We December

HERBY GOODNESS
What would we do without fennel? This
truly is a plant for all seasons. From fluffy
foliaged beginnings in spring, it emerges
as a statuesque and forthright herbaceous
perennial in summer, with architectural
umbelliferous flowers. It then fades
elegantly into October and giving us a last
hurrah as a frost-rimed skeleton in the
depths of winter. All this and the ability
to lend a good deal of zip to our cooking.

Foeniculum vulgare
Easy to grow, although has a tendency to
self-seed expansively if happy. Either deadhead
(leaving a few seedheads for winter) or prepare
for some weeding. H x S 2m x 30cm

GOOD GOLLY, IT’S HOLLY

We have touched, briefly, on holly already
on these pages, as it is the more lauded
part of the double act with ivy. This is a
plant laden with symbolism: to the Druids
it was a symbol of fertility, in Christian lore,
the spiny leaves came to represent the
Crown of Thorns. To gardeners it is a really
useful native evergreen and to the birds,
its berries are an invaluable food source.
Everyone’s a winner.

Ilex x meserveae ’Blue Princess’

A compact variety suited to smaller gardens.
Seed from the berries will germinate, but it can
take two or three years. H x S 2.5m x 2m
PHOTOS: JASON INGRAM

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