The Japanese Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. Beautiful here in mid-winter, with sculpted box, evergreen waves of Liriope muscari, flowering Iris unguicularis, clipped Pachysandra terminalis, Cotoneaster and Callicarpa in berry, a few choice Chaenomeles flowers, beautifully spreading Winter Cherry - Prunus subhirtella Autumnalis, sunshine and raked gravel. http://www.kew.org/heritage/places/japaneselandscape.html
Winter Garden
Bewitched… Hamamelis at Kew
A grove of Witch Hazel, Hamamelis, at Kew - like those at RHS Wisley, in profuse bloom - these specimens are obviously in full sun rather than a woodland setting - they form part of the Mediterranean Garden displays, a setting for King William's Temple, and they seem to be liking it! Smaller plants than…
Continue reading ➞ Bewitched… Hamamelis at Kew
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Berberis – and a mystery plant hunter….
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….
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Ice Breaker Max…
Hellebore Gold Collection Ice Breaker Max(i) I'm a little confused by this one, as the label at Wisley - is not 'Helleborus x ericsmithii' as it appears elsewhere in The Internet, and is more Ice Breaker Maxi than Max. It might also be synonymous with the name Winter's Glow. Hey Ho. Beautiful nevertheless. http://www.perennials.com/plants/helleborus-ericsmithii-winters-glow.html http://www.helleborus.de/engl/hgc_eng.htm
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Bone-white Birch
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
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Battleston Hill – a walk on the woodland side…
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…
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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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Malus transitoria – crab apple delights
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
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A little more death and decay, please…
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…
The Teddington Gardener 