are edible, with leaves, flowers, and bulbs. More alliums from the nursery here – https://www.balkep.org/plant-profiles.html
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Regenerative Landscape Design – Online Interactive CourseÂ
Want to learn how to design, build and manage regenerative landscapes? Join us on our Regenerative Landscape Design – Online Interactive Course. We look forward to providing you with the confidence, inspiration, and opportunity to design, build and manage regenerative landscapes, gardens, and farms that produce food and other resources for humans while enhancing biodiversity.
You can find the course details here and at the moment we have a $350 ( 20%) discount for full enrollment to the course. Just use RLD2024 in the promo code section of the registration form to receive your discount.Â
Wildlife
Great to see European Copper Skink – Ablepharus kitaibelii in the gardens. A species of lizard from the skink family (Scincidae), they look very similar to young Slow worms but if you look closely you can see this species has small legs. Â
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Some early June wildflowers in the gardens
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As the weather warms in the garden in mid-spring we can be sure to be joined by Red-backed Shrike – Lanius collurio. Incredible to consider that every year they travel all the way from regions south of the Sahara Desert in Africa, flying thousands of kilometers to breed here. They are relentless pest predators and most probably contribute to keeping the vole populations down in our gardensÂ
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Polyculture from Our Gardens
 Here’s a polyculture from our home Forest Garden Aponia taken in late spring
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You can find plant profiles for each of the species below and all of these plants are available from our Nursery.
Herb LayerÂ
Canopy Layer
Shrub Layer
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If you appreciate the work we are doing you can show your support in several ways.
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Become a member of the Bloom Room. A $70 annual or $7 per month subscription to our Substack provides you with access to live sessions, design tutorials, a members forum and more, see details here.
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Make a purchase of plants or seeds from our Nursery or Online StoreÂ
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Joining us for one of our Practical Courses or Online Courses
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Comment, like, and share our content on social media.
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