GARDENER'S WORD

I think the best gardeners must be those who are willing to persevere.  After all, it can be quite tough at times watching beloved plants succumb to pests, diseases, the weather, and ignorance of what they want (killing them with neglect or kindness).  Although vine weevils killed off a lovely Japanese maple 'Orange Dream' of mine, I haven't given up on the idea of growing one of my favourite types of shrubs.  After all, the Acer palmatum dissectum 'Ornatum' that I grow is doing pretty well (so far!).  The other day I bought another addition to my garden family: Acer palmatum 'Katsura'.  It's a Japanese maple that hopefully will not grow too large and will be happy in a container.  It has a delicate growth that's pretty and will be colourful at times.  Acer palmatum 'Katsura' 25 May 2016 Acer palmatum 'Katsura' 25 May 2016 At the moment my plant is tucked up in a sunny and sheltered corner of my garden, facing south-west. ...

Two years ago I planted a Japanese maple, Acer Palmatum dissectum Ornatum', in a terracotta pot and kept it in the shelter of my house wall, facing east.  It has more than survived, it has thrived, despite the dreaded vine weevil larvae destroying a neighbouring Japanese maple, Orange Dream .  I am amazed at how well this delicate-looking shrub has grown in such a relatively short period of time.  Acer Palmatum dissectum Ornatum' and hostas (left to right) Sagai, Patriot, and Brimcup -  25 May 2016 Some plants that are in containers are more vulnerable in winter when the low temperature can freeze their roots.  I think that having a cluster of containers around the maple has protected it.  My acer is surrounded by terracotta-container grown hostas all winter.  I believe that terracotta pots are more protective temperature-wise than plastic.  In seriously low temperatures, I throw bubble-wrap and garden-fleece over them.  I read...

I bought a new addition to my fruit and vegetable garden today: an apple tree.  My garden is quite small (with a lot in it!) and so I had to buy a miniature, or dwarf, apple tree and I got the sort that has two kinds of apples on it.  My choice was Coronet 'Family' James Grieve and Coxs Orange Pippin.  The truth is, I'm not so bothered about having the apples as I am about having the blossoms.  I love trees and the compromise for having such a small garden (about 22ft x 22ft) is to downsize.  Every shrub or climber that I select is chosen because it has limited growth.  Coronet 'Family' apple tree, James Grieve and Coxs Orange Pippin 24052016 I've chosen to keep mine in a container on the top patio where it will get full sun but be protected somewhat from wind.  I've potted it into a heavy terracotta container that is about 38cm dia, using a multi-purpose compost, and I've staked it (I just tied two strong bamboo canes together to us...

I keep adding to my little collection of hostas which seems like a good idea at the time but as I grow them in large containers on wheels, they do take up a bit of patio space.  I saw this little 'Reversed Patriot' (or Reverse Patriot), also known as Fire and Ice, and I had to have it.  The regular Patriot is a fabulous hosta with beautiful lily-like flowers and I can only image that this will be just as beautiful in maturity, but with a reverse pattern on its leaves.  A young Hosta 'Reversed Patriot' 23052016 A young Hosta 'Reversed Patriot' 23052016 The label says that 'Reversed Patriot' hosta is an excellent clump-forming plant with lavender-blue flowers in summer over variegated foliage that have dark green margins and pure white midribs.  The dense growth helps to suppress weeds.  It re-grows from ground level every year.   It achieves a heigh of 60cm (2ft) and spread of 1 metre (3ft).  It likes well-drained, moist soil in light ...

I bought a pretty lilac the other day: Syringa vulgaris 'Andenken an Ludwig Spath'.  What a name!  I'm trying to form a bit of a screen above my 6ft south-facing fence in the hope of cutting any noise down from a neighbouring property.  The neighbour has erected a budgie aviary right next to the fence.  Sadly, pretty though they are, budgies screech and squawk, not twitter.  I've already planted Syringa vulgaris 'Madame Lemoine', a white double lilac and next to it a Buddleja davidii 'Empire Blue'.  I now simply have to wait for them to grow and close ranks.  I plan to control their growth, height and width, by selective pruning.  That's the plan anyway. Syringa vulgaris 'Andenken an Ludwig Spath' in bud 22052016 Syringa vulgaris 'Andenken an Ludwig Spath' has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit'  (external link).  It is a fully hardy, deciduous lilac with an exceptionally l...

This little gem of a fern, Victoria Lady Fern (Athyrium filix femina Victoriae), is quite small at the moment and is planted in a terracotta pot which is hidden from strong sun by my Japanese maple, Acer palmatum dissectum Ornatum .  The fern is the brightest of greens and has really eye-catching fronds.   Victoria Lady Fern (Athyrium filix femina Victoriae) 16052016 The label says that Victoria Lady Fern (Athyrium filix femina Victoriae) is a delightful fern with very unusual green fronds through the growing season.  It is perfect for moist, shady corners or well-watered patio tubs in shade.  It is a hardy perennial and non- evergreen.  It achieves a height of 45cm (18in) and spread of 50cm (20in).  It likes dappled shade with shelter from strong winds in a moist, fertile, preferably acid soil. 

This Braun's Holly Fern (Polystichum braunii) is one of a triangle of three ferns ( Buckler Fern , Wood Fern ) that I have planted at the lower end of a sloping border which faces south-east.  It gets a few hours of any morning sun and then it is in some shade.  Some wind protection is provided by the tall fence on the immediate north side of the ferns.  Braun's Holly Fern (Polystichum braunii) 16052016 The label says that Braun's Holly Fern (Polystichum braunii) produces lovely elegant fresh green fronds that add all year appeal to any garden.  It achieves a height of 70cm (28in) and a spread of 60cm (24in).  It likes partial shade with shelter from strong winds, and good, moisture-retentive soil or compost. 

The Buckler Fern (Dryopteris atrata) that I planted the other week seems to be happy enough in its position at the lower part of my sloping border.  There it receives partial shade and moist soil.  It's pushed up some young fronds which is always a good sign.  Buckler Fern (Dryopteris atrata) 16052016  Close up of unfurled frond of Buckler Fern (Dryopteris atrata) 16052016 Sex life of ferns  (internal link) The label says that Buckler Fern's (Dryopteris atrata) flat, dark green fronds form a handsome clump which is superb in mixed shady borders.  It can also be grown in a larger patio container placed in some shade.  It is semi-evergreen and perennial. It achieves a height of 40cm (16in) and spread of 50cm (20in).  It likes partial shade with shelter from strong winds and will thrive in any good, moisture-retentive soil.  This plant has the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. 

I'm very fond of ferns, as I have probably mentioned before, almost as much as I love trees.  I bought a Wood Fern (Thelypteris decursive pinnata) the other week and have planted it near to two others: a Buckler Fern and a Braun's Holly Fern.  They require shade, or partial shade.  Unfortunately, although I have them in a moist spot, at this time of year they will get a fair amount of any sunshine for a few hours in the morning.  Wood Fern (Thelypteris decursive pinnata), 7 May 2016 The label says that Thelypteris decursive pinnata (commonly known as Wood Fern) has long, light-green delicate fronds from spring to autumn.  Useful for mixed borders, patio tubs, or gravel to brighten up shady areas.  It is hardy and perennial; and achieves a height and spread of 60cm (24in).  It likes partial shade with protection from strong winds in any good, moisture-retentive soil. 

Although I've seen one or two bees buzzing around my garden for a short while now, now that the weather is warming up, it was a delight to see Bumble Bees enjoying Lithodora diffusa 'Heavenly Blue' on the sunny border at the front of my home.  The sun was shining on the bees, and the flowers strikingly blue.  Note to self: Lithodora diffusa attracts pollinators, and it looks fabulous in the garden. Bumblebee on Lithodora diffusa 'Heavenly Blue' 14052016   Bumblebee on Lithodora diffusa 'Heavenly Blue' 14052016

Ajuga reptans 'Braunherz' is a wonderful mat-forming ground-covering plant for the garden.  It has really bronze coloured foliage which spreads along the soil on runners, and spikes of eye-catching purple-blue flowers.  It's a very hardy evergreen perennial which is suitable for a wide range of soil types and tolerates full sun or partial shade according to the Royal Horticultural Society.   I've planted mine in the border at the front of my home where it will get full sun in the afternoon.  Have you noticed, a cheeky little greenfly is having a go at it in the image below.   How dare it! Ajuga reptans 'Braunherz' The label says that Ajuga reptans 'Braunherz' has deep blue flower spikes above carpets of glossy purple-bronze foliage.  It is suitable for borders as ground cover, rockeries, banks and gravel gardens, in sun or partial shade on moist but well-drained soil.  It flowers from mid spring to early summer.  It a...

I planted Helianthemum 'The Bride' last year, when it was a quite small plant, at the top of a sloping south-east facing sunny border.  Since then it has spread to about 30cm (12in) diameter and is full of flower buds.  The flowers remind me of poached eggs but when you look closely, the petals are crinkled like silk. The foliage is an interesting grey-green which indicates it likes sunshine.   Helianthemum 'The Bride' The label says that Helianthemum 'The Bride' (also known as Snow Queen) is an evergreen mat forming perennial producing masses of white flowers with a yellow centre over light green foliage.  It is suitable for rockeries, borders, walls, banks, paving, gravel gardens, containers and pots.  It flowers from late spring to early summer.  It achieves a height of 25cm (10in) and spread of 40cm (16in).  It likes full sun or partial shade and free draining soil. According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) it has a hardiness ...

I liked this plant, Salvia nemorosa 'Ostfriesland', so much when I saw it at a local garden centre that I bought two.  Although it's nice to see the occasional gaudy flower in a garden, there is nothing that fits so well with other plants than an upright plant with cool grey-green leaves and delicate spikes of non-showy flowers.  Do you know what I mean?  If you don't, take a look at this:  Salvia nemorosa 'Ostfriesland' 12052016 Close up of Salvia nemorosa 'Ostfriesland' 12052016 The label says: This deep purple Salvia nemorosa 'Ostfriesland' flowers from June until September.  Plant in the garden or border in a sunny to semi-shaded position.  Clip the old flower stems back to a leaf for a long flowering period.  It achieves a height of 50cm (20in). I am growing one plant in a south-east position in partial-shade, and the other one in a sunny south-facing aspect. 

Arabis blepharophylla 'Rose Delight' is a striking little plant that will catch your eye with its vivid cerise-pink flowers.   Arabis blepharophylla 'Rose Delight' Below, the flowering stalks will soon need to be cut back in the hope of encouraging more flowering stems.        Arabis blepharophylla 'Rose Delight' The label says: Arabis 'Rose Delight' is a pretty, cushion-forming perennial whose evergreen rosettes of foliage offset graceful, fragrant flowers.  It is suitable for rockeries or dry borders in well-drained soil.  It prefers partial shade.  It flowers early summer and achieves a height of 10cm (4in) and spread of 20cm (8in).  It's a hardy plant. The flower stalks of mine is already much higher than 10cm  I'd say about 20cm (8in) at least.

I love ferns, almost as much as I love trees.  I think it's one of those things that goes back to my childhood, of days in local parks where there were paths shaded by trees below which ferns grew.  The smell was earthy and the air cool.  I cannot recreate such an atmosphere in my small garden, but I can grow ferns - or at least try.  Today I bought Athyrium felix-femina Frizelliae to add to my small collection. Athyrium felix-femina Frizelliae - Tatting Fern 11052016 The label says that Athyrium felix-femina Frizelliae (aka Tatting Fern) is an unusual fern with rounded leaves along the short fronds from spring to autumn.  Good for well-watered patio tubs in the shade.  Also for shady border fronts.  Hardy and perennial.  It achieves a height of 20cm (8in) and spread of 30cm (12in).  It likes partial shade with shelter from strong winds.  Ferns thrive in any good, moisture retentive, soil.  This variety has an Award of ...

I think I must have three Polemoniums now, they are such attractive plants with pretty flowers and interesting foliage.  I planted this Polemonium 'Northern Lights' (Polemoniums are commonly called Jacob's Ladder) in a sunny border. Polemonium 'Northern Lights' 16052016  The label says that Polemonium 'Northern Lights' is a clump-forming, compact, fully hardy plant with delightful pale-blue fragrant flowers from May to July.  It regrows from ground level every year.  It achieves a height of 35cm (14in) and spread of 30cm (12in).  It likes fertile, well-drained and moist soil in full sun or partial-shade.  when the flowers have faded, cut back to encourage a second flush of flowers. 

This fern, Phlebodium aureum 'Blue Star', also known as Rabbit's Foot Fern, has been catching my eye at the local RHS garden centre shop for a while.  It's blue green leaves are very striking and, apparently, it's an easy plant to grow.  I decided to buy one today and see how long it takes me to kill it off.  Hopefully I won't. I'm not sure where it's going to live inside my home, which is starting to look like Kew Gardens, but I'll find a space for it somewhere.  Hang it on a sky-hook!  I've repotted it into an ordinary plant pot which I have put on a saucer inside a hanging basket.  Phlebodium aureum Blue Star 11052016 Phlebodium aureum 'Blue Star' 11052016 The label says that Phlebodium aureum 'Blue Star' should be placed in a bright spot away from direct sunlight.  It should be watered once a week and fed once a month. I found on the internet that it should be placed in a shady spot!  I'll give it reasonable li...

At this time of year I make a point of dead-heading my daffodils and tulips.  I don't want them to make spend energy on making seed when I want all their energy to go into invigorating the bulbs for next year through the leaves.  I just snip (prune) the heads off when the petals start falling or withering (or I cut off the entire stalk, it doesn't matter) and then I throw the dead flower heads onto the border and chop them into the soil.  I don't have room for a compost heap and so I do this a lot with my non-woody plant clippings and flower heads, putting as much organic material back into the soil this way.   Tulips It's a bit of a nuisance having to wait for the green leaves to turn yellow and die each year but it's necessary as the sun's effect on the leaves feeds the developing bulbs. 

Just look at this Lewisia tweedyi 'Rosea'.  It flowers year after year in its terracotta pot from spring to autumn but I've never seen it so packed with buds and flowers at one time.  Wow.  It likes to be well drained so I mixed gravel into the potting compost and gravel around the base of the plant. Lewisia tweedyi 'Rosea' May 2016

I love the combination of the pretty flowers and leaves of Polemoniums.  I bought a Lambrook Mauve polemonium the other day and have planted it in my back garden.  I hope it does well.  Polemonium 'Jacobs Ladder'  Lambrook Mauve The label says that Polemonium 'Jacobs Ladder'  Lambrook Mauve is a clump-forming, fully hardy plant with pretty mauve flowers that have an orange-yellow centre.  They appear in spring.  The plant regrows from ground level each year.  It has a height and spread of 45cm (18in).  It likes moist, fertile, well-draining soil in full sun or partial shade.  Cut back lightly after flowering to encourage more flowers.  This plant can be propagated by division in spring. It also has lovely green, delicate-looking foliage.   Polemonium 'Jacobs Ladder'  Lambrook Mauve

One of the new plants added to my front sunny garden border is Phlox 'Blue Ridge'.  It's one of those plants that catches your eye from a distance by the colour of its flowers, a bright mauve (pink-blue).  What I also liked about it is that it has a carpeting habit with the flowers held aloft on a long stem.  It's really pretty.  The photograph doesn't quite do it justice as the poor thing had suffered from frost, hail and snow before I could get to plant it.  Just shows though what a little toughie it is. Phlox 'Blue Ridge' The label says: Phlox 'Blue Ridge' has clear blue flower heads above evergreen spread mats of green oval foliage.  It is suitable for border edges, rockeries, paving, walls, banks, gravel gardens, and containers in sun on well-drained soil.  It flowers from mid spring to early summer.  The label is misleading, however, as the flowers are not a true blue but a pink-blue. 

I know, I'm way behind in the jobs that need to be doing in the garden.  Don't blame me, blame the weather.  I'm a fair-weather gardener and so it shall always be, as it always was.  Today the sun is shining, white clouds are drifting across the sky, there is just a hint of a breeze, the temperature is comfortably mild.  Perfect for slaving away in the garden.  Except for all the hard work waiting to be done in the garden, spring is my favourite time of year; all those mild months to come, fresh shoots, green leaves.  Lovely.  I needed a few days like this in April but, alas, the weather was rubbish.  Have you noticed though, in gardening as in many things, that one job creates another?  It's a killer.  Because of my balance problem I have to stop every ten minutes or so for the world to stop spinning.  I planted the Syringa vulgaris 'Mme Lemoine' that I bought a short while ago (I'll post more about that later) but to do that ...

Although I garden outdoors, I want to surround myself with plants indoors, but it's tricky.  I like my home very warm.  When I lived in the Caribbean the temperature suited me just fine.  While all around me melted, I thought it was just fine and dandy with the lovely cooling tropical breezes.  Now I want to grow plants in a place with less sun, occasional cold drafts, in conditions that don't suit everything and everyone.  Plants have a will of their own and grow where suits them best.  If they don't like it, they soon show you.  While visiting a garden centre today I bought two Boston Ferns (Nephrolepsis exaltata) and two Spider Plants (Chlorophytum).  I already have one spider plant.  I love them.  They do so much and ask so little, and look fantastic when the parent plant is large and throws out shoots with baby plants on them.  Baby plants which develop roots and can easily be potted and separated from the mother plant. ...