Latest news with #GroundForce
Epoch Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Epoch Times
China Quietly Changes Army's Top Commander as Internal Purge Widens
China has quietly removed its ground forces' third-ranking officer without explanation, adding to signs that purges in the military's top brass are ongoing. Lt. Gen. Cai Zhijun has been named the chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Force, according to footage of a meeting with Pakistani military leaders that was aired on CCTV, China's state broadcaster, on July 25, which showed Cai's new title.
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Alan Titchmarsh shares top five drought-resistant plants every UK garden needs
As the British summer becomes increasingly hotter and drier each year, some green-fingered enthusiasts are considering transitioning to gardens that can withstand the changing climate. Following a third blistering heatwave in Britain, with forecasts of yet another spell of intense heat on the horizon, it's becoming clear that scorching summers are here to stay, prompting gardeners to prepare for drier conditions. With hosepipe bans looming in Yorkshire until winter, and other UK regions likely to follow, now is the time to contemplate creating a drought-tolerant garden. Gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh, known for his work on Gardeners' World and Ground Force, has taken to his YouTube channel to recommend several plants that can flourish despite stringent hosepipe restrictions: "I'm always looking for drought-resistant plants that can cope with less water," he remarks. The Sun Rose The delicate blooms of Cistus Pulverulentus Sunset, which Alan describes as looking like "they've been made from tissue paper," belie its hardy nature. "Cystus is a shrub which is semi evergreen," Alan says, "It's fairly low. It tends to make low mounds and in that respect, it's really useful, particularly in small gardens." Those delicate flowers come along in late spring and early summer, and while each one will only last a short time, it will soon be followed by another one. The Rock Rose Helianthemum "scrambles over rocks in a rock garden," Alan says, or it can provide an excellent decorative edge to borders. It's another low-growing plant, he adds: "It never grows much more than about nine inches to a foot high. And it can be studded with flowers of either white, yellow, pink or orange." The variation Alan picked, which is called "The Bride," features flowers that are white with a yellow centre, like miniature fried eggs. The Rock Rose thrives in really dry, arid, rocky conditions: "You don't need to grow it in a rock garden," Alan says "Just make sure that with all these plants, as well as enjoying sunshine, the soil is well drained." Stonecrop Sedum is a hardy long-lived perennial that, with a little care, will flower reliably for many summers to come. Alan picked out the Sedum Sunsparkler Plum Dazzled as his personal favourite. Despite thriving in warm, dry conditions, Sedum is known as "the ice plant," and Alan explains the remarkable reason why. "When you feel the leaves, even on a warm day, they're cold to the touch," he says, adding that they're a great asset in a sensory garden for children. They're also a good choice for late summer interest, Alan adds: "If you've got a garden that is always at its best in June and then it sort of fizzles out come the end of summer. The sedums are fab, flowering right the way through July, August, September on towards the frost." Sea Holly Alan says that Eryngium are really effective plants for a warm, hot, dry, sunny border. "They have really thick roots," he says, "and those thick roots are capable of drilling down and finding moisture where they need them." Unlike the previous entries in Alan's list, they can grow quite tall, meaning that Eryngium can be placed towards the back of a display. They're also an excellent choice, dried, to provide an indoor floral display during the winter. Lily of the Nile Agapanthus takes the number one spot in Alan's list. It's a much more forgiving plant than it used to be, he says: "They used to be quite tender. Hardier ones have been bred now. And the label on this plant claims it will go down to minus 12° C, provided that drainage at the roots is good." While you can find white varieties, Alan prefers the classic vivid blue of Ever Sapphire, which he says is set off particularly well when placed in a classic terracotta pot. It will thrive in well-drained soil that receives full sun, and as an additional bonus, Agapanthus is quite resistant to most garden pests.
Scottish Sun
26-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Alan Titchmarsh's top 7 plants that ‘transform ugly fences with gorgeous flowers & fragrance' & they grow for years
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THEY might not be the most instant transformers. But climbing plants can be a brilliant way to hide ugly fences or walls, and there are seven in particular that gardening pro Alan Titchmarsh recommends. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Alan Titchmarsh has revealed the seven climbing plants that are perfect for covering up ugly walls and fences Credit: YouTube 3 They provide pretty flowers and gorgeous fragrance when trailed on fences Credit: YouTube "Climbing plants are wonderful for transforming ugly sheds, walls and fences with a mass of flowers, foliage and fragrance," he said in an installment of his Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh video series on YouTube. "The wonderful thing about climbers is that there's a climber for every situation!" The former Ground Force presenter went on to detail his favourite climbing plants, as he explained where and when they can be used. At the very top of his list is the Clematis 'Shimmer', which is perfect for growing in full sun or partial shade. It produces large flowers, in this instance purple, and does that a couple of times per year. Second on the list, the Clematis 'Montana'. These "very, very vigorous" plants will "cover the side of a cathedral", Alan said, and can grow up to 12 metres in height. So they definitely aren't the ones to choose if you've got a small area you want to cover. With both the Montana and Shimmer varieties, they like their "roots in the shade and heads in the sun". "When you plant them, a little bit of flagstone laid on the area around the roots will stop the sun from striking it and drying the soil out," Alan explained. The four easy steps to get your tired lawn lush for summer & you don't need to worry about pigeons ruining it either If you've got a spot in the shade that needs covering with a climbing plant, it's worth considering Lonicera 'Scentsation' (Honeysuckle). The "woodland native" that's "happy in dappled shade" produces spidery flowers and "the most glorious" honeysuckle scent. It can grow to between four and nine metres, and flowers the most during spring and summer. "It has twining stems, so loosely loop them in as they grow to cover the area you want to," he added. Or, if you want a "reliable" climber, then the Hydrangea petiolaris is a good choice. It's suitable for shade, and can grow up to eight metres wide. How to encourage wildlife into your garden THE Woodland Trust shared five top tips 1. Grow wild Let nature take its course to create a more attractive environment for all things wild. You don't have to leave your plot to develop into a small jungle – wildlife will thank you for just a small corner, border or planter. 2. Plant trees and shrubs Research has shown that gardens are more attractive to wildlife if they have trees. And those trees can bring a host of other benefits too, from reducing noise and flooding to fighting climate change. 3. Create homes If you want to attract a particular species, a ready-made home can look especially appealing to any wildlife passing through. 4. Offer a water source Water is crucial for wildlife. Making some available in your garden could be a lifeline, especially in extreme weather. 5. Serve an extra meal One of the best ways to persuade a plethora of wildlife to your patch is to give them access to an easy meal. And the main draw of the plant is that it's a "self clinger", that "glues itself to the wall as it spreads". "It will cover quite a large area on a wall that's often too shady to cover with anything else," Alan continued. The Thunbergia 'Black Eyed Susan' is up next, and grows up to 2.5m tall. While the majority of the plants Alan has recommended are perennial, this is annual - meaning it only survives for one year. But it makes a pretty addition to a garden for "late spring, early summer and right through to early autumn". The sixth plant on Alan's list, which can top 9m in height, is the Rhyncospermum Jasminoides. "This is another plant for a sunny, warm fence," he said. "Give it sun and you'll get these glorious white flowers and a fabulous scent." The seventh and final climber Alan recommends is the Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'. It's more of a "shrubby" climber that doesn't cling, you have to train it to grow where you want it to. And he added that it's also a good choice if you're short on space, as there's a nifty way you can train it for a smaller area too.
The Irish Sun
26-06-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Alan Titchmarsh's top 7 plants that ‘transform ugly fences with gorgeous flowers & fragrance' & they grow for years
THEY might not be the most instant transformers. But climbing plants can be a brilliant way to hide ugly fences or walls, and there are seven in particular that gardening pro 3 Alan Titchmarsh has revealed the seven climbing plants that are perfect for covering up ugly walls and fences Credit: YouTube 3 They provide pretty flowers and gorgeous fragrance when trailed on fences Credit: YouTube "Climbing plants are wonderful for transforming ugly sheds, walls and fences with a mass of flowers, foliage and fragrance," he said in an installment of his Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh "The wonderful thing about climbers is that there's a climber for every situation!" The former Ground Force presenter went on to detail his favourite climbing plants, as he explained where and when they can be used. At the very top of his list is the Clematis 'Shimmer', which is perfect for growing in full sun or partial shade. Read more Gardening stories It produces large flowers, in this instance purple, and does that a couple of times per year. Second on the list, the Clematis 'Montana'. These "very, very vigorous" plants will "cover the side of a cathedral", Alan said, and can grow up to 12 metres in height. So they definitely aren't the ones to choose if you've got a small area you want to cover. Most read in Fabulous With both the Montana and Shimmer varieties, they like their "roots in the shade and heads in the sun". "When you plant them, a little bit of flagstone laid on the area around the roots will stop the sun from striking it and drying the soil out," Alan explained. The four easy steps to get your tired lawn lush for summer & you don't need to worry about pigeons ruining it either If you've got a spot in the shade that needs covering with a climbing plant, it's worth considering Lonicera 'Scentsation' (Honeysuckle). The "woodland native" that's "happy in dappled shade" produces spidery flowers and "the most glorious" honeysuckle scent. It can grow to between four and nine metres, and flowers the most during spring and summer. "It has twining stems, so loosely loop them in as they grow to cover the area you want to," he added. Or, if you want a "reliable" climber, then the Hydrangea petiolaris is a good choice. It's suitable for shade, and can grow up to eight metres wide. How to encourage wildlife into your garden THE Woodland Trust shared five top tips 1. Grow wild Let nature take its course to create a more attractive environment for all things wild. You don't have to leave your plot to develop into a small jungle – wildlife will thank you for just a small corner, border or planter. 2. Plant trees and shrubs Research has shown that gardens are more attractive to wildlife if they have trees. And those trees can bring a host of other benefits too, from reducing noise and flooding to fighting climate change. 3. Create homes If you want to attract a particular species, a ready-made home can look especially appealing to any wildlife passing through. 4. Offer a water source Water is crucial for wildlife. Making some available in your garden could be a lifeline, especially in extreme weather. 5. Serve an extra meal One of the best ways to persuade a plethora of wildlife to your patch is to give them access to an easy meal. And the main draw of the plant is that it's a "self clinger", that "glues itself to the wall as it spreads". "It will cover quite a large area on a wall that's often too shady to cover with anything else," Alan continued. The Thunbergia 'Black Eyed Susan' is up next, and grows up to 2.5m tall. While the majority of the plants Alan has recommended are perennial, this is annual - meaning it only survives for one year. But it makes a pretty addition to a garden for "late spring, early summer and right through to early autumn". The sixth plant on Alan's list, which can top 9m in height, is the Rhyncospermum Jasminoides. "This is another plant for a sunny, warm fence," he said. "Give it sun and you'll get these glorious white flowers and a fabulous scent." The seventh and final climber Alan recommends is the Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'. It's more of a "shrubby" climber that doesn't cling, you have to train it to grow where you want it to. And he added that it's also a good choice if you're short on space, as there's a nifty way you can train it for a smaller area too. 3 You need to consider whereabouts the area is that you need to cover when choosing a climber Credit: Getty
The Sun
26-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Alan Titchmarsh's top 7 plants that ‘transform ugly fences with gorgeous flowers & fragrance' & they grow for years
THEY might not be the most instant transformers. But climbing plants can be a brilliant way to hide ugly fences or walls, and there are seven in particular that gardening pro Alan Titchmarsh recommends. 3 3 "Climbing plants are wonderful for transforming ugly sheds, walls and fences with a mass of flowers, foliage and fragrance," he said in an installment of his Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh video series on YouTube. "The wonderful thing about climbers is that there's a climber for every situation!" The former Ground Force presenter went on to detail his favourite climbing plants, as he explained where and when they can be used. At the very top of his list is the Clematis 'Shimmer', which is perfect for growing in full sun or partial shade. It produces large flowers, in this instance purple, and does that a couple of times per year. Second on the list, the Clematis 'Montana'. These "very, very vigorous" plants will "cover the side of a cathedral", Alan said, and can grow up to 12 metres in height. So they definitely aren't the ones to choose if you've got a small area you want to cover. With both the Montana and Shimmer varieties, they like their "roots in the shade and heads in the sun". "When you plant them, a little bit of flagstone laid on the area around the roots will stop the sun from striking it and drying the soil out," Alan explained. The four easy steps to get your tired lawn lush for summer & you don't need to worry about pigeons ruining it either If you've got a spot in the shade that needs covering with a climbing plant, it's worth considering Lonicera 'Scentsation' (Honeysuckle). The "woodland native" that's "happy in dappled shade" produces spidery flowers and "the most glorious" honeysuckle scent. It can grow to between four and nine metres, and flowers the most during spring and summer. "It has twining stems, so loosely loop them in as they grow to cover the area you want to," he added. Or, if you want a "reliable" climber, then the Hydrangea petiolaris is a good choice. It's suitable for shade, and can grow up to eight metres wide. How to encourage wildlife into your garden THE Woodland Trust shared five top tips 1. Grow wild Let nature take its course to create a more attractive environment for all things wild. You don't have to leave your plot to develop into a small jungle – wildlife will thank you for just a small corner, border or planter. 2. Plant trees and shrubs Research has shown that gardens are more attractive to wildlife if they have trees. And those trees can bring a host of other benefits too, from reducing noise and flooding to fighting climate change. 3. Create homes If you want to attract a particular species, a ready-made home can look especially appealing to any wildlife passing through. 4. Offer a water source Water is crucial for wildlife. Making some available in your garden could be a lifeline, especially in extreme weather. 5. Serve an extra meal One of the best ways to persuade a plethora of wildlife to your patch is to give them access to an easy meal. And the main draw of the plant is that it's a "self clinger", that "glues itself to the wall as it spreads". "It will cover quite a large area on a wall that's often too shady to cover with anything else," Alan continued. The Thunbergia 'Black Eyed Susan' is up next, and grows up to 2.5m tall. While the majority of the plants Alan has recommended are perennial, this is annual - meaning it only survives for one year. But it makes a pretty addition to a garden for "late spring, early summer and right through to early autumn". The sixth plant on Alan's list, which can top 9m in height, is the Rhyncospermum Jasminoides. "This is another plant for a sunny, warm fence," he said. "Give it sun and you'll get these glorious white flowers and a fabulous scent." The seventh and final climber Alan recommends is the Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'. It's more of a "shrubby" climber that doesn't cling, you have to train it to grow where you want it to. And he added that it's also a good choice if you're short on space, as there's a nifty way you can train it for a smaller area too. 3
