Good plant #129 - Orlaya Grandiflora

This a belting hardy annual with lacey flowers and feathery leaves.

You can sow this hardy annual in spring or autumn. You tend to get stronger/ bushier plants from a sowing in autumn but you'll need protect the seedlings in the coldest weather. I tend to pop two/ three seeds in several very small pots in early/ mid spring and thin out the weakest seedlings.

You should plant them in the ground in late spring/ early summer and space them out about 9 to 12 inches apart.

It likes a sunny position and well-drained soil.

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Good plant #128 - Aster 'Little Carlow'

This group of plants are loved for their late flowering right through Autumn. This particular hybrid variety is shorter than some varieties and very floriferous.

Although it's not tall, it's worth staking on an exposed site.

I get rid of all the old growth in spring, cutting almost to the ground.

This plant prefers fairly moist soil but will grow in all but a very shady site.

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Good plant #127 - Brachyglottis Monroi

If you've got a very dry sunny spot, this small evergreen shrub is a great do-er. It's got lovely green wavy-edged leaves with a silver underside as well as a profusion of flowers in summer.

They are best given a sheer in spring to maintain the shape.

It must have a sunny spot and well-drained soil but is very drought tolerant. It's great for a gravel border.

Cuttings are best taken in late summer.

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Good plant #126 - Tulipa 'Humilis Persian Pearl'

I love dwarf species tulips and this is probably my favourite. This tulip is very compact and ideal for growing in pots.

Squirrels love freshly planted bulbs but by soaking the bulbs in tonic water (which contains quinine) deters them. The new shoots are a slug favourite so use deterrents if you are inclined to do so.

You can ensure abundant blooms year after year by applying a liquid general purpose fertilizer to the leaves after flowering when the foliage is still green. All the foliage should be cut off and removed as soon as it has tuned yellow.

I always plant tulip bulbs in very well-drained soil by adding plenty of grit. I plant these bulbs 2 inches deep in the soil and 3 inches apart. I always put them in a sunny-ish spot.

Healthy bulbs will produce additional offset bulbs which will flower eventually. If you want more in a different location, lift the bulbs in late summer and remove and re-plant the offsets.

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Good plant #125 - Choisya Ternata

This is an excellent and medium-sized evergreen and flowering shrub. It has dark green leaves and white flowers which appear in spring and then sometimes autumn.

It doesn't need pruning but you can prune as hard as you like after flowering.

It prefers a sunny and sheltered site and thrives in well-drained soil. It's fairly drought tolerant.

Cuttings can be taken in late spring after flowering.

For more good plants and gardening tips click here:http://greenshootsgardeningandhorticulture.blogspot.com/ and check out the archive at the bottom of the page.