w e N y p p Ha
! r a e Y
Best wishes for a healthy, happy 2015 and welcome to the fir
2014 was a really busy year for us; a mild winter and early s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. See how we got on on page 5-
I have a number of Snowdrops out in the garden even t how to increase your collection
Want some planting ideas to chase the winter blues away? S suggestions
Once a month I give a talk on a different aspect of garden ma
Books Don’t Tell You’, These talks are aimed to give you the
they need doing in your own garden. See page 16 for details
If your at a loss for where to take a trip out this winter, try An review of what’s in store when you go
Check out our garden consultation and design service on pag
On page 26 a frosty morning provides the perfect excuse to w camera at the ready
Our diary is already full of dates for plant fairs and shows in so there’s no excuse for missing anything
rst Daisy Roots Newsletter of the year
spring meant that I didn’t lose too much sleep over -9
though it is only New Years Eve. See page 10 to find out
See Spring Fling on page 12 some bright,zingy
aintenance ain my garden at home. Titled ‘What the
e confidence to tackle monthly jobs as and when s and dates
nglesey Abbey. See page 18 for a
ge 24
wrap up and go forth with my
n 2015. Page 30 lists them all
Phone 07958 563355 or email anne@daisyroots.com to book your place
y t e i c o S l a r u t l u c i t r 4 o 1 0 H l 2 a y w o o R h S r e w o l F a . e . s l . e h k C c Ba
A L
e e to b side v a h s t to one d in , plan t u p NextO d otecte ed an r t p c e , l e e b s . needs winter htly f r i o f d n a tunnel nted a slig 15 y l o p a the 4 we w ad to have for 1 0 2 r Fo d and h k o dpicke ut o n l a h c i , t c rs rus sleepe appearance, uild y a w l b d rai athere s our mock ry. e w r i wa se the he nur . This t e z t i a s rk to car pa eavy! e h t h in e very r a y e Th
k
elsea h C r o ng f he Planni ow starts t Sh en Flower s summer wh ill in f u previo ors have to nd send a t exhibi tion forms e RHS a h c t i l g p n ap wi gs sho pose to do. n i w a r d o we hey pr of October t t a h w end have By the whether we d ut not an o r d o n i , f d ccepte been a nsues! e panic
ing the e t t e g t We star e in place th nd r a structu ore the show f e week be takes 4 peopl ts n then it o get the pla t 2 days . e nting in plac ooks very dau h l t It all aced wi f e r a u when yo empty space so much with! t to star
2014, A L
The theme for our exhibit was drought tolerant planting - chosen before the wettest winter on record arrived! We were awarded a Silver-Gilt Medal for our efforts and had a fantastic response from the public. Although I design the stand & place all the plants myself, hiding all the pots, making sure every petal and leaf are in top condition and manning the stand all week, makes Chelsea a real team effort
k Ba
ack...
C arol Kleine (above) has a smile for the camera as she takes a break from filming on our stand.
There was there was The stand Achillea,
no colour scheme for the exhibit as such but an emphasis on plants with silver foliage. also featured a number of bearded Iris, Salvia, Erigeron, Eryngium, Euphorbia and Armeria
So, now my thoughts are on Chelsea 2015. I plan an article in the next newsletter on what we are doing and an update on preparations. My prayers are for another mild winter and, just maybe, a longed for Gold Medal....
n a s p o r d w o n S h it w u d o e n s e s e g s i ob ,b t e e r y o , m t ’ ly sn i t h n , g o i d i l t n s c a t e l e l w co ro Ig g y r n a M o e . i y t r he lec t l o o n c Every a y pm ro m l f e h y l t l e i i r sw t n e v one va e e! g r n th Jan i e h w t o l l u 4 o o f 2 y le ee a S S . y p d but the o a r e d r l w a o n t ’ S n ry e e t a r a u a r m u h b i t o t e l F if y eU 7 s u o y l H i a on d t n e l e d p o d ing p r i My p h s S d y r l Lo ar E n o t w o g h n S y t e Benni i c o S n e d r a G Alpine
p o r d w o n S s t n e Ev 5 1 20
te a r a p e ts a h t a i e t l u a n s i r m o f y n a nd the r e ff o o t e m d e k o o ugh for h ou y t e g , s perhap
nuary
ch r a M ry th Februa y-1 8 2 w o l ar H , w o h gS st
arzkristal Bergenia H compact t, a e n a d n a
Bright, ze spirits an blue
nodding flowers on the top of 1m Fritillaria imperialis has clusters of vivid orange, s with these spring flowering bulbs tall stems. Good winter drainage is key to succes
dd
Berge nia ‘O shock verture’ h a ing p ink s s bright r pring ed flowe winter f ol rs on scarl iage follow et ste ed by ms
ms trasting ste n o c n o s r pink flowe ll has shell bit t growth ha
esty colours lift the nd chase the winter es firmly away.
d some
Erysimum ‘Winter Orchid’ comes into bud before Christmas and flowers open whenever temperature turns milder
ing...
Euphorbia amygaloides ‘Purpurea’ has deep red leaves and contrasting acid green flowers. The combination is repeated in front with lime Valerian phu foliage and Heuchera ‘Chocolate Ruffles’
nd a s n e d gre i c a e ink p in t b h m g i o C th br i w ing s h w s o a l l l c ye for e g n he t a r d o l a d r an t he a h t s ing e r p m s e f h sc urn o t e r e m welco
e m o s dd
ing...
Pulsatilla vulgaris ‘Papageno’ is a seed strain, so but all are bright, cheerful shades with semi dou
Erysimum ‘Constant Cheer’ forms low, ground hugging mounds of dark green foliage topped by flowers that open orange and stain purple as they age
flowers vary in shape and colour uble flowers.
Tulip ‘Ballerina’ adds flame effects, contrasting with the mottled Foliage of Epimedium versicolor Sulphureum
Once again, in 2015 I am holding a series of monthly talks in my own garden, called ‘What The Books Don't Tell You’ which add up to month by month practical sessions that demonstrate what needs doing and when in any garden. Each month we will focus on one of the topics listed below and also take a look at what is flowering and looking good that month. February 21st 9.30am - Rose & Wisteria pruning - easy when you know how! March 14th 9.30am - Spring bulbs, under storey planting ( extending the season), using mulches April 11th 9.30am - Shade lovers, lifting & dividing perennials for clump vigour & propagation May 9th 9.30am - Staking, the 'Chelsea Chop', using annuals to fill the gaps June 6th 9.30am - Cutting back spring flowering plants & pruning spring flowering shrubs July 11th 9.30m - What to deadhead and when, summer pruning wisteria August 15th 9.30am - Keeping the colour coming & softwood cuttings September 19th 9.30am - Using ornamental grasses in borders and flowers for autumn colour October 17th 9.30am - Planning & planting a bulb display for next year November 14th 9.30am -
‘The Big Chop’ - what to start cutting down and when
In 2012 our garden at Gosselin Road was featured on the front cover of Gardens Illustrated magazine
If you wish to book a place, please send your name, address and contact number,
stating which month(s) you wish to attend and enclosing a cheque for ÂŁ12 for each month or ÂŁ30 for any 3 months. You will receive confirmation of your booking and directions. Send to Anne Godfrey, 8 Gosselin Road, Bengeo, Hertford. SG14 3LG. Feel free to contact me should you have any further questions. anne@daisyroots.com 07958 563355 ,
Anglesey A
ing is m ro p n e e b e v a h I t, n u to co For more years than I care dge. ri b m a C f o st a e h rt o n st , ju a trip to Anglesey Abbey inter Walk W ’s it r fo d e m fa is y rt e p This National Trust pro wers, o fl r te in w ir e th r fo d te c le mix of trees and shrubs se . particular, stems and bark th, 9 2 r e b m e c e taken on D ll a re e w s re tu ic p g in w o The foll ell w w s a w , e se n a c u o y s a , e trip but frostily crisp day. Th
Abbey Winter Walk
g myself
k, planted with a leaves and, in
a gorgeous sunny worth it!
ssels Silky flower ta ranches b e th m o r f le g dan ytica of Garrya ellip
The bark of Prunus serrula looks like strips of chestnut brown cellophane laid over each other layer upon layer. It feels as smooth as silk too
Betula utilis var. jaq Himalayas and particu ba They can be grown as s trunk) or as multi stem number of stems start
quemontii is from the ularly fine white peeling ark. standards (with a single mmed trees which have a ting from ground level
Cornus sanguinea ‘Mid Winter Fire’ makes a large twiggy shrub in time and has a sunset effect with pale golden stems turning richer red shades at their tips They grow best with light pruning and thinning out of larger stems in March if necessary
The stems of Rubus cockb are revealed to be as w Himalayan Birches once leaves green leave They are related to raspb and need to be cut down c To promote new stems fo
It is the newest stems of Cornus sibirica Alba that provide the brightest colour. My rule of thumb for pruning them is to take out all stems thicker than an HB pencil at about 6’’ or 15cms from the ground in March, just as they are breaking into leaf
burnianus ‘Goldenvale’ white as those of the e their attractive, lime es fall in autumn. berries and blackberries completely in the spring or the following winter
Cornus sericea ‘Flaviramea’ is pruned hard in spring, just like C sibirica Alba. The nice straight stems make really good pea sticks and I often weave lobster pot-like structures over perennials in the border that need some extra support
Not only are we at Daisy Roots very happy to answer any gardening questions you may have when you visit the nursery, but we also offer a full garden consultation and design service. You might only need an hour’s on site discussion to to help with a problem area or you might find some planting plans usefu On the other hand you might want a complete redesign with scale drawn plans and someone to manage the project to completion. Contact Anne anne@daisyroots.com 07958 563355 For more details
ul
The evergreen look fant
n rosettes of Galactites tomentosa tastic all winter frost or not
Clematis cirrhosa Wisley Cream has been flowering since the end of September and is still going strong
Seed heads of Hydrangea Annabelle and Eupatorium atropurpurea will be cut down anytime now to make way for the snow drops
Helebore foetidus ‘Westerfisk’ appears to collapse under the weigh of the cold but stands upright again as soon as it thaws out
Daisy Roots will be attending and selling plants at the follo March 1st
RHS Secret Garden Sunday www.rhs.org.uk/s
March 28th - 29th
Great Dixter Spring Plant Fair www.greatdix
April 14th -15th
RHS Great London Plant Fair, Vincent Square
April 17th-18th
Gardens Illustrated Garden Festival www.gar
May 2nd
Plant Heritage Plant Fair, Highgate www.face
May 10th
RHS Secret Garden Sunday @ Blackheath Far
May 19th-23rd
RHS Chelsea Flower Show www.rhs.org.uk/sho
May 30th-31st
Hatfield House Garden Show www.redduckeve
June 11th-14th
Gardeners World Live, NEC, Birmingham. www
June 30th-July 5th RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show ww July 19th
Chenies Manor Plant Fair www.cheniesmanorh
July 26th
35 Digswell Road, Welwyn Garden City www.n
July 30th-Aug 2nd RHS Hyde Hall Plant Fair www.rhs.org.uk/gar August 8th-9th
Great Comp Summer Show www.greatcompgar
September 6th
Sussex Prairies Plants and Art Fair www.plan
September 12th
Plant Heritage Plant Fair, Highgate www.face
September 20th
RHS Secret Garden Sunday @Marleybone Lon
owing events in 2015
shows-events/rhs-london-shows/secret-sundays
xter.co.uk www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-london-shows
rdenfestival.com
ebook.com/PlantHeritageLondon#
rmers Market
ows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show
ents.co.uk
w.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/bbc-gardeners-world-live
ww.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-hampton-court-palace-flower-show
house.co.uk
ngs.org.uk
rdens/hyde-hall
rden.co.uk
nts and art.co.uk
ebook.com/PlantHeritageLondon#
ndon Farmers Market Lant Fair, Higgate
Dates For Your Diary
& will t h e n be open ev 10am-4 e ry Frid pm u n t ay & Sa il t h e e t u rday nd of O ctober