Tropical

With the temp guage over 4 degrees it is feeling really tropical after the 'big freeze'. The Camellia trees in my garden have still not burst into flower despite flowering just after Christmas last year and two weeks before Christmas in 2008! We wait in anticipation. Very relieved to see that the buds have not rotted due to the frosts and snow so we should get a good show when they finally decide to wake up.

If you are interested in Bonsai you might find 'An Introduction to Bonsai' by John Hanby of value. John has put together this DVD which is a perfect start for any aspiring bonsai artist or enthusiast. The DVD covers pruning, wiring and shaping, keeping bonsai alive and watering. Running time is approx 82 minutes. Details from www.immediaproductions.co.uk

Congratulations to the Walled Garden at Scampston which has been named as Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Yorkshire Moors and Coast Tourism Awards. Scampston is an RHS Recommended Garden and has received widespread acclaim since the former Victorian kitchen garden was given a highly contemporary redesign by Dutch plantsman Piet Oudolf in 1999. The walled gardens open again on Good Friday, 2nd April 2010.

For the first time in the history of the RHS, pak choi, Brassica rapa Chinensis Group, is to be part of the RHS Wisley trials. Made popular by television chefs, this versatile vegetable has become more widely used as a salad leaf ingredient. The new trial will feature 27 different cultivars with both white and green stems including 'Natsu Taiko' and 'Colour and Crunch'. Thompson and Morgan have seen a steady but sustained increase in sales of pak choi due to the introduction of the new F1 hybrids which extend the growing season.

Other trails at Wisley for 2010 include, daffodil; asparagus; carrot and spring cabbage. A full list of 2010 trials for flowers and vegetables will appear shortly on www.rhs.org.uk/trials

Don't forget that Reckless Gardener has changed domain names and you should now log on at www.recklessgardener.com

Happy gardening.