Gardener and Photographer with a love of Roses and a magpie-eye for all things Horticultural
Evergreen Clematis armandii 'Snowdrift' Pure white, almond scented, propeller shaped blossom, in the hundreds, smother this evergreen climber in early spring (March - April). Thick, waxy leaves add year round interest and excellent screening - it can grow to 20' quite comfortably. There are clematis for every month of the year and such a variety…
Continue reading ➞ Snowdrift – and other winter clematis
Ampelopsis brevipedunculata var. maximowiczii 'Elegans' A compact climber with attractive variegated leaves and gem-like berries - and a tongue-twisting name to boot! The leaves of this outstanding, if little known, little climber are outstanding in themselves - emerging pale copper with reddish rim, vaulting off pink leaf stalks, later turning fresh green. As they mature…
Continue reading ➞ The Porcelain Berry Vine, no less…
Passion Flower, Passiflora caerulea What a remarkable piece of floral construction - I've remarked on this before when I photographed the smaller yellow cousin, Passiflora citrina - though this one is absolutely not a manageable houseplant. A twining climber, it has vigorous if a little straggly growth, benefitting from being grown up or through something…
Continue reading ➞ Sometimes you have to wonder…
Lonicera x brownii 'Dropmore Scarlet' Bright the flowers of this honeysuckle may be, and unusual for all that too, but not scarlet. In common with many of these orange-red honeysuckles, there is very little scent but the eye catching display, from July through to September, makes up for being invisible, olfactory-wise. While it is not,…
Continue reading ➞ Very Nearly Scarlet
Ipomoea Heavenly Blue (Morning Glory) Just beginning to get going, now the days are getting shorter, this twining climber with large sky blue trumpet flowers is already up to the top of a 2m obelisk with inquisitive green wands waving round in the breeze (all tucked up now). A beautiful late season climber that still…
Continue reading ➞ Heavenly Blue
The wisteria blossom is almost over, a brief but intense affair, but before it goes altogether, a look at one last display at the RHS gardens at Wisley, taken a week or so ago. On a sturdy pillar, twin pillars in fact, a glamorous, deeply fragrant display that you can get right up close to…
Continue reading ➞ Brief Encounter
My favourite rose, of the moment, since she is doing so well in my less than propitious garden (NW facing, enormous horse-chestnut tree, much competition from other climbers). Dozens of blooms with more promised and, thus far, not a hint of powdery mildew. Marvellous. And as with many plants, the reverse of the flower can…
Continue reading ➞ Mrs Alfred Carriere, feeling shy
My neighbour's climbing rose, Penny Lane. Bred by Harkness and introduced in 1998 (it was Rose of the Year that year). Medium sweet fragrance. 4m x 2.5m (13' x 8') As with many of the best modern repeat-flowering climbers, it is a hybrid between 'New Dawn' and a modern bush rose. Its flowers are large,…
Name: Clematis 'The President' Hardy: Fully hardy Height: 3 metres (10ft) Flowers: RHS Award of Garden Merit. Bred by Charles Noble in 1876, clematis 'The President' is a hybrid between C. x jackmanii and C. patens. The deep purple flowers (do not easily fade in the sun) are 15cm (6in) with silver on the reverse…
Continue reading ➞ Clematis, The President
The Teddington Gardener 