Gardening at moss and moor
Our horticultural team
Alex
Alex is our horticultural manager at Moss & Moor and has worked in horticulture retail for the past 26 years since leaving college. He studied at Askham Bryan college near York where he obtained a HND in Horticulture.
Kerstin
Kerstin is originally from Malta and moved to England almost 5 years ago where she has since completed her theory and practical level 2 diploma in horticulture with the RHS and is currently working towards her level 3.
Jenny
Jenny has worked in high street retail for 20 years before starting her career with Moss & Moor. Her qualifications including RHS Level 2 diploma in principles and practices of horticulture and RHS Level 3 certificate in practical horticulture has allowed Jenny to thrive within the plant area, taking pride in the houseplants section.
Follow along with one of our How to videos
Summer hanging baskets
Learn how to make a summer hanging basket.
Summer containers
Learn how to make a summer container.
Gardening Tips for September
As we transition into autumn, there’s plenty to do in the garden to keep it looking vibrant and ready for the colder months. Here’s your September checklist to ensure your garden stays in top shape:
1. Plant for Christmas Blooms:
Get ahead by planting prepared Hyacinth and Paperwhite bulbs now. These are perfect for festive displays, blooming just in time for Christmas.
2. Brighten Up with Autumn Colour:
It’s the ideal time to pot up containers and hanging baskets with vibrant violas, pansies, and cyclamen. These hardy plants will bring a splash of colour to your garden as the days shorten.
3. Start Spring Planning:
Plant your spring-flowering bulbs, such as daffodils, to ensure a cheerful display next year. We’ve got a fantastic selection available now, perfect for both ground planting and containers. For instant impact, consider layering with seasonal bedding plants for colour through to next year(Autumn Tidy Range).
4. Lawn TLC:
As summer fades, give your lawn some love. Scarify the grass using a rake to remove thatch, and re-seed any bare patches to keep it lush.
5. Prepare for Feathered Friends:
With birds returning to feeders, now’s the time to give them a thorough clean and restock with fresh feed. A well-maintained bird feeder will encourage wildlife back into your garden.
6. Secure Vulnerable Plants:
Autumn winds can be harsh. Use our tree and shrub ties to secure any plants that might be at risk of damage, keeping them safe and sturdy.
7. Clean Patios and Paths:
Moss and algae can make surfaces slippery as the weather cools. Give patios and paths a good clean now to avoid any accidents.
8. Mulch and Nourish:
Add a layer of mulch to bare soil to improve structure and moisture retention. We recommend our farmyard manure or landscape bark to give your soil a boost.
9. Extend the Flowering Season:
Keep deadheading late-flowering plants so they continue to bring colour into early autumn. This simple task can extend the beauty of your garden for weeks.
September Plants of the Month
Plants of the month
Japanese anemone
Introducing our September star: the Japanese Anemone, a tall and stately perennial that brings both elegance and drama to your garden. With its glossy foliage and large, saucer-shaped blooms, ranging from pristine white to delicate creamy pink, it’s the perfect choice for a stunning autumnal display.
To achieve the most striking effect, plant Japanese Anemones in a perennial border with partial shade. They thrive in these conditions, offering a graceful and vibrant flourish as they grow and spread over the seasons. However, they prefer to avoid deep shade and very cold, wet conditions.
For a pure white bloom, consider the ‘Honorine Jobert’ variety. If you’re drawn to a subtle off-white with hints of purple and pink, ‘Ruffled Swan’ is a beautiful choice. Either way, these anemones will elevate your garden’s beauty this September and beyond.
Houseplant of the month
Tradescantia
Jenny’s Pick: Meet the Wandering Dude
This month, our very own Jenny has chosen the Tradescantia, lovingly nicknamed the “Wandering Dude.” Known for its laid-back nature and stunning trailing vines, this easy-going plant is a must-have for anyone looking to add a touch of greenery to their space.
Not Just a Pretty Face
With its vibrant, colourful foliage, the Tradescantia brings a lively vibe to any room. Jenny loves how it looks when hung in a pot or draped from a shelf, where its trailing vines can really shine. And as an added bonus, it’s an air-purifying plant, helping to keep your home fresh and clean.
Jenny’s Care Tips
- Light & Location: Tradescantia thrives in bright, diffused light. Jenny suggests placing it near a window where it can soak up plenty of indirect sunlight, but warns to keep it out of direct sun to avoid leaf burn. If your home is on the shadier side, don’t worry—just expect the colours to be a bit softer.
- Water & Humidity: Keep the soil moist but not soggy. As Jenny always says, “It’s all about balance!” Overwatering can lead to root rot, so water less in winter when growth slows down. For that extra glow, mist the leaves occasionally or consider placing it in a humid spot like the bathroom.
A Fast-Growing Favourite
One of Jenny’s favourite things about the Tradescantia is how quickly it grows. Its vines will stretch and explore, adding life and movement to your space. If it starts to get a bit wild, don’t hesitate to trim it back—this will encourage even more lush growth.
Friendly Reminder
While this plant is a joy to have around, it’s important to note that the Tradescantia isn’t safe for pets. Jenny suggests keeping it out of reach if you have curious animals at home.
looking after houseplants
NEW arrivals: spring flowering bulbs
We’re excited to announce that our Spring Flowering Bulbs have arrived! Explore our stunning selection of Daffodils, Tulips, Crocus, and many more varieties. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy a burst of colour from January right through to the end of April.
Bulbs aren’t just for the garden—plant them in pots and containers for versatile displays that brighten any space. For instant impact, why not layer them with seasonal bedding plants? You’ll get a splash of colour now, and as spring approaches, watch in delight as your bulbs burst through, creating a beautiful blend of bulb and bedding colour.
autumn tidy range
As the leaves start to fall, make garden maintenance a breeze with our Autumn Tidy Range:
- Jumbo Leaf Grabbers
RRP £12.99 | Our price: £8.99 - Yard Broom
RRP £12.99 | Our price: £9.99 - Yard Pan and Brush
RRP £9.99 | Our price: £7.99 - Pop Up Tidy Bag 100lt
RRP £14.99 | Our price: £9.99 - Darlac Expert Bypass Pruner
RRP £24.99 | Our price: £12.99 - Darlac Metal Leaf Rake
RRP £17.99 | Our price: £9.99
Plant Offers
Bring some colour to your autumn garden with these fantastic plant offers:
Tub and Basket Plants
£3.99 or 3 for £10
Winter Pansy and Viola 6 packs
£3.99 or 3 for £10
Winter Cyclamen
£2.99 or 3 for £5
Help us go PEAT FREE !
As we continue to work with the ENVIRONMENTAL campaign group Climate Action Ilkley to educate our customers on the choices available, shop our range of peat-free and organic composts. Play your part and switch to peat free for healthy plants while protecting the planet too!
We worked really hard in 2023 to move away from peat based composts and as we currently stand at the start of 2024 we are 97% there.
The Best of British Plants
With our passion for plants, we champion the very best of British Growers, selecting and nurturing an exciting range of trees, outdoor plants and shrubs that will help you create a home and garden you love.
Lifetime Plant Guarantee
We are so confident in the quality of our hardy plants that we offer a Lifetime Guarantee on all our hardy outdoor garden plants. We offer a free replacement or credit note providing the plant hasn’t died as a result of neglect of care, for example watering. All we ask is you return your plant with a receipt or garden centre label as proof of purchase. Hardy plants do not include seasonal bedding plants or Houseplants.
ASK ALEX!
If you have houseplant dilemma, a garden question or need expert advice from our horticultural team then ASK ALEX! and send it to hello@mossandmoor.co.uk