by Nicholas Walker, Brand Ambassador for kathy ireland Designs – Jardin

May’s flower of the month is the Hawthorn, a beautiful shrub or small tree that is sometimes referred to as the May Blossom.  The Hawthorn botanical name is Crateagus and it is native

to Europe, North Africa, Mediterranean and western Asia.  It is considered a sacred tree in some parts of the middle East as it is believed that the crown of thorns that Jesus wore during the crucifixion were from a hawthorn tree.

In May it blossoms small, white flowers that have a beautiful aroma and then in the autumn it produces red berries, called haws that are edible and are often used to make jams, jellies and wine.

The Hawthorn is a broadly spreading shrub or small tree and in spite of its exotic origins it is considered a very English tree, and an exceedingly beautiful one at that.  ‘Haw’ is another word for hedge and these shrubs often edge a property and add a distinctive and lovely aspect to a boundary in any garden.

The bark of the Hawthorn is gray and the boughs of the tree are covered in thorns, like the rose bush it is a dangerous beauty.  There are more than a 1000 different species of the Hawthorn and they have earned the name ‘quick set’ as they can be propagated by cuttings and seeds as well.

These trees have acquired a mystical characteristic due to their incredible longevity, in the right conditions they can last for hundreds of years; in fact the oldest known living specimen is said to be over 700 years old and is located in the United Kingdom in a churchyard near Norwich in Norfolk. So, if you plan on planting a Hawthorn tree in your garden you know that you will get a return on your investment, in fact the tree may out last your house.

Heavenly Hawthorn is beautiful, mystical and long lasting and that is why it is a magnificent addition to any garden.

by Nicholas Walker, Brand Ambassador for kathy ireland Designs – Jardin

Sweet Pea is a name that conjures up the image of something delicious, petite and loveable and the flower of the month for April is aptly named because the sweet pea is all of the above and a lot more besides. It makes an impact in any garden as it sweet fragrance is powerful and its blooms gorgeous to look at.

Sweet pea is an annual, climbing plant and in England they are often called the queen of the annuals because of their beautiful, fragrant blooms.  Sweet Peas are famous for their fragrance, a powerful, sweet smell that is quite intoxicating; hence their Latin name, Lathyrus Odoratus.

They come in a wide variety of colors and really add an old fashioned beauty to any garden.

Sweet Peas have a lot of staying power, which is another great attribute of this charming bloom. They will blossom all season long as long as they are deadheaded and tended too well.  Here is how to grow these sweet things:

1.  Plant where they will receive full sun as they need light to thrive.  Choose a site with

well drained soil as soggy roots do not a happy Sweet Pea make.

2.  Do not over fertilize or you will have a plant with few blossoms and very green leaves.

Fertilize about once a month for optimum results.

3.   Water your Sweet peas first thing in the morning so that the leaves have a chance to dry out before nightfall; wet leaves make a great environment for fungus a Sweet Pea downfall.

4.  Deadheading is a must, so remove dead flowers so that your Sweet Pea will bloom all season long.

5.  At the end of the summer make sure that you do not remove all of the old flowers as some will be needed to produce seedpods for next season.

So fill your garden with some homegrown charm and plant some Sweet Peas.  At www.organicbouquet.com Kathy knows all about the joys of spring and purchasing some sweetness is just a click away, how sweet is that?

by Nicholas Walker, Brand Ambassador for kathy ireland Designs – Jardin

What sight heralds the coming of spring more than the yellow daffodil? They are our March flower and as spring arrives on March 20th what bloom could be more appropriate.  Seeing clusters of daffodils swaying in the breeze is one of the most cheerful reminders that winter is over and spring has sprung.

As a member of the narcissus family the daffodil has the tell-tale centre trumpet which is surrounded by a ring of six petals.  Yellow daffodils are the most popular and commonly planted of the species and yet there are white, cream and pink versions of this delightful bloom.

The botanic name for the daffodil genus is Narcissus and although often thought of as a very English flower they are native to Asia, North Africa and Europe.  They are usually an early spring blooming flower yet there are some species that flower in the fall.  The daffodil has been highly cultivated and there are numerous types of this flower with new variations created each year by horticulturalists.

The most common way to have a garden full of daffodils is to grow them from bulbs.   The bulbs should be planted in autumn well before the first freeze arrives, this gives the roots time to take hold and get ready for the long winter ahead.  When choosing a spot consider that daffodils flourish best when in partial sun and shade as they are really a woodland flower; they can survive with full sun but it is not optimum for their growth.  Plant the bulbs in well drained soil as daffodils do not like to have soggy roots.

When choosing daffodil bulbs make sure that they are firm and look and smell fresh, any bulb that is soft and feels light and hollow should be discarded; bear in mind the larger the bulb the larger the plant will be.  Plant the bulbs in a hole that is at least three times as deep as the bulbs are in width; the bulbs are  tapered at one end so plant them with the thinner end pointing upwards towards the top of the hole.  Cover with soil and a good, organic compost and water lightly; adding a layer of mulch will help retain moisture and warmth during the winter months.

The daffodil, the daffodil wherever it grows everyone knows that spring has officially sprung.