With the summer sun well upon us, it's time for the avid green fingered gardeners to prepare their garden.

In order to find the best community base to prepare us for the summer, we have launched a competition to find out the best gardening blog of 2011!

After months of research the following 10 blogs & communities were identified (in no particular order):

1) The Guardian Gardening Blog

The Guardian's Gardening blog has been around for many years, and is regularly updated by popular gardening editors with useful gardening related content.

Find one of their recent posts here.

2) Digging

This United States based gardening resource is owned by Pam, a Texas based gardener. She has developed her garden environment for many years, and regularly posts content on her gardening journey.

Find one of her recent posts here.

3) Veggie Gardening Tips

Veggie Gardening Tips is a gardening portal for useful tips and advice on how to grow vegetables naturally and organically, the blog has some excellent guides on how to grow certain vegetables effectively.

Find one of their recent posts here.

4) Gardeners World Blog

Gardeners World is a BBC owned gardening portal. World gardening experts regularly update the blog with essential tips and advice for gardening related matters, making it a very trusted resource for gardening enthusiasts.

Find one of their recent posts here.

5) GrowsonYou

GrowsonYou is a gardening based community & blogging resource where members can share their gardening tips and tricks with one another.

Find one of their recent posts here.

6) Guerilla Gardening

Guerrilla is an interesting community base, which encourages the creation of gardening in public areas such as on side streets and roundabouts. The blog is frequently updated by members who have come across attractive looking public gardens and flower patches.

Find one of their recent posts here.

7) Cold Climate Gardening

Cold Climate Gardening is a unique gardening resource which offers tips and advice for gardeners who live in cold climates. The blog has a wide range of posts relating to cold climate gardens and how they can be brought to life despite their unfortunate cold temperatures.

Here is one of their recent posts here.

8) Gardening Gone Wild

Gardening gone wild is an internationally recognised gardening blogging community in which aims to 'inspire and inform' its readers with a global perspective on all things gardening.

Find one of their recent posts here.

9) A Way to Garden

A Way to Garden is maintained by garden enthusiast Margaret Roach, she was earlier awarded best garden book of the year in 1998, and her success has continued with her gardening blog, which has a high number of regular subscribers.

Find one of her recent posts here.

10) Garden Rant

Garden Rant is a well known gardening blogging network which has won a number of best blog awards in the past. The blog is regularly updated by four gardening editors who have created a huge following among the gardening network.

Find one of their recent posts here.

To cast a vote for your favourite gardening resource, simply use the form below to vote.

The end date for the competition is  29^th June 2011, so make sure your vote counts! Once the results are collected, the top garden blog of 2011 will be revealed!

Dog kennels are well renowned as the most successful way to train your dog. Proper use can ensure that a new dog becomes a fantastic addition to your new home. Dogs can live happy and healthy lives in outdoor conditions, and a kennel has to be the ideal way to achieve this - helping ensure that dogs aren't left tied up outside in the rain. Choosing the right kennel is a fundamental part of accepting a new dog into your new home.

Why are kennels important?

- Wild dogs have always instinctively settled in caves and dens. A kennel can provide the equivalent - a safe, welcoming area for your dog to settle in comfort.

- Dogs, especially puppies, are typically mischievous! Making sure they have their own space will reduce any negative impact their introduction has on your home - while making it less likely they're eating/doing something they shouldn't! Kennels typically help rectify any problems associated with destructive behaviour.

- Not forgetting...they look good! A good looking kennel can compliment the family garden and add some well needed character alongside your garden sheds, conservatories or patios.

What tips should I follow when buying/installing a new kennel?

- Make sure the kennel you buy/build allows your dog the right amount of space. Your dog should be able to stand in their kennel, though it shouldn't be so spacious as to provoke anxiety.

- Make sure your kennel is appropriate for your dog. Wooden dog kennels typically have a natural, earthy feel - and are much better insualtors than metal or concrete kennels. However, when buying a wooden dog kennel you should ensure that the kennel floor is raised above the ground, to prevent it from soaking up any moisture.

- Ensure your dog is comfortable with their kennel through initial, supervised, short visits. Gradually increase the amount of time they spend in their kennel as required.

- Always provide your dog with the right amenities. Your dog will typically need a blanket for warmth - as well as the usual food and water.

Following these tips should allow your dog to lead a happy and healthy outdoor life. Good luck and all the best with your new pooch!

Winter months can provide difficult times for many insects and wildlife that visit our gardens, food can be particularly hard to come by as the cold and frost starts to bed in. These gloomy conditions are particularly harmful to many species of birds; the outcome of these conditions can be fatal.  Recent studies have shown that birds can use up to 10% of their body fat during a cold winter’s night, meaning that an early morning scurry for food left out on the lawn to be essential to their survival, unless able to feed well every day to replenish lost body fat, a long drawn out cold spell can be disastrous for our feathered friends.

What to feed

Food should be put out on a daily basis to give birds the best possible chance of survival.

-          - Feed twice daily; first thing in the morning and early in the afternoon this is when the birds will crave food the most.

-          - Introduce hanging feeders to hold various seed mixes such as; peanuts, sunflower seeds, and nyjer seeds.

-          - Utilise a bird table for bread, scraps, cheese, and pastry.

-          - Ensure a fresh water supply is available

-          - Bird cakes and fat balls – very good because they provide high fat content, giving birds the energy they need.

Where to place a bird table in your garden

First of all it is essential to place the bird table away from fences or large hedges where cats can easily get to. The table should be placed near a small bush towards the rear of the garden, this will allow the birds to be undisturbed and give them avid space to lookout for other birds on the lookout for food. If possible bird tables should be placed as high as possible to avoid cats and other wildlife climbing onto it, to further avoid the risk of other wildlife attacks, prickly bushes should be placed around the bottom of the table.

Plant wildlife-friendly vegetation, such as prickly bushes and thick climbers in the garden to provide secure cover for birds. These should be close enough to where birds feed to provide cover, but not so close that cats can use it to stalk birds.  This kind of planting may also provide food and nesting sites.

The Need for Water

Like all living things, birds need a regular supply of water to survive. A bird bath mounted on a plinth, a ceramic water dish, or hanging water dishes are some of the most common uses to hold water for birds. It is also important that the edges of each of the equipment are slightly sloping with rough sides to help them grip on.

Frogs

There are more than 5,000 recorded species of frog (order Anura) in the world, their habitats extending worldwide although they do not occur in the Antarctic nor are they present on many oceanic islands. They are tail-less amphibians; characterized by long hind legs, webbed feet, protruding eyes and a short body. They feed mostly on insects such as crickets, moths, flies and mosquitoes – although larger types of frog have been known to eat small turtles and even other small frogs.

They are capable of jumping incredible distances, with some recorded as leaping over 50 times their body length. This is due to their long hind legs and the way their tarsals, tibia and fibula have fused together to form a singular, strong bone. The bones in the frog’s forelimbs are also merged together in order to absorb the impact of each jump

The Frog Life Cycle

There are four main stages of the frog life cycle: egg, tadpole, metamorphosis and adult. It takes around 70 to 80 days for the frog to complete the egg to egg process.

When sexually active, the adult frogs will breed at a water source such as a stream or a pond. The males will make their signature mating call, a low croak, which will then attract nearby females. Once assembled, the male and female undergo their form of mating called ‘amplexus’, which results in a mass of upto 2000 gelatinous eggs that we call frogspawn. After about a week, these aquatic eggs will hatch and become tadpoles.

Tadpoles have oval bodies and long, flat tails. They are typically herbivores, feeding on algae within their native pond. However, there have been instances of some species being carnivorous at the tadpole stage, feeding on small insects and even other tadpoles. Those who develop legs early may be eaten by other tadpoles in order for them to survive longer.

After reaching the end of the tadpole stage, the frogs transition into adulthood through process of metamorphosis. They develop hind legs, front legs and then lungs. Their intestines change as their diet switches from herbivore to carnivore, followed by a change in their eyes in order to provide the frog with binocular vision. Finally, the frogs lose their tail and reach the adult stage.

Two tadpoles in the metamorphosis process

After reaching full maturity, the adult frogs will either leave the water for dry land, or continue to stay in their aquatic habitat. They will seek out invertebrates such as arthropods and gastropods, sometimes capturing prey with their hands and forcing it into their mouths, sometimes using their sticky tongues to catch fast-moving prey.

Frogs themselves are often preyed upon by birds, snakes, foxes, badgers and fish. Whilst it is not certain how long a frog can live for in the wild, they have been recorded to live for over 40 years in captivity.

Chytridiomycosis

There is a rapidly spreading disease called chytridiomycosis that is affecting amphibian populations the world over. Spread by a specific type of fungus (chytrid), the lethal disease spreads to such amphibians as frogs and salamanders through water or moist environments (seen as unusual as this particular form of fungus does not normally affect vertebrates).

“An extinction event on a scale equivalent to that of the dinosaurs”

Chytridiomycosis kills by targeting the skin. Upon contracting the disease, the animal’s skin begins to thicken due to a change in the protein ‘keratin’. As frogs and salamanders often breathe and drink through their skin, this essentially suffocates the animal, causing an abnormal level of electrolyte levels.

Chytridiomycosis is a very high risk to the survival of certain amphibian species, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature calling it “the worst infectious disease ever recorded among vertebrates in terms of the number of species impacted, and its propensity to drive them to extinction.” With such diseases as this coupled with the loss of their habitat, it is important to do what we can in order to prevent such amphibious creatures from dying out.

Frogs in the Garden

Due to these natural and manmade threats, allowing frogs to live in our garden not only brings in a touch of wildlife, but can also help prevent their numbers from diminishing. They need moisture, food, shelter and a place to mate, so making a few changes will make it possible for almost any garden to become a safe frog haven.

Pond

A pond should be around 2-3 feet in depth in order for it to be accommodating for frogs. The edges should be shallow in order for them to get in and out with ease, and there should be moist, rough vegetation in close proximity where the frogs can find food and hibernation. It will also be necessary to provide shelter from the summer sun, meaning pond plants such as marigolds and violets will be a welcoming addition. Damp soil around the pond is often required as their skin needs to stay moist in order for them to breathe. Frogs also tend to prefer ponds with no fish.

Food

As highlighted earlier, frogs tend to live on a diet of mainly insects; the same insects who are a nuisance to homeowners and their gardens. Mosquitoes, moths, slugs, snails, flies and even cockroaches can be reduced in numbers by having frogs in the garden and thus potentially saving the job of calling in pest control should the garden/home become infested with insects. Not only does this save money, but it removes the need to use chemicals that could potentially harm grass, plants and flowers.

Surrounding area

Although it is necessary to have a pond in the garden to attract frogs, it is actually the surrounding area in which they will spend the majority of their lives - so forming piles of leaves, rocks and other debris will provide a place for frogs to forage and shelter in. Using toxic substances in the garden is not advisable due to the way in which frogs breathe through their skin – such pesticides as slug pellets are no longer necessary anyway due to the fact that slugs are eaten by frogs. In keeping with their desire for the damp, they will often choose to spend their time in the moist, humid atmosphere of the greenhouse.

Maintenance

Although having frogs in the garden can be a pleasure and many will strive to maintain a comfortable environment for them, there are a few things to avoid in order to keep them safe and healthy.

For example, grass should be kept short at all times, as frogs will sometimes shelter in long grass which puts them at risk when mowing or strimming is required. Keeping it a short length will make it easier to spot any foraging frogs before they meet a rather grisly end.

It is not a wise idea to remove a frog its original habitat and place it in a different one, as it will most likely die or migrate. If a garden offers their basic needs then frogs will arrive naturally over time – trying to force them into a new environment will not work.

Finally, if a frog is spotted motionless at the bottom of a pond during winter, then do not attempt to retrieve it. Frogs hibernate during the winter, and some males will bury themselves in mud and lie dormant at the bottom of the pond. Removing the frog will disturb its hibernation process and potentially kill it.

Having frogs in the garden does not require too much maintenance but they are relatively fragile creatures so by following the advice here, the perfect garden environment can be created in which they can prosper.

Deforestation

Less than 100 years ago we would see vast areas of green land and outspread woodland areas where families and couples could enjoy their summer weekends, without the hustle and bustle of loud communities, and heavy roadside usage. Now it seems these days are somewhat outdated, and a continuation of environmental and technological change is increasingly upon us.

For centuries now we have seen forests all over the world becoming victim to deforestation. The changes to these climates are having a huge effect on our environment, and many people are still unaware as to the consequences.

Deforestation has been apart of the way we live for centuries now, but over recent times it has caused massive concern all over the world. The state of our environment is vastly becoming taken for granted. It is thought that 30 percent of the earths land is covered by forests, but for how much longer?

What are the causes of deforestation?

• We are the basis of our own downfall when it comes to deforestation, the main causes include;

• Agriculture & Cattle - cut down to create areas of land for grazing cattle

• To grow crops - Used by farmers to grow their own produce

• Used for Urban and Construction Purposes- Used for building materials such as paper, furniture & log cabins etc

• Fuel - Used for firewood and charcoal for heating and cooking purposes.

So what are the effects of deforestation?

One of the main threats to the world is the greenhouse effect - in which gives out harmful gases to the atmosphere, namely Carbon Dioxide .Deforestation subsequently helps these harmful gases swarm around our environment.

Trees as we know are important to our environment, without them, we wouldn’t have paper, oxygen, & everyday resources that we use day in day out.

But there is underlying reasons why forests are essential to our well being. One of which is Photosynthesis. Forests absorb a large number of sunlight & carbon dioxide which in turn can be used for Photosynthesis, not only this but, deforestation actually harms the environment because it allows carbon dioxide to be let out into the environment. Trees themselves take in carbon dioxide and release Oxygen which is essential to all living things, also burning down forests can emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which is locked in the trees wood.  

Other effects such as washing away of soil & Biodiversity contribute heavily to the act of deforestation.

What does the future hold?

It is thought that approximately 13 million hectares of the world's forests are lost due to deforestation, and these numbers don't seem to be halting. Deforestation is of major concerns to most countries in the world, and its constant increase over the last 20 years has done our climate more harm than good,

But due to its effect on people's livelihood and money, it’s hard to see it dropping anytime soon.

The tropical rainforests are infact the main heartbeat for human well being; since all modern medicines come from these environments - It is somewhat hard to believe that we will see a distinct difference any time soon, but if the growth of deforestation continues, it could infact kill us.

One aspect that could help the threats of global warming & the green house effect is planting new trees when old ones are destroyed, this in turn could balance the act considerably. However no formal procedure has yet been discussed.

All living organisms need a source of food for their continued existence and well being. The way in which plants obtain food is by producing it themselves through a process called Photosynthesis. In simple terms plants use the raw materials Carbon Dioxide, & Water, to produce Glucose, and Oxygen both essential to any living being not just plants.

These raw materials (Carbon Dioxide & Water) enter the cells of the leaf, which produces Glucose & Oxygen, and then leaves the leaf.

In more complex and mathematical terms the following formula can be associated with the Photosynthesis process

6H₂O + 6CO₂ → C₆H₁₂O₆+ 6O₂

A question which crops up heavily is why are the leaves of plants green?  

Well the answer is quite straight forward; due to the presence of the chemical Chlorophyll in the plants leafs, during the process of Photosynthesis, Chlorophyll absorbs red and blue wavelengths. The colour green itself is reflected from these wavelengths, making the colour appear green to the naked eye.

Chlorophyll itself is an important factor to the photosynthesis process, as it catches the rays of the sun, and coverts it to glucose of which contains sugar - which in turn provides useable energy.

Photosynthesis – Step by Step

In more complex terms the diagram represents each individual cell within the leaf of a plant, at first glance it does look quite overwhelming – however here is a short and precise guide as to which cells are involved with Photosynthesis:

-     The water given to plants (e.g. when they are watered) travels up the root of the plant, (stomata) and through the cell Xylem.The job of this cell is to simply transfer the water from the roots to other parts of the plant

-     Carbon dioxide cannot enter through the top layer of the leaf (Cuticle) and so can only enter through the stoma

For further reading on Photosynthesis visit - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis

Background

The Rose is a perennial shrub of the family Rosaceae, which contains over 100 species. The Rose comes in a variety of colours, dependant upon species and location. The shrub is native to Asia, with a few small species native to Europe, Africa and America. The majority of the species have stems lined with thorns developed over generations to protect themselves from browsing by animals.

Roses vary in size from small compact miniature plants, to climbers that can reach 7 metres in height. The shape is relatively consistent – rose leaves are sharply pointed and oval in shape. The wide variety of garden roses found today is due mainly to the fact that the plant can easily hybridise from many other different rose species.

Towards autumn, during late summer, the plants edible fruit, rose hip, ripens. Rose hips are occasionally made into cosmetic skin and facial products, as well as jams, marmalades and jelly.

Horticulture

In horticulture, roses are propagated by planting cuttings. Plant’s to cultivate are selected for their flowers, climate tolerance and growth habits. During the growing season, Roses require around 5 hours of direct sunlight each day. During the winter months, Roses enter a dormant stage to evade continuous frost damage.

Many thousands of variations of the plants exist today due to cultivating cross breeds. Most of these hybrid plants are double-flowered, with many or the entire stamen having mutated into additional petals.

Cultivating Roses dates back as far as 1840, to an early Victorian garden cemetery and arboretum in England. In the past Roses were bred for their scent, however in more recent times rose breeders emphasized size and colour with little scent.

Roses thrive in a number of habitats, dependant on their species. By grafting plants onto new rootstocks, the plants can thrive in more varied climates, as shown by some cultivars flourishing in tropical climates. Most Asian varieties thrive in their sub-tropical climates, whereas many others thrive in temperate areas such as the UK.

Because of the wide variety of Roses, there are only three lose classifications of Roses; Wild, Old Garden and Modern Garden.

Wild Roses

Wild roses are found outside of gardens historically, however a few breeds such as ‘Rosa Moschata’, the Musk Rose, and ‘Rosa Banksiae’ Lady Banks’ Rose are now commonly grown in gardens also, to name a few.

Old Garden Roses

Old garden roses are of European or Mediterranean origin typically, and are double-flowered, blooming only once. The flowers are notably fragrant, and bloom in shades of white, pink and red. The classification of ‘Old Garden Roses’ is generally accepted as any rose breed created before 1867, when the first ‘Modern’ rose was cultivated.

Most ‘Old’ roses are categorised into one of the following groups: Alba, Gallica, Damask, Provence, Moss, Portland, China, Tea, Bourbon, Noisette, Hybrid Perpetual, Hybrid Musk, Hybrid Rugosa and the several dozen Bermuda “Mystery” Roses.

Modern Garden Roses

Modern roses classification can brig with it some confusion, as many are modern variations of their ‘Old’ past cultivars. Classifications tend to be by growth and flowering characteristics, such as “cluster-flowered”, “recurrent, large-flowered shrub” or “ground-cover non-recurrent”. Despite the large variety clearly on offer, there is a handful of dominant notable classifications, namely: Hybrid Tea, Perentiana, Polyantha, Floribunda, Grandiflora, Miniature, Climbing, English “David Austin”, Canadian Hardy, Landscape and finally ‘carpet’ roses.

Pruning

The horticultural art of rose-pruning is one much talked about. Dependant on the time of year, the type of rose and the reason for pruning, each attack needs to be carefully thought out. Generally, older varieties flower only once per year, so their pruning requirements are minimal. Removing old spindly canes will make room for new growth in the following season.  Canes that are only one year old should not be removed, as they carry the following years rose buds. The shrubs themselves can also be lightly pruned following the fading of the blooms. The aim should be to reduce the height and width of the plant.

Modern garden roses, however, require a lot more attention to their ‘older’ counterparts. Modern roses planted in colder conditions will require a much harsher pruning attempt too. These hybrids should have their canes reduced to between 8 and 12 inches in height in early spring. Due to the ancestry of the newer plants (China rose), they cannot stand up to similar temperatures in comparison with European ‘older’ roses. Low winter temperatures kill exposed canes. Most gardeners coincide this pruning with the blooming of Forsythia shrubs. Canes should be cut approximately ½” (3cm) above a vegetative bud when pruning, and at an angle of forty five degrees (a diagonal line from upright).

When weak, damaged or diseased growth is found, it should be cut away completely regardless of the amount or time of year. The cutting angle is important to reduce the risk of disease, as well as allowing further growth to generate quicker.

Deadheading

“Deadheading” is the act of cutting away dead, withered or discoloured flowers from the shrub whilst during the blooming season. Deadheading plants encourages them to focus energy and growth into blooms rather that fruit production, and this is true for roses. For flower sales and shows, deadheading also serves the purpose of removing unsightly blooms.

When deadheading, remove all growth above the first 5-leaflet leaf from the shrub upwards, not the base of the plant. Leaving this growth encourages further branching and flower production possibilities.

Continual blooming roses get the benefit from continued forming of growth and new blooms, whereas older “once-blooming” roses continue to product green growth, even though new blooms will wait until the following blooming season.

Pests and Diseases

Rose Rust is just one of several diseases that roses are susceptible to. Rose Black Spot and Powdery Mildew are two of the remainders.

Fungicidal diseases in the rose are solved best via the use of a preventative measure of fungicidal spray. Once a disease has settled in, the infection cannot be reversed. It can however be controlled by fungicide use and effective pruning.

Aphids are the main problem in rose gardens, as they suck sap from the rose plant, therefore weakening the stem. Ladybugs are a predator for the aphid pests, and should be encouraged when near rose shrubs.

Spraying of roses with fungicidal spray is the most effective way of preventing rose disease, however its use should be controlled to minimise the effect on beneficial insects such as the Ladybug.

Uses of the Rose

Roses mean many things to many people, and have various different purposes in different industries. Rose oil is commonly used in perfume Rose oil is created by steam distilling crushed rose petals – a method refined from ancient Persia. Roses are also portrayed by artists, such as the famous Monet, although many fine artists have rose paintings amongst their works.

The rose has always been admired for its beauty, and as such has a long history of representing countries and people. Roses are ancient symbols for Love and Beauty, and the word rose comes up in many languages and religions.

Finally, along with much of the continuation of symbolism and retail, the rose is still used for decoration in the family home and garden. Due to the rose shrub enjoying the temperate weather found here in the majority of the summer months a family garden is a very suitable location, however for extra protection over winter, keep it safe in a suitable storage area, such as a log cabin.

If you have ever wondered how roses have a vast family of species. Take a moment to think about the Orchid family of flowers, which are said to have an astonishing variety of around 30,000 known species, larger than any other known plant. These fascinating plants can grow in any given climate from the sustained warmth of the tropics to the cold temperatures in North America, due to their capabilities of adapting to such conditions they have formed a huge family of species all over the world. Many types of Orchids can be seen within the tropics of the jungle; they tend to grow on the trunks or on the branches of trees.

The Orchid is said to signify many things; love, wisdom, beauty and thoughtfulness. Notably, a pink Orchid is said to convey affection, and is more commonly used for celebrations such as mother’s day.

The continued fascination of the Orchid goes back 100’s of years when they were hunted and collected. Orchids would be looked after on a daily basis, ensuring that the flowers were kept and maintained in the best condition possible. This fascination is known to many gardeners as the ‘Obsession with Orchids’.

 Some of the better known & popular Orchids are:

-          Phalaenopsis

-          Zygomorphic

-          Vanda

-          Cymbidiums

-          Dendrobiums

Orchids have perhaps become quite complex to most, however the structure of these flowers are very similar; they have three sepals and three petals, however the middle of the plant is significantly different across all species.

 Categories of Orchids

Epiphytic Orchids – These Orchids grown on tree trunks only, they do not harm the tree but only rely on it for support and a healthy span of growth. Due to their formation of growth they do not receive a regular supply of water from the soil, however the Epiphytic unique tissue called velamen in its roots, helps the Orchid store enough water for sustained growth.

Lithophytic Orchids – Can be seen with cracks of trees and rocks, they utilises decaying mosses by absorbing their nutrients for growth and health.

Terrestrial Orchids – These types of Orchid grow underground, similar to Litophytic Orchids, they get their nutrients from fungus.

Further reading for Orchids - http://orchidlady.com/main.html

Egyptian Gardens

The history of gardening is said to stem across over 4,000 years. The Egyptians first showed evidence of a garden landscape structure in 1500 BC, and were found on ancient tomb paintings. The Egyptians were known for their interest in gardens, both within their homes and near spiritual temples, their garden landscapes could also be seen within tomb chapels.

A variety of flowers and trees were grown by the Egyptians some of which symbolised ancient gods and spiritual power. Some of which were;

Trees

 Tamarisk sacred to Wesir, olive, acacia, willow, date palm sacred to Re and Min, and sycamore sacred to Het-Hert.

Flowers

 Lily and delphinium, mandrake mandatory officinarum, daisy, cornflower, water lily, and papyrus

Garden temples were considered sacred, so the Egyptians would grow special flowers and shrubs to reflect this. They would often place them near cult temples and mortuary temples. Areas leading up to the temples were lined with spiritual trees (some of which are mentioned above)

Chinese Gardens

The Chinese have continued their huge interest in garden landscapes for more than 2,500 years. Similar to the Egyptians, they see their gardens as being spiritual and harmonic. There were two major philosophies that came from early China; Confucianism and Taoism were essential components of the design and layout of any Chinese garden landscape. Confucianism was said to be the “art of living” and was said to influence the structure of their landscapes. Taoism is seen as the “law of nature” and is known for its main purpose of garden structuring and designing.

Chinese gardens were perhaps well known for their built up approach, they would often dominate their landscapes with large rockery and would squeeze them into tight spaces in and around the garden. They would often give an onlooker a sense of harmony due to the pure beauty of the landscapes they had formed.

Hidcote Manor Garden

Hidcote Manor Garden is one of the most famous garden landscapes in England. Situated in Gloucestershire, Hidcote Manor is well known for its collection of rare trees and shrubs.

The landscape's creator, Lawrence Johnston, later sold the popular garden landscape to his mother who later began to lay out key features of the garden.

The impressive garden landscape covers over 10.5 acres, the majority of the garden slopes down to a small stream before rising back up to a valley with a long strip of land. The garden is recognised by its gazebo and circular pool situated in the centre of the landscape. The pool itself is surrounded with beautiful white roses. Attractive shades of green hedges and trees can be seen around the edges of the garden.

Over the last 20 years the garden itself has been a huge tourist attraction for many people all over the world.

The Italian Renaissance garden

The Italian Renaissance garden emerged as a popular style of garden in the fifteenth century in Rome and Florence. These landscapes were inspiring; many viewers would enjoy the wonderful sights and smell of the gardens. Gardeners often used mathematical approaches to the layout of the landscape, focusing on geometric designs in a formal style. Among the early features of these gardens were hedges, groves of plane trees, clipped boxwood hedges, roses, laurel, pergolas, fountains, springs, or other water sources.

Later in the Renaissance the gardens would appear much larger and more symmetrical, and filled with large water fountains and scenic sculptures. These gardens were said to represent an outlook of nature and art, As a result, the gardens were a combination of natural landscapes and highly formalized areas.

We all know Roses can symbolise many different things; love, friendship, sympathy, and elegant beauty, to name a few, because of their variety and inspiration, it has allowed them to become suitable for various events and celebrations. More commonly purchased for loved ones, grand-parents, and used for wedding and homecoming celebrations.

I think many people not just Garden lovers will agree that there is nothing better than receiving a beautiful rose from a loved one.

Due to the popularity of Roses, they have held their own over the years and continue to be the obvious choice for many people.

Take a look at some of the most popular Roses such as; Hybrid Tea, Grandifloras, Floribundas, and Polyanthas.

Taking care of your roses in the summer

These are the common methods utilised by many gardeners: Ensure your Roses are well watered, especially in the absence of rain. Water is an essential nutrient needed for everyday living of any plant not just the Rose. Ensure soil is soaked up to 8 inches, and try to prevent from watering parts of the Rose itself, as it may burn the flower when sunny. It is also important to note that the rose should be well watered within the first 3 years in particular; this helps them to form stronger roots that become more tolerant to stages without any water. Each Rose should be supplied with 4-5 gallons of water every week at least.

The Rose should take in a minimum of four to six hours sunlight everyday, to ensure the flowers bloom properly. Insufficient sunlight can result in the inevitable death of the Rose.  (Ensure you plant the Rose within a well lit area beforehand) Like any living organism Roses require food; Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for a plant. A time-release fertiliser is perhaps the best type you can buy; this type of fertiliser can deliver the correct amount of nutrients to the plant over a period of time, and will ensure the plant grows in proportion.

Keep your Roses well pruned using sharp secateurs. Ensure that all dead wood is removed, (dark brown unhealthy looking colour) the cut should be made above an outward facing bud.

Choose the right approach to pruning:

-          Shrub roses

-          Bush roses (includes, hybrid tea, floribunda and patio roses

-          Climbers

-          Ramblers

-          Ground cover Roses

Tips and Tricks for keeping your Roses in shape

    -    Soak your pruning shears in bleach and water, this will help prevent disease and keep away unwanted bugs and insects

    -    All branches that cross and overlap each other should be removed, to avoid diseasing

    -    Cut your roses properly by ensuring the bud is facing ouside of the branch at a 45 degree angle that slopes inward, this will keep the flower growing healthily

    -    Roses may become hit by insects and bugs from time to time, to prevent them ruining your flower use a mild solution of dish soap and warm water, and spray the rose gently

    -    Ensure you deadhead and mulch your roses on a weekly basis to keep them growing healthily and efficiently

    -    Remove unwanted 'suckers' (leaves that have a differnet shape and colour to the rest of the plant) by simply pulling them off with gardening gloves.