Gardener and Photographer with a love of Roses and a magpie-eye for all things Horticultural
Don't worry, I'm sure it's just a phase. Indulging my delight in all things orange, with the return of the deciduous azalea, coming in to flower roundabouts now (yellows, reds, pinks, purples too, of course). The Grand Display may possibly a little later than in previous years, but time enough to plan a visit to…
Continue reading ➞ The return of something orange…
No photographs yet, but I am reliably informed that my order has been placed for the four new varieties being launched at RHS Chelsea Flower Show next week. What timing! Sadly, no Cheslea ticket for me, though I have set the video to record each hour-long daily BBC show, Monday through Saturday next week. Just…
Continue reading ➞ David Austin’s 2013/14 introductions
The very brilliant young foliage of a rose named Piccolo, which sets off the beautiful bright orange flowers to perfection. A diminutive and free-flowering rose, which would be rather garish if it had just any plain old green leaf. Orange contrasting against this deep rich mahogany-red, well, this classy combination sizzles. All I have to…
Continue reading ➞ Not all about the flower, then … Rose Piccolo
A great houseplant, the Moth orchid, and very forgiving of shall we say, a regime of benign neglect. Flowering reliably and now in a multitude of colours (though white seems to be the most popular). Caught here, with a flash of sunshine, in their cellophane wrappers.
Dicksonia antarctica (tree fern) - a dramatic addition to any shady garden, creating an umbrella of very large, feathery, bright green fronds, measuring up to 3m long, turning dark green as they age. A fibrous, rough, hairy-mossy trunk though, as the plant is slow-growing, you will have to pay significantly for if you want…
Continue reading ➞ Highgrove here I come… more tree ferns please
From the Telegraph, 27th April 2002, an article reproduced in full, written by Ursula Buchan. What can I say, I have dinner to make (the photographs are mine at least). How to grow: Gentiana Ursula Buchan's guide to the queen of all alpine plants Gentiana verna: exhilarates the heart and mind MENTION the word "gentian"…
Continue reading ➞ Gentian verna
All my la-di-da with photographs and tours around botanic gardens... I'm scrubbing the composted manure from beneath my fingernails this evening! Some time in the garden for a family with a couple of Big Birthday celebrations coming up and a little TLC on their front-garden-front needed. I've already planted out the garden at the back…
Continue reading ➞ A garden re-fresh, Duchess of Cornwall, English Roses and Other Plants
A rather lovely form of knapweed, Centaurea montana Amethyst on Ice, with contrasting inner, and longer, outer florets. Perennial cornflowers prefer sun, poorer soils and good drainage, lime too. I'm looking forward to seeing an all 'black' flowered form, the name of which entirely escapes me at the moment....
Gales and driving rain. It won't be good for the cherry blossom. In parks, on pavements and roads - a knee-deep lava flow of tissue-thin pink and white petals. I know Cherry Blossom Time is an ephemeral display, but does it have to be blasted off the branches. So soon? Oh well, what's next?
The Teddington Gardener 