Gardener and Photographer with a love of Roses and a magpie-eye for all things Horticultural
I'm reprising three earlier posts, now that bulbs are arriving in garden centres and nurseries - tulips and narcissus, hyacinth, crocus and all manner of buried treasure. Tulips won't mind being planted later in this year, even into November, though the choice will become more limited as stocks go down. Buy now and keep them…
Continue reading ➞ The Bold and the Beautiful – Tulipmania
My first visit in over six months, to the borders I created last Spring in this large Roehampton Garden. Deep breath, eyes open, great relief! They have had to look after themselves following the tidy-up I was able to give them before Christmas and I am thrilled that they have survived such a cruel and…
Continue reading ➞ Return to Roehampton
The name tag for this gorgeous and beautifully impressive specimen is lost somewhere in the neon skirts of this rhododendron/evergreen azalea (I forget, is it that 'all azaleas are rhododendrons, but not all rhododendrons are azaleas?). A meandering walk through the pathways of Battleston Hill at RHS Wisley and some real treats along the way.…
Continue reading ➞ Orange/Totally Awesome
If the rose is the King of Climbers, and Clematis, the Queen, what High Rank must the wisteria hold? Beautiful, fragrant & vigorous - in May and early June, it is surely unsurpassed for sheer Impact. The Laurels nursery, near Cranbrook in Kent, specialises in Wisteria (and birch) and featured in The Garden magazine recently…
The Isabella Plantation is an ornamental woodland garden within Richmond Park and it is ablaze with colour at the moment with rhododendrons, azaleas and bluebells at their very best.Pink and orange, red and white, yellow and blue, yellow and orange, orange and blue, purple and red - hot clashes and cool combinations. Probably the best…
Continue reading ➞ Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Sneezy – and Bluebell
Apricot Foxx (pink/peach), Brown Sugar (pink/orange) and La Belle Epoque (brown) are all stunning tulips in this fine display, matched perfectly with Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra Maxima,' the Crown Imperial and a skirt of Narcissus Suzy (yellow with red centre). A rhythm of large planters along a wide terrace with a daring, close-colour harmony. Another brilliant…
Continue reading ➞ Apricot Foxx, Brown Sugar, La Belle Epoque & Crown Imperials
OK, so it's not a phase. Officially, Orange and more Orange. A return visit to the RHS gardens at Harlow Carr (near Harrogate in Yorkshire) and so much to see! Small in comparison to RHS Wisley, but still packing in the excitement and seasonal interest. Planted containers full of tulips, in vibrant and jewel-like combinations,…
Continue reading ➞ Molten lava….
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…
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
The Teddington Gardener 