Longacres Blog

Our good friends at Weber will be joining us on three days to help you get the most out of your barbecue (and of course provide yummy free samples along the way!) These free, all day demonstrations will be running on Saturday 23rd April (past event), Sunday 29th May (past event) & Saturday 18th June at Longacres Bagshot. Come along and experience a cooking demonstration like no other! On all three days the Weber team will be cooking smoked salmon, beer can chicken and meatballs wrapped in bacon in the morning, and preparing perfect steak, pizzas and brownies in the afternoon. The first demonstration will begin at 10.30am and the second demonstration will begin at 1.30pm (ending around 3.30pm) Why not pop down and learn something new, grab some free samples and enjoy the beautiful weather (beautiful weather not guaranteed - but keep those fingers crossed!) You can also find out all about our Weber Grill Academy which is being held on Wednesday June 1st at 6.30pm on our Facebook event page here (past event) You can find our range of barbecues online here!

For all you early birds out there, we have an egg-cellent (pun intended) offer running on Good Friday (25th March) and Easter Monday (28th March); you can save a massive 10% off* in store at our Bagshot and Shepperton branches!  To redeem the offer just come into the store (Bagshot or Shepperton only) between 7.30am and 9.00am where you will be given your voucher at the front doors. Then all you need to do is simply hand the voucher over to the till assistant when you go to pay to receive your discount. Don't feel that you have to rush - your voucher will be valid for the duration of the day. Don't worry though, if Good Friday seems like the perfect day for a lie in and Easter Monday you're recovering from too much chocolate, we also have the same amazing offer on the Early May Bank Holiday (2nd May) and Spring Bank Holiday (30th May) *Please be aware that the vouchers are only valid for the duration of the day of issue, and cannot be used towards the purchase of gift vouchers, alcohol or sheds - sorry!

Most people love holly with its rich shiny leaves and bright red berries. There are many other plants with highly ornamental fruit that provide interest, often during autumn and winter when flowers are scarce. The following are a few of the many choices available. Starting small with the summer dormant bulb Arum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum'. It has short columns of showy red berries in autumn, followed by marbled leaves that last through winter. Plant this with Hellebores and spring bulbs and it will naturalise if happy. Another lowly, often overlooked plant is the Gladwin iris, Iris foetidissima, with informal clusters of red berries in winter and fan-shaped spikes of green leaves. This is useful in difficult shady or dry places, a plant of quiet quality. Finally try Honesty, Lunaria annua. (Also available with showy variegated foliage). The sprays of white or purple flowers are followed by rounded white papery seed pods that appear in summer and which are loved by children. Moving on to compact and medium-sized shrubs there are new ranges of the Tutsan, Hypericum that have been developed with a resistance to the rust disease that had blighted them. Some of these have names prefixed with  ‘Magical’ or ’Miracle’. They are truly eye-candy when the shiny yellow flowers combine with clusters of berries from late summer. The berries are coloured in shades of white, pink, red, and mahogany, all eventually turning black. One example is Hypericum x inodorum Magical Sunshine = 'Kolmasun'. They make attractive shrubs, around a metre in height with pleasing foliage and a neat shape that looks good in the foreground. Try some of the smaller and sometimes prostrate cotoneasters that have white flowers in May and masses of berries from August or September. The low-growing or prostrate Cotoneaster conspicuus 'Decorus' has orange-red autumnal fruits. For a characterful plant, good in a container or enhancing a rockery or raised bed the small but craggy Cotoneaster microphyllus has small red berries that last and last. Many roses have showy hips (don’t deadhead if you want these to develop), they include the prickly Rosa 'Fru Dagmar Hastrup' that has fragrant pink flowers. Finally, the exceptional flagon fruits of red-flowered Rosa 'Sealing Wax' stands around 2.5 metres in height but can have lower shrubs planted in the foreground. Many climbers also have showy fruits. The bold pyracantha is probably the supremo for in-your-face displays of red or orange berries from autumn. Among the number available is Pyracantha Saphyr Orange = 'Cadange'. For something different there are the purple autumn pods of the annual climber Lablab purpureus 'Ruby Moon'. If you are really brave and can handle a 12 metre high climber, there’s the shiny green wall-covering leaves of Celastrus orbiculatus. Its fruits are curious with yellow-lined pods that burst open to show its red berries. For a warm spot the subtle Schisandra rubriflora has dangling red flowers and red fruits, both distinctive and unusual. If you have room for larger shrubs consider the native guelder rose in the beautiful form Viburnum opulus 'Compactum' with clusters of shiny red fruits. The larger Viburnum opulus 'Xanthocarpum' is a beauty with its translucent orange berries. For intrigue, try the blue berries of Clerodendrum trichotomum, the large but delicate sprays of red berries on Nandina domestica ‘Richmond’, that last all through winter, or, finally, the violet fruit of Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii 'Profusion' these have a haunting quality all their own, most effective in late autumn. There are also plenty of ornamental fruits on trees, but these have to wait till next time when ‘Trees for Small Gardens’ will be covered. Enjoy! This blog post was kindly contributed by Susan A Tindall.

Part 2 - Planting Your Small Scale Garden In a small garden every plant counts and plants with ‘multi-season’ interest are particularly valuable. Look for plants that offer flowers and fruit, foliage and flowers, or plants that have autumn colour or interesting stems or foliage during winter. Plants that have both flowers and fruit These include plants that have the added bonus of foliage interest as well. Berberis forms can really come into their own here, for example the tiny Berberis thunbergii 'Tiny Gold' which has yellow leaves, young red shoots, yellow spring flowers and red fruit in autumn. Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Admiration' has red-orange leaves but is otherwise similar. There is now a range of disease-resistant Hypericum which have yellow flowers and coloured fruits, try Hypericum Magical Beauty = 'Kolmbeau' for its berries that start peachy-pink. If you want a good-sized, handsome shrub the fan-shaped, golden-leaved Leycesteria formosa Golden Lanterns = 'Notbruce' has red flowers and purple fruits that provide interest all summer through. Plants that have winter interest Consider flowering plants with foliage that changes colour in winter. Some Hebes have this quality, coming in a range of sizes and needing a spot that has sunshine in winter. Try the compact Hebe 'Caledonia' with violet flowers and rose-purple winter foliage whilst Hebe 'Pascal' has copper-red winter foliage. Amongst herbaceous plants Bergenia often have burnished winter foliage, for example Bergenia 'Overture' has bright pink spring flowers and leaves that are burgundy in winter. The stems of dogwoods can positively glow in winter sunlight – for beautiful variegated foliage and red stems try Cornus alba 'Spaethi' or Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' for good autumn colour followed by orange winter stems. These are cut back to near ground-level in spring, once established. Plants with exceptional foliage Evergreens in particular can provide interest throughout the year. Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Gold Star' has dainty shimmering foliage and can be pruned for containment if space is limited. In warm gardens the exotic Coprosma and Lophomyrtus forms, some of which change colour at different seasons, can be fascinating. Try Coprosma repens 'Tequila Sunrise’ or Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Red Dragon' with red to black foliage. Slow but beautiful Nandina domestica 'Wood's Dwarf' glows red in winter and is gold, green and red in summer. For foliage drama where a feature plant can be accommodated Fatsia japonica 'Spiser's Web' is exotic, with huge variegated leaves. Plants for a hot and dry place Where your garden has a hot and dry area, herbaceous plants can be invaluable. Slugs permitting, try Alstroemeria, coming in a huge range of sizes and happy in a container, such as Alstroemeria 'Orange Gem'. Striking Abutilon with big bell-flowers can be grown as annuals, try apricot-flowered Abutilon 'Linda Vista Peach'. Colourful Zinnias have a long season, if deadheaded, an example being Zinnia marylandica 'Zahara Yellow' (Zahara Series). Sedums also have a place in a hot spot. In winter they provide architectural interest with their flat brown seed heads, try grey purple Sedum 'Matrona'. Frothy purple fennel is lovely placed at the rear, especially Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum'. Requiring little attention Salvias, such as the small shrub Salvia microphylla 'Pink Blush' has rich pink flowers for months whilst silvered Convolvulus cneorum is decorative all summer. This has just dipped a toe into the possibilities. We haven’t even started on walls and fences that can be clad in repeat-flowering climbing Roses paired with Clematis... Enjoy! This blog post was kindly contributed by Susan A. Tindall

It's not just a hint of snow that's in the air at the moment, but good old love as well.  Yes, Valentine's Day is just around the corner now, and as we like to say here 'The early bird catches the £5 off discount'.  Okay, maybe not such a traditional quote, but one to bear in mind! Here at Longacres we are giving you the opportunity to show how much you love that someone special in your life by offering a hand tied bouquet of a dozen red roses in a lovely presentation box for just £34.99!  That's a great saving of £5 on the usual price.  You need to place your order quickly though as this offer expires at 11:59 on 7th February.  You could then spend that extra £5 on a nice box of chocolates from our food section (we won't tell anyone if you decide to eat them all yourself) or perhaps add a shiny red heart balloon to your arrangement for £2.99? Lindor Chocolate Arrangement If the love of your life is a bit of an orchid fan, how about a vase filled with delicious Lindor chocolates and topped with a stunning arrangement of roses and orchids for £39.99?  More of a traditionalist but want a twist? No problem! 12 beautiful red roses with gypsophila, carefully created by our talented florists, can be yours for just £44.99. Maybe you prefer that understated romantic gesture of a single red rose, beautifully wrapped for £5.99, or a gorgeous rose gift pack containing 12 short stem roses with delicate diamonte detail, a box of Lindt chocolates and a bottle of rose wine for just £34.99. Shamrock Hand Tied Bouquet If you are looking for something different this year, we have a stunning hand tied bouquet of gerberas, pink roses and chrysanths for £25.99.  As well as for the romantics amongst you, this is also a stunning bouquet to send to the other special ladies in your life - your grandma, mum or daughter, with love. To see the full range of Valentine's Day cut flowers, take a look at the Longacres website. Now, where has that Barry White CD gone?

It may be a little dull outside at the moment with predictions of snow, but here at Longacres we have been busy with our Refresh and Renew displays, incorporating a range of wonderful houseplants. Houseplants are an ideal way to bring a little sunshine to those rainy, winter days.  Whether you are looking for some greenery for your conservatory, or flowers for your dining room, we have a huge variety of indoor plants available to buy online and in-store. You don't need to be Alan Titchmarsh to grow some amazing plants in your own home.  How about your very own citrus plant? We have oranges, lemons and limes which enjoy a warm environment and would be well suited to a conservatory.  You can even move them outside in the summer months where they would make a lovely feature in any garden. Just don't forget to bring them back in and keep them cosy during the winter though as they really don't like frost!  We also have a range of specialist feed for your citrus to ensure it stays at its best. If you prefer greenery around your home, we have plants to suit all tastes.  From the delicate green and white leaves of Ficus Benjamina 'Twilight' (not a vampire or werewolf in sight you'll be pleased to know), the unusually shaped leaves of Schefflera Arbor 'Compacta' (umbrella tree to you and I), and the stunning reds of Anthurium and Guzmania, you can brighten up your home with some dazzling varieties of green plants. If you prefer flowering houseplants, one of the most popular (and a personal favourite here) are Orchids.  As well as the usual variety that we are used to seeing in homes and offices, we have introduced a selection of even more exotic flowers such as the Wild Phalaenopsis. To keep your houseplants in tip-top shape, we also stock a wide variety of houseplant care including drip feeders, leaf wipes and revitalising sprays. Naturally you might like a nice pot to display your new plants in so we have a range of sizes and colours to choose from, along with a special offer on selected RHS pots at present which are reduced from £7.99 to just £3.99 each.  Hurry though, they're going fast! Don't forget that houseplants also make a great gift for someone special or add a little dash of colour to your desk at work. For details of all of the houseplants available to order online, take a visit to the Longacres website.  Don't forget that we also provide our own delivery service for larger plants within a 5 mile radius, and couriers for smaller varieties nationwide.

We hope you had an absolutely wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year! January always seems to be an unusual time once all the festivities are over after such a long build-up of buying presents, having the family and friends over, heavy new year celebrations etc. You may still have a few half-eaten boxes of chocolates left and some new DVD box sets to binge-watch, but we are all certainly in need of a little bit more cheering up. Why not tackle those post-Christmas and January blues by sprucing up your home and giving it a fresher and newer look for 2016; we refer to it as "Refresh and Renew". Here at Longacres Bagshot and Shepperton we have a stunning range of interior oak furniture. From cupboards to console tables and corner shelf units to iPad desks, you're bound to find a piece of furniture (or 2!) that's perfect to refresh your home with. Visit us in store where you can also speak to a friendly member of our seasonal team, or click here to view our online range of interior furniture. Please note that our interior furniture is currently available in store, for click & collect or for local delivery only.

Part 1 - Thinking about your garden Planning a small-scale garden is far harder than planning a large garden. For example, if you buy the wrong things there’s no place to hide them - that ugly seat confronts you until you cut your losses and get rid of it. It is all too easy to get disheartened and give up, but even with a small garden, you can develop a life-long, life-enhancing interest. It really can mean that you are able to ‘lose yourself’ in your garden, forgetting the stress and pain life often delivers. Gardens can be very therapeutic. The oft-quoted phrase “the outside room” is a good planning tool. You can apply more or less the same rules for planning your outside room as you do the inside ones. The garden has furniture – steady-state stuff like seating, storage, and a clothes line. It has a floor covering of grass and/or paving and is enclosed by verticals, generally fences or walls upon which you can ‘hang things’. In addition it has the decorative stuff. In this case, not pictures or ornaments, but living matter. Plants that grow, change, become more or less beautiful, even develop bad habits. Plants can be more like pets or children than mere style accessories. What do you need in your garden? Seating, perhaps in both sun or shade Entertainment space for friends Surfaces that can be used in all seasons if needed Storage, for bikes, tools and mowers, that aren’t unsightly when seen from the house or seating area A place to dry clothes – retractable clothes lines needn't always sit centre-stage Space for children to play where they will not damage fragile plants Compost bins - need to be placed where there’s earth underneath so they don’t ooze from their bottoms (they also need emptying periodically) Containers for planting – several containers that match, or which harmonise in colour or shape, tend to look better in a small space Some privacy - you may have to accept you are overlooked by others but try to find one place where you can sit, shielded from above or with screens if you value privacy You and your significant other(s) may often have totally opposing ideas about what they want from a garden. He who does the work should call the shots, and this can serve to develop negotiating skills! Important things to realise What’s your tidiness threshold? If you like formality and order, better to choose plants that are neat in their growth habit, rather than those with loose or unformed shapes. Time available - for caring and watering. Plants in containers may need watering every day in hot periods. You will need to learn to prune trees and shrubs, and it is actually quite easy and dead impressive when you get it right. (Which you will.) Choosing plants for your garden This can be totally intimidating and disheartening, especially at first. You are, effectively, in a foreign country where you don't know the language. However, some plants will appeal to you so be confident in your taste. Read labels and information, check for ultimate height and spread. Plant choices will be covered more fully in part 2 of this article. Your tastes may well change over the years. People frequently choose “bright” gardens at first. Later they may value other factors, such as colour harmonies with foliage or flowers. Perhaps a garden style that’s jungle-like and exotic appeals, or a soothing and peaceful space. You may want architectural plants such as bamboos or vertical grasses. You can include big plants, some trees and something beautiful to look at all year through. You can even grow apples – perhaps grafted onto ‘dwarfing rootstock’ bearing in mind it takes two trees to fruit. You will get things wrong – pulling out a weed and finding a label attached is a classic. But you will also get a whole lot right, and it is your garden and your choice. Next month will be practical plant suggestions for small gardens. I hope this doesn’t sound ‘preachy’. Enjoy your garden planning! This blog post was kindly contributed by Susan A. Tindall

Are you getting ready to have the family over at Christmas or looking forward to a relaxing time at home on your own watching all your favourite old movies again? Whatever you are up to over the festive period, here at Longacres we have a range of cookware to help you tackle everything from the biggest turkey to individual vol-au-vents. Joseph Joseph offer a wide range of kitchen tools from colour coded knives to dishes, containers for those leftovers, and carousel sets in wood or steel. Did you know that their index chopping board set is more than just a way of avoiding cross-contamination of foods?  Each board has its own special feature such as a groove for catching juices on the meat board and an integrated grip to hold fish steady on the fish board.  We currently offer the Index Large Chopping Board Set for just £44.99! If you like to match your kitchenware to your colour scheme we also offer a range of popular tools in stunning shades.  Whether you want a yellow colander, blue knife or pink spatula, our ColourWorks range has something for every taste. Here in the office we do enjoy it when someone brings in some yummy home-made fairy cakes or biscuits. If baking is your passion, we have a large range of Masterclass bakeware in store, including the revolutionary Crusty Bake tins, perforated to allow your bread, quiche and pizza to cook that much better in the oven.  You can also find a assortment of accessories including piping bags and nozzles to decorate your cakes right beside the ColourWorks section. Once your baking is complete, you might like to present your masterpieces to your guests using the MasterClass serving stand or cloche.  These also make ideal presents!   So for a range of cookware to suit every need, pop along to Longacres and stock up on all of your Christmas essentials.

Christmas is just around the corner!  Where has the year gone?  Here at Longacres we have a huge array of Christmas trees ready for you to dress in your favourite colours and styles, with potted trees available from early November, and cut trees from the end of November. Whether you prefer a non-drop Nordmann Fir or a potted Blue Spruce, we have a range of trees and heights for you to choose from.  Don't forget to order early for any trees 10ft or above as they do sell out quickly!   You can order your tree online and pop in to collect it when convenient using our Click and Collect service. Fancy a bigger tree this year but worried you won't fit it in (or on) your car?  Worry not!  We provide a delivery service (local area only) with named-day delivery, 7 days per week, for just £5. If you don't have the time to decorate your tree, our lovely florists provide a tree decoration service in situ.  Please enquire for pricing. As well as trees, we have a range of holly wreaths, reindeer planters (which also make great Christmas gifts), and tree stands. If you're not keen on a real tree we have a large variety of artificial trees, including pre-lit ones, ready for collection.  Of course no tree would be complete without its decorations.  We have an amazing assortment of Christmas decorations available, from delicate glass baubles to strings of glittering lights, to complement your tree and your home, at this festive time of year.  Don't forget the fairy or star for the top! Before you plan your shopping trip to Longacres, remember that Santa is now in his grotto right up until Christmas Eve.   So, how about surprising the little ones with a trip to see the man himself?   For more information, click here. We hope to see you soon!

For most people, Christmas should be colourful. Decorations should come in various vibrant shades—from the Christmas baubles, to the presents and the table settings. A white Christmas is simply not an option. On the contrary, white Christmases are just as fun as the coloured ones. Some homeowners looking for chic and classic festivities place their faith in white—because a winter wonderland is the best theme for their home. Plan Ahead for Christmas An all-white Christmas theme does not come out of nothing. It is essential that you plan everything first to assure perfect execution. First, envision what you want to see in your winter wonderland. Also, know the rooms and areas you will be decorating; this gives you an estimate on your budget and timeframe. Remember to set your budget before shopping for ornaments. A budget keeps you from impulse purchases and encourages you to focus on what you need. Decorating your home can be time-consuming; set a schedule and make sure you follow it. Let’s Talk about the Tree Of course, Christmas trees are the piece de resistance of every winter wonderland. All you need is to buy an artificial Christmas tree and you are ready to go. Trees are available in their conventional green colour, as well as whiter shades to mimic the snow. With a white Christmas tree, your job is almost done. You only need to add some highlights or flocking to accentuate the beauty of the tree. For green pre lit Christmas trees, get creative and add some fake snow and ice for that winter effect. Remember, all of your decorations should be white or transparent. Try adding some see-through crystal to mimic icicles or frosted snow. Unleash your creativity as you decorate your home in white. For a successful white Christmas, do not forget about the basics—especially the tree. Longacres Garden Centre offers quality pre-lit Christmas trees in UK. Browse through our selection now and have a happy white Christmas!