Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Archant House (English)
Archant House (English)
Archant House (English)
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season . 5umme r may offer us such
rewards , bu t it is now th at we ca n
create , add , change and experimen t
th ou r plo. Aumn colour is now
creeping into my garden and the seedh eads of
perennials are dispersing <heir bounty onto the
soi!. My challenge is to clear a n ursery bed in the
garden and make t a temporary home for small trees
and perennials while 1 decide on what to do th the
space. Designer janine Pattison has been to survey
the ste , and she will be helping me wo rk Ollt what
to do with my acre o f glorious Herefordshire. You
will be ab le <o follow our progress too by visitng
.v . theenglishgarden .co .uk regularly My new h ome offers \l lews of an ancient p ear
orcharcl , and one tree leans o\ler my boundary. These
We have dedicated this issue to the glory of TREES , pears ha\le offered us fresh fruit every morning and ,
wit h features on HOWICK in Nonhumberland WO \\l, do they taste good. 50 we bring you some
(pg 41) , ecologlcal tree planting ideas (pg 93) and won clerful PEAR RECIPES (pg 72) , which 1 am sure
THE ENG Ll SH
GARDEN AWARDS a celebraton o f some of the U K's most ou <stand ing will be far more successful than the juice 1 tried to
(pg 8 6). A few years ago , I enjoyecl an af<ernoon at make from mine. I think 1 sh ould have added a drop
201 1 Westonb irt , and the Lime Avenue is truly the most of lemon j uice .. . 01' maybe just stck to gardening!
The Nlchee incredible tree planting 1 have ever seen. 1 strongly
Magazine Awards reommend lhal you Lake l me OUl th is mOnLh and I am also sending Otlt a plea - in our upcoming
8 est Niche Lil estyle viSiLthe arboreLum closesl lO you. Few o f u s have Janua r iSsue we'U be SLaning a new selies on charily
Consumer Magazine
lhe room for Lhe more g ianL speunens 111 our and commurlly gardening schemes and are keen LO
2010 gardens, bUl the re i$ no reason why we can'l eroy find OUL abouLmore o f them , 50 if you know o f o ne
Garden Media Guild lhem in lheir wo nde rful ma Lu rily a L these ve ry in your area , please get in LOuch LO tell U$ abouLil
Gardenlng Col umn special places. E oy thiS firerack o[ a month
OIThe Year
~~
Mark Diacono
2009
Garden Media Guild
Gardening Column
OIThe Year
Jackie Bennett Tamsin Nesthorpe EditOl
2008
Garden Medla Gulld On the cover:
New Writer Award Toby Buckland's new nursery ('g54)
Joe Reardon-Smith Phgraph: J ason Ingram
GN
FOR EVERYONE WHO lOVES BEAUTIFUl GARDENS
WWW.T H E ENG Ll SH GARDE N .CO.UK
EDITORL
Tel: +44 (0)1 242 2 11 080 Fax: +44 (0)124 2 21 1081
Email: theenglishgarden@archant.co.uk
W ebsite: www.th een glishga rdon.cok
lJ K ADVERTl Srt\ G
Tel : +44 (0)1242 211 072
Fax : +44 (0) 1242 255116
Emai l : klm.holtham@archant.co.uk
GroupC ommeial Di rector Chros Marslon
Group Co mmunlcations Manager Lucy Warren.Meeks
Group 5ales Manager Jamie Bo lton
A c<:ount Man ager Kim Holtham
Media Sales Executive Serena Robertson
PRODUCTION
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Pr oduction Team Le ader M lkoy Godden
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BACK sES Av/JC W'l UK Eu ope and e..c (560. Rosl of the Workl (660
"om CDS Clobol. 50'.9n Pafk. Mafkei H~b t.eicestershire I.E' 6 9EF. FW
Tel: +58 <1388'0. Fax: +"4 18'3<18. 0\161 r.1 4 18 4 e
Th. .. e IUK i~suel ISSN '' ted in E.nd
Glorious gardens
27 Ll1'\:\1BU I{G The love of Piet This Irosty garden is
gradWlth delite seedheads and gracelul grasses
34 S'TLND Going global Thousands of rare perennials and
grasses create an autumn spectacle '" this p1anthunter's plot
41 NORTHL \18RLA Sylvan sanctuary We lebrate
the beguil,ng beauty 01 trees W1 th a \11 M to Howick Hall
47 L \IHRIA Nostalgia Up north At the start 01 rose-pnting
season, we II1 sit one 01 the).mtry's most romantic rose gardens
Design
61 IN (_''ERSATI7 WITH... Tom Stuart-Smith looks
at how to revive mature gardens that have existing elements
63 A GARDEN REBRN The Iceman cometh Winter
arrives early at Bridge Eal, blanketing the garden in a layer 01 snow
69 H I STORI(' FEATt JRES Surprise, surprise After its 18th-
century heyday, is the ha-ha relevant in contemprary gardens?
The edible garden Offers & competitions
71 Mark Diacono Mark vours the last of this ye's harvest and 17 Subscriptions FREE Burgon & Ball Professional Soft Squeeze
looks forward to the year ahead. picking seeds and trees for his plot Shears, worth (25.95, when you subscribe
72 COOK YOUR OWN Pears Expert advice on buying, planting, 23 Christmas gifts For great deals on magazine subscript ions
protecting. training and cooking the most delectable pears 85 Plant offers Add sparkle to your garden w ith a FREE' scented
76 BATS & TREATS Backdoor bounty Restored Victorian winter-flowering shrub - pls great 0ers on other winter shrubs
kitchen gardens provide a country house hotel with delicious prodce
Plants
9 Plant swatch Indoor flowerers to really brighten up the home
79 PLANT FOCUS Berberis This reliable plant deserves more
attention than it gets - particularly its nore dazzling varieties
86 Woods with the goods Our pick of the count's best
arboretums in autumn , with glorios trails and beautiful trees
95 Sow and sew Two arts are combined at this lovely cutting
garden wi th an embroidery workshop business in Scotland
100 Wonders of Wisley Autumn delights at this iconic garden,
and the chance to w in a year's membership of the RH S
6 (1\1(01. .\II~".
UII"'E
...,
charnwood
Exceptional British made wood burning stoes. Permitted for use in smoke contro/ areas.
For a brochllre and stockists teiephone 01983 537780 0 1' visit www.charnwood. com
PLANT SWATCH
FLOWERING H OUSE PLA N TS
centrepiece for a table. Its lily-shaped flowers and Ileshy, with delitely arching flower Slems and archrteclural arrow-shaped leaves. il looks
reach 15cm in dmeter. and are tinged a Thanks to its tropical origins , it enjoys the labulous nexl to Ihe IrOlhy delicale 10liage 01 an
dellcate plnk. It has short strap-shaped green warmth 01 central heating , nnaking .t a popular IndrsIwart. the maidenhair lern. It doesn'l
a zzq
leaves, and a stout stem holding several choice, and is one of the easiest orch.ds to need a 10101 'r.t rm so go lor a pot Ihat is
heads hlgh. Helght 5Ocm: spread 30cm grow. Height 1 5ct1m; spread 20-45cm a fairly snug ~t He.ght 60cm spread 3Ocm.
clTlVATlON CUlVATlON CUlTIVATl ON
Planted IlV th the neck and shoulders above the Enjoyir a sun!Ty spot in w.nter and a shaded AtroplCnt that grows tree-trunks in Ihe
one in the summer, it grows st in dayt.me W1 ld, It prefers a medium 01 brs Ioam , sand,
dSZPZ33EZESEZ
This month, autumn has us held firmly between its shiny teeth . So this seems like the peect
U moment to start thinking of suitable garden activities that can be enjoyed with the benefit of
central heating and without rain trickling down the back of the neck. Not exclusively, mind
J
you - 1would not like you losing condition and becoming soft. Besides, a cup of tea earned
after a few hours labouring in the cold is a cup of tea that tastes better than the finest
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JANE FROST
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WORKSHOP:
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rVT Vclncy The Best 5mall Garden Award at the Hampton Court green wall, and we not only gave it a Gold Medal but a
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Ffower 5how this year was presented to William speClal award for Most Creawe Garden. Ti me was when
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Ouarmby and the British Heather Growers Associatlon , heathers were a: over the . t lashion is fockle and
12 o\'cmbcr
0
10heir garden 'Heathers in Harmony' (above) 1was they slipped from lPularity. so perhaps it is time lor a
lOam-4pm .
FUX
Judg,ng this categy and 1must admit that when 1 W resurgence In the popular'ty 01 this reliae p1ant? Most
2
something a bit old lashioned. Th is was based on my youn sleep on them w ,thout caUSlOg much damage.
booking S
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csscntia
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1970s SWlrIy patternins 1was so wrg.ltwas over the world) and rece've yearb bulletins and
morc go lO a modern garden, with heathers used as a wonderful a 'ree advlce selVlce , www heathersociety org
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'.\\l\\' l. org.uk
FRUITFUL FANCY
Many of you have more than one fruit
tree , and unless you have extraordinary
appetites , 1 am willing to bet that (on
a good year) they produce more apples
and pears than you can comfortably
ea t. You could , of cour store them , but
how about making apple juice instead?
Harrod Horticultural have a range of
good-looking fmit prs (le) that can
convert your windfalls into something
delicious. For more infonnation , call
0845 4025300 or visit the website
\vww.harroclhorticultural.com
Apply ithin
The 1te Christopher Lloyd is renowned not jst for his BUNNY
prolific writings and the extraordinary gardens tha t he
maintained and developed at Grea t Dixter in Sussex. He HOPS TO
is also well known as an inspiration and guide to many WHICHFORD
young people who came to Dixter to help and to learn ,
Bunny Guinnss
and since then have gone on to great things all over the
(she of the six
world. His legacy is being contined under the eye of
Fergus Garrett, the hugely talented head gardener at Chelsea Gold
Dixter. The Christopher Lloyd Scholarship allows a young medals , Gwner'
gardener to spend a year immersed in the gardens. Not Question T me ,
only this. but the Christopher Ll oyd Bursary encourages various book<; and
trainees to expand thei r knowledge through travel nviably lond
As Fergus so wisely says: 'I t is so important to keep upper arms) is
broadening your horticultural horizons.' Applications
giving a talk at
can be made through the website. Just as importa
Ihichford POllery
they are seeking donations to keep these two great
ideas afloa t. www.greatdixte r. co.uk in Warwickshire
on 19 November
Her subjecl is
'Transforming Your
ART ATTACK
I'm llOt qlli le ure what you would call
(hc malr rqlllvalent of a Gran d e D am e ,
But i rT lid lhen lhat Lit le wllld b e
Len~1glhome g lvcn [l)nclrew l.awson , one of our
grealCSt rdrn photographers. His
Want to line tune your garden skills or learn more about such diverse sbJects as
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O UT&ABOUT al Waddesdon Manor with a shopping district between Bath Sunday 27 , leicestershire
IN NOVEMBER special Nine lover's dinner. The Abbey and lhe Roman Baths Slart the leslive season with
Wednesday 2, Gloucestershire evening begins with a glass 01 Huge seleclion 01 stalls selling a Christmas wreath workshop
Learn how to make classic 'Baron de Rothschild' champagne umque 9 decora tions and 10 withttor Sue Jarvis at Barnsdale
seasonal French dishes at Thyme and seasonal canap Iollowedby www.bathchristmasmarket co ,uk Gardens, ( 25 , Booking is essential
al SOUlhrop, The day-course costs an introdUClion 10 wine by Peter Tel: +44 (0)1 572
(185 , To bo kyur place, Isl: +44 Tompkins, Tickels cost (95 813200 or email
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gardens,co , uk
Saturday 5, Derbyshire Wednesday 23 . Sunday 27,
Join Chalsworth Hose ror a Birmingham BBC Good Food . AII month
speclacular lireworks display, Show Winler al the NEC with 10P 1, alon9 with Gold
bonlire and live entertalnmen t. For celebrity chels including Rick Stein, MedalInOlng
lickets, lel +44 (0)1246 565430 Great British Bake 011 sessions, designers, writers,
www.chatsworth.org Worfd Cheese Awards, speciality phOlographers and
prurs and greal shopping other 9rden l oIk
Wednesday 9 Sunday 13, Ticket prices start Irom (20.50 wil' be attempting to
l ondon TheCntry Livlng and Vl P packages are aible growa mstad
Ch riSlmaS Fair at The Buslness www fshow m Friday 25, Surrey The B aid 01 'Movember' , which raises
Design Centre. For tickets Slt Tree Switch On takes place 8t moneyto mbal prostate and
WWWun~lV.ngfalr m Th ursday 24 November WakehurSI ce at 6 1 tesl oCU lar cancer. Al I support and
Sunday 11 December, Bath Cho.r and cralt actes AdmlSSlon sponrs very welme. Search
Saturday 12, Bucklnghamshlre Th e Bath Chrislmas Markel (rightl, is by donation For mO<e delails, for Th e Bristling Gardeners on
Start your lestIVeIsbralions earty is silualed in the heart 01 the lel +44 (0) 1444 894067 http. lluk movember.m
Gabriel Ash sllperior g reenhollses are made in che UK by mascer crafcsmen. Prodllced lIsing
only the fnest \Vestern Red Cedar, we enSllre every detai l fun ctions exactly ic shou ld .
Avlable in a range of sizes and scyles CO sll ic any gardcn and endorsed by che RHS ,
a Gabriel Ash g reenhouse will remain a ching of beauty for years co come
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OPPOSE PAGE Roman garden arch , avallable in ree dfferent wdth and heght optlons, as well as e cholce to nstall below or above ground
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3 Be lmont luminar water feature speclally handcrafted in rainbow- loured natural sandne . Available in small (3Ocm diameter), E379; and medium
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NOVEMBER
NATI ONAL TRUST
FORMAL FANTASY
Kingston Lacy in Dorset is a vast est at e w ith a variety of interesting gardens and landscapes. This
month. Head Gardener Andrew Hunt gets to work on the last autumn t asks before w inter arrives
PHOTOGRAPHS JASON INGRAM
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WHAT'S IN SEASON
In autumn , the glorious foliage 01
Berberisx 0'awensis f. purpurea 'Superba'
(far leffJ changes Irom red to orange to
yellow. Prized lor its Li ly 01 the Valley scent
Mahonia x media 'Charity' (centre) Ilers
EE -
18 THE ENG Ll SH GA RD EN
NOVEMBER
NATIONAL TRUST
STEPBYSTEP
PLANTING A TREE
Tree plenting is best done in autumn ,
when the soil is still relatively warm
end the moisre levels are high.
1 0iga imes
Ihe size 01 the tree's rOOlball. Fork 0r
Ihe base and sides 01 Ihe hole
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20 T H E ENG lI SH GARD EN
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Wlt 1 H rcw lmt IN THE GARDEN
THIS MONTH
At the crossroads bet\ a utumn
WINTER COVER
These ll\den boKes are
traditial to Kingston lacy and
were used bv tOO Ba nkes lamily
to protect the many garden
omaents in tOO grounds n
boxes are made Irom the wd
on the estate. It takes the
garden staft twoys to put all
the omaments to bed 1wlnter
The end hookn be pushed into the ground to keep Ihe tape clean. Prioed al (24.27.
hold It on place . As wilh all the ol hers, it is easily 3 The Open F Tape longest 01
pulled oul Pnced at (9.72 t he bunch at 50m/1 65tt. It has very clear 5 The s
numbers. an open case and a large rewind 30m!100ft. It i
s a bright yelowtape WIth a
2 he BoseHM25 Rans hand le. There is a diagonal 1lplale which very god lock. 11 has a large handle and a
laser lechnology 1 measure areas up 10 25m allows you to sit the measure n the ground for genero
us wind~n handle. which makes it easy 10
(distance, area and volumel. You may have seen accracy. The w idth 01 the tape is the standard rewind lhe tape al speed. and lor this reason it is
them used by estate agents 10 measure rooms 13mm. It does the trick, bUI il you have a smaller my EDITOR'5 CHOICE. The markings on the tape
seem a little lainter than the ot hers , but it is
suHicient. At the end 01 the tape, there is a little
hook that will hold it in place to some degree. It
has an open case that will withstand heavy use. It
00
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STOCKISTS
Th e Bo sch PLR 25 eajre
4U3
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www.qualtygardenlools.com
UU
PQg
Alitags , 32 Bourne Lane, Much Hadhom, Topiory . Elepha. Co l. Dog. Plg. etc
Herttordshire SG 10 6ER , UK. Tel 0 1279 842685
Bamboo Cloches Candle Lantems
C t , Dog, Pig, Owl, Mouse, Li 2ard, etc
32 Bourne Lone , Much Hodhom. Herttordshre SG 10 6ER, UK. Tel 01279 842685
GLORIOUS GARDENS
LUXEMBOURG
F
w f pe (O me
person al hero face (0 face , let
alone spend time working with
or beds - only a lake that had been du g. But
the garden \Vas set on a south- facing slo pe
in the most beautiful rolling countryside .'
them. Pau l and Paulme McBride The garden th ey created over th e next 12
no t only mel Piel Oud olf, b ut years is a combina Li on ()f garden rooms wiL h
also crealed a magical garden in Luxembourg crisp hed ging a nd neally edged and mown
with hiS assiSla nc We h ad seen P ie l's la \V ns . BUl \Villin thal fra mework is wha t
bo rders al W isley an d had b een follo \V ing Pau line d esc ribes as free- form planling'
him for some lime: says Pauline , 'sO il was a loose groups o f peren nials and grasses , very
dream ome l rue LO wo rk Wilh h im.' much ins pired by Oudol f. 'We we re given a
See n aS one free h and a nd
()f lhe wo rld s a n u n limiled
g reatest li vi ng
We'd seen Piet's borders at Wisley , so
J ' ~~ bud eet \V h e n
ga rdeners , Piel it was a dream to work with him' ,. _'_~~ : . _ . 1
Il came LO tLl e
Oudo lf is a t design ing and
th e forefro n t o f th e New Pere n n ia ls pl an ting of this ga rden ,' says Pauli ne. 'It's
Move me n t , which has s ha ped the look of won derfu l to have the s trai ght li n e of an
ma ny contempo raly garde ns over th e past avenue 0 1' a hedge to d raw you into the
decade o r so. His na tu ral is ti c pl anti ng garden . Then you set something Id inside
PREVIOUS PAGE Neatly mown lawns and s ty le has inspi red a who le ge ne ratio n of that frame and it becomes exciti ng .'
clipped edges frame the 'free-form' plantng of gardeners. For Pau I and Pauline , there was no Paul and Pauline busied themselves for three
perennlals and grasses at Altlorenscheuerff do ub t th a t his s tyle \V ou ld p rovide the years plan tng a cutting garden and an organic
THIS PAGE, TOP LEFT Shape and form are vital ins pi ration fo r the three-ac re ga rde n they vegetab le potager. Plantings around the la ke
and key plan include the blue.white stems of M creating wh tich s
ur
ro
und d a
alouse and in the 'four asons' garden featllred looser
Perovskia 'Blue Spre'. ABOVE LEFThe skeletal in he Lux embourg countr
y
s id
e group ings o f perennials , shrubs and trees (0
heads of Tha/ictrum rochebrun;anum. sa
rte
d there w: nothing here - no borde rs reilect the changing asons
28 TH E ENG Ll SH GARDEN
GLORIOUS GARDENS
LUXEMBOURG
Then, in 2001 , the owners rad an an icle as their fiowers , and once sad , memorably:
abom Piet Oudolf and suggested that perhaps Brovn s also a colour.' For him , gardening
they should ask him (0 desgn a large border is abom approaching p lams h olistically
arou nd the h Ol\se. [[ was amazng [ 0 work ' [f you have beaufu l plams , !t doesn't mean
WiLh him. and h e was so ins piralional: says LhaLyour ga rd en is beau Lifu l. Some Lhing is
Pauline Il was as though h e had opened u p mplele when everylh ing \Vo rks tO gether:
thiS b ig ne \V sweeLsh op LO us - imroducing us he has previously SLa[ed.
LO planLS we had no idea abouL and had never While lhe plaming gives plemy oflour and
come aCross lt was a h uge learning curve
, imereSLduring the summer momhs , in winter
Th e result was a huge bo rde r th at looks il comes in LO i[S own Il re minds Pau line of
,
exp lains. Although flauer and th milder contrast and work against one another , and
wim ers th an Luxembourg , t has a similar the wh ole plaming h as to look loose an d
heavy clay soil, and man y of the key plams unst rt\ ctured .'
remain the same . As well as the n umerous But wh ile the planting may be free and
grasses o ne would eXpeCl. Lhe key !1owering ope n , the con fines o f t he bo rde r m l1 SL be
planlS incll1de echinaceas s l1ch as Rl1b inglow sharply defined for the look lO work. Pauline
and Gree n Edge' , as well as aSLi lbe and adds. Edges m l1Sl be111 neatly and the lawns
phlomiS for faruaslic wi l1ler SLrUlure mown regularly lO prov ide lh e neessa ry
l nsp ired by Piel O l1 dolf's app roach LO COnlras l. Co me a Ul l1 mn , lhe app roach iS
gardening , l he und erpinn ing ethos iS how hands off. however, with all Lhe seedheads
these plams wo rk WiLh each anOlhe r , l1 sing and Slems le fl intaCl for Lhe wi11ler sh ow.
big, bold groups LO really geLlhe impaCI of a Resist lh e urge tO CUI th ings back - keep
Another favourite is pin k-flowered Stachys A/t1orenscheuerhof garden il1 L.u.xembo<< ! new are invaluable for adding ructure to e winter
ojjicillalis 'Humme lo' , which is planted with WJ1ers al1 d JS 110 1l1j{er opeJ1 10 j{arden vJSJ10rs. landscape. BOTTOM Phlomis ruellana
the fragrant and bronze-Ieaved Ac simplex Pau/ a l1 d PauIJlle I;lcBI Sussex Prairies is Nothofagus antarctica, Panicum virgBmand
'J ames Com pton' an d t he ay grass Molinia al Morla l1ds Farm, Whealsheaf Road, Hellfie/d, echinacea. THIS PAGE, TOP LEFT A firm
cent1ea subsp. anminaa Transparent'. Wes15ussex BN5 9AT. Tel +44 (0) 1273495902. favourite is Echinops exaltas. TOPRIGHT
'We look for comb inations o f plams thilt WlVw.sussexpralnes..ult Echinacea purpureB 'Rubinglow' and Nothogus
reverberate against one another: says Pauline. antarctica. ABOVE RIGHT GrBsses such as
Texture is so importam - textures have to Turn over for garden notebook ... Pennisetum alopecuroidesfeature often.
The notebook
A lt loren sch e u e rhof in L u xembourg covers three acr es on a south- facing slope . The heavy clay soil is fertile b u t
the main c ha ll e n ges lie in the b itterly c o ld winter tem peratures and the high. exp osed p o s it ion
SEEDHEADS
Pauline suggests leaving PAUL AND PAU Ll NE'S TIPS
seedheads on many plants Don't be tempted to cut things back as
into autumn and w inter they lade. It is labour saving and great lor
to see how they evolve. wildlife to leave them , but the seedheads
Many seedheads add also add to the look 01 the garden in winter
fantastic structure and Make the most of 'veiled lr':use
texture to the garden , as bold colours but soften them by planting
well as providing a behind grasses, SO you can look through
wonderfullarder for GRACEFUL GRASSES and glimpse the songer colours.
visiting birds. The best About a third of the garden is made up 01 diverse grasses, Taller plants sometim work well
include inula, sedu such as Sesleria aurumnalis {abo They are vital to the at the front 01a border, giving the eye
Echinac purpurea 'G overalllook and longevity of the design. Their structure and something to surprise and interest
Edge' (belo and alliums. robustness is what gives the garden its cohesion during Be bold. Try different plants and if
the autmn and winter months. The sound they make as they don't wOrk, then dig them up and
the wind moves through them adds atmosphere. move them somewhere else.
Use big plants even in a smaller garden
as they add 'oomph' to the planting.
DRIFT PLANTING
Plants grow in communities in the w ild rather than in ones
and twos , and Paul and Pauline have adopted this style in
their planting. They use large drifts 01 individual varieties t
CONTACTS
PIET OUDOLF'S WORK IN THE UK
The Barn at Bury Court, Bentley,
Farnham , Surrey GU 10 5LZ
Tel: +44 (0) 7771 663437
www.burvCOU l1barn.com
The Piet Oudolf Border at RHS
flsley Woking , Surrey GU23 60B
Tel: 0845 2609000
www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/w isley
Sca mpston Hall, Malton, Noh Yorkshire
Y017 8NG. Tel : +44 {0)1944 759111 .
www.scampston.co.uk
CATCH ING THE II NTER Ll GHT Trent ham Gardens, 5tone Road,
As the light changes in winter, the colour seeps away and becomes more subtle and muted. Trentham, 5toke-on-Tren t. 5taHordshire
Aording to Pauline, capturing this delicate light requires one to think 01 the garden as a 5T4 8AX. Tel: +44 (0)1782 646646.
w hole panorama , with bands 01 shape and texture ming Irom large sweeping groups of www. tren tham . uk
plants {abo'el rather than from smaller combinations.
32 TH E ENGLl SH GARDE N
34 THF ENG Ll SH GAROE N
GLORIOUS GARDENS
SCOTLANO
The owners wel as good as Lheir word , and when MicMeJ returned , difficulties Slruck h is Ch inese guides One gu ide feJJ and d isJocaled
b ringing with h im eighl tOns of plams from h iS previous home in h iS shouJder and couJdn l climb OUl of a Sleep vaJJey , SO we had lO
IreJand , he sel abou l cJea ring the brambJes , res tQ ring lhe gJass- find a new rOUle lhrough very rough te rrai n
houses a nd pUlting a roof on lhe ho use, which had been Slripped o f On o ne expedition tO Uganda , MichaeJ was held al gunpoil1l , and
ilS sJate. From the o Ulsel, MichaeJ's imemion was lO grow exCeptionaJ on every lrip he isnscious tMt jeopardy is nver far away Allimes ,
perenniaJs and in particuJar tho with s tatuesque propo nion s we mighl be 10 days !aJk from the neareSI medicaJ pOSl, and in lhal
'1 started out with Graham Stuart 1ho111as's book Perennial Garden time , a Sim ple cut cOllld Mve tu rned to septicaemia.' Yet , despite the
Plants , and 1 g rew evelyt hing recommended in it that d idn't appeal d angers , Michae l's appetite fo r tracki ng d own new plants remains
in the Blo0111S of Bressingha111 catalo llndimmed , and the garden is filled \\<th his discoveries. Hundreds of
Ad rian Blo0111 , owner of Blooms 0 1' Bressingham Ga rden Centre , new rhododendron seedlings grow under shade , the p roducts of his
was amused by this ta le when he visited Cally Gardens earlie r this most recent trip to China; and a brilliant red Vitis amurensis clothes
year to see for hi111self the incredible range of rare and unusual plants part of the walls , a treasure Michael found growing in Russia.
that flou ri s h h ere. Many of th ese plan ts are g row n fr0111 seed Plants here a re encou raged to self seed , setti ng up colonies 01
coll ected on Mic hael 's exped itio ns to some of the world 's most popping up unexpected ly in the gravel paths a nd a re o nly rei ned
remote and inh osp itable loca <IO I1S in when they threaten to get om of comro l. Al l of them are stlldied
for more than two decades , he has scoured the globe sarching Ollt cJ osely for signs of new and llnllsllal colours , or forms tha < haven't
pJants , from Rllssia to New Gllinea and from Uganda to Som h been seen before. Anothe r reason why MichaeJ concentrates on
America. These trips are not thom their dangers. Last year , he got growing new plams is that many established varieties are Sll ect to
Jost for a wek on the b order b etween Chin a and Burma , when Plant Breede Rights. This system, which was Jallnched in 1997 , w '
designed 10 reward plam breeders for Iheir 51..;11 and e tTons byallowing
Ihem 10 c1aim royallies for every plam sold.
I1 a ll sounds very reasonable. eve n commendable , bUI Micha eI
bel ieves Ihal Ihc syslem has bee n ope n 10 huge a bus es , a n d
has caused dHtculllcs and confusion bOlh for Ihe buyi ng public and
the growers , 'Unfortun ale ly , there is abso lute ly no requiremenl to
prove Ihat any actual b rceclmg work has taken place ,' he says. and
the pubhc are paying royalt ies for breedmg that , in many cases ,
has never actua lly hap pened.'
For many garclencrs. lhc arrval of the new Cally Ga rclens catalogue
every Novembcr is a long-amiclpaled event. and Ihey spend many
happy hours pounng over new addltions and composing their orders
Olhe r cuslO mcrs prefcr lO viSll m person, amvmg along a track where
signs wam dnvers LO walc h OUl for red squirrels , One visitor wh o
amved earlier lhlS ycar had driven all the way from Holland m order
10 add all of Mlchacrs las lO hls collectlon
Such a dlSlance IS nOlh ll1 g. however. compared lengths !ha t
Mlchael hlmself IS prcpad lO go to 111 order to collect the plan
111 Ihe flTSt place , and al lhe moment he has hl5 slghlS set on the
mOU l1lalns of sOUl hem Elhlopla. '1 have been lhe before but pans
of lhe reglon are Sllll lI nexplored by bota l1l slS , 50 there may be
mllch 51111 10 be found: he explams.
Cally Gardens cUSlomers. whose plots are probably already
overnowmg Wllh rare specl had beller slart makmg 5pace for
ye < more excepllonal plants ,
Cal C
dr Ca
tr
h
(I'I'II!
F 11Pt
DG72Dj. /'('11 , , ,
!' ("'1 Ea u' S II (1 y cil Clae laSI S lI nday in
Sq1Crn" In!oI l w: +.I'f (0) 1557 815029. .Clly!!urdens.co. 1I11
GLORIOUS GARDENS
SCOTLAND
The notebook
Cally Gardens is almost t hree acres in s ize. It faces sou t h/sou t hwest , s loping gentl from t he s t ock beds d own
to an o rc ha rd . The soil is f ree d raining and has been e nric h ed b m ore than 200 yea r s o f c ult ivatio n
GO BANANAS
Michael grew this banana (Ensere venrricosm) COVE R IT
from seed that he collected during a plant-hunting In natural environments,
expedition to Uganda. It is brought into the frost- every inch is colonised by
free vinery during the winter months (below). This plants, so it Iakes sense
statement plant can groN t0 2n in height to do the sarre in the
garden. Try Acaena
microphylla 'Kupferteppich'
(rig htl with bronze leaves
and burr-like flowerheads
that persist for mont s.
BE D IFFERE N T
One 01 the simplest
ways to make a garden
interesting is to seek out
more unusual forms 01
co o n plants. Perennial AUTUMN COLOUR
honesty (abo'e) has I f yu are planting for autumn cl don't ju rely on
beautiful ovate leaves and leaf shades, but use late flowers , berries, seedheads
scented lilac flow ers, but and coloured stems , such as the brilliant crimson 01
most gardeners grow the CornU$ alba 'Sibirica' (bo'e). AII of these can help to
annual form of the plant add uplifting hues to the garden late in the season ,
OM ANT'Tt
VG
VS
TE
to help protect the from the frost
Brought on Garden, 12 High Street, . Don'tet down everything though. In
Kirkcudbright DG6 4JX. www.nts.org.uk fact, if you cut the tops from delphiniums,
Botanic Garden, POI'l Logan, Stranraer ou expose hollow stems that w ill fill up w ith
DG99ND Tel : +44 {0)1 776 860231 water. Dead stems and seedheads not only
www.rbge.org.uk/logan provide protection for the roots, but they can
C8 stle Kennedy and Gardens, Stair also look very decorative and be a valuable
Estates, Rephad, Stranraer DG9 8BX source of food for birds
Tel: +44 {0)1776 702024. If a plant is in the wrong place, then make
www.castlekennedygardens.co.uk sure you move it before it gets too large. And
Threave Garden, Castle Douglas DG7 1RX. don' t be scared to be ruthless. If a shrub or
Tel: 0844 4932245. www.nts.org.uk Hee isn' t dOlng its job, then just ditch it ,
iJ ~
'
l ~ ~ -
. - -7~J
PRACTICALY BROWN L
Iver Stud, Iver, Buckinghamshire SLO 9LA
Tel: 01753 652022 Fax: 01753 653007
Email: sales@pracbrown.co.uk www.pracbrown.co.uk
PREV10US PAGE An
entlcng path winds
through azaleas and
towerlng rhododendrons
In SIIvwood THIS PAG
LEFT. TOP TO BOTIOM
Rodgc l'$las have textured
purple foliage In sprlng
Acer mllxlmowicziil a
snakebark maple with
pretty leaves; with its
heart.shapcd leaves and
regular spacing. this
Cercidhy/lum jllponlcum
from Slchuan is particular1v
dellghtful; red.tinged
leaves are unfurling on
the tips 01 Acer caeslum.
E November a L Nonh umberland fronl faade of lhe Hall. Meadows envelop Lhree sides
HOWlck Hall , som600 new Lrees and of lhe hou ,>e , sp n nkled WiLh snake's head frilill aries
shrubs are planLd. IL S a prime lime of and decora Led wllh purple and red Luli ps in sp ring ,
lhe yea r for selLi ng lhem OUl, bUl whaL hke a medieval La peslly.
makes Lh ese so s pecial is Lhal lhey have The garcle n h as a dream)' Lmeless qualily , the
all been grown fro m collected wild seed. As a resu lL, s pell enha nced by lh e rea L e mpLy h ou se lhaL was
lhi s developing a rboret u m is o ne o f \Vo r l dvide gll lled by a fi rc in 1926. Th fa mi ly live in t he
i mponanc a safe haven fo r conserving pla nts that wesl wing , while what was once the ballro0111 is now
may be th reatened in their n atura l hab it ats. lt is lhe Ear l Grcy Tca House. From lhis elegan t room ,
lhe calion of mod em- you can loo k through
day p lant hunter Lo rd large vindows Ollt onto
'he arbo 1'et lUl1 b a sarp hun' l1 1'0 1'
Charles Howick , who the ga rde n , where a
C'onS('1 ng thrcat t>l\('d plani spading Adantic cedar
has been on 22 plant
expedilions since 1985 , stands tall above a yew
oflen [0 remOlC regions of the world. Head gardener hedge. l! was LO SlIll the warat Howick at a Chinese
Roben Jamieson has taken part in sf these. Mandann (a bureallcral of Imperial China) blended
h was Charles' grndparents the 5th Earl Grey and eeponnotea \VJlh bergamot for e 2nd Earl Grey ,
hls wlfe , who created an informal garden (o contrast who was pnme mmlSter m the 1830s
wllh lhe grand Georgran hOl. Lnuenced by Wilham The Tea House fllS m perfeclly vh the elhos al
Robmson's namral planting yle their love of relaxed HO\ck 'lC c1 ear message we gel from VSt ors al
planllng was carried on by L.a dy Mary , Charles's everyone appreclalcs lhe lack of commercialism,' says
mother, and now by Charles himseU. Flowmg perenmal Charles. For lhls IS a lrue planman5 garden , fllll of
borders , Ii nes of lavcnder and agapanthus and self- rare plams, yCl SO anlessly laid Olll lhal it belies lhe
seeding alpines soften the teaces that drop below lhe sClenufic imponancc of lhe ld collecled perennials
GLORIOUS GARDENS
NORTHUMBERLAND
and trees. The arboretu lTI cove rs 65 ares and comai11$ TOP LEFT The simplicV of
13 ,000 specime ns of 1,800 lax3 , in na lural-looking the massed planting of
woodlands lh al represem differnl geogra phial areas. Narcissus 'Seagu ll' lends a
When Roy LanC3Ster pla 11led a Chinese wingnut lree serenity to Howick Hall.
al lhe official opening in 2006. heompared Howick TOP RIGHT Camellias and
lO C. S. Le ficLional land of Namia. Going through rhododendrons thrive
the stone gateposts a t the e ntra nce is li ke fi n ding in the sheltedcalm
yourself in a mca l world: he said. of Silverwood. RIGHT
The key to successfu l establishment is the su mmer The woodland floor of
heat , and shelter proded by the valley of the Ho\V; ck Silod is humus.rich
Bu rn . 'e lost remarkably little last \\.nter' comments and perfect for prlmroses
Charles , 'though so me big o ld things were brough t and erythroniums
dow n b y the m ost sn o \v we ve had since 194 7 ..
Th is has brought n ew opportunities to Sil verwood ,
a d elightfu l area full of scented g lades among
rhodoc\endrons and magnolias , staned by Lorc\ Grey
in 1930 tO celebrate his silver wedding
The new trees and shrubs <hat are plamed OlH
in a lH u mn have been gro \Vn in a nursery in the old
walled garden. Seed origina <es from one o f the many
expec\ itons that Charl5 and Roben have taken pan in ,
in conjunction wth <he botanic gardens of Kew ,
Edinburgh and Quarryhill in California. The specimens
are grown in air pots (pots w1th perforated sidewalls) , ....
whlch we re origi n ally deloped in AUSlralta for 'The expedilions have , fo r Ihe mOSI part. been
lhe eucalyplus. whlch are vul nerablLO roolballmg enormous fun : says Ch arles. 'La ndshdes could be a
Whe l1 lhe leaves fall o ff lhe nu rSry SLOck , II is aner bUL oLherwlse we usual1 y fell preuy $afe. In
lhe Slgnal 10 betn planling Ch m3. we were always accompa ni ed by a n armed
AUlumn pla l1 ling $UilS lhe Howick s ile beSL As po1iceman.' Days tn Ihe fiel wOllld be spenLLrekking
Cha rles expla ins: 'My g randfalher always said lhal if tn mounLa ll1 arcas. coll ec Li ng seed . pho tO graph ing.
yo u p lant a tree befo re Christmas. yo u expect it to maklng rcco rds and prcssing herba rium specimens.
Sll rvive; btlt if you plant in spring. you hope it wi ll Trips 10 China , India Am r i ca. Europe a n d the
survi ve Locatio ns for n ew trees are chosen early SOllth crn hcmisphcre arc all renected in the themed
so that the sites can be sprayed with glyp hosate il1 woodlands back at Hock Hal l.
AllgllS t. Horse manure is worked into the bottom of Therc IS a Slrong emphasis on Asiatic trees , as these
a squa re ho le. and leaf mou ld is mixed w ith the do parllclllarly wcll here. The vingnut planted by Roy
backfi l1. '1 don 't like overfeeding: says Cha rles. as 1 Lancaster is a Ptrrocwy tenoptera collected by Roben
want to avoid soft growth. In Northumberland. slow on the banks of the Tumcn River in China. Some of the
and gradual is better than f:. wmgnuts are startlng 10 nower well , their branches
Newtes are thickly mulched th bracken that 15 covered m pendulous tresses of pale , nged fruits.
Cll t from moorland in July d left <o heat up m large They stand m the ldnower meadows arollnd the
heaps. This gives some proteclion agams< frost and Hall , wherc m spnng Ihe slopes are crowded th
SIOpS weeds from in\'ading errs and snmnng thelr snowdrops and daffodlls. It's a perfect example of the
growth 'It's also a more naturallook lhan bark: says blendmg of lhc natural and Ihe sclenfic that is at Ihe
Charles , 'bU! il has no feed value.' He has had the hean of Ihls beaunful place
bracken mulch analysed and it does no < alter the pH
f lhe s Ol l, whlch is mostly lime free II is OexIble for 11
gronga .vide range of genera
GLORIOUS GARDENS
NORTHUMBERLAND
The notebook
Howick Hal l' s in forma l gardens and 65-acre arboretum occUPY a wooded dene t ha t runs eastwards down to t h e
Nor t humb rian coast. A very w ide range o f trees can be grown in t he n eu t ra l. medium loam soil
slightly bigger than the size of the pot. On Tendercare, Southlands Road , Denham ,
poorer soils, you may need a larger one. Uxbridge, M iddlesex UB9 4HD. Tel: +44 {0l 1895
Make su re that young t rees have no 835544. www. tendercare.co.uk
competition from grass. A thick mulch PLACE TO STAY f\l EARBY
of bracken helps to keep the weeds and Esh Hall. Morpeth, Northumber1and NE65
grass down. 9EN . Tel: +44 (0l1670 787454. www.eshotl.com
T H E ENGlISH GAROEN 45
porches
wall trellis
planters
catalogue available
01225 85 1577
garden-requisites.co.uk
I h d hg dfDZ
Lhcrc is a d iScreel. well-lended glveyard.
The II1scriplion5 make it c1ear lhal thiS
15 l he reslll1 plae for ge ne ratio n5 o f
mllch-Ioved fa nily d ogs. Therein lies
the key 10 Ihis gard en's character and charm.
Therc5 been a hOllse he re si nce medieva l
times - added 10 ove r the cen ru ries . it has
clllmmaled 111 an arresti ng property th a
lovcly sandstone Georgian faade. Walking
arollnd ilS gravel palhs. particularly i n
mldsummer when the extensive collection of
old sccmed rose5 is a < it5 height. there is a
scnse of n05talgia. and coming home.
1C PSldmg Sptrit ovcr is garden is Jane
withV8" .n. peta .nd C'ltmb<f';101;8. Hascll-McCosh who. th a blend of romantic
ABOVE ROS8 Ope n Arms. RIGHT ROS8 'Vanity' scnslbllllle5 and dccp garden knowledge , has
scr8mbles over tt. top of the ha-ha. SClllpled 11 II1 tO lhe besl rose garden in tl '
TOP LEFT ROSII lC odorllt. 'Pallda' scmbl8S up th8 pink sandstone 'acade 0' Dalemain Manslon in Cumbr. TOP RIGHT Dusky pink 'o lCgloves and hostas
make a spring di lay beneath e old fnlit tr88S. BELOW, LEFT TO RIGHT RoSll UIe Rambl8r 'Iowera continuously and is wonderfully scented;
R. 'Cramoisi Suprir'; R. Rhapdy in Blue is eclost lour available to a bl r088; . onc.fIowering R. 'Tea Rambler'.
nor Engla.nd. Jane and her hllsband Roben employed her 10 help m lhe gardn. Th ey've ::-I ow , from mld-J lI ne onwards , Dalemam
look lhe relnS 20 years ago arter Roberfs worked 10er ever smce vresnng Il back IS an enchanled place lh more lhan 100
mOlher Syla herselr a greal planlswoman, from becommg a sad memonal and makrng dlrferem vanelles of ross lh chmbers
psed away. The wk was dallnnng. '((vas a sure II mssens10 IISIlOrs lI nderplanted wllh shrub roses , so denseJy
garden m mOllmmg: says Jane. 'Because Syl Vla BOlh women wanLed beauly and frdgrance . planled lhey semble woven rabri Toamble
had been 111 for a few years. lhe garden was Thy we re also very keen lO respecl ilS long down lhrollgh lhe rose walk tS a dlighl and
looking ragged and unkempL We look over h i$ lOry but nOl be hldbOllnd by IL Almosl the essence or an Enghsh rden in rnidsummer;
knowmgverlrlLle bUl \ V1 lh a knowledge lMl lhe [l rSI lh ing lhey d ld was lO add more e~peclally wo nder[lI l arle r a rain sh ower ,
Il mUSl relain her love 0 1' planlS rOses , lraining l hem u p over arches , lhrOllgh when complex scems or lemon, nUlmeg and
Jane lhen had a slroke of lllCk , She mel lhe lrees and lI P walls The palhs were wldened
, cinnamon a al lhetr mOSl inLeE
serendipilOllsly na01ed Rose Harper. a lalemed $0 IWO peo ple ould walk side by side ralher Jane shudders shghlly when she recalls whal
and inSl ll1 Clivc local a rnalC lIr ard el1er. and lhan singly - a lovely LOuch . she (.h in lhe early days. 1came in like a new
TOP LEFT The part8ITe garden wh clipped box and e glasshse in tt background. TOP RIGHT A vlew into the glasshouse with a plumbago climbing
up the walls. BELOW, LEFTO RIGHT RO$ll 'Viokttte' is a vigoroos rambler with striking crimson purple bloom the perpetual-flowering R. 'White Pet';
R. -Albertine' is weU-known for i fabulous scent; easv-togrowR. he Oueen Elizabeth' will reward you with fIoW8.. from July to Se ptember.
broom eager tO make my mark , and made broad terrace , overlookmg the Cumbnan Gertrude was [rom Soulh A[nca , and It
some awrlll mlstakes. For example , 1 nearly cOllmryslde , and )[ cOllld be any decade m was she who mlroduced the collec t1 on or
gmbbed Ollt an annt apple lree becal I the pasl 200 years agapanthus lhat stlll glows blue m late
dldn't cogmse I(S Importance: Two decades Jane's [amlly are woven mto the rabnc or summer m polS along the pas and te rl"'.lces.
on , she reels her slyle 15 less hasly. She hkes lhe garden. \Vhen her chlld ren were small , An earher chatelame called DorOlhea Hell
to grow thmgs rrom seed and cUlllngs I"'.Ilh she made a little patch ror lhem wllh planls planled an uncllStmguished hr tree , Abies
lhan Opl ror lhe tn5lanl grallrlcallon o f new named a [te r animals , Wilh roxgloves , bea r's ccphaloni CCl, al the encl o[ the long bo rder 111
planls brOllghl in rrom olllslde. breeches (Acanthus spinOSIIS) , hOllnd's lonlIe lhe miu-19lh cenlllry - now it's th e la rgest
ThlS melhod or slow galening' comnbllLes (Cynogl'SSlInt officinale) and Calmml (NfpCtCI specimen of a Greek [i r in England
lO the Li meless qual ity or Dalemam. Walk catwia) being some of lhe me nagerie. She There a mocent add1l1Ons as well. Slip
l h rollgh lh e rose garden or alons i de lhe says she did il W amuse l he m while she gOl 3way [rom lhe [o rmal iL y o[ l he main garden
hih wall lhal's cl l'apecl Wilh climbers on lhe stllck inlO the borders. Roberl5 gl"'.l ndmOlher 311d lhere is a shady meadow neXl lO the river, ..
ABOVETheinrmal gravel path framed by wooden pergolas creates a seamingly endless vista through the rose garden. The rose in the foground is
t he damask tvpe 'La Ville de Bruxelles'. BELOW LEFT Leucanthemum vulgare (.eye daisyl grows by the stam adjacent to fields. BELOW RIGHT W
its gnarled old roots emerging from the ground, the atmospheric stumpery has a surreal quality that adds an extra dimension to the gardens.
ancl for a whole momh from late May , this area wamed. She contacted fi.mher educaton cenrre fragrant , purple- l1 owered rugosa rose often
is lu minous with hundreds of exo <ic blue Newton Rigg College, part of As kham Bryan usd in rose ice-cream, jellies an cl jams. Ask
I Iimalayan poppies (Meconopsis grandis) . They Colle and started a three-year project Wi1 what is her favourite rose , ancl by her nce
are recognised by the RI 15 as beng from the the horticultul"al stl.ldentsmake the snunpery you can tell this is as painful a question as
oli girull slrain brought back from Bhulan from ancl plam il with ferns ancl oLher rullive shacle aski ng which o [ her children she prefers
the planthunter George Sherriff in the 1930s lovers. The stumps are like organic sculptllres Eventllally , however, she concedes. '1 hover
Further down intO lhe woods , you discovel Lhal have slowly evolvecl from the landscape bel ween Lhe frOlh iness of Zphirine Drouhin'
Jane's reem adclition , a Slumpery, which looks Roses , however , are always at Dalema in$ and lhe s im plicily of someth ing like Rosa
like lhe trees have sudclenly come lo life , hearl. J ane is t rialling rose pelal ancl lemon Ge ranium' , single-<:upped c1 imbing varielies.'
marthed over ancl l1 0pped clown exhauSlecl marma lacle for a n annual galh e r ing o f
Jane woulcl walk paSl lhe stumps 0 1' anciem worldwicle mannalacle makers that she h OSLS Dalemam M <lllsiotl f" Histonc Gardctls, Pellrith,
oaks fel!ecl years ago ancl lry LO lhink of lIses in lale February , ancl is alreacly planning LO nbn<l CAll OHB. Te!: +44 (0)1768486450. For
for these SC lI l p lU ral fealll re s thal no-one g row an avenlle o f Rose ra ie de l' Hay ' , lhe mo itlfonnatl' go t(1 emaif1.com
50 TH E ENG Ll SH GA RDE N
GLORIOUS GARDENS
CU M BR IA
The notebook
Oalemain gardens cover approximately f ive acr es an d ar e surrounded by a larger es ta te , inclu d ing a farm a nd
deer park. P r edominan t ly s o u t h f acing , t h e garden r ar e ly suffers f ro m dro ugh t d ue t he high r ain fall in C umb ria
CUTIING IT
By dead-heading regularly, head gardener Rose Harper
ensures that roses keep flowering as long as possible
(belo Many old roses w ill have a scond flush I
SHADE BABIES
Foxgloves (abo'el look
paicularly striking in
the shade of trees, are
easy to grow and
flower for a long time.
PRETIY PO PPIES They' lI also happily self-
Attractive self-seeders such as the op poppy. seed. In early spring.
Papa'er somniferum (bo. look almost ethereal in you can thin out young
the summer ligh t. The seedheads dry and last in the seedlings and plant
borders well int the w inter. Birds such as goldfinches them in the best spots
also feed on the seeds for optimum effect
CO NTACTS
REC O MME N DED GAR D EN S AND N U RS ERIES IN CU MBRIA
Cath's Garden Plants An award-w inning family-run nursery specialising in
unusual perennials, shrubs, grasses, ferns, herbs and climbers. The Walled
Garden, Heaves Hotel. Heaves, Nr Levers LA8 8EF. Tel: +44 (0)1539 56 1126
www.cathsgardenplants.co.uk
Co pt Howe A tw o-acre plantsman's garden w ith spectacular views of the TRUE B L U E
Langdale Pikes. Chapel Stile, Great Langdale , Ambleside LA22 JR. See Blue and purple plants such as Meconops 'Dalemain'
www.ngs.org.uk for open days and further details (abo'e letfl, De.'hinium Black Knight Group (aboe
Halecat Nursery Opened in 2011 and run by two young plant enthusiasts, this right}, Salvia otficinal 'P p ura s:e ns' Tradesntia
nursery has an interesting and eclectic list. Halecat, Witherslack, Grange Over Andersoniana Group and nepeta look great in northern
Sands, Cumbria LA11 6R T. Tel: +44 (011539 552946. www.halecatplants.cok gardens where skies are often g rey. They keep t heir
intense colours and appear to glow in t he low light
TH E ENGlISH GAROEN 51
cl(lss t[(C G/aJJd(eJf7l I
www.classcgarden-elements.co.uk
Please contact Peter Beales Roses if you wish to receive a catalogue or place an order.
Tel: 0845 481 0277 Fax: 01953 456845
info@peterbealesroses.com
Look no further for inspiration and practical ideas for your autumn and winter
kitchen garden than the second The Edible G'den. Order now - you'lllove it!
If you e oyed the st issue of te Edible Garden, you will
find yet more dehcious features in e next buully
crafted guide. We bring you amazing photographyert
writers and tasty and decorative ideas for your productive
plo t. Be seduced by our selection of kitchen gardens and
make the most of your'Ops with storage advice. A guide
you'll keep for y inside you w find :
4 glorous kitcben gardens Gro~g tips and seasollal
Storage advice from River jobs for fruit and veg
Cottage Become a bee keeper
Crop rotation th Pippa Desigll ideas for your plot
Greeuwood Great plant offers
Features on rhubarb , squash
and quiuce PLUS LOTS. LOTS MOR
B The
ymgree10Us are
Iy
grew ClIt 110wers for Covem Garden Markel - once PREVlOUS PAGE The
t to burst Wlth lush worked. The letters are in copper-plate. harking back to now famous Pashley
bananas. and the tomatoes are touching the days befo homogenous computer-genel".m:d foms bike. OPPOSITE PAGE.
1e roo f. The polytunnel has been deared Ed gets whal we're after al once , hand-draws evetletler CLOC KW1 SE FROM TOP
and has become a plant- producing and , inspired by something old. creates somelhing new LEFT Ba nanas grown on
machi.and e stock beds are 110weting. We are pret but reassuringly old-fashioned. We love Il the nursery; Toby packages
much ready lO Sla rl trading . The p roblem is lhal ()u r CO O1 pulers have Il 5 lhough. We whizz off up bareroot perennials; the
I()calion in the walled garden ()f Powde rha01 Castle in logo lO a signwriler we nd on lhe imernel , and a week stock beds in full bloom;
Dev()ndoesnl allow us lO sell diClle publiand our laler we have il prinled on apro. Our sleel ~19n and lhe propagating stock. ABOVE
online O1ail-order website WOI bready unlil autumn frame\ork of an old Pashley biyde lhal Lisa rescued tFT Toby keeps on top of
BUl planlS a dynamiand Lheir shelf-Ii[e in S01all pOlS [ro01 a 10l ge yard. We plan lO take lhe b ike wh the weeding. TOP RIGHT
laSlS only so long 'e need lO go tO markel. and faSl us lO shows and use lhe baker baskel on lh fronllO Usa and Toby love their
InJune J'm invited show 0[[ our Oowers new 1090. ABOVE RIGHT
lO o pen lhe ArlS and People stop to tke pictU1'es Qf the ,flowers The weekend o f lhe Though eve ne iss
Crafts Ga rden Festival iU.g from the icker bsket Coo mbe Trenc hard bu. plan must II be
TOP LEFT German ga ic. The first day it pours down, bm by the seconc\ day ,<he possible anc\ to rackle the aphc\s we have usec\ plan at
A l1ium senescens. ABOVE sun comes om along with rhe crowc\s. Brigir Srrawbric\ge draw ll1. hoverlles among the rows of bareroOl, such as
LEFTysimachia ciliota of lt's Nol Easy Being Grec l1 fame is ging a talk that fenneI anc\ Vcrbena bonariemis . To keep weeds dow
'Firecracker'. ABOVE moming anc\ comes over 10 cha t. 1 offer her some bee generous mulches o[ green .vaste recycled from Exeter
RIGHT Toby plants p!anrs lOshow andnsequeny sa!es oflmi11l sa!a Cily Council havbeen laid on all lhe bec\s anc\ have
Verbena bonariensis to and scabious 50ar rhrough e roof in the a[remoon. We done a great job of locking m moisrure roo.
encourage aphid-eating quick!y learn thallhe pla11lS thar sell beSl are rhe ones 'vVe are only selecling plants lO sell thal we know lObe
hoverflies in to protect lh eye -calching llowers lhal stick oul lhe IOp of lhe gooc\, reliable ioers and make excellent garc\en plants
nursery stock fro ... aphids. arrie r bag , as visilor5 wander arou nd lhe show Wilh For example , ou r range of roses includes some new
lhem almostlike walking adve rt$. II'S 50011. LimlO pack nalura!istic PerSian varielies wiLh simple Ilowers and a
up and leave, richer a< least in experience anc\ looking dark ruby blolch in lheentre of Lhe perals. They are
fOlward lO nex['s year show 111redibly robusl: c\ rought tolerant and disease resiSlant ,
Back at rhe nursery our focus lurl1.S lO whal we wiJJ be even Lhriv'ing in Lhe welter 'vVeSl Cou11lry , where funga!
selling in aulumn and nte r when we !aunch online blackspOl makes roses mO hallenging [0 grow
bareroot perennials. Although once the traditional way Setting up a nursely is no 11all undertaking and there
to pla nt 111any herbaceous nowe rs , the adve nt of have been times when J've wondered how we 'e gomg
containelisation has meant this old 111ethoc\ has fallen <o do it all - and tha t's before we have even openedl I'm
fr0111 favou r. But 1 think it's more relevant than eve r, su re there are plenty of challenges ahead , but for now,
being envi ronmentally fliendly and economical. No pots Lisa and 1 are incredibly excited and not a Ii ttle proud of
orcompost 'e required as plants are gro \Vn in the soil , what we 've achieved so far. Here's hoping the best is yet
so they develop a strong spreading root system. They are <o come. Pay us a visit online soon!
//~~/./tI.'1'1'1111 rz 711(1
www. willowandwhite.co.uk 01543483384
Q Tom , when you are asked to create a it spoils what was there? Sometimes, on a large
garden around an existi ng d esign , what si <.e , you cou ld make 1,000 linle inteJventions
ae the principles you employ? to the existing rather than add endless modem
1\ The f rst thing you have to aertain is how things saying Tm here'.
much of the original dgn is left. lf it is a vety
old landscape , then you can sometimes have Q A lot of older gardens have wonderful
several layers of design on one site. Once you spirit of place . Do you use is as a1l
have decided which layer or layers you are adva1ltage? And if le site doesll't c01lv ey
going to keep , then you need to discover what ,
these feeli1lg s , do you thl it is possible
the original dsign intent was. rm designing a to create lem?
garden at e moment in a woodland clanng A We tlyidentify the geJJt!S loc and discover
and we have unearthed an 18th-centuty en what makes a space different - what gives it
that was overgro."11 by trees. The lrst thing 1 that special quality. lt is so easy to destroy is
have to do is tty to find Otlt what the original by over designir jtlSt ignoring the existing
design inten c\ed the desgn (Q feellike - only elements. lf you a reVlng a mature garden ,
<hen can 1 star t (Q ad d my b t. Thls peeling then it s abot1t sensitve steps to merge <he
back of hiswrical layers is vety exciting two . What wou l c\ happen f you n eeded to
add a swmmmg pool or tennis court7 Think
Q Oneof e most difficult problems with frs t abo t1t how ths could mpact on the
reviving a mature garden mt be the fact q u alties of the space. ls there a way 01
that ere are so many existing features. harmonisng th e two together7 Think abo t1t
How C\O you chse whiclt ones are kept? careful choces o f materals and p lantng.
A lf the gar c\en is hlStOrical, then we tend to get Sometmes a clear d stncton between old
a h iSwrical Lopographical su["\.y. This will give and new can work \Vonderfully well , bUl only
us the d ata needed to make decisions abotlt f t s well exec t1te c\
what tO keep. ln anOLher CO nLexl, we migl
simply \Vorking LOgelher Lh the cl iem an c\ Q A 10l of your work shows a lremendOu5
decid ing belween U$. Sometimes iLhas to do respt lo lhe suounding coun lryside
th emoLional ties: ror ample Lhere may be Howdolh acl your choicof planLS
a tree given LO [hcliem by a nOLher ramily an d lhe slruclurallayou l of a garden?
member nd LO be realistic aboul ho \V A /he n you are \Vorking in ga rdens \V iLh
thiS may arfeCl any new designs. MOSl lhings beauLi lul surroundings , you cannOI help bUI
n be moved. Working Wilh a d iem is aboul be inspired by Lhem. Somelimes iLis simply
bJinging an alte ll1 ative to [he table . a case of colou r , or it may be a cho ice o f
mate Ji a l. Sometimes the shapes 0 1' the felds'
Q How do you design so that the msn dJive a design , or the shapes of the
XMa d-
con ti nuity bet\een the existing and new? trees in the distann be repeated within any
1\ EveJy item in a matu re garden has a characteJ new p lanting. Sometimes a view can be so
oad
and we need to be careful that if we remove strong that you need to add equa l strength in
b g
it could impact on the overall dign . The last the garden to stop the eye travelling straight
FZ
E DO
makes it so special. Any new design should be TOP RIGHT Tom Stuart-Smth s responsble for
U
ZE go -
honest and Jight for the landscap I t has to transforn ing many gardens; see examples
read with integrity. lt is important to do your has deslgned a garden at Broughton Grange,
research - does what you are choosing lt in whch features n our Oecember ssue. RIGHT
E
F
what's existing , or is the contrast so great Hs 2008 RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden.
TH E ENGlI SH GAROEN 61
Dele into the maglcal world of dolls' hou5 and miniature5 Take bme out from
the stresse5 of modem hfe and unl'lmd a5 you are 105plred by 15 therapeutlc hobby
E Choose from over 30 house 5 together wlth furnlture and accessone5, and
engage your famdy and friends as they enJOY your crealIVlty 1'1 you
FIREPLACES
mERKF
==- Whift Lei re g5
p
f.34:;
Port of on exl ensive ronge o f Irod il ionol glosshouses
designed ond hand mode 10 your requ iremenl s
ABOVE Th e yew domes and the faint outline of the path give structure to the winter garden. BELOW LEFT A faint mist in the valley burns up in the
slanting sun, creating a painterly silhouette of the three hawthorns on the haugh. BELOW RIGHT Hakonechloa macra and a frosty line 01 sedums.
ABOVE LEFT A wint 'hat' for Bdge Ea l. ABOVE RIGHT 'When icicles hang by the wa ll'. OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT A little oasis in
the snowy garden; over a foot of snow covers the garden furniture; hazel hurdles a picked out in snow patterns; Ammi mus stems shine in e sun.
N wetld
day , a day when the valley
i s seen through a fiher of
b lurred grey and the light
goes quickly, by four o'clock
There is such heavy ram in the night that the
burn sounds like a rrtillracc , fonning a brown
chute thaL pounds unde r the footbridge. The
w ork LhaL we d id in $umme r has paid off -
building up Lhe embankmenL Wilh SLone and
felling a Lree LhaL narrowed Lhe charmel - and
Lhe waler gush es away unimpeded tO meeLLhe
main river. How can Lhe m igraling salmo n
$utvive $uch mpeSluoUS curren And whal
happens to their eggs when the water can move
whole boulders dO\Vllstream?
We both feel very sluggish when it com es to
gardening, and work vithout much enthusiasm
or energy doing w hat we can \vithout walking
on the satu rated soi l. 1 plant the glori ously fat
J ;."l' t',- 1:,-0 3 1 A l l t: ll
? /T rrh .].
bulbs of Madonna lilies in t he bed by t he
summerhouse , imagi ning thei r \Vhite trumpets
jJ o~la Jj,' d
against the pebble grey paint\Vork O thers 1 put
4 8ur k 7'''rr4{'1.
in the nal1"OW bed by the telTace wall sthat \Ve
,," d .'1 ,. , 1
can see them when sitting out here in summer ,
Ij Frll " ' 7 " "r orp
1 link that they \VilI be 50 much taller than ollr
7 O"k '' 11 1' Ut' Jt
cat Jack that this is safe; many peo ple don't
realise that lily pollen is p oisonolls to ca'
,
_..:'!~ . .
'
--
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.
ABOVE lEFT Susie uses a broom to carefully brush a foot of snow from the yew topiary - though she leaves some on , as the snow helps to insulate
them against the hard fross. ABOVE RIGHT Susie is gra I for a fulllog store to help keep them warm during the unforeseen early cold spell.
fhenever 1 have ies in the hous 1 ke Otlt seedlings next year , bllt its [rosted beallty small leaves in summer. 1 have my fingers
the smens in case he bmshes against them surprises and delights me. 1 have decidedcut crossed that next sprin g will see it happily
and then licks his [Ul' down perennials in the shady border, because settled in , so [01' now 1 must make sure that it's
500n the weather ntms more tranquil , and this is where the early bulbs .vill emerge, but 1 not damaged by snow
we wake to lovely autumn momings. A [aim have Ie[t plan ts standing elsewhere as all- Thepiary also needs to be kept [ree 01
mist in the valley bums up in the slanting sun , imporm cover [01'vildli[e weight , so 1 brush the yew domes care[ully.
c realing a painterly silhouetle o[ the three II is now lale November , and we wake up lO ThiS lime laSL year , there was nOLhing in lhe
hawlho n1S on lhe haugh. Wilh calmer days, we s now. Each day il [alls silently overnigh l , ga rden a l all . but now the s ix yew shapes
have [rOSlS , SO 1 fieece lhe large agaves lhat 1 building up inch upon inch , unlil everyLhing is anch or th e d esign , giving il a solidily and
have in le rracOlla pOlS by lhe pennanence thal is so calming
house walL 5maller specimens of In lhe bo rde rs lhe s n ow-
th iS dramalic. s piky pla nt are The garden is transfonned, its beauty so covered shapes of herbage hav
tucked u p tO bed under a 'tent', unexpected this ear in\\ter a w ild , wi n le r exuberane
alo ng Wilh back- u p pOtS o f 1 clear palches to expose leaves
rosemary. flat pans containing and soi l, because insect-eating
echeverias . sh rubby penSlemons and othe l covered in pSline whiLeness: bles hairs birds are 50 vulnerable now
borde rI ine plants. Here too T have my trays of Is wheelban'ows , trees, arches and dlpmg We walk up out of the valley , traci ng the
tarrago n (on Iy the French valiety is worth plants . The ga rden is transforrned , its beauty d ouble line of flues leading to the Al lendale
growing) and this fvOl\lite he rb 1 cut do so u nexpected this early in winte r. There are chim neys. These skyline landmarks mark the
and covel th compost. T just need to keep some 'onderful mom ents - white snow on end of the flues that canied lead fumes from
them a ll going un ti l n ext year , whe n OUI the cream of honesty pods , speckled do <s of the smelting mill way below , and today they
greenhouse anives. artemisia heads, the outlined crazy CUI'es of are long mounds outlined in the snow.
These momings of frost look spark ling and the contorted hazel The land is tolly silent , muffled by snow
pretty , the Flower Garden backli t in the early Having transplanted this 6 ft sh rub , T don't and wi thout t h e b i rd so ng of s umm e r ,
lt. Ctystals outline the th V1stmg stems want to risk it bei ng broken by snow, so T Gardening 11 be on hold for some while , 1
and 110wer heads of Ammi majltS; what a shake its branch5 regularly and scoop out the think. The forecast for tomorrowe lrst day
wonderllll plant this for winter skeletons and build-up from inside ts centre. lt was moved of Decemb is an unequivocal atroClOt'
surprisingly wind-resistant for an annuaL By th quite a large rootball , but it was s till a
leaving t standing, 1 was hoping for sell~sown shock for t , rsulting in sporadic and rather Ncxt month: Susic (lcals with nwrc ld wcathc ,
66 THE ENGLl SH GARDEN
w
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ud
EHb
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ELKH lLAU FrhHCJUw CJ'
ELJ'
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1
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,
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williewildlifesculptures.com
-= i
SINGLE SNOWDROPS 1:9 per 100 1:40 per 500 1:70 per 100
OOUBLE SNOWOROPS 1:15 per 100 1:70 per 500 1: 125 per 1000
ELWESII SNOWOROPS 1:17 per 50 C28per10
ENGLISH BLUEBELLS 1:14 per 100 1:65 per 500 1: 120 por 100
LARGE FLOWERING CROCUS 1: 8 per 100 1:35 per 500
SPECIE CROCUS
RUBY GIANT 1:3.25 per 25 FRITILLARIA MELEAGRIS 1: 15 per 100
BLUE PEARL 1:3 .25 per 25 AL Ll UM GLOBE MASTER E27.50 per 1
_ . _&e1'y 29.25 peo 2 AL Ll UM IVORY aUEEN 1: 14 per 25
PRINS CLAUS C3.25 per 25 I R I S ETICULATA C5 per 50
NARCISSUS
TETE E T ETE C15 per 1 0 FEBUARY GOLO 1:4.75 per 25
TOPOLINO C4.75 per 25 MINNOW 1:4.75 per 25
SUN OISC 1:4.75 per 25 PIP rT 1:4.75 per 25
JACK SNIPE 1:4.75 per 25 RIP VAN WINKLE 1:4.75 per 25
HAWERA 1:4.75 per 25 THALIA E4.75 per 25
PSUEDO NARCISSUS 1: 15 per 50 1:27.50 per 100
PHEASANTS EVE 1: 15 per 50 1:27.50 per 10
CYCLAMEN ALL 1:5.05 for 3 OR 1:14.90 for 9 SOLD IN 9CM POTS
HEDAIFOLl UM COUM MIX PINK
H E.DAIFOUUM ALBA COUM WHITE
HEDRIFOLl M SILVER LEAF COUM AU."UM
10... on our w .b.ite or caU tor tre. cata'ogue
'Jlbs are flow8ring size indudr...1es and cne n cuttivadsloclL
Pleead [2.5 IOwards p&p mIy. easecall r cha0$ to 311 otl1er
llna$. CheQUesw Ordef'S please and made payable 10:
T H E ENG Li SH GARDEN 67
Why do 50 many
gardeners choose
EverEdge?
Gardeners across the world have
discovered that e quality and
unobtrusive beauty of EverEdge
lasts and lasts
SIMPlE TO INSTAl L
.......
Arbours , gazebos, summerhouses, pavilions and bespoke designs
J90151 s
30a Hampstead Avenue, Mildenhall , Suffolk IP28 7AS. Tel +44 (0) 1638 583814 Fax +44 (0) 1638 583815 info@hspgardenbuildings.com
exp\alll1dgd i
ng 10 less. knowledgeable
compamons what a 'ha-ha IS.
harmomsed \V1 lh the lawn wuhm: and lhe
garden ln 1[5 !U m was to be 5t free from IlS
pnm gu\arity lhat 11 nught asson wuh lhe
But 11 s qUlle slmple really: H'S wllder coumry \V! thom:
a ditch , Why lh e fllnny name? The ga rden and park\a nd merged inlo one
can also be fasluoned lnlO au:racuve Jandforms
lhal add drama 10 a scene. In hlS Ga rden of
CosmlC Speculanon. Charles Jencks crea <ed
lhe Black I lole Terrace. an degant curved ha-
ha ln lhe shape of a wave
&cause - as many of you mlght well know - beauuful pastora\ and pJCntsque scene , i\nd Dcslgner George Ca ner has produced many
lhe ha-ha m as a ;urprise lO unsuspeCLln so , as Walpole famously wrote , 'AII nalU l'e for h l~ chents. In Camhrideshire.l recemly
ZOWL
viSltorS. The le nn accu ralcl y desribes one's was a ga rden .' Although e\le ry l hin was dcs igncd a series of retained te rraces. wh ich
aSLO l1 is h menl al a vlcle Lr cnch suddc l1 ly designed LO l()ok natural , It waS actually the gi \l c onlO a landscape lh lakes , making in
F3gLF
we lransplanted and rivers diverted in order La ndscape architect and garden his !O rian
FZ
parkland or cOllntryslde bcyond - something to cre a perfect \~sion of '!13 ture' , FamOllS Todd Longstaffe-Gowan is also a fan , and
that English landscape garden deslgners such historic gardens \vith ha-has include Stowe . rcfers to Ihem as sunk fences', a termed by
as Charles 8ndgeman 'dham Kcnt and Rousham , Burghley and the National Trust's Ihal Olhcr greal 18th- and early 19th-century
LJ
Fa
cabllity 8rown werc keen to crealC , Petworth and Chirk Castle (cWol landscape designcr , Humphry Repton .
dLF2
Horace Wa1pole , 18th-ccntury man of BU! rather than being stuck in a garden i\ nd whelher you call it a sunk fence ,
J"
lelters and owner of $IrawbcrrH iI1 . wrote histoly timewarp. ha-has have 'leapt the fen ha-ha or an mvisible boundary, there's no
M'U
oC the ha ha ' o sooner was IhlS slmple and made their way 1I1!O the 21st cenlury
Ug--
rolling Collowed , The conllJOUS ground of !O keep lives !O ck Oll!, but thelr use as garden 10 connect wi <h nature. there is
the park withoul lhc s Ul1 k fcncc was lO be 111sible boundaries JS still mvaluable , They no beltcr answer
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1herm IlleI Novemher means
homenlde ~Ioe gm , p fS of :rumrny apple jam
OL an damson cheese in November: says Sharon
rm splil bel \Veen harvCSLing l he MllCh of Ill5 mae from foraged bollnt~ Wilh
laSl fru il - the qumce melars <l n slocs lhe reSl comll1 g from lhe fruilshare.nel pleCl
especially - and sitting by thc 11'c plann ing ancl lhal J' m mv()lved Wilh - a simple idea lhal pami
ozou
sourcing seeds and plants for 11xt ycar. Olhcr up people V1th excess fluit .vith those looking
than picking. there 's little to do in thc garclcn. for produ. 1 \Vi lJ keep some of these goodies
dOd
dreaming of Ihe spring 10 come. '1 ow lhe leavcs arc falling from the trees.
a
MEa-uuz-30Z
813204 , There's a 12-day PcmuculmTC Slgn Dog's Snout'. or KeSWlck n' and maybe
course \\1Ih James Chapman at Co mne Crofl a greengage. medlar or qllIDce. If 0Y 1 hada
m Pcrthshtre stamng on 20 No\'cmber (~\'. blggcr garden. Bllt thc best thmg abollt the
LE
d
learrung how <o get the besl Ollt of yOllr 'cg IIp wllh a upple of sloe gm , slouching in the
patch , do jom me on 17 No\'cmber at Rl\'Cr cosy sofa , and thmkmg ahd to spring and
Pears
1leerdesselt, heritage or cmy varieties,
ese home-gro\l'.'l1 fruits have so much more to
offer an commercial supenarket rpes
A hY h dy
nd deliciou$ pea1"s in our Nove
m
lhe
yblu rl .bUl
r [ea
Wh n1
planning and ible garden . it iS essenlial tO maintain
a m onlh ly 110w of taSly produe . While you may be
pl uckin g tender , rosy -ch eeked desse rt p ears from
midsummer o nwards. more ponly , SubSl311lial va rielies soldier on
sometimes until December. These are the fo rgotten stalwarts of the
winter fruit larder , largely helitage cu linal)' prs rarely available from
su permarkets. A de lectable secret for t he edible gardener, they cook
a nd sto re we ll , unlike desse rt pears , which last a matter 0 1' days.
Expert Advice overzealous growth. Re-pOL annually - Lheyn stay in Lhsame pOL ,
TRAINING PEARS WITH but use fresh compOSL AL Audley End O rganic K itchen Garden i n
MIKE THURLOW, AUDLEY Essex , Lhe eXlended warmth of Lhe o rcha rd house benentS pots of
END'S HEAD GARDENER lalcr-maluring, partiularly Contine11lal , fruits
Cordon , fan or espalier t raining is Failure Lo fruil iS always a disappointment, and frOSl is u5ually Lhe
decorative, ideal for snall spaces and culpriL , so prOLet by plaming in a frOSl-free posilion , cosseling wall-
extremely productive, as horizonta l grown crops vith bJan ket o f fleece if frost th reatens , and move pots
stems afford higher yields. I've used indoors. Pear bJossom is ephemeral and early , appeali ng in March and
a horizontal espalier as an exanple: April , so don't get caught ou t.
Buy a one-yeaId untrained , Few pears are self-feltile. Dessert pears Conference 'Concorde' and
bareroot maiden pear in Nov-March I nvi ncibJe' are exceptions , consequentJy popu lar in sma lJ 0 1' urban
Plant centrally to selected pre- gardens. Family trees , with suitable polJination partners grafted onto
wired framework (horizontally arranged a singJe root stock , present anothe r 'compact' solution . Otherwise ,
25-30cm apart). Keep the graft clear of plant addi tional pear trees from t he same polli nation group as you rs
the ground. Leave 3. 5-4.5m between ABOVE Mike Thurlow , head (buy ba 1'e1'oot stock f 1'o m 1'e putable fnlt specialist nurseries and <hey
espaliers to allow horizontal growth. gardener at Audlev End. BELOW will advise sound ly on w hat works th w hat) to ensu re you get fruit.
Cut the stem at the first horizontal Jacky pcks espalier ftuit ln shon , pears a1'e like socks - they need to come in pairs!
wire, just above two buds. BOTTOM The walls offer the You 11 still need to choose tlavour , size , colour and style 0 1' tree:
Train the main leader pwards and growing frut protectlon see bel ow 1'01' some suggestions
the emergent side shoots outwards ,
tying them in to straigh t. supporting
nes. Cane young , supple shoots in
Growing pears for eating
an upright position to stimulate grotth .
adjusting to the required horizontal ' Seckle' is a small , tiny , sweet pear that can be
before stems harden eaten like bon-bons or dipped in chocolate for special
Prune back by a third after leaf fall. con fections. 'Beurre Six', 'Com ice' , 'Concorde' and
cuttlng t a downward bud. Remove ' Conference' are larger dessert pears , which when
any laterals other than the main arms ripe need no COOking, and cn be used in many hea t-
YEARTWO free recipes. 'Willlam s' , 'Seckle' , and 'F le' are
Allow the m ain leader to grow to versatile varieties , as unripe frui t can be used as
the next laleral wire . Cut and train dessert or culinary pears
second tier branches as above Culinary pears, in their raw state , are solid as
Summer prune all , as before bricks , but traditionally were grown for slow c king
'Rub off' any fruit on Ihe lower lier to in the perpe\ually burning ove n of Victorian times
allow plant 10 mature. Prune fruiting Heritage culinary pears 'Vica r of Winkfleld
spurs 5-10cm long and 20cm apa 'Black Worcester' and 'Cadillac' are still available
YEAR THREE from speclist nurseries \0 the home fruit grower
Continue growing and pruning. Their lale cropping makes fresh produce available
bui lding a f ramework over time. A right through to December, especially as these
three-year-old lower t ier shou ld be keep for a while
fruiting from the summer onwards
Recine 1 Recipe 2
Poacbed pears Pear-and walnut winter
(pictured 011 pg 73) salad with goats chese
Serves 3 people
- 3 l irm pears Serves 4 people
- 300ml white or ros wine - 1-2 l irm pears
- 50g sugar - 100gwalnts
- Squeeze 01 lemon juice - 1 bunch 01 w ild rocket
- Optional cinnamon sticks. cloves - Seasonal salad leaves (radicchio. chicory etc)
- 150g soft goats cheese
Peel pea. leaving stalks. Rub in lemon juice
Place in a tall pan so they can stand upright. Place washed and spin-dried salad leaves
and add wine. sugar and spices in a serving dish.
Top up with water until it reaches the pears' Thinly slice pears lengthways. discarding
necks. and gently simmer until they are tender the core. and arrange.
Remove pears and reserve. Reduce Sprinkle with handfuls 01 walnuts and
remaining liquid. pour over pears. and serve decorate w ith slices of goats cheese. Dress w ith
with cstard. olive oil and lemon juice. and season to taste.
Recipe 3
Pear-and almond tart
This is an adaptatlon of NIgella lawson's
Bakewell Tart wlth fr esh raspberries - It is the
best sweet pastry 1 have ever m ade.
TH E ENG lI SH GAROEN 75
S KSlyhmg
Ehzabelhan manor m 35 acres
of velvely grasslands ,<he TeSlaUram
al Combe ll ouse draws dmers
hoters owner and self-confesd foodle Ken
llum , and ILS head gardener Charhe O-Rellly ,
who has worked he for nearly 30 y
'The plan [0 res[oe gardens unded
fromaross the coumry [0 sample all our vallles: says Ken. 'More and more
[he dreamy surroundmgs and chef I ladlelgh pcople wa l1t [0 ea[ food [ha[ s fresh , hlgh
Barrel t's lop- r.l Wer ckmg. qua 1lly and SUSlainably grown. We have ben
Wh!le many re~lauranls pay 1I p serv1ce LO lucky 111 h av ll1 g lh e mate rials a nd peopl
local sourcmg , yO Ll only have lO slep oULSide here lO make lhal possible.'
here lO see lhal C:ombe Housc walks ilS lalk Ea ch morning , Charlie meets chef Hadleigh
Muh of 1L~ fruil and vcg comcs from ilS fOU1 lO d iSC LlSS wh5 neetled in the kilChn. Then
Viclorian l{llche l1 gartlens , \Vh1Ch owners RUlh gardencrs gCl pickin~ and hefs Stall Callllg
and Ken Hunl have pa inslak ingly reslo red The l'SUllS are i mpreve: beelrOOI rnighl be
since la kmg over lhe cou nlry hOltse hOlel 111 lurne into a starter o f beeLrOOl mousse wiLh
1998. Th1S is about lood metrcs , not miles. a goats chcesc ftitter, whi le pumpkins cou ld
In their Victorian heyday , Combe's walled end Ll p in a delicio us soup or pured as
garde ns were dominatcd by coal-fire heated accompamment to roast ve l1Ison.
glasshollSCS that prodllced 'exouc' fruits Ii ke Apan from the lomatoe5 and herbs grom Chefs and gardeners have an an nual sit
peaches They fell 1I1tO dlSUSC at the starl of in the ot her glasshouse , m051 fnllt and down al the slart of the yea r , when they
the 20t h century. when 1mported fruu bt3me vegetables are grown organically oUldrs 111 asss what has worked well or less well the
more a fTordable for peoplc raised beds crafted from railway sleepers. p\~OllS year , and decide what to plant. last
Today, only two ong1l131 glnain i\ rtificial fertilisers are OUI , so plams are y.:ar, for eXll mple, the grlic vasa huge
although you can sull scc traces of the others nunured \V;rh a combination of well-roued so th1S year Hadle1gh is keen to make sure
and Ihe1r bo11ers etched on the gardens' Grade horse muck, leaf mould and comled k1ln much mo IS plamed.
1 Iisted bnck walls One houses a producrive waste. Pests are kept at bay \V;lh the help of Hadlcigh believes that 40-70% of the
l-year.old 'Ba d Homburg' grapene whosc colollrflll compuon Ilowers ilke mangolds Imchen's fruu and \'egetables areurced from
honey-sweel grapes you can sample 111 allrumn , The rration of Combe's Io.lchen garden lhc garden. dependmg on the season. The
at breakfast or Wilh chcescs al dmner to its fomler splendour is e brruncluld of E propomon IS growmg all the time l t's brilliant:
he says. 'lf we run Ollt of somethmg, we unusual fnms and vegetables. lasl year , lhe
JlISl rup Ollt and p lC k 11. Wet en Olll the garden ff harvested 11$ 61'Sl crop of Chmte
n torches befo quince , w h1ch are roasted and seed wllh
Wl <h tlme and praC Il Ce , both sldes are mea orb011ed m <o a ruby-red membnUo , a
learrung to adapl and make lhe la!chen-garden Spamsh quince paste or 'cheese thal p a. rs
partnershlp work . 'Al ftrst lhe chefs jUS! perfecy Wl West Counrry chees.
wanled baby veg: says Charhe. 'Now they Pumpkins indude Queensland Blue' and
wlll take the medillm -s izcd swff as well. 'J arrowdale' , planted fro m seeds l hal Ke l1
If we have lots 0 1' a partiC lI lar thi n they brough l back from AUSlraha, and Charh is
II change l he menll 10 incl ude it , 0 1' LUrn also planting special cobnut l rees Wi ll rOOls
il inlOjam 0 1' chulney: impregnated with trume spores
Planting is planned so that prod l1 ce is The highlight of the whole plot, though , has
available for as mllch of the y'ras ble. ln to be the garden's gargant l1 an 200-year-old
summer, the gardens are an exuberant riOl of mulbeny tree, whe fnlilS a tumed into eye-
50ft fruits , salad leaves, garhc , onions, globe catching 5Orbe lS, jUices and jams 'You Simply
artlchokes and cOllrgeues !hile in alltumn can't buy mulberries: exclaims a dehghted
squashes , pumpkl qlllncc and raspberries Hadleigh. 'This is unique: l' m takmg a Jar of
come mto thelr 0...." Wmtcr bnngs swedes , the jam home as a precious memory of a truly
chard , pule-sprouung broccoli , Jcrusalem spI edible garden.
tichokes and cabbagc , crowned m FebntalY
vith JOYous cnm50n rhubarb , forced under C()m"'~ H1I~ Glllls l! alll. :-':..a , Hflilllll f)\'m
gLant terraCOlla 1$ BOlh gardcncrs and chefs :14 3AD Td. +44 (0)1401 540400 "111u
are el1Jo'lng OUl new vaneoes and more 101 malrfI01 '"k/f<Ju<1V'l ((1111
WESTERN AUSTRALIA ITALY - GARGAN S. AFRICA - NAMAQUALAND
~.......r.nr; -
ECUADOR
GREECE - PELOPONNESE
IRELAND - BURREN
ITALY - DOLOMITES
PLANT FOCUS
BERBERIS
PREVlOUS PAGE Berberis F w pl u ih bi bb n for small bi rd s such as rob ins and finc hes , and
'G rgei' offe Snted Reliab le a nd undemand ing. these evergreen types offer excellem win ter pro tection
f1 owers. THIS PAGE, disun ctive th orny sh ru bs are also true Th e shrub 's leaves are also the larval food of many
ABOVE FROM LEFT multi-season perfoners as anyone lucky butterfly and moth caterpillars
Berberis kawakamii has enou gh to have been dazzled by the rare Th e mos t w ell- kn own berb eris h a s tO be th e
vicious thons; Berberis Berberis Georgei can vouch . lts arching b ranches hang compact Berberis chunbel favou rite of local authorites
zabeliania is not so thornv; wiLh pendan tS of pale yellow scentd flowers in spring , eve rywhere and loved fo r its brill iant autumn OIOU l
the purple fruit of Berberis only for the tO be utterly outshone by long , abundant and bright sarlel berries. It h as ma ny ch a rming
beaniana. OPPOSE clusters of brighl crimson berries later in autumn . Li ke c u lt iva rs. fro m lh e pu r ple Berberis ch un bergii f
PAGE, CLOCKWlSE FROM other d eciduous ty pes, il also has warm autumn h ues acropurpU l'ea tO lh e s u btle B. chunbe rgii Golde n
TOP LEFT B. thunbergii; LO ilS leaves , b ut B Georgei' iS not unique. Berbe ris iS Ring' whose pu rple-rI leaves appear LO h ave been
B. gyalaica; B. thunbergii an (}u tslanding g ro u p of evergree n and deiduo us painstakingly edged vilh gold pe n. BUl if these a re
'Golden Ring' shntbs, wh ich all comrib ute handsomely tO the autumn lhe only be rberiS you know , you may be su rpriSed by
and wimer garden sene what the olhers have u p their sleeves.
They are a huge genus , with more than 450 species There is a berbe ris for almost every sp ot in the
in the wild . and almoSl as many h ybrids and cultiva rs. gard e n. At o ne e nd of lhe sale is lhe tall. rath e r
They h ail frOI11 every conti nent except two , and are u ngainly B. chitlia (tricky to get ho ld o f but growi ng
natural pioneer species , often the fi rst to colon ise an happi ly at the $ir Harold Hillier Ga rdens in Hampshi re),
area. Remarkably unfussy abou t where they grow , they which at 5m high and 7m wid e is good for on ly the
will thrive in most soils and are some o f the most largest ga rdens. but magni cen when clothed in its
obliging , versatile plants in the garden. They are both candy-pin k berries and seed capsules. Do1 the othel
evergreen and deciduous th the colour o f the berries end is the e lfi n B. x stenophy lla 'Cora llina Compacta'.
they p roduce gene rally dependent on which one they No more than 50cm high , it is perfect in a con tainer
are -vergreen species \Vill usua lly have b lue-blac k 0 1' as a low , in forrnal hedge.
fru it , wh ile decid uous berries are l11 ainly red. And all Most berberis , however. are medi um-sized , often
the berries. wha tever the colour. are imp onant food gorous shmbs , and the perfect plams for a dilTicu lt
sources [or birds such as wimer thmshes. redwing and Sp Ol. Be aware of their <ho rns when planting , an d
fieldfare , making them valuable wildlife plams. Denser always try to leave enough room around them to give
species also prode useful nesting and roosting places a wid e ben h. They can be savage plants , as anyone ..
80 TH E ENGLl SH GA RDE N
PLANT FOCUS
BERBERI5
BERBERIS CARE
. Beeri5 re tough, happily pting upwith
stuatns and con<Mlons that wIcI rrkeother
plants wlther and d ,e They wi tolerate almost any
$Oil, expt water logged , includ9 heavy clay ol
Ire tHl'ainlng CIalk and a'en't lussy about pos tn
happy sun 0' ade Decids specSWl do
better in sun , however, lor the best autumn leal
tlnts and beories Theyn handle pollutlon and
exposed , wlndy, coastal sites, and are olten used
lor roundabouts or central reservatlons.
Once estbllshed, they cn prenv much take
care 01 themselves and need very little pruning,
which IS lust as well with those thorns. 11 you are
glowing them as a hedge and wan t to keep it
in shape , wear the thickest gloves you have
and glve it a light tllm immedtelyafter
lIowenng but you should know that you w ill
lorfei t the berries that year when you do it
They Jffer from 8 few problems, the most
signlfint being berberis wfly a recent arr<val
from Europe First spotted in this untry ln Just
22 it IS already widespread in England and likely
to be seen in Stland and Wales sn too. The
,
cate pdlar-like larvae, white with lttle black spots
and disunctr yellow blotches , arelOst often
1nd on 8 erlJefls thunberglj and ItsItivars
delolting Ihe leaves from May to octer. lk
out for the thin , black adult ffles as well, whicl
can be seen flying arnd ~ants ln and
summer. To avoid t much damage, be vigi'an t.
,
inspecting plants from spnng onwa ds , and pick
011 any larvae by hand larger infestations n
be sprayed 0 wi th an appropriate insecticide,
but don't do this when your plants are flowering,
TH E FNG lI SH GARDEN 81
PLANT FOCUS
BERBERIS
STOCKISTS
Burncoose Nurseries, Gwenn Redruth.
Cornwall TR16 6BJ. Tel: +44 (0)1209860316.
www.burncoose .co.uk
Holdenugh Nuery Holden. Bollon-
by-Bowland, Clilheroe, Lancashire BB7 4PE.
Tel: +44 (0)1200447615.
www.holdencloughnursery.co. uk
Th e Place For Plants, Easl Bergholt Place,
Suffolk C07 6UP Tel: +44 (0) 1206 299224
NW.placeforplanIS.CO. uk
ABOVE Betberis chitria is wh o h as p ru ned one and e nco un Lered Lhei r viciouS B. g)'alaica's chief glor y are iLS almOSL metal1 ic b lue
very djfficult to buy - ideal spikes will know. One look aLLhe terrifying Lhorns o n fruiL , dangling in long , 100 bu nches vhile the spa rse
for larger gardens as it will a species $uch as B. zabclillllll is enough to consign the B. soulieall th narrow leaves and clusters ()f g rape-
grow to 5m x 7m. ABOVE secaleurs LO a d rawer for good like beies makes a dramaLifealure plan t.
RIGHT Betberis soulieana Evergree n varietieS bring olour and form LO th e One 0 1' Lhe reasons why berberiS have such abunda11l
has berries that are al st 11ler ga rden at a time when iL needs iL the moSt , with berries is down LO a quirky uick lhey performen$ure
grape IIke - don't eat them Berberis d willii one of the most va lued. Its dense , po llination . They have what is de l ightfu
|I y knoW
.vn as
though. B are easy t Uptight habit and d ark autumn benies, set against its
'itrlitabl
esta
mens
grow and cope well with b right prick ly leaves, make it a n asset to the spin e a berberis 00W .ver looking for necta r, and it n udges the
exposed sites o f a mixed borde r , but it also makes a n e ffective , base of a 5m en this immediately responds , spri nging
impenetrable hedge. B. kawakamii has a similar habit , towa rds the pistil at th e cent re of th e Oower a nd
with larger , ho ll y-like leaves, p retty pink fruit and depositi ng pollen onto the bee , which then rries the
b rutal thorns that would s urely deter any would-be pol le n to an othe r t1 owe r's st igma , g ua ran teei ng
intrude r. The leaves o f the d eciduous berbet 111 pollination. A profusion o f ben ies follow.
contrast, play a strong role in au tumn , mming deep , lt is at <his time of yea r that <hese reliab le plants
g low ing s had es befo re th ey fal l , the co lou rs o ften dese rve a closer look. They may be commonly used in
beautifully highlighting their berries Clty centrs and parks due to their 'don-touch-or-run
B. thunbergi cultivars all colour vivid ly , as does < hrough-me' spines , but they also have a jewel-like
B. dictyoph)' its red benies shining among yellow and quality and deserve to be part o f planting schemes in
red leaves. Some berberis however , are grown simply our gardens. lt is rare that you see a good range of types
for their fan <astic berries . B. bean.ian.a has elegant of b e.rberis , and some are very hard to get hold of -
racemes of pale yellow fiowers , and gentle , glaucous possibly due (0 lack of demand. Let's look a < them as
leaves , but in autumn it shines large rosy-purple plants that offer more than jus< great secunty as a
berries hanging from each leafaxis. boundary , and let them s parkle
Evebody loves Alstroemeria as they give copious exotic looking blossoms ;~-.~_---------------------------------------
Name - ----------------------------;;; ;
from June to November that last for up to 14 days in a vase! These varieties :
have bee n specially selected as they are difficult to find and if you do : Add'ess....
manage to find then they are often quite expensive. Great for cutting and
happy in borders and containers. Dead head by pulling the flower's stems
gently from the bottom of the plant , the resulting 'wound' then initiates new
flowers. Prefers well drained soil in a partly shaded sheltered site. Height and Postcode
spread 60 .90cm (24. 36"). Emal Telephone.
Peserd l'\t
ORD ER NOW FOR DE lIVERY M ID MARCH ONWARDS
ftlK~:L
ON.Ll NE WWW.HAYLOFT.PLANTS.CO.UK/ EG 1111
TELEPHONE 0844 335 1088
EMAIL sales @hayloftplants.co.uk
Quote Code EG 1111or fill in the coupon
!
: CD
mlhp,'Y
5ppl'ed as ba'e '00t5wl1,eh 3 ,e fully mature platt l$ that have been ~O".
T
J:?t
::!
J
arr
1
val and WIlI eme'ge sn ae' to flower Ihls year
:
Gng ostu 'e p'ed
: Signature
21 DAY REPLACEMENT OR REFUND GUARANTEE : SEND TO: HAYLOFT PLANTS, FREEPOST NAT4144, PERSHORE WRI0 3BR
HAYlOFT PlANTS, MANOR FARM, PENS HAM, PERSHORE, WORCESTERSHI RE WRI 0 3HB TEl: 0138655 4440 FAX: 01386 553833
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THE EN LI H ARDEN
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------C'__-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE ENGLlSH GARDEN NOV EMBER OFFER - EGA51 Method of payment
Cheques payable 10 'The English Garden Offers' OR
isedlete as applicable) ChequeJMaestro.astercardMsa
Please send ITe Code Ouantity Prlce Total
FREE' Winteweet shrub 1 plant 93976 1 FREE | p"
st"
age Name
Hamamells 'Pa lllda' 1 plant 90813 f12.99
Addres5
Co rnus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' 1 plant 83838 f9.99
Cornus slI ngulnell ' Mldwlnter Fl 2 plants 83839 f14.98
5arcococcII hookerillna 1 plant 81062 f9.99 ..... P05tcode
iVinkworth
Hascombe Road ,
Godalming, Surrey
G8 4AD. Tel: +44
(0)1483 208477. www.
nationaltrust.org.uk
autumn , the lusion 01 colours Irom the collected ex:otic trees on their
Japanese , American and Norwegian tr'lvels and c'edfo'dm. BEST FOR: Family walks, trails and birds
maples IS well worth a look , and il
Across the UK, 'we have
vu have plenty 01 time to spare , Thorp Perrow is a real lami ly aftair, and is set
fbulous selection o} rbo1'e
take the circular walk across the in the stunning Yorkshire Oales , not lar Irom
wetlands . but don't 1rget t bring
such .s Wesnbirt nd visit the historic town 01 Bedale. The estate was
vur waterproots , Children's trails u ill o.ffer JjOU the oppmtunitJj bought by William Ropner in 1927 and created
are also available enjoy some o.t 0111' most by his son Colonel Sir Leonard Ropn who
beut'ul tive trees long plan ned and plan ted it , Lenard' s son Sir
Open 1 Jan.31 M dally, 10am-4pm; withnre unusu1 species t John Ropner took over , and now owns and
1 Aprll.31 October , dally, 10am -5pm; usully found in this count1y' manages the estate , You may be surprised t
1 Nov.24 Dec, daily, 10am -4pm; and hear that none of the staft wrking at Thorp
Sue Holden, chief executive
26 Dec.31 Dec, daily, 10am-4pm. Perrow throughout this time had any previous
f The Woodlands Trust
arboricul tural experience , but their passion
and hard work is reflected in the beauty 01
the site. The arboretum has plenty ot walks ,
trails and glades 10 explore , and is laid oul in
sections A to Z. The Milbank Pinelum and
Spring Wood will keep you on your toes until
tea time. Thorp Perrow is currently home 10
f ive Nationa l Plant Collections including
walnuts , ash, laburnum and conlinus , all ot
which are held under the aspices of Plant
Heritage. And il this wasn't enough , t here
is a bird 01 prey and mammal centre w here
you can meet the creatures and watch
regular flying displays Irom eagles , falcons ,
haNks. vultures and 0Nls fro live
continents , as well as visit the Meerkat
Island and Wallaby Wood
88 TH E ENG Ll SH GARDE N
'Tre1'e much lik.e humn National Memorial
beings ul enjoy each other's Aboretum
compny. Only feu.llove be Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire
lone.' Jens Jensen - SfUngs OE13 7A R. Tel : +44 (0)1283 792333.
lWW.thenma.org.uk
ForL1 45.0
0* onc of ou
r ~.l\'
w r
a 'dw
in
nn
i
nBgho
o
rt
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ECO-WATCH
Tree time
It' s planting seaso so Anne Gatti looks at how our leafy garden friends
help the environment and which ones attract the most w ildlife
M aInt ng number 0 1' insect specis l1sing our trees (see hoverOies , and caterpillars of the handsome
to have trees in the garden , and feel .v.countrysideinfo.co. l1k) are five natives: go ld-and-brown Barred 5allow moth. Field
that Oll r plots are only half dlsed oak. willow , birch (silver and downy) , maples , which are native to England but not
.vithout them. Apart fl)m the visual pleasu res hawthorn a nd blackthorn. Oaks hos t an 5cotland or I rela can reach 15m , but there
theygi we know at trees are seql1estenng impressive 28 species (423 if you include is also a dwarf variety ('Nanl1 m') , which , like
carbon as they grow, and so are invaluab le in mites) , bm if you live in London you might its big b ro th e r , copes with d rough t , soi l
cO l1 nteracting our CO, emissions. In buil prefe r <o ho ld off planting until o l1tb reaks compaction and air polll1tion , b l1t has smaller
up areas ,< hey' re particularly important , as of <he innocent-sounding Oak ProcsSlOnary leaves and only grows to a comely 5m. 50 , an
they filter pollmed air , mitigate l1ash flood ing moth are contained - a voracio l1 s foreign all-rol1nd nn r for any size of garden
an d help to moderate the heat-is land effect ctiuer that arrived ve years ago , probably on For small gardens and resuicted spaces , three
of tall buildings and hard natives pop l1 lar with
surfaces through the shade For small garns naves popul with insects eworth m sec <s are well won h
they cast in summer consideling: hawthoms, crab apples and rowans considering: hawthorns ,
A recent survey in crab apples and rowans
Torbay put a monetary value on urban t lmponed plants , and whoseterpillars pr Joy Wallis 0 1' the Dorset Wildlife Tmst says
eSlimaling lhat , from an environmental nose-to-tail, gobbling every leaf in their path gardeners o[ten overlook hawthorns , partly
point of ew the borou gh's 8 18 ,000 trees (ch eck 0 l1t ww.v.rhs.org.uk [or updates) beca l1 se they think 0 1' them as Icl speCles,
are wonh L280 million annually. They Number of inhabiting inSeCl Spees shOllldnt rather like gorse bush and bracken, and also
sequester 4 ,280 tons o f CO 2 ancl remove 50 be your only yardstick tho l1 gh: the elegan < because not many garden centres stock them
tons o f a lmosph eric pollmion. Clearly the Ci eld maple (Acer campestre) , selected last Bl1t they re easy to order from nurseties and , as
more lrees we plam, the better , especially in sprng by florist Shane Connolly to bring well as being magnets [or bees , bumblebees,
urban areas. English , namral, seasonal , ethical' elements to moths ancl hove rf1ies, they provide berties ancl
50 which ones should gardeners grow) The lhe royal wedding, has a mo modesl 26 insecl shelter for a range of dif[erent birds in amumn
[i rSl lh ing Lo work OUl is which s peles are speies using il. but <hese incl ude and winIf you wanL LO be sure o f gelling
mOSl likely lO thrive in lhe ondilions youan tOp pol1 i rtors 1ike bees and the berries , stick to single-flowerecl [orms.
provide - soil type , aspeCl , exp05ure , summer 50me people cl 5land the smell 0 1' lhe
and win Ler tempe ra Lures , space. 'vVilh OUl Uo\Vers - rotting Uesh or almonds and honey.
111 reasingly unreliable wealhe r cyles th e depending o n your nose- 50 maybe wa iL
buzzword for planting choi iS 'bi modal I.e u11lil youve sni([ed Lhem befo re making your
species that a n cope with more lhan one hOie . They can reah 10m if lefl unCut ,
kin d of weather extreme. ln her new book hUlan be kepl al a more manageable heigh L
I-lighlpaCl W-Cll1onGal'l<<:'nil (Timber wiLh an annual pruning
Press 16.99) Alice Bowe gives hombeam Joy also re mmends c rab a pples (Malu$
as a n exa mp le of a bi moda l tree that sylv.tlis) which clon't take up much room but
tolerates nd d rought and Ilooding. 5he can provide food and loclgi ng for up to 93
offers it as an attractve alternative to beech , insect species and flU it for bircls and mammals.
which can sllu ggle in waterlogged soils. Espa l iel against a wall, they will p rovide
Chenies can t cope with regu lar flooding ma mum nestngsites. The 1'0.van or mountain
eithe r , and in lhei r place Alice suggests ash (Sorbuscupwia) which does best in acid
selviceberry tl'ees (amelanchier) as multi-stems soils , is also an autumn larder for bi rds and ,
if you are on an eosed site or need to provide Ii ke the hawtho l11 and crab apple , gives the
a ndbrak for other herbaceous plants. Other gardener a blaze of aunmrn colour
zso
hawthorn and Betula ng l'a , the lovely river g row n and local is the most sustai nable
birch, which has peeling cinnamon bark and choice: CO 2 emissions from prodution and
copes extme heat as well as 1100ding transport \vill be kep<<o a minimum , and the
Next , think abom what your chosen tree or plant shol1ld be well adapted to the grong
a
trees can offer to wildlife. Top of the list for the conditions 01' your area , and so sho l1 ld <hrive
,
1
'
PREVIOS PAGEJane
M YPPldm fg p lh In addllion , she g l'O ws her flowers 111 long, narrow
llndsey's 1970$ Alrstream Jobs lO grow flowers bUl Cew aClually ralsed beds, w iL h gl'assy palhways 10 enable blooms
ravan: 28ft long , go on LO make II happen. One who 10 be harvesled and recurnng weeds 5uch as docks lO
itprovld S p8 for has is Jane Undsy who moved Crom be pulled OUl wllhoUl lhe ground around lhm
her embroldery st\I dio scland large5l CJly lO a smallholdmg beonllngompaled.
and 8 shop. BElOW, m a brealhlakmgly beau LiCul SPOl, on lhe edge oC lhe Anolher hallenge comes Crom Scotland's cooler
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP l.och lomond and The Trossachs National Park. lO Slan wcalher and long hours of darkness between autumn
LEFT Aldeticlcstfrom Ihe Snapdragon Cutling Ga rden. '1 drmed of moving and spnng Expenence has taught Jane the annuals
ees further 810ng the lO lhe country, growing cut flowers and se\~ing lhings. and pcnmals that cope best \\ith the shoner gro\ving
va"ey provlde a ruk and 111 2003 we did just that: laughs Jane , a former season , and every year she and gardene r Fiona
support for sweet p8aS - 8 curator of British Art at the University of Glasgow. Mclndewer expenment with new species. They take
flow8r with a Io ng growlng Previously the mother-of-two had tried out her ideas carc , however , to avoid any seeds that are b red
58an In many pasof on a piece of land belonging to a friend , selli ng her in Medllcrranean cou ntries, as they often fail to
Sotland. Wlde square flowers out the side of he r green Citroen H van at pcrfomvell 50 far north
netting Is used to SUpp Carmers' markets. It was also is time that she came Ga rdcmng in Scotland IS d lfferent to England: we
the plants 8S they grow; up \vith the name for her enterp rise. '1 had a tenible can grow 10lS 01 hardy unnuals rea lly well - sweet peas
J8ne and her d8ughter slug problem , and the only thing they d idn't eat were arc 5lill in bloom as late as Se ptember - but half-hardy
Katie Glent ali ctm the snapd ragons , which also make great ClI t flowers.' ann Ll als struggle , un less i t's an exceptional summer,
fron the garden; 8 Sussex- Today. the Snapdragon garden is a patchwork oC becaU5e lhey do n't get enough time [0 1' blooming
crOS5 ockerel rules the muln-coloured blooms - very different tO the dock- Wc also grow perennials and get two crops [rom them
ro05t; whlte EchlnIJC81J ndden paddock at once occllpied .e three-qllarters- lf we CUl lhcm back at the right time. They love our
'White Swan' and purple of-an acre site. lts creation has not been withollt j <S rich 5011 and grow as tall as eight [eet, which means
EchinactJIJ purpura/J. challenges, thollgh , most notably from heavy soil prone lhal we gel 100S of flovers:
to welness from the Iugh levels oC rainCal l. Over nme , Among J3ne's 10p performers are echinacea ,
Jane has lightened lt \vith rock dllst and horse manu lhahclrum , delphmmm, stocks , sun[Jowers , achillea ,
'Ihad teibLe slug problem , and lhe onl,lJ lhing tlzey didn't et
u 'ere the snapdrgons whicll also make gl -eat cutjlOlrs'
PLANTS
CUT FLOWERS
,
sweel peas alendula Salvia ncmo osa and Lhe yellow ,
garden is mspinng the embro dery - 1 u my machll1 e BElOW. ClOCKWISE
llusLle C('nUl ca ma Cl(l(cphala. 'Anylhmg lhal lS a waler hke a skelch pad , oflen 111raling new plams lhal FROM lEFT A water barrel
meadow planl really lhnves he. My favoumes indude 1 hav5n. WilhoUl e garden , lhmgs \Vould be lOO provides a resting pla
thahCLrum , bronze fennel and Sllpa gigallua.' rormulaic and conlnved. 1 hke 10 renellhe hangll1g ra louI bunch of
Jane ongmalslob of planLS we peuuals she had asons in my work.' sunflowers. croeosmia.
gradually bUlll lI P al home over veral y Loger On lOp or her SCMng and cUlung garden bllsmess l alum and salvia
\Vilh some she obta ll1 ed from a nU l'Se ly that \"'3S closing Jane's ents as a nower aangcr are eagerly soughl by seedheads;nflowers
down . Ad\~ce was lhankfully also forthcoming at the wedding couples, ahhough such bookmgs are Slnctly wlth several heads and
beginning - nower supremo 53rah Ra\'en s generous limiled 10 allow stocks of hcr nowers 10 recover , and to lateral sho a the best
with her time dunng Snapdragon's early days. ensure mOSl weekends can be spem \Vl lh daughlers Zoe, varieties r cut flowers,
Crealing a garden may have been Jane's dream , bllt 14. and Katie , 11 , and her husband Euan. as they ensure a succession
little did she rea 1ise lhat il would also play :1 signicam Even though she is hundrcds of miles avay from of blooms throughout the
rol e in the success of anOlher ncw business , making many of her customcrs, ]ane uses hcr mlemet blog to season; Jane picks out
embroidered tcxrilc accessones and homewares. Flowers share developmems in the Snapdragon ga rden. 'It's echlnacea from the garden;
and the family's bcloved 1970s VW c3mpervan prode beam iful here and I' m increchbly lucky. 1 go OLl Learly seeds and cuttings 8re
much of thc insplratio n fo r l he desgns , which Jane in the momi ngs to take photos. J'rn aSlou nded by t he raised in the polytunnel,
creates o n he r sC \VlI1 g m3c hi ne inside a 28[t- long number of people who follow thc blog: glven lhe times partially hidden by beds
AirsLream caravan, WhlCh also hO Llses a small shop. that people )og on , I' m su many look at 1l whIle lhey're f sweet peas, Crocosm;a
Snapc1 ragon's produClS have been so sucosful that E having <heir moming cotlce.' 'lucifer', sunflowers.
company now prodcs cmplonent for no [ewer than yellow Centaurea
tve people , along \VJt h Fiona 111 the garden, and sells iLS Sn <lpdrag11 SUII Il \'IHk, G'lI ludw' lI }i<l dcl, Hdlf' <l1I macro'phalaand
range through mall order and 300 shops across eUK SI <I!i oll G63 ONH Th~ J:wd" 1I p(<1 Ih t' I'Ul>l ll du JiIl~ mbaywillowhe.
The sewing began as someLhmg to fill in the momhs Augusl alld Scrlcrnl~ <1 11 \1IIduyUI<I fhlH d'l/ rn
when thcre was nOlhmg growmg in the garden , bm II 1O.30al>> I 3.301'111 J'd 4 (OJ13110t0903. f 3Vl c.'
soon [O ok ovcr. Nowadays , an lmportant role of the I11(0'1>><1 ,
11 11 , t ww \'
11
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t
Creating g rd.en my have been JIne 'eam but l ittle did she )'ealise tlzat
it 'I.vould lso pl I'Ole in tJze succso! nolher new business
1 LAOY EA HAMILTON .Abrother} Glonousms o( brigtt
a ( , I!'U I1 yel col .r on the n?Ver- of
ta~nf"ll'-O .~ Jo4Io'111
the PCt.I A stroog. oeIi< isly fru'lY rance th I"Ints of pear. gre
dt'U'i. J upt. buy b Wlt l1 attractie )'Ol.unzy
':>10<11e He f ~g.4x3ft.
strength and variety of thelr fragrances which include 6. PRINCESS ALANORA OF KENT A~smen:hant) Lrge. rfectly
hffi'l"dbl .( 1T.t 1""".ey ilI'e tiJOpetalled and
old rose, musk. fr uity and tea rose. Thelr shrubby
c!ee d ".DeI" i<>U:> frht fragrce .....h.ch deve1
growth and outstandlng hea rnakes them hlghly nts of monaracLcr:l. It ;.; 111:healthy.ant groups of
I~r f~ ml)q rr'1 :rn Icl )Y. x 2l1fi..
versatile in the garen - ideal for mlxed borders and
7 Ll CHFIELD ANGEL (Ale) GIorious. creamy whte fIO''5
cottage gardens, as wel as for mo1'01al rose lr' 11 xt ofalt pun: whrt FT1san artra
DavtdAutin's beafully
CHOOSF ONE FREF ROSE FOR EVfRY THREF ORDERED
illustrated Hoodbk Or
Roses ntar over8 l
pho
[.]'(1...:Ilr.r..:.~~EGSI
varicts.inc1udinl!
EnIIsh Roses. old ros I:r.lhng reen Lane. Albrighton. Wo verhampton H
speC1es roses. ramblers W~1iLJ.i..a.t4;..i' lj
and chmbers together
with a selecuon of
modem roses. Please 1 enclose my chequeal order payable to
1JC<e coupon tO DAVID AUSTlN ROSE NURSERY LTD for .
quest yo FREE copy
please debit my Visa I teard 11aero account by the above
amount My card number is:
m m JJ JJJ
3 dig secuty code (on Slgnatu stnp) ......................................... ..
Vahd from (Mae"O only)... .......Expls end..
Issue Number (aero on"............"....
Signature"..........
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Postcode _............................._..... Tel .........._...._......_.._.................~....._.............
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www.davidaustinroses.com
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- F- II.
isley is a garden Lha l o fTers
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s one of my fa'ourlle limes of lhe
year IS Wtnler I am oflen shocked and
surpnsed when people lell me Ihal they
Ihlllk gardens are nOI worth siting al Ihis
wonderflll tJ me , as Ihere \\-;11 be nOlhing of
Imeresl 10 see. How wrong Ihey are!
Whlle wJn ler mighl nOI have the volume of
floral dLSplays en in spli ng and .1mmer) 13t
It lacks in f1 0wer nllmbers it makes up for in
cI mn13 , quahty and scent.
The low bllt intense Sllnlight of the winler
1110mhs enhances the mcredible stem and bark
colollrs of many trees and shrul and lhe sight
of Ihese often SIOpS me in my tracks as I walk
around the comer by the lakes on Seven Acres ,
amazed by the paletle of colours be[ore me.
In other parts o f lhe garden , 1 jUSl close my
eyes and l1l hale the sweel scent o[ the
sarcococca (wmter box) , the Sp1C}' fragrance o[
lhe chimonanlhus or , my own personal
favourtlc , Ihe CllnlS smell of lhe Mmamehs
Ich haze l), a scent lMl always mindsme
of my mOlher makmg I113rmalade. 50 'lIpUp
warm and Jom me on a slroll around my
belod WLSley on a cnsp day lowards the end
of Wlmer , when the lemrarure IS jUS1:amng
10 nse (lf It'S 1 frosty and cold , there \VIll be
no scenl from <he flowers)
When I slan cI by Ihe Chlr Pagoda on
Se ven Acres and look across Ihe lake , I am
alway~ ~lllnned by how much IIl lense colour
omes from lhe rubllS, cOrnllS and salix lhat
have bcen planted en masse for wintcr stem
PLANTS
WINTER INTEREST
II1 L
ereS l. Al lhls ume of lhe year , lhe colour lhrlOllr and lhey 3re nOw pruned eve'
IInpaCl IS doubled by lhe mlrror effecl of lhe TOP FIVE WINTER PLANTS yeal' lO mall1tall1 1l.
reOion on lhe waler Hamamelis x internedia 'Palhda' A fealllre of e \VlI1l garden which 1 felis
One of my per~onal favoumes IS COI nus . c.n sangujnea 'Midwinter Fire' always overlooked IS lhnaked beauly of
san,s:uinca 'Mldwtnler Fm~' Thls slunnmg Sarcococca hkeriana var digyt dduolls ls. II syl55 below lhese
culuv has bnghl orange and yeUowloud . A( 'White Tigress' lrees \Vllholll glvmg em a second lhought ,
stems tipped \Vllh rcd DlIe lO lheir dramatic HeUeoo'Us Walberton's Roserrry bUl 1 lI rge you 10 look upwards. You wi11
colollring, large clumps of lh produce lhe be nchly rewarded for your efforts. Even al
effecl of names nsmg from lhe ground. eye le'cl you \V, 11 see that many decduous
AcloIy relaled culrivnr , lhough nOI 50 readily hpuIelred arching ste15 lhal are covel trees have lruly capl\'ating ornamental bark.
avai1ab is Comu ~angujI1f{1 'Anny's W inler in a wh ite bloom , a nd b rings a ghostly 1 lnd res mesmerising and have often been
Orange' , which has even moII1 lenIy vivid luminoty to the garden. One of the fonsro seen hugging the rrllnk of the huge native
red srems, Wh cn p lanled c10se IOgerher, borh be found arOllnd the lake, and anorher personal oak , QUCfCUS robur , Slroking the ornamenra l
give Ihe impression o f a W1nrer fj re bllrning vOllrire is Rubus ccxkbu l1l(lnuS 'Goldcnvalc' , ba rk of Prunus scrl1l la or the strea ked bark
brigh r1y agamsllhc ollthne of lhe lake. which has lhe ad ded bonlls 0 1' lovely golden of rhe snake bark maple ,
There a al50 Olhcr grOllps of cornllS salix ferny fo 1i age in summe r. 1t is also mllc h There are numerous fo rms of these snake
and rub LlS planted arollnd lhe lake for nter i5 mvve than the true species so IS bellcr bark maples growing throughout Wisley - one
srem interesl. Thcy a all planted in 1arge dIil'ts sllired to small gardens. In texlllral CO l1 trasl lO 0 1' lhe most llnpssive being the Acer White
lO provide 11prcssivc displays of colour in a 'Goldenvale yotlw lnd Rubll~ phocnicolIUS igress' whose name perfectly describes the
patchwork q Lll1t effecl. lf lhese wcre to be whic h is q ll i <e d iffe re n t in appcarancc. whue suial10mtreaks ar areedged blue
planted smgly , the cffeCl \Vould be messy and Alrhough it still has rhe red archmg SlemS , on lhe bnght green bark. On a cold vi11ler's
mudd led Wilh 110 now. In small gardens. they are covered in small thorns , givmg day , lhere IS no finer sight rhan rhe simply
1 would always recommend planung m group a b Iisy , almosr hai1. 1k. Slllnning bark of tlu.s tree ,
f three as a mmllnum Al Wlsley. we use Wlth shnlbs that are grovn for wmlcr slcm 1 fmd il ll1Credlble rhar there a plants \vi
m SC/lcca 'Budd's Yellow' lO bnng a bght mterest , don't be tempd to prune lhcm 1 lhe smallest. most ll1COnsplClIOtLS Oowers that
greeny yellow mlO lhe colour scheme. and early. Some books and magazmes recommend prluce lhe strongest scem. The sarcococca
CoIll US aJba 'Al leman's Com1' wlule bell1g a prurung em m February befo lhe sap Sta or \Vl nler box 15 the perfect ample. These
compacl grower , bnngs a bnght umform nsmg , bm 1 wOllld recommend prunmg srnall e\'en shrubs ha'e ony whue spldery
cardmal red mto the dlsp1ay, towards the end of March. Prumng shghlly Oowers, wluch emu a strong sweer scem. Ir IS
The use of members of the ornamental later will allow y' tO enJOY lhe Slem colour for lhe male Oowers that prodllce e scem, and
rubus famlly bnngs another contrast of colour, as longaspS1bleAIWLSley:e penmented 111 one of lhe bes < forms for the garden.
shape and textllre tO lhe landscap Rubus m some groups of plants by prunmg them Swccxcxw hliana \'ar. digyna. e amhers
ccxkbur nllmus LS one of lhe most spectaclIlar , every nd year , bm the slerns slaned 10 lose a lmged th pl<. ..
FAR LEFT The Chlnese P89 0d a offers views over the lake. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Hamamelis x Intermed 'Or8nge Peel'; Sarcocca hookeriana
var. dlgyna; a change from the spring-flowering type , this Rhododendron daurlcum 'MIwlnter' 8 small shrub that thrives in an acid
soll; the stunrIng Helleborus Walberton's Rosemary is one of the flrst hellebores to flower 8t Wisley,
CLOC KWlSE FROM TOP LEFT Tili platyphyllos
'Aurea'; Cornus lba 'Alleman's Compact' offers
the deepest colour stems; Cornu5 amomu m;
Slix dphnoides; Cornus alba 'Ruby'; Cornus
sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire; e brown stems of
Rubusniv15 and Comu5 sericel!l 'Red Coral'
at spartdes. OPPOSITE PAGE A wonderful
display of winter stems around the lake, which
n be enjoyed from e Chinese Pagoda
Al W i$ley we have lu01p$ of sarcococca plamed aboul 5001 ap3rt , so lhal as you walk lherefore lhough l lO require shelter ; and
lhroughoullhe garden. All around the areas of lhrough woodland. one planl leads you on secondly , beinglose lO a door allowed Sllor$
planling lhe air iS $weeLly emed and lhe scent lO anOlhe r. The firSI lO Ilower is al \Vays lO smell lhe 00vers
1$ plked up long before reaching lhe plaJ1lS Hamamel iS x ilJlencclia Orange Pee\' in mid- MOSI ga rde ners no r01ally assoiate
Confused viS itO r$ can oflen be seen looking December, followi by a procession of yello\Vs. rhododendrons with mass spring displays of
around tO see where lhe $cem is fro01. They oranges ancl reds right through tO February Lheatrical colou r. However, there a a few thal
never think to Jook at this small everglen. At this point. a fe\V words of advice: always flowe r duri ng winter, bringi ng splashes of
If I were to pick one group of shrubs fO I plant .vinter-Iloweling ShlUbs , and especially bra shocking and ll1 uch-needed colour to
110.venng nter interest , it wouJd probabJy scented ones, at the edge of a bed close to a the garden. A fvoulite rhododendron 1 enjoy
have to be hamamel the witch hazeJs. The path. Otherwi. you might lnd peopJe waJking each yea r is RhododenclrO Il dattricttm Mid-
spider-Jike Oowers are mostJy yello although across the beds, drawn by the beauty and the wi nter' , which produces pu rpJe flowe rs on
there are orange- and red-flowered fonns , and scent of the 1l0\Vers. 1\t Wisl there are often almost leaf1ess stems. ltsa 11all shrub that .i ll
are produced from December through to the well-wom tracks through the be and a few th live in acidic soils , and prefers a more open
end of Feblual. 1 prefer the yello\V-l1 o \Vered squashed pJants , as visito rs can't resist the situation where you can appreciate the pu rpJe
fo rms , as they stand om flowers during .vmter
better in the landsca pe in Undemeth many of the
the dark winter months and Mywlk is st being led by my sense 01 smeU, tcking shnlbs and trees ,<here are
brighten up the garden down the 5weet and sp,y scent 01 the wter-;weet pocke ofbtl and mere.s
inuneasurab noingmoreexiting than
The very best fom1s for seemg <he first snowdrops
gardens are the Hamamelis x nrermedia attraction of these sweet-smelling t10wers coming into bloom. Some of the helleboS 11
cultivars. Wi <hom doubt, the top dog is H. x My walk is still being led by my sense of also be coming il1to bloom at this time
inrermeclia Pallida' \V ith its sulphur yellow smell , tracking down .e sweet and spk y scent Helleborus Walberton's Rosem is one of the
110wers bome along bare stems. The spidery of the ntersweet or ChimonalJ rhus pra.cox. first , and is special due to its outward-facing
110wers seem able to withstand the coldest This plant has wax-like yello \V t1owers , \vith flowers , d e\ icate pink wth deeper pink
winters and in Pallida', once the temperatures fascinating purple markings at the centre , spotting over the petals
Iise, the air IS lled .vith a sweet, citrus scent ch appear along the leafl branches dming Wisley is a wonderful nter wonderland , so
The oIiginal plant of 'Pallida can still l founcJ the \vinter months. It is easy to walk past this wrap up warm and he-acJ round the garcJen for
growmg in the centre of Battleston I-lill. ancl plant ancJ not notice the flowers, so unassl\ming a refreshing walk. Sit in the Chinese Pagoda
during nter I make sveral pilgrimages to is it in its beal\ ty. When Chmonanthus praecox and enjoy the 5phony of colour in the mass
admire it in full bloom. \vas rst introduced into the UK, it was often plantings. A walk around Wisley in \vinter is
More man 70 different cultivars of harnamehs grown against a wall close to the entrances 01 a lat for all the senses, and not tO be missed
are gro\Vn at Wisley, mostly on Battleston Hl largecol\nn hOUse5. This was for two re-.lSOns: There iS so much tO touch and smell. Ilove
and in the Wild Ga rde n. They have been firstly, il was nO l believed lO be hardy an cJ il, and I am sure you \vill lOO
-------~ -----------------------------------
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Libra7 leaves
Snuggle up with one of these love l tomes and then imagine next
season's plot and produce , inspired by wha t' s between the covers
..
E
E
STYLE
VINTAGE FLOWERS
(Kyle Books, f25)
I think it' s fair to say the word
'vintage' w ill divide most couples
On the one hand , it will be seen as
reassuringly h mely with a stylish
twist. On the other, the concept of
vintage anything w ill simply strike
a note of panic that yet more '
6
old nic nacs' are about to enter the
house. Regrettab I speak from
The fmnt cov'ys it ll d Teassures us that ough eword
first-nand experience about the
matter, and 1don't think I need
bge' the title, she isn't 'ely onb.utifuJly 1<dedroses'
to spell out the gender divide
Nevertheless, there w ill be many and an old Renault van. This is pOlgnant memOfles or connectlons isn't a criticism . I adore the style
for whom l ondon-based florist Vic clearly a personal project, for Vic, w ith trinkets from bygone eras? and am frankly envious of Vic's
Brotherson' s first book will be a and the result is a refreshingly Cynicism aside. perhaps this ability to gather gorgeous things
u-
nust-have. The front cover says il anecdotal sourcebook rather than approach reveals how a florist sees together to create these vignettes
p=WZEMZ
all: a tastef1 yet sunptuous a 'step-by-step' floristry guide. It' s the world of flowers and maybe by But if you're not a florist and
arrangement of hellebores and lilac, as if she is taking you by the hand sharing this vision you can find the struggle to find even five mintes
which reassres us that though and leading you inlO her world; confidence to see and do things in to rootle around in that little shop
the word 'vintage' is in the tit 0 1 quirky and ptlvatlOg as It IS your own way too. This is a highly that sells incredibly bea utifu l (but
EU=-Z E
Vic isn't going 10 rely just on Rather than spelling out why you styled book, filled with ideas and eye-wateringly expensive) retro
beautifully faded roses to drive should put this flower with that one inspiration for flower combinations gens then this all seems a bit 0t
home the theme. It's not only the or choose a particular vessel to and displays. To try and literally of reach . 1 renalnndeterred
style that Vic has chosen that display them , she instead recounts recreate these arrangenents nay though , and, aspiring to live t he
ZQmwU
makes me positively twitch to get a slory about w hy she's created prove to be frstrating Ihogh dream, this weekend 11 piCk aVic-
my hands on the book. I'm a sucker an arrangemen t. However, even for Part of the reason they look so inspired bnch of faded hydrangea
EJJUU
for the subject maner too as, no an ardent fan such as myself. after striking is that they are plad in heads and display them p roudly in
'""
doub t in common with countless 120 pages this sta.s to feel a little very styled settings. and most of an old chipped chamber pot 1saw
other o ffice-bound workers, 1 contrived , and makes yo us don't have that go rgeos metal in a charity shop. 1'11 just put it in my
harbour a secret desire to become reluctantly question whether one fai rground horse, or the wonderful study, out of sight of my partne r.
a florist - with my own flower shop person reallyn have this many wonky wire rack bookse. This Cinead McTernan, deputy editor
COLOUR IN THE GARDEN WATERWISE PLANTS for YOUR WILD LlFE GARDEN
(Merrell, f18.95) FOLl AGE PLANTS SUSTAINABLE GARDENS (David & Charles, f12.99)
Val Bourne tackles the sbject that (Fra LinIn f12.99) (TI mber Press, f16.99) Our emine knowledgeable
occupies most gardener5 w hen The late great Christopher lI oyd's Bags of plant choices, compaon former editor-at-Iarge Jackie
planning a border. Texture and book has been reissued w ith a planting picks and interesting ideas Bennett reissues her wildlife
shape may be the predominant new introduction by his head for droght-hi t spotsnd the garden advice book, with tasks,
fashion at the momen t, but she gardener at Great Dixter, Fergus sustainably minded from the plants and practical projects for
encourages and advises on vibrant Garrett. If you haven't read it yet, American couple that brought every month to help encourage and
plantings for different situations. now's your chance you Plant-Ori'en Oesign. nuture all the little creatures
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Meeting royalty and creating new irtiatives are all in a day's work when you
take the top job at the RHS, and Sue Biggs has plenty more pl15 for the future
w hen l 5
di rector general, 1 knew it was my
d rea m job , but 1 d id n't expecl it
wo uld be so exci ting , d iverse and inspi ring.
Highlights in the ftrst year incI uded showitg
,
HM The Queen and HRH P ince AJben around
RHS Chelsea Flower Show Crght); seeing our
beautiful gardens change over the seasons;
meeting some of the thousands of children that
we h elp e du cate in th e joys and sk ills 01
growing through our Campaign for Sch ool
Gardening; opening an RHS leaming centre in
Devon; kicking o [f the fund raising for our
new scientific research facility at Wisley; and
hostng the award ceremony for Euro pe s
larges t commu ni ty gardening campa gn ,
RHS Britain 111 Bloom
!t was also fantastC to discover wh at a
won clerfu lly passionate team we have at the
RHS , full of nspiring, knowleclgeable people.
!t's a joy workng h 1em - ther energy and
en thusiasm is infectious, whether t's gardeners, interest in gardens ancl gardenmg. One of our Lime , WiLh Lo ugh Euro pean co mpe L i L io n
cura tors , our re tal s ta f f, the shows ancl key aims is to be kno.vn loved and tnlsted as and we need lO 5Uppon them. I ceinly LOok
memberip teams , school advisor Iibrarians , the charity for all gardeners advan Lage of Lhe go rgeo us plants from ou r
sciemists , support staff. .. the list goes on We therefore created the IS Elenence an exhibiling specialiSl growers and SLocked up
Hdwev r ! was a liLLle s urprised by lhe interactive d iSplay LhaL b rings elemenrs of the aL Lhe Hamp tO n and TaLlQ n shows with yet
sh yness 0 1' Lhe o rga nisatio n an d a p parem soclety work LO li[e , from scie nL i l c research mOI gl5 hinacea and ros$
u'nw illingness LO ShO UL abouL wh at we do LO commun iLy and educalion projects. lt was Anothe r pli vilege is wa lking arou nd ou r
pespile being a memb [or 18 years , il wasn'[ launched aLChelsea and laken LOall our rnajol gardens , such as RHS iVisley in total silence as
ZFEESZ
the sun is comi ng u p. At the moment , I'm
excited about the work we're doing \Vi th Tom
IUas also ftmtastic discover what a J1 der II!J passi0l1ate team
Stuart-Smith in our woodland area at Harlow
c hlWe at the RHS, full of i~lspiriJ1g kowledgeable people'
dE Z
until l took on th is role that 1 appreciated the flower s hows - it's a great way for us to engage but seein g our breath ta king a rt an d book
breadth and gnitcance of our chalitable work. visitors and show them about our chali ty. collections lor the lrst time was hard to beat
lt became cIear that we needed to communite And what an amazing show RHS Che lsea le never sto p th ink ing a bo u t how to
4402 ga
what we do and why to r more people. was this year. I he buzz dUling build up is tantalise with more honicultural delights. As
In order to help us become more effective , incredible , and there is always a real sense of this goes to press ve just launched the lrst
the RHS was soon streamli ned into seven core camaraderie. One o f the j ob pe rks has been ever National Gardening Week. from 16 <022
divisions , with horticulture at the centre of early mom ings at shows; the scents and sights April 2012. Ihis initiative is designed to get
everything . The RHS is now a unified team , of hundreds of blooms in the floral marquees even more peop le gardening , and to make
EdEEE
vi th an energeC new senior management <.eam and our festival of roses at Hampton Court horticulture a career to be really p roud of,
and a keen as piration to be Illore op en and Palace Flower Show are incred ibly special. because, as we all know , nothing beats the life-
conficlent , and <o welcome everyone \vith an British nurseries ancl growers have a challenging eancing j oy of gardens and gardening
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