GARDENER'S WORD - IDEAS AND TIPS

It was a couple of years ago, August 2024 to be precise, that I decided to train Japanese acer palmatum 'Katsura' into a multi-stem tree so that I could underplant it and make more use of my small garden.  I asked the advice of a friend who owns Ichi-Coo Park , part of the National Garden Scheme , in Surrey.  He said to go for it.  So I went for it, and this is the result. Acer palmatum 'Katsura' - 28 April 2026 It had been encroaching on the territory of the dwarf James Grieve apple tree just in front of it, and so it was a matter of necessity as much as anything.  Further horticultural problems were that I had planted Acer shirasawanum 'Jordan' in a place it was not happy.  I placed it in one west-facing position, it got scorched.  I moved it to another position, and it gets scorched.  Now I cannot move it at all without risking destroying it because it has managed to run its roots under rocks (my garden is high on the Pennines and the rock is sand-s...

I have never had great success with Campanulas overwintering and coming back the next spring in my garden but I keep on trying.  This year I have bought the Campanula 'Takion' white as well as the Campanula 'Takion' Blue. The latter is not yet in flower but is loaded with buds and I will add it to this post in due course.  Campanula  persicifolia  'Takion' white Its flowers are fabulous. It'll look great when the plant gets establish and is in full bloom. Its long stems are quite floppy right now so it needs a bit of support.  Campanula persicifolia 'Takion' white According to the RHS Campanula persicifolia 'Takion ' series are not picky.  They are hardy perennials that will tolerate any aspect except total shade, soil type, and they even say it is okay when sheltered or exposed.  Hmm, I'm not too sure about exposed where I live, at 850ft above sea level on the Pennine Mountains of West Yorkshire but my garden is surrounded by shadow-fenc...

I introduced yet another narcissus variety of bulb to my garden last autumn, 'Ice Follies', and it has put on quite a display in its first spring in a tub at the top of my garden where it faces south-west.  It is quietly understated and yet manages to attract the eye. Just look at those frilly yellow trumpets which fade delightfully with age. Narcissus 'Ice Follies'  16th April 2026 Narcissus 'Ice Follies' has received the RHS  Award of Garden Merit (AGM).  Narcissus 'Ice Follies'  26th April 2026

I first posted about  Lathyrus vernus in April 2020 , a year after I first planted it and now, seven years later, it is still putting on a show.  It remains in place, a neat and beautiful clump of foliage and flowers, not wandering and never growing very big. I can see that a ground cover geranium is encroaching so I'll need to check that out and move the geranium if it is going to cause a problem.   Lathyrus vernus (spring pea) 'Rainbow' Mine grows in a situation near the bottom of my garden where it gets partial sun and a moist neutral soil.  According to the RHS Lathyrus vernus , is category H6, which means it is hardy down to -20c, and it has the RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit).  

Geums have always been so reliable in my gardens but a while ago one died, as all plants do eventually, and this year I have bought two that I have never grown before.  One is Geum Mai Tai which came as a bare root plant and right now is in a pot with little top growth.  The other is Geum Pink Petticoats, below, which I bought at a large garden centre.  I think it is something rather special.   Geum Pink Petticoats Sorry about the quality of the above image, try as I might I cannot get the flower in perfect focus.  The breeze isn't helping! Interestingly, when I look at pictures online this flower appears to be all kinds of pinks but my Geum Pink Petticoats is as my photo, rather a salmony kinda pink.  Geum 'Pink Petticoats' which flowers all spring and summer, seems to be unfussy, tolerating any soil conditions, any aspect but north, sun or partial shade, and grows to a height and spread of up to 0.5 metres (20in). More importantly, it has the RHS Awa...

What a sweet little spring flower. I have grown Anemone blanda (also known as the Winter Windflower) in a small tub and it is flowering beautifully. I've never grown them before. It's always good to try new things in gardening and that is part of the pleasure of it. Some you win and some you lose.  Anemone Blanda According to the RHS , Anemone blanda is not fussy about soil conditions but should be well-drained, it tolerates full sun or partial shade (mine are in full sun), exposed or sheltered positions, any aspect but north, and is fully hardy (H6) down to -20C.  It achieves a height and spread of up to 0.5 metres (about 20in).  It flowers in spring and, being herbaceous, loses its foliage in winter. 

Armeria pseudarmeria 'Dreameria: Sweet Dreams' is commonly, and much more easily remembered as, 'Thift'.   Armeria pseudarmeria 'Dreameria: Sweet Dreams' Armeria pseudarmeria 'Dreameria: Sweet Dreams' The  RHS states that Armeria pseudarmeria needs a sheltered position as well as being suitable for coastal areas. I take it that Armeria pseudarmeria cannot tolerate strong winds and it is Armeria maritima  (RHS) that is a little toughie. 'Sweet Dreams' flowers during spring and summer, enjoys full sun, is hardy down to -15c, any aspect except north-facing. It seems less fussy when it comes to soil type, and likes moist well-drained soil. I think.