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Bedding busy Lizzies are set to be in short supply for a second year running.
Seed and young plant supplier Thompson & Morgan has decided not to re-introduce the border and hanging basket favourite to its 2013 catalogue due to the global spread of impatiens downy mildew.
The disease, which prompted T&M to pull Impatiens walleriana from its catalogue in 2012, quickly…
A novelty plant that prompted a buying frenzy among gardeners has won an industry Oscar.
Digitalis ‘Illumination Pink,’ launched exclusively by Thompson & Morgan, picked up the title of Best New Plant at the Garden Retail magazine awards in London in November.
The tropical foxglove, a hardy perennial that flowers for six months in peachy-pink colours, was previously crowned RHS Chelsea Plant…
A new world record has been set for the most expensive snowdrop after a single bulb was sold for £725.
The Galanthus woronowii ‘Elizabeth Harrison’ snowdrop bulb was snapped up by Ipswich-based Thompson & Morgan (T&M).
T&M emerged as the successful bidder after more than 30 galanthophiles (snowdrop enthusiasts) embarked on a bidding frenzy for the unusual yellow-headed bloom on an internet…
Bitain’s biggest garden retailer is to stop selling the nation’s favourite bedding plant.
B&Q, which has 357 stores, pulled the plug on busy Lizzies (Impatiens walleriana) after impatiens downy mildew struck in 2011.
B&Q usually sells 20 million busy Lizzies a year, making it the UK’s biggest retailer of the hanging basket favourite.
The firm warned of a “chronic shortfall of busy Lizzies…
A technology revolution will change the way gardeners shop for plants and products.
Hi-tech barcodes, called ‘QR’ codes (quick response), are appearing on items from plant pots to fertiliser and compost.
When shoppers scan the codes with a mobile phone, they are directed to websites or videos explaining how to use the product.
Editor of trade magazine Garden Retail, Matthew Appleby, said: “QR codes…
Super-sized dahlias are proving that big is beautiful.
Giant dahlia ‘XXXL Series,’ exclusive to Thompson & Morgan, has dinner plate-size flower heads from early summer into autumn.
“These are the biggest flowered patio dahlias that we have seen,” said T&M’s Michael Perry.
“We think it’s time for dahlias to enjoy a revival thanks to their long-flowering and ability to lengthen the flowering season…
Gardeners who discover new plants can bag big cash rewards.
Thompson & Morgan, the Ipswich seed company, is offering rewards of £500 to gardeners who come up with a new plant that makes it into its range.
Gardeners are being urged to search their plots for novelties or dabble at breeding in a bid to come up with striking new plants.
T&M’s plant…
