Longacres Blog

Hellebores must be in the top ten of desirable garden plants, delivering flowers from December to May, and generally lasting for years if happy in your garden. The simple charm of the wild species has been supplemented by ever more complex hybrids to produce plants that are beautiful in both leaf and flower, excellent in a container as well as the garden. Helleborus niger the Christmas rose, has always been one of the earliest forms to flower, often, as the name suggests, around Christmas. In recent years showier forms have been introduced with marbled foliage and flowers that turn pink with age, an example being Helleborus niger HGC Snow Frills = 'Coseh 230'. The robust Helleborus argutifolius with its pale green scented flowers, is an old favourite and good for lightening shady spots. Its easy-going habit may not appeal to those who like rigidly disciplined plants. The Helleborus x hybridus forms look particularly good planted in the garden. There are both single and double-flowered forms in shades of black, purple, maroon, red, white, cream and yellow. Many of them hang their heads so, in the manner of snowdrops, you need to lift the flower gently upwards with a finger in order to reveal the beauty within. Those with light-coloured flowers, for example Helleborus x hybridus Ashwood Garden hybrids - cream-spotted are visible at a distance and can be positioned so they can be enjoyed from a window. The dark-flowered forms, like the dark beauty Helleborus x hybridus 'Hillier's hybrid slate', have an alluring mystery, so mysterious that they can completely disappear from view if incorrectly placed, so put these in the foreground. Elegant single-flowered forms, Helleborus x hybridus 'Harvington double yellow' for instance, can be combined with the many-petalled doubles. Hellebores can be planted in small well-spaced groups or dotted amongst spring bulbs, pulmonaria, epimedium and primroses. Plan for their summer foliage effect when spacing plants as hellebores can become substantial. The hellebore x hybridus varieties have large whorled leaflets and, as they mature, make a mound of dark green foliage that makes a quiet interlude when not in flower. They can usefully be planted in front of taller deciduous shrubs that will be a highlight in your garden at other seasons. They thrive in part or light shade and can be planted on the ‘shady side’ of large plants, provided there is an access path that can be used to view them.  During winter, when, or before the plant flowers, the old leaves are best cut to the ground so the flowers are visible, the young foliage swiftly re-grows. Luscious hybrids have been developed to maximise foliage, as well as floral appeal. These are both expensive and irresistible. They merit extra care, with soil that is always moist, a sheltered, partly shaded position and some space. They can work well as ‘spot plants’ in the garden, or often succeed best as specimens in large containers. Helleborus (Rodney Davey Marbled Group) ‘Anna’s Red' with pink and green marbled foliage, Helleborus x ericsmithii 'Pirouette' with jagged silvered foliage, and dusky pink Helleborus x ballardiae Snow Dance = 'Coseh 800' among many others, are good examples of these aristocrats. Enjoy! This blog post was kindly contributed by Susan A. Tindall

Santa’s elves and our talented team of seasonal staff have been working tirelessly to get the Christmas grotto ready for Santa’s big arrival on Saturday 21st November at Longacres Garden Centre, Bagshot. Walk with your children on a magical journey through a Winter Wonderland before meeting the bearded man himself in the heart of his cosy Christmas grotto. Each visit costs just £5 and includes a present from Santa if they’ve been good this year - an ideal incentive to get them on their best behaviour!

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... Lego Star Wars arrived at Longacres!  We're celebrating the release of Star Wars Episode VII - The Force Awakens with an amazing collection of Lego to help you recreate great moments from these iconic films. Whether it's the Millenium Falcon or an AT-AT, we have Lego from both sides of the Force.  You can even build your very own Lego Darth Vader (you'll have to imagine the breathing noises that everyone in the office is now making). We also have a range of Star Wars books in the toy department, including one to help you build 100 of the best scenes from the first six films - in Lego naturally. Of course it's not all about Star Wars, as we have a huge Lego range in stock to suit boys and girls (and adults!) with whatever building and design they enjoy.  Whether you like Batman, dragons, cars, beach houses or Scooby-Doo, or just enjoy a box of Lego Classic bricks to let your imagination run wild, there is something for everyone. If you're planning your Lego City, a play mat is an ideal accessory to build your bustling metropolis or country village on.  Our play mats range from £8.49 to £24.99 and are available to buy in store or online (no road works or train delays included - sorry!). Of course you don't even have to be a 'master builder' to enjoy Lego.  Young children can start their creativity journey using the larger bricks from the Lego DUPLO range. As well as the new Star Wars film, another exciting event is just around the corner - Christmas!  Here at Longacres we have a huge range of toys and games to suit children of all ages. So for that special Christmas present or to find a little stocking treat, pop along to our toy section.  You can also check out the Lego building skills of our staff in the display cabinets around the Star Wars and Lego City sections.  In the words of Yoda "with you the Force may be".

We are delighted and extremely excited to be welcoming our good friends from The Green Olive Firewood Company and Kadai Firebowls through our doors this Saturday 24th October to host a series of demonstrations/tastings to show how their range of firewoods and firebowls can add fun and ambience to your Halloween and Bonfire parties this year! Come along and enjoy some roasted marshmallows and chestnuts whilst learning from the experts. The demonstrations are free to attend and will be running between 9:30am and 4:30pm. Don't forget that there will be special offers on all of the chimeneas, firebowls and firewoods on the day so bring your purses and wallets and don't forget to wrap up warm!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!  Okay, we know it's only October but our huge range of Christmas decorations and lights has arrived and here at Longacres we're already getting into the festive spirit. A good way to get little ones to be on their best behaviour from the 1st of December until Christmas Day is to start with the Advent Calendar.  As well as tempting chocolate ones (yummy...chocolate for breakfast!), we also have wooden and material ones with pockets or drawers that you can fill with small treats. Of course, one of the main things we think about at Christmas is the tree.  Many of us love the smell of a real Christmas tree and enjoy picking that special one out as the centrepiece for our home.  Here at Longacres our potted Christmas trees will be available from 12th November, and our cut Christmas trees will be available from 26th November.  So if you're keen to reserve your one now, we have a fabulous offer for you: Order your real Christmas tree online by midnight on 22nd November and get a sparkling 10% off its price! You can then choose to have your tree delivered (£5 charge, local area only) or simply pop in to collect it when convenient using our Click and Collect service.  Click here to view the range. We also have a large range of artificial trees and artificial pre-lit trees in stock now to suit all budgets, from our mini 25cm tree - ideal to brighten up your desk - through to stunning 10' tall firs and pines. You don't even have to worry about missing that 'real Christmas tree smell'.  ScentSicles hanging ornaments come in a range of natural fragrances to give your home that real tree aroma. Not everyone likes the look of a plain tree stand, so if you prefer to hide yours from view, we offer a Woven Wicker Christmas Tree Skirt for £11.99. It will cover stands from 21" at the base to 16.5" at the top.  You can use the skirt for both artificial and real trees up to 7' tall. Of course, once you have decided on the tree, you need to choose your decorations.  Whether you go for specific colour schemes, traditional ornaments or prefer a modern twist, we have a wide variety of decorations to suit your style and individuality.  Personalised decorations make a lovely gift at Christmas time and children especially love to see a fairy or snowman with their name on it. We also carry a large range of battery operated LED lights.  These can be used indoors or out and each comes with a timer (6 hours on/18 hours off).  No more tripping over lead wires or hunting for a spare plug socket in your garage.  LED lights are low energy so one set of batteries can last up to 60 days use! As it's quite expensive to visit Santa at the North Pole, you might like to create your very own Christmas village.  Lemax, the miniature experts, have a wide range of buildings and characters for you to explore and enjoy, including a collection of new designs especially for 2015.  Music and lights bring your village to life; from circus acrobats swinging on the trapeze to Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker' ballet with dainty dancers spinning around.  Whether you are just starting out , expanding your village collection, or seeking that special gift, we are sure you will be captivated by the range of models and characters available from Lemax. View the Lemax Christmas Village online range here. From wreaths to a stand up Santa, wrapping paper to candles - whatever you are looking for this Christmas, come down to see us at Longacres and add a little sparkle to your festive fun.  Ho, ho, ho!

It's truly one of our worst nightmares: scraping out the dreaded plugholes with either gloved (or for the truly brave!) bare hands for all the old potato peelings, canned dog food, soggy rice crispies, matted hair and just about anything gross you can imagine to have gotten trapped there. No need to fret anymore - The Dossil® Sinkie® catches all of the waste before it goes down the plughole, allowing you to clear the sink in a much more hygienic way and reducing the chances of needing to call in the plumber due to a blockage! It's also a great way of saving your most important possessions, such as rings or earrings that may accidentally fall in. Where can I use my Sinkie®? Your Sinkie® will work and fit in virtually any plughole: showers, kitchen, bathroom and utility sinks. The Sinkie® has a bendy and flexible design so that it fits even the most awkwardly situated plugholes. What is the Sinkie® made from? The Sinkie® is made from tough compressed silicone rubber. It is chemical resistant and can withstand heat of up to 250°c! How do I clean my Sinkie®? Your Sinkie® is really easy to clean. All it needs is a good rinse, but if you want to give it a truly deep clean, it is suitable to go in either the dishwasher or washing machine too! The Sinkie® is available both in store and online for just £5.99 each (RRP £6.99!) at Longacres Garden Centre in a range of bright and stylish colours to suit everyone's taste: Apple Green Boy Blue Scarlet Red Translucent Atlantic Blue Translucent Spring Green [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_VKPYhgvFw[/embed]

Here at Longacres we know that flowers are an important part of many peoples' lives (certainly ours!). They are used to mark a range of occasions, from births to funerals. But did you know that we also provide flowers for weddings, corporate events, hospitals, schools, elderly care homes, offices and vehicle showrooms? In fact, our Corporate Flower Service provides a range of wonderful displays tailored to your business. Whether you are looking for fresh flowers every week or an artificial display every quarter, our knowledgeable staff can provide an arrangement appropriate to your needs. Our lovely team of florists also provide a range of hand-tied bouquets starting from as little as £19.99, and will do their best to meet any specific requirements you may have. Perhaps you prefer to have a little mystery in your life and receive our bouquet of the month; each bouquet is a wonderful seasonal arrangement guaranteed to brighten up your home for only £30. They even come with a free glass vase! Of course, if you enjoy flowers in your home on a regular basis, you might like to consider taking out one of our fresh flower subscriptions. These are available for 3, 6 or 12 months. You can even choose the date that you would like your flowers delivered. Of course, you may decide to use your subscription as a special gift for a friend or loved one instead. There really is something special about the smell of fresh flowers around the home isn't there? We have a wide range of fresh cut flowers available daily in our specially chilled room so you can come in and select your favourites. We even have a range of great value offers on at the moment including 'Buy 2 Bunches of Germini/Short Stem Roses/Sunflowers and Get Your 3rd Bunch Free'. We know that spending a little time arranging your flowers can be quite relaxing, but if you want some extra help our florists will be more than happy to make your chosen blooms into a special gift. For only £5 extra (and a 15 minute wait - just enough time to collect some yummy cakes from the bakery section right next to Cut Flowers!) they can add foliage and wrap your blooms in cellophane (complete with a 'water bum' (aqua pack) so you don't have to worry about them starting to wilt). You can also add a gift box for just £1.50. So for ALL of your floristry requirements, whether large or small, corporate or personal, please give us a call on 01276 476778 and speak to a member of our friendly team.

The Christmas season is fast approaching. For many people, putting up decorations is a perfect way to make the days more fun and memorable. After all, it feels amazing to pass houses all decked out with stunning lights, ornaments and colourful garlands. Every year, the question for many of us is, ‘what is new’? 2015 is no exception. If you are planning your decorations early, it only makes sense to know what to include. To get your home ready, we have listed the top Christmas decoration trends that you should watch out for this year. Artificial and Pre-Lit Christmas Trees Every year the Christmas tree is the centrepiece for decorating your home. For some, an artificial Christmas tree is the best way of decorating. With a bit of creativity, you can turn a plain tree into a wonderful focal point. For others a pre-lit Christmas tree is a great way to create interest. This is ideal if you prefer the quicker process of decorating. Pre-lit Christmas trees are safe and reliable, designed to keep unsightly wires hidden and provide optimal lighting. Lemax Collectibles The Lemax collection has been around for many years, but it continues to charm shoppers year after year. To bring the spirit of festivity and add pops of colour to your home, you may want to decorate with Lemax figurines and accessories, such as snowmen, Santa and sledging children. Another lovely way to decorate your living room is to add some highly-detailed Lemax attractions such as taverns, carousels and funfair rides. These charming ornaments will make you feel the warmth and happiness of the Christmas festivities. Bring joy to your home with our extensive selection of Lemax products and Christmas trees. Longacres Garden Centre is committed to bringing you only the finest options when it comes to decorations. Visit us today to begin your Christmas shopping.

Do you ever come home from a stressful day in the office and just wish you could escape grown-up life for an hour or two? Perhaps going to the gym or watching The Great British Bake Off isn't quite de-stressing you as much as it once did. I have no doubt that many of us would love to revisit our childhood days where we didn't need to worry about money, work or the general gripes of everyday life (although I vividly remember at the time thinking how stressful junior school was - oh what I'd give to go back now!) Taking the (adult!) nation by storm are, and you can choose to believe it or not, colouring books for grown-ups. Millie Marotta's Animal Kingdom is currently at number 2 on the Amazon Best Sellers list. If you take a look on the Amazon Best Sellers list, you'll almost certainly find a grown-up colouring book listed high up there. Today ( on the 10th September 2015) Millie Marotta's Animal Kingdom - A Colouring Book Adventure is featured as number 2, having been in the Top 100 for a whopping 253 days, closely followed by Millie Marotta's Tropical Wonderland featured at number 11. Using colouring pencils, felt-tip pens, crayons etc to colour in pre-designed outlined pictures isn't exactly something that has recently come about; but it certainly is when you associate it with adults.  So why exactly have these colouring books become so popular? Colouring in books for adults prove to be calming and help to ease stress. Colouring in very intricate designs requires the brain to really focus on what it is doing, allowing you to totally switch off from the outside world, whether it be for five minutes or 4 hours each day so that you can forget what might be causing you stress, anxiety or worry. It is both a therapeutic/relaxing but also creative task, engaging your brain to work out what colours should be used in which spaces. We understand that colouring books for grown-ups isn't everyone's cup of tea, or you simply might not be totally convinced yet.. but if the stresses of life are taking their toll on you why don't you just give one of Millie Marotta's colouring books a try; Tropical Wonderland and Animal Kingdom are both available to buy in store at Longacres Shepperton (and coming soon to Bagshot!), as well as The Mindfulness Colouring Books by Emma Farrarons and Animorphia by Kerby Rosanes. Prices range from just £5.99 to £12.99 per book - a small price to pay to bring a bit of calm and peace to your life; you may even discover a creative mind you didn't realise you had!

Keeping Things Festive This Christmas: All About Christmas Lights Safety The Christmas season is one of the most celebrated events of the year. To brighten up the cold dark nights homeowners decorate with festive and colourful lights, from the interiors and exteriors to their Christmas trees. As electricity and cold weather do not mix well, you need to ensure the security of the lights and their wires. By keeping your house safe from electrical problems and fire, you can relax and enjoy the festivities. This gives you peace of mind knowing that the only things that will light up are the bulbs, not your entire house. Quality Over Price First, never purchase substandard products. These lights may save you some money, but when things go wrong, you may end up spending more. It is logical to choose more costly yet quality lights, as these have less chance of malfunctioning and blowing up. For Outdoor Lights If you are planning to place the lights outside, always get ones that are specifically for outdoors. These specialised Christmas lights have distinct materials that enable them to withstand the rain, snow and other elements. If the lights are damaged, replace or throw them away immediately. Do not try to reuse them. For Christmas Trees Artificial trees are readily available. If you want to keep a real one, however, you have to be extra careful, as wood burns easily. Choose a freshly chopped tree because old ones have probably dried out, making them a bigger fire hazard. Always keep a fire extinguisher around in case the lights blow up. Reusing Old Lights One way to save money during the Christmas season is by reusing decorations from last year. Be careful with lights, though. Before placing them around the house, test them out to see if they still work properly. As Christmas is fast approaching, it is ideal to shop around for festive decorations that will light up your house. Here at Longacres Garden Centre, we offer artificial pre-lit Christmas trees and a wide range of Christmas lights. These products come in a variety of designs to meet individual needs and tastes, whether you like plain or multi-coloured lights. Browse our selection of high-quality products and contact us today for inquiries.

It seems like Autumn has arrived doesn't it? Hard to believe we're only just approaching the end of August.  At least the rain is good for our gardens (and ducks apparently). Whilst many of your plants are still blooming in the garden, the weather is definitely beginning to change and it would seem a good time to consider the next crop of flowers that you would like to see in your tubs and borders.  Bulb planting time has arrived. At Longacres you can choose from a wide range of bulbs. One of the advantages of bulbs is that we tend to forget about them a bit after planting, and then get a lovely surprise the following spring.   Having a range of bulbs within your garden or pots can mean you are treated to flowers almost year round. Many of us probably think of plants in terms of those that traditionally bloom in spring - daffodils, crocus, tulip - and those that bloom in summer.  However, there are many that happily bloom in autumn and even mid-winter. Cyclamen, for example, can survive in temperatures from zero degrees upwards and come in a range of stunning colours.  Winter Aconite, with their look very similar to that of the humble buttercup, can flower from late winter to early spring.  The Lance Leaved Lily produces fragrant flowers from late summer through to early autumn.  Not forgetting the Chinese Chive, or to give it its Latin name - Allium Tuberosum. Doesn't that sound like a great Harry Potter spell? Bulbs are an ideal choice for young children. At Longacres you can choose from a wide range of bulbs for your pots and borders; some of which are on fantastic deals of 3 for £10 and 3 for £12.  Bulbs are an ideal choice for young children as, unlike established flowering plants, they cannot really damage a bulb when planting - especially if they are as enthusiastic about gardening as their parents! Both children (and adults, of course) may like to take advantage of our 'cram a pot' section.   A large pot of daffodil bulbs is just £3.99 - and you can even keep the pot!  Also on offer are a range of specialist bulb planters, starting at just £1.99.  You can find them all around the bulb section. Longacres offers a 'cram a pot' section in their bulbs area. We look forward to seeing you at Longacres soon.

In a container: Hydrangeas all enjoy plenty of moisture. If you can’t, or don’t wish to spend time watering the garden but can manage a few containers, fill one or more with hydrangeas. Paired pots of hydrangeas are round in shape, have a formal look and look good placed one each side of a path or entrance. Try the stylish white-flowered Hydrangea macrophylla 'Black Steel Zebra' which is around a metre in height and spread, with a floral season that starts in July. For a really compact container plant the 45cm high Hydrangea macrophylla 'Papillon' which has flowers that are pink in alkaline soil and shaped like some begonias. This could be placed with containers of Begonia (Nonstop Series), to intriguing effect and they should both start to flower during July. In the border: Hydrangeas can be surprisingly effective as part of a mixed planting in a flower border. The more delicate flowers of the lacecap forms with their domed heads can be interesting.  For pink flowers try with frothy magenta pink Astilbes such as Astilbe chinensis var. tacquetii 'Superba', or as a contrast to elegant hardy Lobelias such as Lobelia 'Compton Pink'. Alternatively the exuberant whorled flowers of Monarda such as pale pink Monarda 'Fishes' make good companions. If you have acidic soil and can grow those elusive blue hydrangeas (for example 1.5 metre high lacecap Hydrangea macrophylla 'Zorro', try them with the dark blue columnar flowers of monkshood such as Aconitum napellus, the warm lavender-blue of Phlox paniculata 'Eventide', or the stately pale blue spikes of Veronicastrum virginicum. All these border selections enjoy plenty of moisture. For something dramatic: Hydrangea paniculata forms can stand 3 metres or more in height and are at their best from late summer, going through autumn. They develop large heads of conical flowers, often white or pink, and turn pink with age. They are spectacular in flower, yet often overlooked. These need plenty of moisture and acidic or neutral soil. Try 3 metres tall Hydrangea paniculata 'Brussels Lace', or for a small garden use modern cultivars at half the height such as Hydrangea paniculata 'Silver Dollar'. Smaller Hydrangea macrophylla or serrata forms can be grown in front of them. They can also be grown in the company of other stalwart garden favourites with different seasons of interest such as spring flowering Forsythia, the colourful winter stems of dogwoods such as Cornus sanguinea 'Magic Flame', or evergreens such as Camellia and Pieris. For exceptional foliage: The oak leaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia forms) have large leaves, like those of an oak in their shape. They have rich autumn tints as well as beautiful flowers and can look sumptuous. These come in a range of sizes but at 1.5 metres, with a greater spread, try Hydrangea quercifolia 'Sikes Dwarf'. These hydrangeas look beautiful when grown with witch hazels such as the pale yellow winter flowers of Hamamelis x intermedia 'Pallida' which has fine autumn colour that complements the hydrangea. For that awkward wall: Hydrangeas can be the perfect solution. In the mildest parts of the country try Hydrangea serratifolia. For north-facing walls, Hydrangea anomala subsp. Petiolaris with its white lacecap flowers in spring, is a first rate choice. Enjoy! This blog post was contributed by Susan A. Tindall