Garden News April 16

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April 16, 2016 £1.99

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Carol Klein: "Discover the wonderful buttercup family"

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ighgrove gardens' late st Page 8

amazing spring bluebell gardens Sow colourful spring bedding there's still time!

JOBS TO DO !

THIS WEEK

✔ Transplant chilli seedlings ✔ Repair the lawn ✔ Take delphinium cuttings

Grow amaranth for edible leaves and flowing tassels!

Plant your best garden

ever!

lour & scent co s, m o lo b r fo s ea p t Swee veg Turbo-charged grafted ressive borders Tall perennials for imp

AboutNOW Words Ian Hodgson

Less than half of species are conserved in gardens

Less than 2,500 specimens of Magnolia aromatica exist in China and Vietnam

Spectacular blooms – Magnolia campbellii flowering in woodland in Yunnan, China

Magnolia sinostellata and M. stellata (right) have been plundered for the horticultural trade

Ouyang Zhigin

Zhang Prof.Shouzhou

Shu erstock

Arboretum Wespelaar

Wild collected Magnolia stellata and M. liliflora were used to create M. soulangeana

Shu erstock

Wild magnolias under threat

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ild magnolias are under threat of extinction, a new report has concluded. The study by UK conservation body Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) assessed the population status of 304 wild magnolia species around the globe, and found 48 per cent were significantly endangered.

Most at risk were those from sub-tropical regions, with 75 per cent of them under pressure from logging, and habitat loss from agriculture and livestock farming.

“Other threats include collection of wild material,” said ‘Red List’ report author Sara Oldfield. “Magnolia stellata, one of the most popular with gardeners, is also endangered.

In its native Japan, wild populations are threatened by habitat loss and illegal collecting by horticulturists.”

Almost a third of wild magnolias were found to be too poorly known by scientists to make assessment possible, including M. liliflora, one of the parents of M. soulangeana.

The report also found that only 43 per cent of wild species were represented in botanic gardens, further raising the risk of extinction. BCGI and partner the Global Tree Specialist Group aims to assess the status of all wild magnolia species by 2020.

Eden uplift sparks new planting C ornwall’s Eden Project is celebrating a revival in fortune with the largest mass planting since opening 15 years ago. As previously and exclusively reported in GN, an acre of ground, including a steep bank, will be planted

4 Garden News / April 16 2016

What Bright Sparks plantings will look like once established

Photos: Eden Project

Trachycarpus palms will adorn the steep slopes

with a mixture of semi-mature windmill palms or trachycarpus, over 2,000 kniphofias, and a mix of golden, purple and red grasses to create a vibrant spectacle, dubbed ‘Bright Sparks’.

“The plan for this slope is to electrify it with colour and form, showcasing flowing grasses and vibrant perennials from the southern hemisphere, particularly South Africa, in the ‘new naturalism’ style,” said Eden head Gordon Seabright.

“This will include what we hope will be the start of a nationally significant collection of kniphofia or red hot pokers.”

Over 100 species and varieties, many rare, have been bought by Eden with money

from funding charity the Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust. Tender types will be grown in the Mediterranean biome. Said Gordon: ”I believe by securing Plant Heritage National Collection status, we can raise

our stature as a garden. We are very much a contemporary botanical garden and we aim to broaden our appeal among expert and informed gardeners.” l Tel: 01726 811911 or visit www. edenproject.com

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Emme s is a sumptuous spring garden

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Plants & Pla ce s

bluebell gardens to visit

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here are some much-loved times of year for particular plants – snowdrops in February, daffodils in March

Mottistone Gardens, Isle of Wight

and, of course, beautiful seas of bluebells in April and May, cementing the spring season. Here’s our pick of the best bluebell gardens to visit over the coming weeks…

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You’re in for a real treat if you can make it over the water to this garden spring wonder. Set in a sheltered valley, this magical 20th-century garden experiments with a Mediterranean-style planting scheme to take advantage of its southerly location. Other areas to enjoy include a young olive grove, an organic kitchen garden and a traditional tea garden, but it’s the seas of bluebells, cascading over the lawns and grassy banks, that provide the wow factor. ● Open from 10.30am-5pm, Sunday to Thursday. Adults £5.80, children £2.90.

Tel: 01983 741302.

Stop by Sissinghurst to see striking spring borders

Alamy

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This famous garden, created by poet and writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson in the 1930s, is colourful and spectacular. Harold provided the architectural input, while Vita gave her planting know-how to the project. It’s wonderfully natural and a great place to enjoy

the wildflowers of the season, and wildlife. Don’t miss the vast panoramic views from the top of the tower, the working farm and the 450-acre wider estate.

Take part in a guided bluebell walk on April 30, 2pm-4pm. ● Open from 11am-5.30pm daily. Adults £12.05, children £5.85. Tel: 01580 710700.

Lanhydrock is a jewel of the south west

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Sissinghurst, Kent

Lanhydrock, Cornwall

Bluebell Cottage Gardens and Nursery, Cheshire

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A country estate surrounding the National Trust house has inviting gardens with yearround plant colour. There are beautiful herbaceous borders, tranquil riverside paths, a formal parterre and higher gardens filled with camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons, not to mention woodlands filled with bluebells. ● Open from 10am-5.30pm every day. Adults £7.70, children £3.85 (garden only). Tel: 01208 265950.

Treat yourself to a day among the bluebells

Westways Farm, Surrey

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Paul and Nicky Biddle’s 6-acre garden surrounded by woodlands is planted with mature and rare rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias, all pre ily under-planted with bluebells. There is a sunken pond garden and extensive lawns. The 18th-century house is covered with listed Magnolia grandiflora. ● Garden visitors welcome by arrangement between April and June for groups (min 10, max 50) admission £5, children free. NGS openings: Saturday, May 7 (25pm), Sunday, May 8 (11am-5pm).

Admission £4, children free.

Tel: 01276 856163.

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As its name suggests, this wonderful garden and nursery near Warrington has a thriving wooded bluebell area to enjoy, along with luxuriant spring borders and a wildflower meadow. Winding paths entice Bluebell by name, the visitor to explore the beds and bluebell of beautiful plants, the orchard by nature and chicken coop, as well as the veg plot, too. Pop to the perennial nursery for an array of plants to buy.

Gardens and nursery open 10am-5pm, Wednesday to Sunday, plus bank holidays. Adults £3.50, RHS members free, children free. No charge for the bluebell woods, meadow, nursery or tea room. Tel: 01928 713718.

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This charming Edwardian estate garden was owned by Frederic Lubbock, a 19th-century banker and passionate plantsman, and contains many exotic and rare trees and shrubs from across the world. It offers panoramic views over unspoilt wild countryside, and comes alive in spring with daffodils, camellias, rhododendrons and, of course, swathes of bluebells. ● Open from 10am-5pm every day. Adults £10, children £5.

Tel: 01732 868381.

It’s the season to relish these pretty woodland favourites!

Words Karen Murphy

Emmetts Garden, Kent

April 16 2016 / Garden News 5

WHAT TO DO Meet the tea m

Jo Wright

Jo has an established garden with fruit trees, plus an allotment.

Ian Hodgson

A Kew-trained horticulturist, Ian is also a garden designer.

Karen Murphy Keen fruit, veg and container gardener, Karen also loves wildlife.

THIS WEEK

Melissa Mabbitt Having previously worked at the National Trust’s Bodnant Garden, Melissa has RHS qualifications.

If y o u d o ju st o n e jo b...

Repair the lawn Time to give it a little TLC

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fter the storm-whipped, sodden winter, many lawns will be looking worse for wear, especially if they were flooded.

Grass can appear thin and if there’s been foot traffic on waterlogged or frosted grass, patches may have died away completely. Wet lawns that have been walked on will be compacted, so for grass to thrive again the soil structure needs to be improved.

April is the perfect time to do any major lawn work – the weather is getting milder, soil temperatures are rising and new grass seed will germinate quickly.

Sowing Newly-laid turf will grass seed grow away strongly too.

Firstly use a garden fork to push holes into the lawn every few inches. A freedraining mix of topsoil, compost and sand can be brushed into the holes to keep them open and improve the soil structure and drainage.

If you want to sow bare patches, remove any weeds then scratch the surface with a springtine rake. Work in both directions so the surface becomes raised and textured, which will give the new seed a purchase. Scatter over the seed at a rate indicated on the box – many grass seed products come with their own applicator that takes the guesswork out of measuring.

To get an even spread, scatter lightly in one direction, then scatter again at a 90 degree angle. Then rake again to work the seed into the surface.

You can protect the seed with netting suspended on pegs if birds become a problem.

Avoid mowing re-sown patches until the seed has germinated and is growing strongly.

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Deadhead hydrangeas If buds are growing on hydrangeas, it’s a good time to snip off any old flower heads, unless you garden in a frost pocket. Hydrangeas flower on the previous year’s wood, so prune as little stem as you can while you deadhead – remove the flower stalk to just above the next pair of buds. If the bush is looking very congested you can remove some (about one in five) of the oldest stems.

April 16 2016 / Garden News 29

What to do this week

ON YOUR FRUIT & VEG PLOT GROW WITH US

Be sure to leave around 1m (3ft 4in) between bushes so they’ve space to grow

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Plant gooseberries

Ste p by ste p

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Enrich the planting area with well-ro ed organic ma er, such as garden compost. Spread liberally and fork it in.

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Dig a planting hole the same depth as the pot but twice as wide.

Square-shaped holes will help roots establish on clay soils.

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Photos: Neil Hepworth

n my experience, gooseberries are one of the easiest bush fruits to grow. They thrive in most sites – even shady ones – and they don’t need much in the way of special pruning or training. So, with the advantages of good soil, a sunny position and plenty of space (and if you keep your eyes well peeled for gooseberry sawfly), you’re guaranteed a good crop. And as gooseberries are so rarely found in the supermarkets, I think they are well worth devoting some space to in the garden.

There are some interesting new varieties to try too, so this year I’m growing ‘Golding’ and ‘Darling’ – two new varieties from Swiss plant breeder Lubera.

‘Golding’ has mustard-yellow berries and ‘Darling’ is deep red.

Both are said to be sweet enough to eat straight from the bush.

I’m growing them alongside one I’ve already got: ‘Invicta’, which is an early-cropping, smooth-skinned and diseaseresistant variety. This will give me enough berries to eat fresh, to cook with, and freeze.

If you’re planting in groups, make sure you give bushes enough space to grow. Plant them at least 1m (3ft 4in) apart in compost-enriched soil. Cut off any damaged branches after you plant, but otherwise there’s no need to prune until winter.

Gooseberries can be prone to mildew, so keep newly-planted bushes well-watered in their first growing year. Water at least once a week, or more frequently if the weather is hot and dry. l Look out for how Melissa’s gooseberries are growing in a future issue.

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Position the plant, making sure the compost surface is level with the soil around it. Firm in and drench with water.

April 16 2016 / Garden News 39