Climbing Partners

stunning climbing partners

stunning climbing partners

The vertical space in the garden is not to be ignored , with many plants looking stunning soaring up the side of a building or over a large wall and with so many to choose from, doubling up on that space with some eye catching colour combinations, can look truly dramatic. Here are some combinations for late spring and early summer to consider.

Red and White, colour combination or two very vigorous climbers.

Rosa 'Rambling Rosie'

Rosa ‘Rambling Rosie’

Rosa ‘Rambling Rosie’: The red form of rambling rector, this is a rose with very big ideas, rampant and fast growing, with great disease resistance, with shiny semi-evergreen foliage. Large clusters of bright scarlet flowers are produced May/June, followed with intermittent scattered blooms though the summer and a haze of small orange hips in autumn, a dramatic rambler for a big space.

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 Wisteria floribunda 'Alba'

Wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’

Wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’: A stunning Japanese wisteria, with white racemes of flowers produced before the leaves, so the flowers can really be seen. A very vigorous climber, for a large space. Flowering April/May

Soft pink and cobalt Blue. The ceanothus as the wall shrub needs to get established first to make a good large shrub with a dense habit for the clematis to climb up, so it dose not get smothered by the faster growing clematis, but this is a eye popping combination and worth the wait.

 Clematis montana 'Rubens'

Clematis montana ‘Rubens’

Clematis montana ‘Rubens’: A vigorous and fast growing large climber, with purple green foliage and open soft to rose pink flowers in April/May for a large wall.

Ceanothus cascade

Ceanothus cascade

Ceanothus cascade: A superb wall shrub with small dark evergreen foliage, making a dense shrub up to 3m in size, even larger trained on a wall, it must have room to bulge out from the wall. A mass of small fluffy intense blue flowers April/May and a few scattered flowers latter in the summer. Ceanothus, are quite quick growing and can be tender so training it against a sheltered wall is perfect. However they are not long lived 10 year plus is an approximate life span.

Soft yellow and mauve colour combination. For an elegant colour pairing.

 Wisteria floribunda 'Domino'

Wisteria floribunda ‘Domino’

Wisteria floribunda ‘Domino’: A wonderful wisteria, again a Japanese variety so the flowers appear before the leaves for maximum impact. Early flowering in April into early May, makes it a perfect climbing partner for this early flowering  banksia rose. With soft mauve tinged purple single flowers on 25cm long racemes. A large fast growing climber.

Rosa banksiae 'Lutea'

Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’

Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’: A stunning rose, which gets to huge proportions, it needs space. Amazingly healthy with semi-evergreen, dark green glossy foliage. With the added advantage of no thrones! Small double roses in soft canary yellow borne singly or in clusters appear very early in the season, April/May. A mass of small orange round hips in the autumn. A dramatic sight, when allowed the room.

 Dramatic climbing partners

Dramatic climbing partners

Top Tips: Choose climbing partners that flower at the same time or have overlapping flowering periods so that you either get a double full colour hit, or one majors and as it is fading the second  climbing partner comes into its own. All the climbing combinations I have suggested are big beasts and need a sizeable wall or a big house or side of barn to really go for it!. So baring that in mind. Strong climbing wires at 300mm intervals up the wall with screw in vine eyes every 1m are a must. I would also advise barrel strainers for tightening the wires as time goes by and they become slack. Always train climbing plants/wall shrubs on the outside of any down pipes. Use pruning not just to increase flowering, but the keep these vigorous plants in check, round window and do not let them over roofs or under eves, there lies trouble.

The WOW factor out weighs the maintenance of these wall shop stoppers. What combination will you choose for your climbing partners?

Ornamental pond plants.

stunning ornamental pond planting

stunning ornamental pond planting

Ornamental pond plants are perfect for the geometric pond shape from formal rectangle to the perfect circle and for more formal areas of the garden. Where the pond planting needs to complement the colourful cultivated garden. They have the advantage of often being less vigorous than the native pond plants and come with variegated leaves and a whole range of colours to suit all planting situations. So here are a few to consider.

Floaters: These as the name suggests float on the surface of the water, most are deciduous, they can either be planted in baskets or straight  into the pond soil or some you literally hurl into the middle of the water and they sort themselves out.

Nymphaea 'Pink Sensation'

Nymphaea ‘Pink Sensation’

Nymphaea ‘Pink Sensation’: This is a striking large water lily flowering over a long summer season with attractive leaves that open purple before turning green. Wide open pink flowers with a cluster of golden stamens. Flowers stay open into late afternoon. A must for the medium to large size pond. Water levels 1.5m approx. Full sun

Orontium aquaticum

Orontium aquaticum

Orontium aquaticum: The Golden Club, this is an underseal floater  has large waxy grey green leaves which are sliver under side. Narrow white flower spikes tipped with yellow florets are produced in spring. Water level 10-45cm approx. full sun.

Marginals: These plants like different depths of water on the edge of ponds from some permanently in water at quite a depth to others copping with wet and some dry conditions through the year.

 Iris laevigate

Iris laevigate

Iris laevigate: Japanese water Iris, a truly elegant plant, with swords of mid green foliage and clear 3 petalled blue flowers appearing in June and a second flush in September. Water level 10cm approx. Full sun.

 Zantedeschia aethiopica

Zantedeschia aethiopica

Zantedeschia aethiopica: Arum Lily, this striking plant has wow facture written all over it. It is a stunning addition to the ornamental pond. Large mid green arrow shaped leaves form a dense cluster. Funnel shaped fragrant white flowers are produced throughout the summer. To help the plant survive winter frosts plant in water to a depth of 5 to 25cm approx. Full sun.

Moisture loving plants: These plants thrive in damp soil conditions at the edge of the pond, but do not want to be in water.

 Astilbe x arendsii 'fanel'

Astilbe x arendsii ‘fanel’

Astilbe x arendsii ‘Fanel’: A fabulous perennial planted on mass for full impacted. Deep green feather foliage with tall flower spikes of fluffy dark red flowers are bourne from July with a long flowering period and dead flower spikes add interested to the winter garden. Damp soil only full sun for best flowering results. To 75cm tall

 Ligularia prewalskii

Ligularia prewalskii

Ligularia prewalskii: A dramatic plant to add to the pond edge, with wide deeply cut dark green leaves, with tall flower spikes of yellow daisy like flowers, flowering from late summer. High 1.2 -1.8m for a moist soil in part shade.

formal pond with planting

formal pond with planting

I hope I have enthused you to plant some dramatic  and show stopping ornamental pond plants. If you want help designing a new formal pond or restoring an existing pond and redesigning and planting it, I know just the woman to help you. Give me Emily a ring 01273 470753.

Bamboo- Love them or hate them? 

Bamboo in the garden

Bamboo in the garden

Bamboo, is a grass and an unbelievably  useful plant, from a food souse to clothing material to scaffolding to drinking cups and furniture, it seems to have no end to uses. But as an ornamental plant it seems to be like Marmite you either love them or hate them. The love bit is easy; creating an exotic feel to your planting, quick growing, evergreen, giving lots of height without taking the amount of room a more traditional shrub would, architectural form and a good screening plant. Hate- well I think this has more to do with right plant right place, often badly placed in traditional planting looking ‘wrong’ to growing vigorous running forms of bamboo that take over the next door neighbours drive.  So here are a few to consider giving house room to.

Bamboo root barrier to prevent bamboo spreading

Bamboo root barrier to prevent bamboo spreading

Top tips:- Bamboos are not to be messed with. They look fantastic in containers, but if you are brave and putting them in the garden, then even if they are described as ‘clump forming,’ I would always, always plant any bamboo contained by bamboo root barrier. Bamboo root barrier is a strong heavy duty plastic normally about 500mm wide, that you use to contain the bamboo roots to help prevent root run. But nothing is foolproof. If you are containing an existing planting, dig in around the roots of the plant about 300mm out from the outer canes/culms. If it is a new plant decide the size of bamboo clump you want, make the root barrier into the correct size circle and dig a tench, bury the root barrier  so just 30/40mm is above the surface. Follow the manufactures instructions/guidelines for installation. Now plant your new bamboo plant in the centre. Don’t go mad with the feeding of bamboo as the growth will be more vigorous, but plants like good soil which is moisture retentive a dry container will not be a happy bamboo. Bamboo barrier supplier who can advise you. www.palmcentre.co.uk

Bamboos are a woodland edge plant, often doing best in dappled shade where their leaves don’t bleached. Also this means they are not good doers in windy or exposed sites, which will leave you with an almost bare bamboo of canes but few leaves and will look very miserable.

Fargesia jiuzhaigou

Fargesia jiuzhaigou

Fargesia. jiuhaigou: A wonderful plant with bold upright canes/culms, starting green and on maturity go a dramatic red/purple. Dense mid green foliage. Brilliant as a screen planting, up to 3m tall. Clump forming.

 Fargesia robusta 'Pingwu'

Fargesia robusta ‘Pingwu’

Fargesia robusta ‘Pingwu’: Has striking canes/culms almost striped green and white. With deep lush green foliage. Reaching 3 m and above clump forming.

 Fargesia rufa

Fargesia rufa

Fargesia rufa: A brilliant bamboo for a container as it has a mass of canes/culms and is constantly producing shoots. The shoots are a lovely peach red colour contrasting dramaticly with the mid green foliage. Clump forming to 2m.

 Phyllostachys anneosulcata 'Spectabilis'

Phyllostachys anneosulcata ‘Spectabilis’

Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘spectabilis’: Warning, handle with care, this is a running bamboo with vigorous growth. Wonderful contained in a pot. Or if you have the room or a panda to feed will produce groves of bamboo. Must only be planted with a root barrier. Bright green foliage held on the classic yellow canes/culms with some green zigzagging on culms. Growing to 6m of taller.

 Phyllostachys nigra

Phyllostachys nigra

Phyllostachys nigra: The classic black bamboo. With dark purple all most black canes/culms that start green and get darker with maturity. The dark culms are a stunning foil to the dark green foliage. It is a slower grower and can reach 4m in height. Warning handle with care it is a runner even if a bit slower always plant with root barrier or enjoy this striking plant in a container.

Phyllostachys vivax 'Aureocaulis'

Phyllostachys vivax ‘Aureocaulis’

Phyllostachys vivax ‘Aureocaulis’: This is one of the big ‘Daddys’ of the Bamboo world, reaching heights of 9m or more. It’s common name is the golden Chinese timber bamboo. Due to it’s large and strong golden canes/culms, which are indeed used for scaffolding, building and furniture. Attractive green strips appear on some of the canes when mature. Warning handle with care; very fast growing and a vigorous runner, forming large groves and  a bamboo forest tall enough to hide an elephant. I would suggest it should only ever be planted in a container where it will make a striking statement.

Bamboo used in courtyard garden

Bamboo used in courtyard garden

Bamboo Names; over resent years bamboos has danced their way through a multiple of horticultural names as they have been reclassified and re-grouped. This is often after older specimens in botanical collections around the world, have flowered and it has been recognised that they are  in the wrong sub group. So do not worry if you use an old name when contacting a nursery particularly if they are specialists in Bamboos they will, I am sure know the variety you are looking for.

beautiful canes

beautiful canes

I hope I have wetted your apatite to think again about Bamboos ?

After all Pandas Love them, Can you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corms- A mix of wonderful flowering plants. 

 Anemone in a vase

Anemone in a vase

Corms often get muddled up or scooped together in gardeners minds as bulbs, they are not, they are a swollen underground storage stem, where as most bulbs are swollen leaves round a short central stem. The wonder of the corm is that plants that have developed them, allow them to have a season of dormancy perhaps when cold or very dry and then they spring into leaf and flower quickly allowing the plant to quickly complete its life cycle before the hash conditions return. So a lot of bulbs and corms come from central Asia and the middle east, so their life cycles can be completed before high summer temperatures and cold winter temperatures return.

Planting as corms and not grown plants is a cheaper option for the gardener, here are a few to consider.

Anemone blanda mix

Anemone blanda mix

Anemone blanda Mixed: Close in habit to the native anemone with green feathered leaves that appear with the flowers in March to April at 9 -12cm in height. The open daisy like flowers are in shades of white, cream, pink and soft blue. Semi-shade under trees or larger shrubs in a humus rich damp soil, neutral to acidic. Good for nationalising.

 Anemone De caen 'Mr Fokker'

Anemone De caen ‘Mr Fokker’

Anemone De caen Mr Fokker: This is one of the blousy Anemones, used by florists and seen in spectacular flower arrangements. Grow in light shade, on humus rich soil which is moist, height 25-30cm tall small feathery foliage and large violet blue flowers with dramatic central black stamens in May-June.

 Cyclemen cillcium

Cyclemen cillcium

Cyclamen cilcium: A beautiful autumn flowering cyclamen, with small neat green heart shaped leaves. 5 -10cm tall. Delicate light pink flowers with a darker pink throat are produced in abundance from September to November. A semi-shady spot, from leaf mulch to the dry gravel garden.

 Cyclamen coum maurice 'Dryden'

Cyclamen coum maurice ‘Dryden’

Cyclamen coum maurice ‘Dryden’: A wonderful winter flowering cyclamen, with stunning sliver foliage, 5-10cm tall. With elegant white flowers, flowering continuously from January to March, a great addition to the winter garden. Good at naturalising in groups under trees, copes well with dry semi-shade.

Eremurus charleston

Eremurus charleston

Eremurus charleston: Commonly known as foxtail lilies,these are spectacular garden plants and worth adding for a bit of wow factor. Each flower stem can contain over a 100 flowers! This variety produces a flower spike of lemon yellow flowers up to 1.30m tall. From June to July. Grow on free draining soil in full sun.

 Eremurus cleoptra

Eremurus cleoptra

Eremurus Cleopatra:  Stunning coppery rose flowers with a dark red exterior rid in mass on a flower spike from 1.25 to 1.50m tall.  June-July. Plant on well drained soil away from a windy site, in full sun. Although on a personal note I have seen Eremurus growing on mass in the grassy edges of woodland in Kyrgyzstan. So it seems they will cope with a little dappled shade.

 Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora 'Columbus'

Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora ‘Columbus im Gold’

Crocosmia x crocomiiflora ‘Columbus im Gold’: A wonderful late summer perennial reaching approx 1m tall. With mid-green sword like leaves and arching flower stems of golden yellow bell like flowers held in a line along the stem. Flowering from end July-August. Most soils but not water logged. Full sun. To learn more about Crocosmia see the August 2020 Blog Crazy about Crocosmia.

I hope I have inspired you to think again about corm planting, as a cost effective way to enjoy a large variety of garden plants that flower through out the seasons.

Cornus full of Character

 coloured winter cornus stems

coloured winter cornus stems

Cornus are a wonderful and versatile group of shrubs from dogwoods with specular foliage that grow on thin chalk to humus rich semi shade loving shrubs with giant white or pink brats, to statuesque small trees ideal for the small garden. There must be one to suit most gardeners tastes.

Cornus alba 'Alba-Variegata'

Cornus alba ‘Alba-Variegata’

Cornus alba ‘Alba-Variegata’:  A wonderful good all round shrub, 1.5m tall, with strong bright winter stems and delicates white variegation to the leaves that have good autumn colour and clusters of small white flowers in the spring give way to bunches of white berries. Truly a shrub for all seasons. Sun to semi-shade, most soils.

 Cornus alba 'Spaethii'

Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’

Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’: A larger more free growing shrub up to 1.8m, with good red stem winter colour and yellow golden variegation to the leaves. Adds a good splash of colour to a darker corner. Sun to part shade. Most soils.

 Cornus controversa 'Variegata'

Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’

Cornus contrversa ‘Variegata’: This is a truly wonderful specimen shrub small tree and should be allowed space to truly develop it’s striking habit. It is a slow grower but well worth the wait. Often called the wedding cake for it’s habit of tiered branches with delicate creamy variegated leaves. A most as a statement shrub. Sun to dappled shade most soils.

Cornus kousa var. 'Chinensis'

Cornus kousa var. ‘Chinensis’

Cornus kousa var. ‘Chinensi’: A lovely wide spreading shrub a bit slow but a striking addition to the garden, should be grown in a group or as a specimen shrub. Wide horizontal branches with large mid green leaves, with white brat ‘flowers’ held upright on the branches in mid summer. Humus rich soil in dappled shade, so the brats don’t burn.

Cornus kousa var. 'Chinensis'

Cornus kousa var. ‘Chinensis’

Cornus stolonifera ‘Flarivamea’: A fabulous dogwood, which forms a rangy shrub of up to 2m tall with brilliant green yellow winter stems and bright green foliage and good yellow autumn tints. Most soils sun to semi-shade.

 Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea'

Cornus stolonifera ‘Flaviramea’

Cornus sangguinea ‘Winter flame’: This shrub is all about the autumn and winter, small green leaves turn buttery yellow and remain long on the stems which vary in colour from soft yellow to fiery orange in the depth of winter when the leaves have fallen. Most soils sun. A must for the winter garden.

 Cornus sanguinea 'Winter Flame'

Cornus sanguinea ‘Winter Flame’

I hope I have inspired you to look again at Cornus and not just think of the obvious winter stems. The summer flowering varieties really to deserve to be planted more, so if you have the space and the right soil, let one of this shrubs be the focal point in your garden.

The beautiful flower'brats' of Cornus Kousa varitites

The beautiful flower’brats’ of Cornus Kousa varitites

If you want to discuss your garden project, from full garden design to planting bed design for an existing set of boarders do give me Emily a ring on 01273 470753, or fill in the form on the web site. I look forward to hearing from you.

Forergilla, Hamermallis and Forsytha- Super winter flowering Shrubs

 Forsytha making a late winter splash of colour

Forsytha making a late winter splash of colour

These three shrubs add structure and colour and scent to the winter garden, weather a statement towards the back of the boarder or planted in semi-naturalist planting in long grass or under tress on a woodland walk they add an extra element to the garden in the winter and early spring season.

 Fothergilla major

Fothergilla major

Forthergilla major; A slow growing shrub with a rounded habit up to 1.5m. With clusters of white scented flowers in April on the bare stems. Dramatic autumn colour with yellow, orange and deep red tints. Grow on acid humus rich soils in sun or semi-shade.

Forsytha 'Fiesta'

Forsytha ‘Fiesta’

Forsytha ‘Fiesta’: A compacted 1m high shrub, with cream variegated leaves and rich golden flowers in February/March, most soils but not waterlogging, Sun to semi-shade.

 Forsytha 'Weekend'

Forsytha ‘Weekend’

Forsytha ‘Weekend’; A good more compact form of Forsytha, at 1.5m height and spread. With bright yellow flowers February into early March.

 Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane'

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’: A good sized medium shrub up to 2m in height with a vase shape habit. Large deeply veined mid December through to February leaves, that go a butty yellow in autumn. Small star like flowers of delicate scent in soft bronze red held on the bare stems. From December through to February. Plant in dappled shade. Slow growing in moister retentive rich humus soil with a neutral to slightly acidic ph.

 Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena'

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’: 2m wide spreading shrub with foliage turning to hints of copper and red in the autumn. Flowers bourn on the bare stems and are bi-coloured

 Hamamelis mollis 'Pallida'

Hamamelis mollis ‘Pallida’

Hamamelis mollis ‘Pallida’: A Wonderful Shrub, with good statuesque habit, up to 2m in spread and height. With large sulphur yellow scented flowers bourn on bare stems in January and February. With rich golden bronze autumn colour.

I hope I have inspired you to look again at this  valuable group of shrubs to give structure to your garden and colour and scent in the depth of winter. If you want help with designing new planting plans for your garden, do give me, Emily a ring on 01273 470753 to discuss all your garden design needs.

Winter Bedding Containers- Making a winter splash of colour!

 A large winter bedding display

A large winter bedding display

A container planted with a selection of winter bedding and good foliage colour can really lift the winter blues. The planting can add a welcome splash of colour. Whether by the front door as a welcome to your home or at the back door to cheer you after a muddy dog walk or near the garage of shed as you head to and from the car or to get to the logs, winter containers are a mini garden of colour that are well worth having in the depths of winter.

A container to celebrate, shades of red.

 Cornus alba 'Sibirica'

Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’

Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ This wonderful cornus is all about the beautiful rich red winter stems. Either plant a small plant or Cut stems from an existing plant somewhere else in the garden. These cut stems can be the back bone of your winter display. Cut to short lengths to add through the planting or group together in a tall stand, to add height and extra wow factor.

 Gaultheria prcumbens

Gaultheria prcumbens

Gautheria procumbens:  Is a main stay of winter displays. A small compact shrub with glossy dark green evergreen leaves, small white flowers in the summer give way to large marble sized bright red berries held through the winter months. Perfect towards the front of your container. Acid loving.

 Heuchera 'Chocolate Ruffles'

Heuchera ‘Chocolate Ruffles’

Heuchera ‘Chocolate Ruffles’: A superb foliage plant and a must for a winter container. Mound forming evergreen perennial with dark purple wavery edged leaves , stems of small creamy white flowers in the spring. A good plant for the middle of the container.

 Cycleman persicum 'Rouge Ecarlate'

Cycleman persicum ‘Rouge Ecarlate’

Cyclamen persicum ‘Rouge Ecarlate’: This a stunning small flowered bedding cyclamen flowering well from Autumn to mid winter, as long as there are not hard frosts, so a more sheltered spot would be best. Clumps of beautiful silvery patterned leaves and delicate clumps of brilliant red flowers, perfect for the front of the winter container in a small group, to tie all the shades of red together. Dead head regularly.

A winter container with shades of yellow.

 Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea'

Cornus stolonifera ‘Flaviramea’

Cornus stolonifera ‘Flairamea’: A wonderful bright yellow sulphur green stemmed cornus. A small plant can be planted to fill the container for a couple of winters only before it becomes to large for it’s position in the container. Or you can cut use cut stems to create a central feature of different heights in the container or as a tall back drop statement.

 Skimma japonica 'Kew Green;

Skimma japonica ‘Kew Green;

Skimma japonica ‘Kew Green’: This is a brilliant winter flowering shrub with a domed compact habit, it will in time get to large for a mixed planted winter pot, unless it is a solo star in it’s own pot. But it should be alright for a few years. Glossy mid green evergreen foliage and a mass of upright flower stems held through the winter in tight green white buds opening towards the end of winter early spring with a mass of very highly scented flowers. A complete must for the winter display. Acid soil that is humus rich.

 Heuchera cylindrica 'GreenFinch'

Heuchera cylindrica ‘GreenFinch’

Heuchera cylindrica ‘Greenfinch”: This is a striking taller heuchera with clumps of evergreen ruffled leaves in a acid sulphur green with hints of yellow. Small flowers of white follow in the spring. A wonderful addition to the middle of the container.

 Viola grandissimo 'Icy Blue'

Viola grandissimo ‘Icy Blue’

Viola grandissimo ‘Icy Blue’: A wonderful free flowing winter pansy with delicate soft yellow face with light mauve edging. Dead head regularly to keep the flowering going. The flowers will be a bit shy in the coldest blasts of the winter but will come back when the English damp winter reappears. Plant at the front of the container to flop over the edge and link with all the different foliage colours.

 winter container planting

winter container planting

Top tips: Decide where to site your container to make the most impacted and to be seen the most. It should be in full sun and a bit of shelter from the blasting winter winds if possible, if cyclamen are a feature or you are using a lot of winter flowering pansies then a little protection from the worst of the frost would be good, slightly under the house overhang or near a wall etc. Make sure it is large enough for the plants to grow through one winter season and even up to 3 with the shrubs. The pot/container must have good drainage holes and add crocks to the bottom to help with the drainage. The compost mix should be peat free. If you are planting Gutheria or Skimma then the compost must be for Ericaous plants ( acid loving) all the other plants I have suggested will do well in any good multi-purpose compost. After a few years the shrubs may well need re-homing in a flower bed in the garden as they will become to large for a container, but depending on the container size and the size of the plants to start with you should get a few years from them as ‘winter container stars’

I hope I have inspired you to get cracking with creating your winter display. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crab- Apple, The all round performer.

 

A laden branch of Crab-Apples

A laden branch of Crab-Apples

If you have room to plant only one tree, then a Malus is the one to plant. There are many shapes and sizes, to suit most positions. All like a site in full sun to only dappled shade and will grow on most soils except water logged soils. These wonderful trees give interest through out the year. With spring blossom, some with colour foliage, nearly all have good autumn leaf tints and all have fruit in vary sizes and some even hold onto their fruit through out the winter months. Here are just a very few to wet your appetite.

 Malus 'Rudolph'

Malus ‘Rudolph’

M. ‘Rudoph’: A small upright tree with ascending branches, makes a good street tree and is perfect for a small space. Leaves are a rich purple when young, fading to green latter in summer. Dark buds open to a rich dark pink flowers in clusters in the spring. Followed by bunches of orange-yellow fruit, held through the winter.

 Malus 'tschonocskii'

Malus ‘tschonocskii’

M. tschonoskii: this is a hansom medium sized tree, with an attractive shape. Blush white flowers, followed by yellow fruits. But the star turn is the rust orange autumn

Malus 'John Downie' the best fruits for cooking.

Malus ‘John Downie’ the best fruits for cooking.

M.’John Downie’: This is a classic crab-apple of the old school, a medium to larger tree, with assenting branches. White to pink flowers and mid green foliage. With large conical fruit yellow blushed red. Perfect for jams, preserves and jelly making.

Malus zumivar. calocarpa 'Goldern Hornet'

Malus zumi var. calocarpa ‘Goldern Hornet’

M. zumi var. calocarpa ‘Golden Hornet’: An eye catching small upright tree. Which packs a big visual punch. White flowers, great buttery yellow autumn colour and large round golden fruit held well into the winter. Perfect for a tiny courtyard garden.

Malus x robusta 'Red Sentinel'

Malus x robusta ‘Red Sentinel’

M. x robusta ‘Red Sentinel’: This is a wonderful crab-apple, A small mop-headed tree which produces a mass of branches in a dence crown. Masses of blush pink flowers produced in spring. Lovely yellow rust autumn tints. But the fruit are the show stopper. Clusters of large round red fruit held through the winter into early spring.

 Malus scheideckerii 'Red Jade'

Malus scheideckerii ‘Red Jade’

M. x scheideckerii ‘Red Jade’: A lovely variety, A small tree with weeping habit, makes a great specimen tree. Blush pink and white flowers, mid green foliage and bunches of red cherry sized fruit, lasting into the winter.

 Crab-apple trees planted on mass.

Crab-apple trees planted on mass.

Often when I am asked to advise about designing small spaces, one of the first things clients will say is, I don’t have room for a tree. Yes you do, and Crab-Apples should be near the top of your list.

Fabulous purple foliage

Purple foliage plants making a splash in a mixed planting scheme.

Purple foliage plants making a splash in a mixed planting scheme.

Foliage doesn’t have to all be about the many shades of green. There are other foliage colours that  can pack a punch and baring in mind that plant leaves are what we all spend most of our time looking at, it needs to be fabulous. Bring on the deep purple and burgundy. Here are some star turns to consider.

 Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum'

Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’

Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’: This slow growing Acer is worth the wait. With a wide spreading habit and delicate small palmate leaves of a deep purple,  which turn dark red in autumn. It makes a  great choice for a lawn specimen tree. Height 4m spread 2.5 to 3m. Semi-shade and on humus rich acidic to neutral soil that dose not water log. Not full sun.

Fagus sylvatica 'Riversii'

Fagus sylvatica ‘Riversii’

Fagus syvatica ‘Atropurpureum’: This is the big daddy of  purple foliage plants, the copper beach is a large and majestic tree.  This variety is probably the deepest purple of then all. It should be planted as a specimen tree and focal point. It can also be grown as a hedge, either as a complete copper beech hedge or as a ‘tapestry’  hedge where blocks of copper beech are mixed in with a normal green beech hedge. Grows on all free draining soils to even quite thin chalk soils, in full sun.

 Phormium 'Thumbellina'

Phormium ‘Thumbellina’

Phormium tenex ‘Thumbelina’ : This is a wonderful small variety growing to less than a meter.  With soft arching foliage of thin leaves in a deep dark purple, almost black.  This evergreen shrub adds a  dramatic focal plant for any planting. Full sun and most soils, dose not like wet soils.

Pottosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb'

Pottosporum tenuifolium ‘Tom Thumb’

Pittosporum tenifolium ‘Tom Thumb’: This is a versatile shrub, marvellous as a full stop to the corner of planting beds and as a low evergreen hedge. A dense rounded habit growing to about 70cm tall, higher if allowed. With small very rich purple leaves, which open as lime green and slowly darken to purple over the growing season.

 Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'

Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’

Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’: Is a large shrub with a slightly straggling habit, which can look untidy, if not kept in check, but its hansom foliage and striking flowers more than make up for this. Rounded leaves of purple, that go a rich red in the autumn. Misty masses of tiny pink flowers are produced June to July, giving the shrub it’s common name of ‘Smoke’ Bush. This really is a fabulous addition to the back of a large planting.

Vitis vinifera 'Purpurea'

Vitis vinifera ‘Purpurea’

Vitis vinifera ‘Purpurea’: This purple leafed vine is a show stopper. It is less vigorous than it’s green cousin and to be honest the grapes are not anything to write home about. But the colour is fabulous and planted with a climbing partner like Clematis montana, it makes a striking statement. Grow on free draining soil in full sun.

 Heuchera 'Chocolate Ruffles'

Heuchera ‘Chocolate Ruffles’

Hechera ‘Chocolate Ruffles’: There are many different varieties of heuchera and most are purple or burgundy, but this one has  particularly  dark foliage. A taller variety with a more upright habit. At about 35/40cm tall. With  evergreen palmate leaves with crinkly edges. Small dark purple flowers are produced on thin purple stems in mid -spring.  A must for the edge of a boarder.

combining different purple leaf shades can creat a dramatic planting.

combining different purple leaf shades can create a dramatic planting.

Top Tips: Don’t go mad, and have every plant with purple foliage otherwise they will merge together and loose their impact. For real drama consider sliver and purple foliage combinations, but think about the growing conditions. Purple/burgundy foliage and magenta pink is a very good combination. As is apricot and golden yellow with burgundy/purple foliage.

I hope you are feeling inspired to lift the foliage pallet of you garden with some splashes of purple foliage.

 

All about the Daisy- Family Compositae

 

 A mass of 'Daisy' A bright late summer display.

A mass of ‘Daisy’ A bright late summer display.

The compositae family is large and varied, but all the flowers look like daisies and there are a lot to choose from. As a general rule, most like full sun. Here are a few for you to consider.

 Aster amellus 'King George'

Aster amellus ‘King George’

Aster amellus ‘King George’: A good choice of Aster with good disease resistance, less prone to mildew. Up to 60cm tall. Flowering from August into early October. With a mass of blue/violet daisy flowers with a yellow button centre. Full sun, to dappled shade, free draining soil.

 Coreopsis grandiflora 'Early Sunrise'

Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’

Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’: Delicate mid green foliage with a  single soft yellow flowers borne freely from June to September. 45Cm tall grow in good soil in full sun.

Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan'

Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’

Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’: A dramatic large white daisy flowers with large orange central cone. Up to 90cm tall flowering from July to September and beyond. Dead flower heads look dramatic left up through the winter months. Good free draining soil in full sun.

 Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty'

Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’

Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’: A must for late flowering planting schemes. 90Cm tall flower stems with rich bronze-red flowers with dark centres, from July to September. Grow in full sun in good water retentive soil.

Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Wirral Supreme’. Sadly there is no Free from Copyright image to illustrate this plant.

Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Wirral Supreme’: A wonderful showy daisy. Large pure white double flowers forming vigorous clumps up to 90cm tall. Flowering from June to August.  Full sun, poor to good soil.

 Rudbeckia var. sullivantii 'Goldstrum'

Rudbeckia var. sullivantii ‘Goldstrum’

Rudbeckia var.sullivantii ‘Goldstrum’:  A dramatic daisy. Large clumps up to 70/80cm tall, with a mass of rich golden flowers with black centres from July to September. Good moister retentive soil. In full sun.

Vase of stunning Rudbeckia

Vase of stunning Rudbeckia

I hope you are feeling inspired to look again at the humble daisy. There is so much to enjoy in this large family!

Lilies and Gladioli-The drama queens of the high summer garden.

 Lilles planted in the garden, for maximum impact.

Liles planted in the garden, for maximum impact.

These two late flowering bulbs and corms, can add a splash of colour after earlier spring flowering plants are over and they can be used as under planting so they grow through other plants. With scent and razzmatazz they are more than just cut flowers, there are varieties that can work well in mixed planting and make your late summer garden sing. Here are some to try.

 Lilium 'Casa B;anca'

Lilium ‘Casa B;anca’

Lilium Casa Blanca: This is a reliable and wonderful  lily with large open white flowers on tall 1.30m stems with a powerful heady scent. July – August. Makes a superb cut flower.

 Gladiolus byzantinus

Gladiolus byzantinus

Gladiolus byzantinus: This late spring flowering ‘glady’ has a more delicate look than the later summer ‘cutting flower’ varieties. Tall dusky dark green foliage with flower spikes up to 60cm tall, of deep purple. Wonderful in a mixed planting with purple Alliums.

 Lilium 'Stargazer'

Lilium ‘Stargazer’

Lilium Stargazer: This is a classic lily with lots of wow facture open star like flowers in maroon and pink, with dark spots along the petals and with tipped edges. With a sweet scent added for good measure. At 90cm high good for a mid-boarder position. Flowering July-August.

 Gladiolus colvillei 'The Bride'

Gladiolus colvillei ‘The Bride’

Gladiolus colvillei The Bride: An elegant selection of pure white flowers opening up a stem to 50cm in height. Flowering in July.

 Lilium 'Sunny Morning'

Lilium ‘Sunny Morning’

Lilium Sunny Morning: These hybrids are often called turk-cap lilies With a display of flowers produced along the stem and and often opening in supersession. A tall selection at 1-1.5m in height with a mass of orange-yellow flowers. The petals curl back under to reveal the spotted base of the petals and bright orange stamens. Flowering June -July

Sadly there is no free from copyright image to illustrate this plant.

Gladiolus narus Elvira: This is a dramatic ‘glady’ with tall flower stems up to 75cm in height. Pale pink flowers with red base blotches and soft yellow stamens. Packs a late flowering punch in August.

A mix of colourful Gladiolus

A mix of colourful Gladiolus

Top Tips: Both Gladiolus and Lilium, need  a good sunny spot on free draining soil. They do well  in poor soils. Do not allow to get water logged. Unfortunately slugs and snails love lilies in particular so watch out for signs of attract from early spring onwards. Also  lily beetle is on the increase and is now wide spread across southern counties. So look out for the beautiful shiny red beetled adults, laying eggs on the lily stems in early summer. It is the hatched young that cause the damage. Turning the stems and leaves into mushy mess. Contact your local garden centre or plant nursery for advise on both chemical and organic control measures for both of these common garden pest.

I hope I have inspired you to add both these late flowering  ‘Drama Queens’  to your garden planting scheme.

Geraniums-One for every aspect.

Geraniums are a great cover.

Geraniums are a great cover.

Geraniums are wonderful herbaceous perennials, not to be confused, with the Polygonums beloved for their striking flowers in summer bedding. They scramble, they form well ordered clumps and they carpet. They cope with very dry to slightly damp conditions, to full sun to dry shade. The variety and number to choose from is staggering. There surely must be a geranium to suit every situation in the garden as well as every gardeners taste.

 Geranium cinareum 'Ballerina'

Geranium cinareum ‘Ballerina’

G. cinareum ‘Ballerina’ : A good geranium for a sunny spot, it is has a compact habit and only grows to 10cm tall, it is idea for Rockies. It is free flowering from may to September with soft lilac pink flowers with distinctive red veining.

 Geranium 'Johnston's Blue'

Geranium ‘Johnston’s Blue’

G. ‘Johnston’s Blue: An old favourite, large clumps of mid green foliage with deeply palamate leaves up to 35cm tall with clear blue flowers on mass from May to August, will grow in full sun to semi-shade.

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Album'

Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Album’

G. macrorrhizum ‘Album’: A superb semi-evergreen geranium for semi-shade in a dry spot. Forming dense carpets of mid green foliage, which colours an attractive red bronze in colder winter weather. Delicate papery white flowers are produced from June to July.

 Geranium phaeum

Geranium phaeum

Geranium ‘Phaeum’: This is a hansom tall geranium reaching 60 -80cm in height. It will cope well with dense dry shade. Its leaves have maroon blotches in the centre. Flowers of dark purple/maroon are held on tall stems. Flowering from May -July.

 Geranium pratense 'Mrs Kendall Clark'

Geranium pratense ‘Mrs Kendall Clark’

Geranium pratense ‘Mrs Kendall Clark’:This is a lovely geranium for a heavier soil in full sun. Up to 75cm tall with a clump habit. Lilac-blue flowers with white/pink veining, produced on mass from June to August.

Geranium wallchianum 'Buxton's Variety'

Geranium wallchianum ‘Buxton’s Variety’

Geranium wallchiannum ‘Buxton’s’: This is a truly wonderful geranium it is a Scambler, that will do well in full sun to semi-shade. It can be allowed to crawl through the bottom of shrubs. It has light green leaves with pink stems and open purple/blue flowers with a white centre and black stamens, making a striking impression where ever it pops up in the planting. It flowers from June to September.

 Geraniums are a superb garden plant and a must for all gardens.

Geraniums are a superb garden plant and a must for all gardens.

Top Tip: To get repeat flowering from your geraniums, shear off the spent flower heads after the main flowering, to get a later flush towards the end of the summer and into the start of autumn.

I hope I have inspired you to add to your geranium collection. These herbaceous perennials are very easy to grow and extremely good natured about most planting positions, they can get a bit carried away and perhaps need keeping in check particular in newly planted boarders where the shrubs are small and establishing as it it doesn’t take long for a geranium to get settled in and make it’s presence felt. Happy planting!

If you would like help planning and designing your garden, I Know a woman who can help you 1 Do give me Emily a ring to discuss your garden project. Tel;01273 470753.