Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2015 | Page 50

GARDENING Exceedingly confused G rowing plants from seed can be a confusing experience if you follow the seed-packet instructions relating to the sowing dates and temperatures needed. I've found some of them are really unrealistic for the average gardener, with recommendations of early sowing dates and temperatures up to 27 C (82 F) which are likely to lead to overcrowded pots of leggy seedlings, prone to damping off. Many plants will germinate at far lower temperatures and produce sturdy seedlings which are more easily hardened off too. Later sowings usually cost less to produce in terms of heating and compost requirements, as they germinate faster and develop more quickly as light levels improve. IN THE GARDEN With Tina Hughes Finding a happy medium E pimedium are not the kind of plant that stops you in your tracks, unless you look closely. I discovered them years ago but had more or less forgotten them until I saw one in a seed catalogue recently. They're part of the Berberis family but their attractive leaves are soft and spineless, and they form a pleasing, undemanding perennial ground cover. The attractive sprays of flowers that flutter daintily above the leaves vary in size and colour depending on the variety. There are two groups, one from Mediterranean regions which tolerate drier conditions, the other from East Asia which appreciate well drained but moisture retaining soil. They both prefer light shade under deciduous trees. 50 www.visitilife.com Into the light S pring's playfully nipping at winter's heels and it's time to get growing now. The brakes are off and all around plants are accelerating into growth as the days lengthen. I'm sure that I'm not alone in feeling as if I'm welcoming back old friends as I watch my favourite plants re-emerge from their winter slumbers. At times I admit I do talk to them as I relish the arrival of the first snowdrops, the first daffodils, the first hellebore; until suddenly the garden's once more ablaze with light, colour and life.