Songwriter John McLaughlin, best known for writing hit songs for artists such as Rod Stewart, Westlife, Busted, Cliff Richard, and Sandi Thom, appearing as the music coach on BBC’s Fame Academy and being the current manager of Edinburgh’s own Bay City Rollers, has teamed up with the Scottish SPCA to create a music album aimed at relaxing dogs! Continue reading Multi-million record selling songwriter creates music album … for dogs!
A DEVOTED gamer has raised over £5,000 for a children’s charity and is about to complete an exhausting 24-hour gaming marathon for the seventh year in a row. Continue reading Fundraiser Mags undertakes seven annual 24-Hour Gaming Marathons for Children’s Charity
An online platform for parents and carers of young people with an eating disorder within the first few weeks of treatment has been shortlisted for a national award for innovation and good practice in self-management of illnesses. Continue reading Innovative website for eating disorder parents recognised in national healthcare awards
Enjoy an Indian summer with garden palms
Sizeable, lusciously green, and with an exotic look the keeps that summer feeling going for longer: Garden palms bring the right vibe to September to help you carry on enjoying the outdoor life a little longer. The selection includes a True Date Palm (Phoenix caneriensis) with green feathered leaves and a distinctive trunk. The Chinese Windmill Palm (Trachicarpus) with its typical fan-shaped leaves.
The other stars of September are not officially palm trees, but look a lot like them, so they can blend perfectly. The Yucca and the Cabbage Palm (Cordyline australis) have an exotic look with attractive rosettes of leaves. With the Yucca the leaves can be green, yellow or white variegated, and green or russet on the Cordyline. Perfect for a seamless transition from summer to Indian summer.
Range
The Date Palm is available in two species: P. canariensis with rugged, upward-pointing feathered leaves, and P. roebelenii with softer, more elegant curved leaves. They’re available in various sizes with slender trunks, sometimes with several in a single pot.
The best-known species of the Cabbage Palm is Cordyline australis. The plant offers a fabulous rosette of leaves, and is available in both small sizes for planting as bedding plants, and larger sizes that look lovely on a balcony or patio. The most common varieties are ‘Red Star’ (red leaves) and ‘Verde’ (green leaves).
The Yucca is available as the hardy species Yucca flaccida, Y. gloriosa, and Y. filamentosa. All three have rugged leaf rosettes on which the leaves are always different. In the summer they flower with an elegant spike of flowers. Yucca elephantipes prefers to overwinter in frost-free conditions. It’s primarily a container plant, but also works very well as a houseplant.
The Chinese Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus) is characterized by its fan-shaped leaves. This species is available in substantial sizes, which makes it extremely suitable for dressing patios and driveways, and it can even cope with frost.
SCOTLAND’s leading housing provider has officially launched its newest Edinburgh development, providing affordable accommodation for more than 100 people. Continue reading Bield cuts ribbon at Fleming Place development
A CHILLING report revealing that large numbers of supermarket and branded vanilla ice creams contain no milk, cream or even vanilla has been warmly welcomed by Scotland’s largest producer. Mackie’s of Scotland has lauded news of the investigation by Which? and has spoken out stating that consumers deserve better quality products. Continue reading Chilling: Ice cream ingedients not looking so vanilla
Celebrated actress Rula Lenska has visited Edinburgh to take part in a rehearsal for upcoming music and art event SHAMANIC. Continue reading Rula Lenska visits Edinburgh for SHAMANIC rehearsal
Edinburgh residents have until Friday 14 September to share their views on the Council and Ross Development Trust’s proposals to enhance West Princes Street Gardens. Continue reading Two weeks to have your say on Princes Street Gardens
