News

Pairat Songpanich from Thailand, an avid lily breader and member of the International Water Garden Society has submitted a paper to the Water Gardener's international online journal describing the his efforts in producing the first hardy blue water lily ever known. He describes how he has long sought what great lily hybridizers of the past had endaevoured to acheive and despite the sum of all their other great creations had always been frustrated at never having produced a hardy blue lily. He then almost tells us how he managed to do it!

2008 has been designated as the Year of the Frog, hosted by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in America, and is recognized in countries all over the world. This is because one-third to halfThe Savio website of all frog species are threatened with extinction, and around 120 species have gone extinct in recent years. This is the biggest potential mass extinction of one group of creatures since dinosaurs, and the Year of the Frog calls attention to the alarming decline of frogs globally.

Gardman continues to be the UK’s leading supplier of solar lighting with the introduction of 13 new products for the 2008 season. The company is once again at the forefront of newThe Tulip light from Gardman product development, offering the largest range of solar lights coupled with ultra-competitive price points. Gardman believes the increasing popularity of safe and easy solar lighting reflects growing consumer concern on green issues and the environment.

In the RHS 'Top Ten' list of most complained about pests slugs and snails came out on top as the UK’s most troublesome garden pest of 2007. These slimy predators moved one place up on last year, just beating the recently established harlequin ladybird into second place.

This announcement comes from the Entomology team at RHS Wisley, which has released their annual list of ‘Top Ten’ problematic insects and other garden pests, following twelve months of enquiries from RHS members.A slug

The RHS offers a unique advice service to all its members. Gardeners can write, email, phone, or visit one of the four RHS gardens (Wisley, Hyde Hall, Rosemoor, Harlow Carr), to discover the answer to any horticultural question that is plaguing them. Last year the RHS Advisory Service, of which the Entomology department is part, answered over 50,000 member queries - 3,000 of which were solely pest related. Once they have identified the pest, the Entomology department can then offer the gardener a solution to their problem and advise them on the necessary action.

Water gardens, water features, environment and sustainability are all major themes in the forthcoming 2008 Chelsea Flower Show - Go to http://www.watergardenermagazine.com/news for the latest news and pictures.