Fragrant plants
The worst of all delicious weeds – Convallaria majalis
How to grow: Lily of the valley To Carol Klein, this plant is the very essence of May. Carol Klein The Telegraph 12:01AM BST 01 May 2004 Today, May Day, people all over France will be following Gallic tradition and giving deliciously fragrant posies of muguets des bois as love tokens. The scent of muguet,…
Continue reading ➞ The worst of all delicious weeds – Convallaria majalis
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After winter, intimations of Spring… Kew Gardens
and finally, the shop - orchid mania due to the extravaganza going on in the Princess of Wales Conservatory
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Snowdrift – and other winter clematis
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
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I can resist everything but (Skimmia) Temptation
Hermaphrodite Skimmias offer, if it needs to be said, the best of both worlds - self-fertile plants with flower and fruit. Here are two - Skimmia japonica Temptation and a form of Skimmia japonica subsp. reveesiana - Chilan Choice. Admittedly the flowers are not the Main Event that they are with, say, Skimmia rubella or…
Continue reading ➞ I can resist everything but (Skimmia) Temptation
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Edgeworthia chrysantha
Edgeworthia chrysantha - an annual pilgrimage A particular plant that I have sought out year after year on the lower slopes of Battleston Hill, the woodland gardens at RHS Wisley, though there are others (against the House, by the water lily canal and the red-flowered form further on into the woodland). Felt-grey padded chrysanthemums, each…
Continue reading ➞ Edgeworthia chrysantha
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More fragrance in the winter garden…
Sarcocca confusa These small tassel-like flowers, on a glossily evergreen shrub, pump out a sweet perfume - over-rich when planted in quantity and to be used sparingly if brought into the home - an undemanding plant for a shady corner, in most soils (including the more difficult drier spots) and prepare to be caught by surprise…
Continue reading ➞ More fragrance in the winter garden…
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Winter sweet – Chimonanthus praecox ‘Grandiflorus’
Scent in the winter garden - Chimonathus praecox 'Grandiflorus' Several fine specimens by the lake edge at Kew, near to the Plant Centre... I'm bewitched by scented plants and I do seem to have stumbled upon some quite spectacular examples in the few short hours I spent at Kew and Wisley earlier this week. I'll…
Continue reading ➞ Winter sweet – Chimonanthus praecox ‘Grandiflorus’
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Daphne in the woodland gardens at RHS Wisley
(above) Daphne bholua (above) Daphne bholua Peter Smithers (more reliably evergreen than some, for example the more commonly available Jacqueline Postil which can drop many of its leaves after flowering) (above) Daphne odora Mae-Jima - with more gold than green (above) Daphne x hybrida Battleston Hill, a woodland garden of winding paths was rich…
Continue reading ➞ Daphne in the woodland gardens at RHS Wisley
The Teddington Gardener 