Landscape Juice

Treating Box Blight with red wine

This post was prompted by the news that the topiary at Avebury Manor is being pulled out because a savage attack of box blight which has destroyed much of the historic hedging. Two years ago - almost to the day - I purchased 8 box balls and 35 box hedging plants and duly planted them as a border around a newly created border. (Image right: an infected box ball shortly after planting - click to enlarge) It was a very dry spring so I watered copiously to make sure the plants established themselves. Even though I had very good air... Read more →

Plant gasses can counteract arctic climate change

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have found that plant gasses possibly dampen the temperature rise in Greenland. Plants emit compounds to deter pests or attract pollinators, and as a side effect particles are formed when the compounds interact in the air. These particles can contribute to the formation of clouds, which reflect incoming solar radiation, and thus prevent solar heat from reaching the ground and warming it additionally. Researchers studied the effect of the imminent climate changes on the release of so-called “biogenic volatiles” to the atmosphere above Greenland. The study of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) is in... Read more →

300,000 commemorative poppies to be unveiled at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Landscape designer Phillip Johnson has teamed up with the creators of the 5000 Poppies Project to showcase a vast tribute of almost 300,000 handcrafted poppies at 2016 RHS Chelsea Flower Show from 24-28 May 2016. The display will honour all servicemen and women who have fought across all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations over the last 100 years. Phillip Johnson’s design for Chelsea will incorporate a selection of poppies from 50,000 contributors from across the globe. The design features a simple central geometric installation, complemented by more than 25,000 stemmed poppies extending into the lawns of the Chelsea Hospital. Overall... Read more →