NEW YEAR, NEW GARDEN
NEW YEAR, NEW GARDEN
At Nicholsons, we want to make lockdown useful! We have made it our mission to help and inspire you to plan and prepare the garden of your dreams to enjoy over Summer.
Our offering
Our Plant Centre remains open for outdoor plant sales
Fully stocked 23-acre plant nursery
Free horticultural expert advice
Inspirational blogs
Design ideas
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LATEST BLOG
Woodland Wonders: May
With the temperatures gently rising, woodland wildflowers are springing to life allowing insect pollination to take place. The native hawthorn is teeming with wildlife right now; how many insects and varieties can you spot within the blossom?
Wil Heeney, Entomologist working with us here at Nicholsons, shares his expert knowledge once again. Organiser of The Longhorn Beetle Recording Scheme, Wil is an avid enthusiast of longhorn beetles and – as a specialist in invertebrates – keeps a keen eye on the hawthorn blossom since it is a haven for many species. Discover some of the invertebrates here and read on to find out more about the tricks used to observe these and hundreds of other insect species. Be inspired the next time you take a stroll through the woods.
Recent Blogs
Why We Must Learn to Love Weeds
By Libby Reeves A few weeks ago, I outlined the negative effects of weeds and what they can do to our newly planted trees, hedges and borders. However, it is important to consider how and why these plants have come to grow in our gardens, and to share some insight as to when weeds can actually be beneficial. Read more »
Feng Shui – Tips For Garden And Landscape Design
By David Kurita-May A garden that has been designed using Feng Shui principles seeks to capture the environment’s natural rhythms and the spiritual equality between man and nature. Eastern culture recognises the oneness of all living things and how energy, or chi, needs to flow smoothly, both through our surroundings and through ourselves. Read more »
Feng Shui – A Personal View by David Kurita-May
By David Kurita-May Life is about energy, and energy is about flow. So, to get your life situation to flow, it must start with the energy. Feng Shui is the ancient practice of achieving this flow of energy by making certain alterations to your personal conditions - be that within your surroundings, your body, your current location, or Read more »
Coping with Weeds
By Libby Reeves Every year when the temperature starts to increase and the sun shines on our damp winter soils, we wait in earnest for our lawns, borders and trees to flourish. But as the trees green and the borders start to flower, the weeds push up alongside them. Weeds come in all shapes and sizes. Some have Read more »
What is Lurking in Your Compost Bin?
By Wil Heeney To most people, compost bins are just places to dispose of garden arisings and grass clippings. It can be a delicate art form, and those who have been home composters for a while often have close-guarded secret recipes of how they arrange their layers and when to add what. However, even avid composters may give Read more »
Understanding Soil pH: Recommendations for Soil Types
By Libby Reeves One of the first questions I always ask clients that come to Nicholsons for advice is, ‘What is your soil like?’ The soil is essential to anchor the roots and hold the plant upright. It is vital as a water source and is the supply tank for nutrients that will keep the plant healthy and Read more »
Plant of the Week
ESCALLONIA
Escallonia is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub, perfect for a flowering hedge or specimen planting. Escallonia produces clusters of small, pretty flowers against a backdrop of glossy green leaves. The long flowering period of this shrub is from June to October, attracting bees, butterflies, and other insects for many months. The flowers are tube-shaped, usually pink, red or white, and in some varieties, scented. Escallonia are best planted in full sun, into reasonable, well-drained soil (acid, alkaline or neutral pH) and can grow up to 3 metres in either direction, depending on the cultivar. It responds well to pruning, so will do just as well in a small garden.
Escallonia are easy to grow and relatively maintenance free, but are slightly tender. Though they are tolerant of windy areas and salt spray in a coastal garden, they struggle with cold winds. If your garden has a spare sheltered spot, or you have a garden on the coast where it is suitable to grow, there are several varieties available which may suit your garden.
Nicholsons is accredited by the following official organisations:
Approved contractors of the Safe-contractor scheme, Nicholsons are also accredited with CHAS and Arboricultural Association. The Company are also members of BALI and recently won awards as Cherwell Employer of the year 2016, Cherwell Established Business of the Year 2014, as well as being finalists in the Oxfordshire Business of the Year awards in 2013 (Energy and Environment Award).
