Gifts for mothers with green fingers

Nothing wrong with that, but what about something different, especially for mothers who love their gardens? It can be a hand-made posy of flowers with early-morning tea or coffee, a collection of herbs for the kitchen window sill, a bird feeder to lure even more birds to the garden, or indoor flowering plants in beautiful containers that will flower throughout winter.

Because they are alive, growing and healthy or beautiful, plants have the edge over every other present. The secret is to find that special plant that fits in with the garden or the home. Take a moment to look around the house, both inside and outside, to see where a container planted up with flowers could make a difference.

It could be at the front door, at the pool or indoors, as a feature for the bedroom, sitting room or patio, wherever there is good light but no direct sun.

For indoors, you can’t go wrong with cyclamen, which flower almost continually through winter and need very little care, just good light and watering only when the soil feels dry.

There is a new, very compact variety called “Smartiz” which has miniature blooms in vivid colours that stand up above the foliage. Violas have also made their appearance and they are excellent for outdoor containers. If there is plenty of sun at the front door, a pot or two filled with violas will outshine any welcome mat.

The petite Viola Sorbet, which grows 15 to 20cm high and wide, is available in a huge range of colours and there are two colours for this season: “‘Denim Jump XP” (that looks like distressed denim) and “Blackberry XP”, which has deep purple flowers with yellow eyes.

What could also go down very well is a gorgeous hanging basket or two for the patio. Made-up baskets are available at garden centres, but in the spirit of Mother’s Day why not make up your own? For a winter-flowering basket, Kathy Varney of BallStraathof recommends using annuals like pansies, violas, petunias, alyssum and lobelia, with lamium to provide a wispy trailing effect. Ivy geraniums in a mix of colours or teamed up with the scented geraniums also make gorgeous baskets.

If you are a lover of herbs, try a combination of thyme (silver posy or lemon thyme), rosemary and parsley with violas, pansies or lobelias for added colour.

A hanging basket of cyclamen also grows well in outdoor semi-shade.

“Baskets must be watered every day, especially during windy conditions when they dry out quickly. Not watering enough is one of the main reasons why hanging baskets fail,” says Varney.

Edible plants may be just as welcome as presents. One can never have enough herbs, especially the culinary varieties like parsley, mint, thyme, rosemary and chives that can be used almost every day.

Plant up a selection in a large hanging basket, or in lightweight planters made from fabric which can be hung on a sunny wall. There is also the all-in-one Paris Garden kit, consisting of ceramic containers or galvanised pots, seeds, bacteria-free potting soil with micro nutrients and easy to follow growing instructions. Their herb range includes parsley, basil, coriander, lavender and chives.