Gardener and Photographer with a love of Roses and a magpie-eye for all things Horticultural
Vanessa' is a selection of Persian ironwood that develops a more upright, columnar habit than the species. This durable tree is beautiful in every season, as its foliage, branch structure and bark are all exceptional. Its leaves are oval shaped with somewhat scalloped edges. They emerge green edged with burgundy, maturing to midgreen in summer.…
Continue reading ➞ Welcome to February with Parrotia persica Vanessa
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
Superb trees for the smaller garden, rarely reaching more than 20' in height, with interest over several seasons - these small to medium-sized trees produce beautiful blossom in April-May as well as long-lasting decorative fruit in the autumn. Many have vibrant autumn leaf colour too. Crab apples are excellent pollinators for eating/cooking apple varieties -…
Continue reading ➞ Crab apples at Wisley
Cercis canadensis Hearts of Gold 'Hearts of Gold' is a spreading, often multi-stemmed, deciduous tree with heart-shaped leaves that open red, turn golden-yellow with maturity and green toward the centre of the tree. Reddish-purple flowers bloom in spring on bare stems, before the leaves. A refreshing alternative to the ruby-red variety, though there I love…
Continue reading ➞ Hearts of Gold
An initially confusing name for a very beautiful small, deciduous tree, bearing large goblet shaped blooms of an arresting deep colour. Underplant with contrasting bulbs (deep blue muscari or pale narcissus perhaps) for a show-stopping display! One of the smaller growing magnolias, more suitable for a town garden, in full sun or light shade, with…
Continue reading ➞ Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’
The Teddington Gardener 