Our 'common' snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis, in a less typical pose. Green stripes and minature bananas? For further diversion, here are links to a couple of short videos from the BBC, with our David Attenborough... http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Galanthus_nivalis#p006b97p http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Galanthus_nivalis#p003k0pp
Winter Garden
(More) Bewitched by Hamamelis at Kew…
I couldn't resist revisiting this admirable collection of Hamamelis - Witch Hazels - part of the Mediterranean Landscape at Kew. For details of the 'How to Grow' and 'What are They' variety, please re-visit my earlier post - just enter 'Hamamelis' into the search-query-box-thing.
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Golden fruit – Viburnum opulus ‘Xanthocarpum’
Viburnum opulus 'Xanthocarpum', - our native Guelder Rose, literally with 'Golden Fruit'. These deep yellow, translucent fruits are a change to the more usual red. Planted together - red and yellow - and if you can get it, the compact form of both, 'Compactum', t'would make a fine sight in a smaller garden too. The…
Continue reading ➞ Golden fruit – Viburnum opulus ‘Xanthocarpum’
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Hip Hip Hooray for Roses (again..)
A small selection of the rose hips display in the rose garden at Kew - sheltered by the Palm House and watched by sentinels of topiary. Not all roses produce rose hips of any significant or decorative consequence; some pull out all the stops and at least equal the floral display. For those roses which…
Continue reading ➞ Hip Hip Hooray for Roses (again..)
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Prima ballerina – Helleborus x ericsmithii ‘Pirouette’
I'm getting to rather like this hellebore, Pirouette, for the beautiful congestion of flowers and buds, toothed foliage and compact form. Dusky buds, opening to white blooms fading to equally dusky pink. Typical dark green, leathery leaves on a plant reaching 15" (I'm in an Imperial Mood). While I am on the subject, Helleborus foetidus,…
Continue reading ➞ Prima ballerina – Helleborus x ericsmithii ‘Pirouette’
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Swamp Cypress
I meant to identify the trees on the island when I posted this picture beforehand - I don't think it is too poetic to think that the branches appear to be flowing away from the trunk, like seaweed or reeds in a stream - or flames in a strong wind. I've never noticed this before,…
Continue reading ➞ Swamp Cypress
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Hellebore Heaven – Penny’s Pink and Pirouette
The seasons begin their shift towards Spring - isn't it noticeably lighter, later, already - and Hellebores will be coming to the fore. Certainly a plant that can be the subject of (more than) a mild addiction. Penny's Pink Plant breeder Rodney Davey gives us this beauty - Penny's Pink - and another (my favourite)…
Continue reading ➞ Hellebore Heaven – Penny’s Pink and Pirouette
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Xstrata
The Xstrata Treetop Walk at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew A chance to walk amongst the tree canopy and to enjoy views across the gardens (including the Pagoda and the Temperate House, undergoing a multi-million pound refurbishment) and landscape beyond - Sunday was a clear day and Wembley Stadium, The Shard and swathes of West…
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Indian currant – Symphoricarpos orbiculatos
Symphoricarpos orbiculatos - Indian Currant or Coralberry http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=1890 I know this particular spot, with the waterfall next to the Davies Alpine House and have photographed something interesting, maybe something orange I seem to recall, here before - so I must have also photographed this shrub too, in leaf. It seems to have made no impression…
Continue reading ➞ Indian currant – Symphoricarpos orbiculatos
The Teddington Gardener 