Instant Bloomers Unearthed

Young Brits creating new generation of non-gardening gardenersA new generation of ‘instant bloomers’ have been identified – young Brits who are enthusiastic yet lacking basic knowledge when it comes to gardening.According to new research out today, in comparison to older generations over twice as many of today’s young Brits are getting into gardening before the age of twenty. However, almost nine in ten of them (87%) are unable to identify a hoe, and more than four-fifths can’t recognise the Latin name for a sunflower (Helianthus Annus). Furthermore, nearly half (47%) have more than a seed of doubt in their mind when it comes to saying what a perennial is (a plant that can live in all seasons for more than 2 years).Despite their keen green fingers - only one in ten (14%) would regard gardening as a hobby. Instead nearly four-in-ten of 25-34 year olds with any outside space to enjoy admit they would more likely to be found in it with a glass of wine in hand than a gardening tool, while more than half of 16-24 year-olds prioritised shopping over gardening.This new generation of non-gardening gardeners want to see instant results for minimal effort. Overall, more than a third (37%) want their gardens to look nice without having to put in the hours according to the survey by Scott’s MiracleGro.However nearly nine in ten (87%) agreed that they would use one plant above another if they knew it would save time and money. So while the zest for gardening is there, a lack of basic knowledge could be stopping many Instant Bloomers from fulfilling their gardening potential.If this sound all too familiar, to help get you started in the garden here is some of the Latin ‘lingo’: when it comes to plant names:Foxgloves - Digitalis purpureaDaisy - Bellis perennisIvy - Hedera helixRubber plant - Ficus elasticaOak - Quercus roburSunflower - Helianthus annuusSpider plant - Chlorophytum comosumAubergine - Solanum melongenaDandelion - Taraxicum officinaleSilver birch - Betula pendulTo help get Britain blooming a new online forum has been set up at www.lovethegarden.com.

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I chop them off at ground level with secutears then spray a drop or two of Praxys on the wound... if it doesnt killt he first time, it will the 2nd or 3rd"

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"If it has thorns it is likely to be a Robinia. I have a client who has a couple of trees 10 or so Metres away & this year they have been popping up all over the lawn. A nightmare tree for anybody who climbs!!!
I have a Gleditsia myself, (my…"

Comments

Cat Fereday July 14, 2009 at 11:01pm

Leo. Thanks for this post - the stats were really interesting. Disheartening in terms of the lack of knowledge, but possibly indicating that there's opportunity out there for professional gardeners.
Donny Bryan July 15, 2009 at 9:40am

Interesting. Mrs B comments that she's finding that in general our nieces/nephews and their friends (in their twenties) are either looking for low maintenance gardens - encouraging for the hard landscapers amongst us - or are going the other way, and as part of their 'green' conscience are looking to grow their own veggies. Perhaps there's hope yet?
Leo Kellgren July 15, 2009 at 9:53am

I think the idea is that while the younger generation wants the beautiful garden the lack of knowledge could potentially prove a problem, hence the quick fix approach. Whether or not the level of enthusiasm for the ‘have a go’ gardener is maintained remains to be seen.