Surely no more unique setting could be devised for this magnificient genus than the rolling fells and quiet waters of the lake district. As if aware of this magnolias seem to flourish in the warm moist climate found there as I have never seen them do elsewhere. A deep, humus-rich yet free-draining soil with adequate moisture suits nearly all the species, but they do make an effort to grow on most soils.

Magnolia denudata, the Yulan or Lily Tree, does not take long to settle in and present the gardener with a few of the pure white, cup-shaped flowers which are so elusively fragrant that it would be almost better if they had no scent at all. Magnolias should never suffer root damage, so though pot-grown specimens may cost a little more they are worth it for the assurance of success they bring.

Lavandula spica (officinalis) is the Old English Lavender of popular legend, but the bushes must be trimmed after flowering or it presents a rather gnarled, top heavy appearance. Folgate is a dwarf form suitable as an edging to paths or borders. Grappenhall Variety, on the other hand, makes a 36-in. high bush, and looks very well in groups down a grey and white border.

When plants are sick they require to he gradually encouraged back to good health by keeping them in a warm place, watering very sparingly and temporarily discontinuing feeding. It is also important that they should not be exposed to direct sunlight. There seems to be a desire on the part of the owner to pot the ailing plant into a larger container filled with the most super of super composts. This frequently proves to be the final blow – one should pot on healthy, vigorous plants and not lame ducks. It is inevitable when repotting that the root system will suffer some damage, and this can often be the death of the sickly plant that has had its last few healthy roots destroyed in the process.

Besides selecting good quality plants and creating humidity, it is also necessary to provide light, airy and reasonably warm conditions. A temperature in the region of 16 to 18C. (60 to 65F.) is adequate for all but the more tender tropical types of plant. Excessive heat can often present more problems than temperatures that are slightly below ideal requirements, especially if the atmosphere is very dry. Excess in most things is detrimental, and it would certainly seem to apply to plants where moderation does, on the whole, give much better results.

The time of year is going to determine how you feed your Koi. Since Koi are cold blooded, their metabolism can changed greatly based on what the water temperature is. Feeding the Koi too much when the weather is cold or not feeding them enough when the weather is hot can cause them harm. Koi feeding does not take a rocket scientist, but it does require that you are careful. As long as you follow the instructions for your fish, you should have no issues having healthy Koi from now on.

One way to make sure that you are feeding your Koi correctly is to have a pond thermometer in your pond so that you can acquire an accurate temperature reading all year round. When the weather is cold, their metabolism slows, so you don’t want to feed them too much. They are not able to process the food they eat when it is cold and you must know that fish have a hard time knowing when they are full. That is why fish are easily overfed. In the summer, their metabolism is faster, which is also when they tend to grow. This is when daily feedings are a good idea.

When you have a Koi garden or pond, it is important that it stays clean and the best way to do that is by using a Koi filter. But there are various types of filters that you can purchase, so it is very important that you understand what is available. Having the right filter means that you will have a system that works for you when it comes to your budget and the size of your pond.

The filter to look at is the biological filter. This is a filter that is designed to filter out organic substances and particulate. What it does is use what is called anaerobic bacteria-laden filter media. A bio filter is used to break down the harmful substances that can really do damage to your fish. This means it removes fish waste, pond creatures that are decaying, leaves that have fallen in, and other debris that finds its way to the bottom of the pond.

At the outset, it is emphasised that expensive equipment is not everything, as many a budding angler or Wolfer with money to burn has found to his cost.

It would not, however, he wise to move plants about to too many different locations as they do very much better once they have become adjusted to a particular environment, and can remain there.

Wherever you hear of the green-fingered ability of someone who grows all the plants in the hook with consummate case it will often he fitund that they invariably provide almost ideal roots as soon as the cutting is pointed at the compost.

This is anotherreason why one should purchase plants from a retailer who has heated premises, and insist on plants being properly wrapped and protected before taking them out of the shop.