Gardener and Photographer with a love of Roses and a magpie-eye for all things Horticultural
A label with minimal detail next to this shrub - near the Victoria Gate at Kew - a dense, prickly plant, chest high, abundantly berried with small, bright ruby lozenges. Berberis is a group of about 450 evergreen and deciduous plants from all parts of the northern hemisphere, Africa and South America. And this one…
Continue reading ➞ Berberis – and a mystery plant hunter….
Whether a single specimen, a small copse or more generously planted, these Birch trees add such contrast and definition to a garden. Light canopies, butter-yellow autumn colour and then such strong stand-out silhouettes from Autumn to Spring. Look out for cultivars with such evocative names as Grayswood Ghost, Snow Queen and Silver Shadow. Weeping forms…
Continue reading ➞ Bone-white Birch
The weather forecast isn't great for tomorrow, Saturday, but those careless of a bit of rain, could do worse than spend the time wandering through the winding paths of Battleston Hill, the woodland gardens at RHS Wisley in Surrey. I was there earlier this week, with my umbrella too, and was mesmerised by the colour…
Continue reading ➞ Battleston Hill – a walk on the woodland side…
Helleborus Cinnamon Snow Helleborus, interspecific hybrid ‘HGC Cinnamon Snow’®: This new variety from Heuger breeding is a worthy addition to the ‘Helleborus Gold Collection.’® It combines positive characteristics of two different helleborus species. It is a well-behaved plant with a uniform, compact habit. It has large 3-3.5” flowers that open with a tinge of pale yellow…
Continue reading ➞ Cinnamon Snow, Snow Dance and Josef Lemper – Hellebore Gold
In the Davies Alpine House at Kew, Sternbergia candida One of several generously plants pots of Scilla madeirensis This one I have photographed before, at Wisley I think, Narcissus romieuxii subsp romieuxii As the labels says - Crocus imperati ssp suaveolens 'Jager' Crocus 'Jager', again Not a poppy, Ranunculus asiaticus Just a few more Alpine…
Continue reading ➞ In the Davies Alpine House, Kew
Malus transitoria, the cut-leaved crab apple (photographed at RHS Wisley earlier this week) Crab apples are often excellent small trees for the garden, with late spring blossom to rival many of the Japanese Cherries, persistent fruit (attractive but only barely edible in the strictest sense). The blossom can be exceedingly fragrant and runs the gamut…
Continue reading ➞ Malus transitoria – crab apple delights
If you are designing a garden for all four seasons, and you consider your options for Winter, there are plenty of plants that will add that necessary spark of life, colour and scent - but allow for some plants to die, gently decaying and giving up their bones. These hydrangea heads have been left uncut…
Continue reading ➞ A little more death and decay, please…
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…
(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 