After The Rain.....

These are just a couple of images taken today in Joe's garden after the rain. These fuschias line the side of his house and look truly stunning! I love the aged look of the bird bath, especially filled with rain water.....

Peacock Butterfly....

Last week we we able to catch a photograph of this pretty Peacock butterfly in the Garden Centre, milling around the flowers in the sunshine. It's favourite flowers are Budleja and Lavender.

Caterpillars of this variety of butterfly love munching on sting nettles!

Peacock butterflies are believed to be able to live up to eleven months and takes its name from the bird Peacock due to its markings.

Scented Display....

Potting loose Hyacinth bulbs is a great way to create a stunning and fragrant display both indoors and outdoors.

In stock just now we have loose Hyacinth bulbs in Delft Blue, Yellow City of Haarlem, Janbos, Red and Pink Frosting.

Although these will not bloom for a few months, planting them now (up until mid October) in peat (for indoor use) then storing in a dark place for a few weeks will ensure you give them a head start. You should ensure that they are kept in the dark until green shoots appear, then transfer to a COOL room with lots of light. Transfer to a warm room once flowers begin to appear - perfect for Christmas.

Indoor Hyacinths will make a great gift and look great in glass bowls, vintage dishes and terracotta pots alike!

For planting outside - hold off until mid October (no later than mid Nov) then plant approx 8 inches apart and 2-3 inches deep. These will flower in the Spring.

Campanula Kent Belle

We love this Campanula hybrida Kent Belle we have in stock just now. It has the most beautiful large violet-blue bell-like glossy drooping flowers with medium green leaves. This stunning plant has been given the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Perfect for adding a dash of colour and interest to the garden.

Good Enough To Eat.....

One of the things we pride ourselves on here at the Mill is the amount of homegrown stock we produce. In stock just now we have some of the most fragrant Rosemary, you really would have to smell it to believe it!!!

We have Rosemarinus Green Ginger from £6.95 for a 3 litre pot - it has a wonderful aroma of rosemary mixed with ginger and Miss Jessops Upright from £6.35 for a 3 litre pot.

Rosemary is so easy to grow and both varieties can be used in cooking.....perfect with roast chicken and wild garlic!

Dry Stone Wall and Archway

The dry stone wall and archway that Richard Love has been creating for us, here at the Mill in our Dell Garden, is now complete.

Richard has worked hard over the past few weeks, to create this stunning feature which blends into the landscape. We are delighted with the result and lucky to have had such a skilled and experienced dry stone waller to put our ideas into something solid.

The next stage is to have a custom made gate created......

Wildlife Garden

A mix of Budleja and Lavatera would fit in perfectly within a Wildlife Garden.

Recently we helped out a local school with their Wildlife Garden Project. Why not read more about it in this West Lothian article:-

http://www.westlothiancourier.co.uk/2010/07/08/pupils-enjoy-green-party-62405-26804149/