Planting Journal Stephanos Georgiou
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Contents 1.0 Hardwick Hall, Winter Border ..................... 1.1 Introduction .................................................. 1.2 Visual Summary ........................................... 1.3 Plant List ......................................................
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2.0 Golders Hill, Pergola Garden ...................... 2.1 Introduction ................................................. 2.2 Visual Summary .......................................... 2.3 Plant List ......................................................
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3.0 Bates Street, My Garden .............................. 3.1 Introduction ................................................. 3.2 Visual Summary .......................................... 3.3 Herby Bed .................................................... 3.4 Perennial Meadow ...................................... 3.5 Annual Meadow,Ugly Wall ..................
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Hardwick Hall
Top Left: Front of the house. Top Right: Coppiced Corylus avellana and what looks like it will be a meadow. Bottom Left: A Stumpery. Bottom Right: View of the house, hedges of Taxus bacata.2
The Winter Border Hardwick Hall, Derybyshire
Hardwick Hall is an Elizabethan house, built between 1590 and 1597 for Bess of Hardwick. Since 1959, it has been owned by the National Trust and is now fully open to the public. It has approximately 85,000 visitors each year. The gardens include, herbaceous borders, a vegetable and herb garden, an orchard and a winter border – which is where I have decided to look at. It is a south facing border but surrounded by mature trees, so is in partial shade. The sun pierces through the trees at various times of the day. Karl, the head gardener at Hardwick, designed the planting plan. It is 3 years old and is still filling out and maturing. It looks empty in places and mature in others. I visited on a clear day in late January, when the Galanthus nivalis had just come up.
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Ilex aquifolia hedge
Fatsia japonica
Cornus sanguinea ‘Winter Beauty’ Cornus sericea ‘Kelseyi’
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Rubus cockburnianus
Cornus alba ‘Kesselringii’
Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’ Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’
Carex comans ‘frosted curls’
Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna Helleborus orientalis
Rubus thibetanus Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’
Vinca minor
Garrya ellip ‘James Roo
Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’
Salix alba var. vitellina
Rubus cockburnianus
Phormium ‘Bronze Baby’ Phormium ‘Dazzler’ Epimedium pubigerum
Bergenia purpurascens
Tilia cordata ‘Winter Orange’
Cornus stolonifera ‘Flaviramea’ Helleborus × hybridus
Rosa sericea Cornus sanguinea ‘Winter Beauty’
Cornus sanguinea ‘Winter Beauty’
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii Cotoneaster procumbens
Vinca minor f. alba Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’
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Betula utilis ‘jacquemontii’ Natural distribution Himalayas, 14,000 ft. Size 5m (Ultimate height, 18m) Habit Single stemmed in this instance Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period March Description A vigorous, deciduous tree, with brilliant white bark. Ovate leaves turn yellow in autumn. Yellow-brown male catkins to 12cm long open in early spring. Works equally well as a specimen or in a woodland or grove. My Comments The bright white trunk stands out brilliantly against the holly hedge. I would have distributed them more evenly as they feel a little unbalanced all in one place. Although perhaps this won’t be the case when other plants have grown closer to full maturity. I would estimate that they are currently under 10 years old.
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Carex comans ‘Frosted Curls’, Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ Natural Distribution New Zealand, wetlands Size 25cm Habit Small hummocks Description ‘Frosted Curls’ is an evergreen perennial creating a mophead of very slender, shimmering, silvery-green leaves. The flowers are insignificant. Carex oshimensis can be deciduous or evergreen and has slightly wider leaves, much like a spider plant (houseplant). My Comments They create a light, fresh coloured bed of grass that stands out amongst the darker greens that they’ve been planted amongst. They have been densely planted and look healthy and lush. It looks like they would be good at preventing weeds.
Cornus alba ‘Kesselringii’ Cornus sanguinea ‘Winter Beauty’ Cornus sericea ‘Flaviramea’ Cornus sericea ‘Kelseyi’
winter. Leaves turn red or orange in autumn.
Natural distribution Wetlands Size 1-2m tall Habit Thickets of upright stems Growth Rate Fast
Dogwoods need to be pruned more than once per year to keep the vibrant stem colours – doing this will stop flowers and fruits from being produced. They have been planted here for their stem colour but if left unpruned, all the above cultivars have small cream flowers in spring and summer which are followed by white berries.
Description ‘Kesselringii’ is the tallest of these dogwoods. A vigorous deciduous shrub forming a thicket of upright dark red shoots, which become blackish-purple in winter. Oval leaves turn red and purple in autumn. ‘Winter Beauty’ is a compact deciduous shrub with oval leaves turning orange-yellow in autumn; the winter stems are pale yellow and turn to red towards the top.
‘Kelseyi’ is a dwarf dogwood, the smallest of the 4. The stems are bright red.
My Comments These are the stars of the show. They have an impact from a distance and really warm up the views in winter. They need a couple more years to better integrate with the surrounding plants, as they seem a little too ‘placed’ at the moment.
‘Flaviermea’ is a suckering, deciduous shrub, forming thickets of greenish-yellow stems, brightest in
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Eranthis hyemalis Natural distribution European Woodland Size 10cm tall Habit A tuberous rooted herbaceous perennial Flowering Period January and February Description Cup-shaped bright yellow flowers, 3cm in width, surrounded by divided leafy bracts. Basal leaves are rich green, divided into several lobes. Perfect for naturalising under deciduous shrubs and trees, forms excellent ground cover on awkward slopes My Comments These were planted in larger numbers elsewhere in Hardwick - Amongst lawns, under mature trees. I think they work much better in this way, rather than the sparse sprinkling on this winter border. In small numbers they are just a bit pathetic looking. I wonder why these aren’t as common
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in parks and urban situations as Narcissus spp. It would be nice to always plant both together, as they flower almost consecutively.
Hamamelis mollis Natural Distribution Central and eastern China Size 2m tall (ultimate height, 4m) Habit Slightly upright, deciduous shrub Growth Rate Slow Flowering Period December to February Description In winter, this upright, deciduous shrub has clusters of sweetly scented, bright yellow, spidery flowers clinging to bare twigs. In autumn, the bright green leaves turn soft yellow. An expensive plant to purchase and limited in availability. Perhaps this is why I like it so much? If it were cheaper and therefore more commonly used commercially, would I have a different perception of it?
My Comments I don’t think this had much of an impact from a distance. Up close, at that time of year, it had an enchanting quality. I imagine they have these in the forest in Narnia.
I’m not sure how I feel about G.nivalis in general - Even when in drifts within a lawn, they always look so neatly arranged and ornamental.
Unlike my experience of Sarcococca spp., in order to smell these flowers I had to get right up close. I’m not sure if this is always the case.
Galanthus nivalis Natural Distribution Europe, woodland Size 10cm tall Habit Bulb Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period January and February Description A solitary, pendulous, bell-shaped white flower, held on a slender pedicel. My Comments They have been used to much better effect in the grass across from the winter border.
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Helleborus × hybridus, Helleborus orientalis
Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’
Natural distribution Woodlands, greatest concentration found in the Balkans Size 40cm Habit Forms a clump of pedate basal leaves with upright stems Growth Rate Average Flowering Period January to April
Natural Distribution Japan, on open and forested slopes Size 20cm Habit Clump forming Growth Rate Average Flowering Period June to August
Description Hellebores herald the start of the new year with their gently nodding flowers that open as early as January. My Comments These are beautiful and useful plants but I don’t think they suit the overall essence of this border. To me, the particular tones of cream and purple, and the weeping shape of the flowers has a gloomy and melancholic quality, whereas the rest of this planting scheme is bright and energetic. At the moment, they seem to be planted sparsely, with a lot of empty space around them which reduces their impact.
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Description Low-growing soot-black, strappy spiders - with year round presence. My Comments A dramatic contrast to the Carex spp. – Similar form and habit but almost opposite in colour. I would have liked to see them planted together. They have not yet matured to full size so looks too sparse. When they form a thick ground cover, the red stems of the Cornus sericea ‘Kelseyi’ will seem to pierce through - a fun combination.
Phormium ‘Bronze Baby’ Phormium ‘Dazzler’ Natural distribution New Zealand, in swamps or low lying areas Size 80cm Habit Arching, sword shaped leaves Growth Rate Average Description These are compact varieties, with purple-bronze leaves. The leaves are tough and sharp looking. It is low maintenance. My Comments Like the Ophiopogon p., it has been planted amongst Carex spp. for contrast. It has been used sparingly. It is successful as a subtle pop of purple-bronze foliage.
Rubus cockburnianus Rubus thibetanus
Habit Thicket forming Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period June to September Description The arching, thorny stems develop a glowing white bloom in winter and these look luminous when exposed in the low winter light. My Comments Apparently the ‘ck’ is silent. They make a visual statement, even from a distance. They pair well with the Betula utilis as they both create these icy white shards that shoot up through the ground – an almost ghostly quality. I have seen these in other gardens and can look a mess, but I think they work really well here. Perhaps, the way they are pruned has something to do with it.
Natural distribution China (R. thibetanus is found at altitudes of 900-2000m), in thickets, ditches and woodland edge Size 2m (ultimate height, 3m)
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Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna Natural distribution Himalayas Size 1m tall (ultimate height, 1.5m) Habit Compact, suckering evergreen shrub Growth Rate Slow Flowering Period December to March Description Clusters of small, creamy-white, tassel-like flowers and slender, dark green leaves. Can provide evergreen groundcover. They are highly shade tolerant and can grow in almost any soil – making them an extremely robust and flexible plant. My Comments These were unfortunately not in flower during my visit. As this has been planted in a strong block, I imagine the smell would have been wonderful. It has been planted beside Hamamelis mollis - a very nice combination. They will both be in flower at the same time. I like the contrast of the yellow
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flowers on bare stems, with the white flowers and shiny, lush foliage. Also nearby is Cornus sanguinea ‘Winter Beauty’, the bare stems provide warmth without competing with the Sacococca.
Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ Natural distribution Japan and China, usually as woodland understorey Size 60cm (ultimate height, 1m) Habit Compact, rounded evergreen shrub Growth Rate Slow Flowering Period April to May Description Pink-red flower buds are produced in autumn and last through the winter until the flowers open in spring. They are shade tolerant and thrive under trees. My Comments They have just planted this in a block at the very southern end of the border. It doesn’t seem to interact with anything else. I
also have negative associations with this plant because it is so common in urban planting and old ladies gardens. I now see it as something very ornamental and mundane. It lacks the drama or energy that this winter garden has elsewhere.
planted in one area. Perhaps it could be used to fill in some of the gaps elsewhere. I like the way it can grow amongst the base of larger shrubs without smothering them.
Vinca minor f. alba Natural distribution Southern Europe and North Africa, in woodland scrub Size 10cm tall, spreads up to 1.5m Habit Mat forming, evergreen Growth Rate Slow to Moderate Flowering Period April to September Description A prostrate shrub that forms a neat carpet of lance-shaped, dark green leaves. It is useful for suppressing weeds in sun or partial shade. Bright white flowers are borne for half the year – Very valuable for lightening dark areas. My Comments A clever plant to offset the winter theme as it is in flower for spring and summer. It has only been
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Golders Hill, Pergola Garden
Top left: Early June on the pergola. Top right: Heavily planted stairway to the pergola. Bottom: The pond and hill garden, viewed from the pergola and within. 22
The Hill & Pergola Garden, Hampstead, London In 1904 Lord Leverhulme (the same guy from Port Sunlight and UniLever!) purchased a large town house on Hampstead Heath called ‘The Hill’. Lord Leverhulme expanded his estate by acquiring the surrounding land. He wanted it to be the setting for extravagant Edwardian garden parties, while at the same time being a place where his family and friends could spend long summer evenings enjoying the spectacular gardens.
of faded grandeur. It is maintained in a way that gives the eerie illusion of abandonment.
To turn this idea into reality Lord Leverhulme enlisted the help of Thomas Mawson. Construction on the Pergola began in 1905. A further extension to the Pergola took place in 1911, and again in 1925. The newest addition to the pergola is where I have focussed my journal.
I have taken photos in winter, spring and summer. The stretch of pergola I’ve focused on runs east to west, with the pond garden to the north and woodland to the south. The sun shines beautifully through the structures and climbers.
Unfortunately, after Lord Leverhulme’s death the Pergola went into a slow decline and today it’s looked after by Camden Council as part of the neighbouring Golders Hill Park. We’ve been left with this sense
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I’ve been visiting this part of London since I was a very small boy and it has always been somewhere I recommended people to visit, even before my interest in horticulture or landscape architecture. Since discovering those subjects, this place has taken on new meaning to me.
There is a vast selection of species on display. Rather than choose one limited area to identify, I have researched the plants that received my attention on the days I visited. There are also many things I regrettably could not identify.
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Actinidia deliciosa ‘Jenny’
Asplenium scolopendrium
Natural distribution Southern China, between 600 and 2000 m Size Up to 9m long Habit Woody, deciduous twining vine Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period June
Natural Distribution Europe, on neutral and lime-rich substrates Size 50cm tall Habit Fern Growth Rate Average
Description This is a self-fertile variety that produces both male and female creamy-white flowers, so it does not need a pollinating partner to produce fruit. It will start producing fruit in late autumn, around 3 years after planting. My Comments I have been visiting the pergola garden for many years and I have never known there were kiwifruits growing here! It produces a huge amount of fruit. They should grow a Ficus carica too – I love the foliage on those.
Description Shiny, wavy-edged fronds unfurl in early spring, and remain all year. My Comments These really add to the old enchanted atmosphere. I love the shiny and crinkled texture.
Chimonanthus praecox Natural distribution China, forests at 500-1100m above sea level Size Up to 3m tall Habit Deciduous shrub Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period December to February Description Small, sweetly scented, sulphur-yellow flowers, stained
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purple inside, appear on bare branches throughout the winter months. This vigorous shrub will usually take a few years to start to flower. My Comments Really elegant flowers. I love the pale shade of yellow. I wasn’t that aware of its scent though.
Hamamelis mollis (See page 15 for details) My Comments It is loosely being trained around the column and you can tell it wants to break free and do its own thing – creating a nice uncultivated effect.
Hedera colchica ‘Dentata Variegata’ Natural distribution Middle East, prefers humid microclimates but extremely tough and adaptable Size Up to heights of 30m Habit Woody, evergreen, climbing shrub Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period October and November
there are no vertical surfaces. It is particularly suited for planting in areas recently cleared of builder’s rubble since it prefers alkaline soil. It can live for over 400 years. Flowers are particularly rich in nectar, produced from late summer to late autumn – a valuable time of year for pollinators. My Comments I am even more attracted to the twining trunk than the foliage that covers both the ground and the canopy. This is the first thing you see when you enter the pergola and because of the variegated leaves, it is very memorable and unique – recognisable at any time of year.
Description It is a vigorous, selfclinging large evergreen climber with large, leathery ovate leaves with a broad, creamy-white margin, yellowish-cream on young leaves. It also grows as ground cover where
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Jasminum nudiflorum
Lonicera × purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’
Natural distribution China Size Up to 3m tall Habit Decidcuous shrub Growth Rate Average Flowering Period December to March Description Cheerful yellow flowers appear on bare stems and really brighten up a dark, winter day. This vigorous shrubby climber is easy to grow and easy to train on wires or a trellis. Bright green stems, even in winter, and dark green shoots add to the appeal of this lovely climber. My Comments I find that the stems overpower the flowers, rather than letting them take the stage. I also find it unattractive when left and not neatly trained against an upright.
Natural Distribution Cultivated Size up to 2m tall Habit Rounded shrub Growth Rate Average Flowering Period December to March
Lonicera henryi Natural Distribution Western China Size up to 10m in height Habit Twining, evergreen climber Growth Rate Average to fast Flowering Period June and July Description A vigorous climber with downy shoots bearing dark green, lance-shaped leaves and dull yellow and red tubular flowers in summer, followed by black berries. My Comments The flowers were not very prolific. They were lost a little in the bushy foliage.
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Description A strong-growing, rounded, medium-sized deciduous shrub with ovate leaves and small, sweetly scented cream flowers 15mm in width, on the bare branches in winter and early spring, occasionally followed by red berries. Not a natural climber but easily trained. My Comments The flowers are very small and when they’re not in bloom, the foliage is not very interesting. I think this plant is best grown intertwined with a different, summer flowering shrub of a similar nature – perhaps another species of Lonicera.
Polystichum setiferum Natural Distribution Europe, woodlands Size 1m tall Habit Upright fern Growth Rate Average Description A large, evergreen fern, native of Britain. It has soft, dark green fronds that emerge upright before unfurling and falling softly open. My Comments This grand looking fern adds to the eerie feel of the pergola. The lacy texture contrasts nicely with the A.scolopendrium.
Tulipa sylvestris Natural Distribution Eurasia and North Africa Size 50cm tall Habit Bulb forming perennial Flowering Period April and May
Description A spring flowering bulb. Most tulips are best replaced each year. If left in the ground they are unlikely to re-flower after their first year. The alternative to discarding old bulbs and replacing with new is to lift and dry the tulip bulbs after flowering.
followed by velvety-green seed-pods. W. sinensis has fuller, more showy flowers.
My Comments I wonder if they plant different bulbs each year?
My Comments The display of flowers I got to see was completely breath taking. The mature stems that wrap and coil around its supports just add to the splendour. The stems also give the illusion that they have invaded and trespassed, rather than years of careful training – which feels more magical to us.
Wisteria sinensis, Wisteria floribunda Natural distribution China (W. sinensis) and Japan (W. floribunda), forest Size Up to 30m long Habit Woody, deciduous twining climber Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period May and June
It has been known to live as long as 250 years. Wisteria spp. is notorious for needing a skilled gardener to prune and train.
Description Pendant clusters of fragrant, pea-like, bluish-lilac flowers in May and June, often
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Bates Street, My Garden
Top left: Front Garden. Top and Bottom right: The spring. Bottom left: Looking back at the house 44
My Garden Bates Street, Sheffield, S10 I moved in, August of 2013. The whole house was like a scene from a horror film and took me the first year to rebuild. Meanwhile, the garden was an overgrown mess of Buddleja, brambles, bindweed and rosebay willowherb. After clearing the main bulk of it, I discovered a natural spring (of Springvale!). Along with some interesting level changes, it had lots of potential. The weeds have been unstoppable. Glyphosate doesn’t kill them as fast as they grow. Any inch of soil left bare was swiftly infested with ugly seedlings. Because of this, I have lived the vast majority of my time in this house with huge areas of the garden covered in sheets of black plastic. It seems brambles can live in complete darkness for 9 months. And there are still infinite unwelcome seeds, ready to germinate. The black plastic has been a helpful way of stalling, while I slowly build up my collection of plants.
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It’s a large garden (approximately 5x25m) and I always feared it was too big for me to cope with, especially considering the dreadful state it was in and my lack of money. My priorities were; • To create something very low maintenance, so that I can tell the next residents that it can be somewhat left to its own devices. I also like gardens that look like the gardener stopped working a few years prior – a bit wild and messy but lived in. • To have a wildlife friendly garden. It is blissfully peaceful and cathartic to sit and do nothing but watch birds, bees and butterflies enjoying my garden. • Create a big impact in a short period of time. I’ll barely have two summers before I leave Sheffield. I aim to achieve this primarily by sowing annual wildflowers over large areas.
The soil is generally moist, with some areas permanently wet (I assume due to the spring). The bottom of the garden gets sun for two thirds of the day. As you get closer to the house there are less hours of sunlight, with the patio only getting a couple of hours in the morning. It is fairly exposed to wind, on the top of a hill. I have certainly made some bad decisions so far. But I have also learnt lots by experimenting and reading. I am always on the look out for potential plants when I’m walking past other houses. I don’t look forward to going back to London and most likely never being able to afford to live somewhere with a garden!
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Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Miss Jessopp’s Upright’
Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii
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Mix A
Alchemilla mollis
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’
Thymus serpyllum ‘Pink Chintz’
Vinca minor ‘La Grave’
Nepeta x faassenii
Thymus vulgaris
Salvia × sylvestris ‘Mainacht’
Santolina rosmarinifolia subsp.rosmarinifolia
Allium schoenoprasum
Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Blue Spire’
Vinca minor ‘La Grave’
Linaria vulgaris
• Achillea millefolium • Anemone x hybrida ‘honorine jobert’ • Leucanthemum vulgare • Linaria purpurea • Linaria vulgaris • Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Little Spire’ • Verbascum Thapsus • Verbena bonariensis
Buddleja davidii ‘Black Knight’ Erigeron karvinskianus
Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris Lonicera × purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’ Ulex europaeus Parthenocissus quinquefolia Sarcococca hookeriana ‘Ghorepani’ Lonicera × purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’
Mix B
Clematis x jackmanii
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
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Herby Bed
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Alchemilla mollis
Allium schoenoprasum
Natural distribution Southern Europe. Roadsides, riverbanks, rough ground Size 5cm (Ultimate height of 60cm) Habit Forms a clump Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period June to September
Natural distribution Europe, Asia and America, in a range of conditions Size 30cm tall Habit Bulb, tussock like stems Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period July and August
Description Softly hairy, light green leaves with scalloped and toothed edges. Small, bright yellow flowers are borne in large sprays just above the foliage.
Description A vigorous plant that produces clusters of brilliant pink to purple or white, button-like summer flowers, which are also edible. Attractive to bees.
My Comments I got 6 of these in 9cm pots while on sale. I didn’t have any reason to buy them other than they were on sale and seemed to be a useful plant to fill holes with. I’ve always loved how rain gathers on top of the leaves. They’re not doing very well though. They’ve all gone yellow/ brown but are starting to produce new, green growth this spring.
My Comments This was being grown in a pot in the garden when I first moved in. I didn’t think much of it until it flowered and I decided it was going to be the first member of my herby strip.
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Lavandula angustifolia Hidcote Natural Distribution Europe, East Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to southeast India. Dry, rocky Size 40cm (ultimate height, 60cm) Habit Compact shrub Growth Rate Average Flowering Period July to September Description A compact cultivar. It produces dense spikes of fragrant, deep violet summer flowers above slender, aromatic, silvery-grey leaves. It is suitable for edging paths and borders as the aromatic foliage perfumes the air if you brush against it. The flower-spikes are highly attractive to bees and other nectarloving insects. They do not require fertile soils and are drought and frost resistant. My Comments This brings some much needed evergreen foliage to the strip. Without these it would feel very empty during the cold months.
They are really low maintenance – I am happy to leave them be and let them get a bit gnarly looking rather than pruned and neat.
Mentha longifolia, Mentha spicata Natural distribution The entire world! They grow best in wet conditions Size 30cm (Ultimate height, 1m) Habit Herbaceous perennial, widespreading stolons Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period August and September Description Aromatic bright green leaves, are topped with dense spikes of pink, lilac or white flowers in summer. They have a tendency to become invasive if planted outside of containers. My Comments It is so easy to grow from cuttings. I will keep this in pots though as I’m scared they’ll take
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over, if planted in the ground. I don’t really use mint in the kitchen at all but I insist on growing it for the smell of the leaves and the nectar rich flowers.
Nepeta x faassenii Natural distribution Cultivated Size 60cm tall, 90cm wide Habit herbaceous, upright perennial Growth Rate Average Flowering Period June to September Description Oval, opposite, intricately veined, grey/green leaves, on square stems. The plant produces small but showy, abundant, two-lipped, trumpetshaped, soft lavender flowers, from spring through autumn. The seeds are predominantly sterile, so the plant will not reseed as an invasive species, unlike some other Nepeta species. My Comments This might be my absolute favourite plant in the
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world! I took a cutting on the way home from the bank, from the fountain park, next to the Sheffield City Hall. I planted the one cutting straight in the ground when I got home. I went back to London for a couple of months and when I came back in August it had fully matured. A really magical feeling. This year I will be taking many more cuttings and planting in various places to fill space in an affordable manner. It’s a shame that this dies back to the ground during winter and early spring. I need to rethink what it’s planted next to. I can’t believe how addicted I am to the smell of the leaves – I may have been a cat in a previous life? On top of that, bees cannot get enough of the flowers. I’m interested in getting a cutting of the ‘Junior Walker’ dwarf cultivar, as I’d be able to fit it into tighter spaces around the garden.
Salvia × sylvestris ‘Mainacht’
Santolina rosmarinifolia subsp.rosmarinifolia
Thymus serpyllum ‘Pink Chintz’
Natural distribution Cultivated Size 50cm tall Habit Compact, neat perennial Growth Rate Average Flowering Period June and July
Natural Distribution South Western Europe, sandy and stony places Size 20cm (ultimate height, 60cm) Habit A dense, compact evergreen shrub Growth Rate Slow to Average Flowering Period July and August
Natural Distribution Mediterranean and North Africa. Sandy-soiled heaths, rocky outcrops and riverside sand banks Size 3cm tall, spreads 20cm Habit Creeping dwarf evergreen subshrub Growth Rate Average to fast Flowering Period June and July
Description ‘Mainacht’ has neat, dark green foliage and dense racemes of deep violet flowers in early summer. My Comments The leaves get ravaged by slugs and so it ends up looking a bit unsightly. A shame, as the flowers are stunning and very attractive to bees. I only have one plant, on its own, which lacks some impact. I won’t be buying another though.
Description This is a spreading evergreen shrub, with finely dissected green leaves and bright yellow flower heads 2cm wide in mid summer. My Comments I saw this plant when I visited Hardwick Hall. It was not in flower but I was very attracted to the warm red of the woody stems and the delicate foliage. I found that it was only available to buy from one supplier! Beth Chatto Nursery – I bought 6 young plants. I’m looking forward to how it looks during flowering and how interested pollinators are in it.
Description This mat-forming thyme produces a mass of pink flowers in summer. It’s a useful ground cover plant for a sunny border or rock garden. It is attractive to bees and other beneficial pollinating insects. The aromatic grey-green leaves release a lovely scent whenever they are trodden on. My Comments I was hoping this would act as a weed suppressor but Cardamine hirsuta (hairy bittercress) just seems to grow right through it and is even harder to remove because it’s all knotted in.
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I don’t think I’ve used it in an ideal place in this Herb Strip – I’d much rather plant more T.vulgaris which also flowers for longer.
Thymus vulgaris Natural Distribution Mediterranean and North Africa. Sandy-soiled heaths, rocky outcrops and riverside sand banks Size 20cm (Ultimate height, 40cm) Habit Compact, low growing shrub Growth Rate Average Flowering Period May to July Description An aromatic, low growing herb, which is ideal for edging paths or filling pots on a sunny patio. The small flowers, which appear in late spring and early summer, come in a range of shades including pink, purple and white and are very attractive to bees. My Comments I was bought this plant as a gift. I kept it on my
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kitchen windowsill for a long time but decided to add it to the Herby Strip. It has toughened up over winter and looks a more muted shade of green now. The stems have gotten woodier and look more weathered. I prefer it this way.
Vinca minor ‘La Grave’ See page 20 for details Description This cultivar has lavender/blue flowers. My Comments I’ve had this for a year now and was imagining that it was going to cover and lot more ground by this time. They look very healthy - I think they’re just too sparsely planted. Maybe I should just give it time. Like the Lavandula, I was hoping this would provide some groundover in winter when a lot of these herbs have died back.
Perennial Meadow
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Achillea millefolium ‘Lilac Beauty’
Anemone x hybrida ‘honorine jobert’
Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii
Natural distribution Temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Grasslands and open forests Size 60cm tall Habit An erect, herbaceous, perennial Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period May to September
Natural Distribution Cultivated Size 1.2m tall Habit Clump forming, but with short colonising underground stems Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period August to October
Natural Distribution Southern France to Turkey. Dry, rocky slopes and scrubland Size 90cm (Ultimate height, 1.5m) Habit Upright, compact evergreen shrub Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period March to May
Description A profusion of rosy lilac flowers, which fade slightly with age to a lavender pink. Achilleas will attract bees, butterflies and hoverflies. My Comments I was able to take these from the Green Estate. I would have always seen these as weeds until now. The stems and leaves are very subtle, with big showy flowers that last forever (these were still flowering into November this year!). They really give this collection of plants the cottage meadow look. I am keen to see if they have self seeded at all.
Description Grows in sun or shade and has masses of elegant, cupshaped, white flowers on tall, wiry stems. The leaves are vine-like, dark green, and semi-evergreen. My Comments I hope this works well among my other cottage meadow plants. I am hoping that the foliage is lost at ground level and the beautiful white flowers will rise above, seemingly floating in space.
Description Upright stems clothed with whorls of fleshy, glaucous leaves and topped with huge heads of chartreuse-green flowers with bronze ‘eyes’ from March to May. The Edwardian garden designer Gertrude Jekyll described this sunloving, evergreen shrub as ‘one of the grandest of plants’. It is very tolerant of drought once it becomes established. It forms a natural rounded shape, and brings structure and an architectural quality. My Comments : I have no idea why I bought this single plant. I think it needs to be planted in bold groups. I don’t think it particularly goes with
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anything else in this bed. I’m not sure it would go well anywhere in my garden. Oh well. It flowers at a time when not much else is happening and the bees enjoy it.
Leucanthemum vulgare Natural Distribution Temperate regions of Europe and Asia. Grassland, meadows, under scrub and open-canopy forests Size 90cm Habit Erect stems, rhizomatous Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period May to July Description Large, white, daisy-like flowers with yellow centres on long stalks. A common wildflower and loved by pollinating insects. My Comments I only managed to get one clump from the Green Estate. It is quite congested. I may lift and divide it, to encourage a more even distribution. Because of the location in the garden, they lean quite far towards the sunnier side
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of the bed. This might not happen so much when the meadow fills out. Over winter, this didn’t completely go underground. A dense patch of foliage remained – useful.
Linaria purpurea Linaria vulgaris Natural Distribution Temperate regions of Europe, northern Africa and Asia Size 80cm tall Habit Slender upright spires Growth Rate Average Flowering Period May to September Description Undemanding perennials. Throughout summer, upright spires are covered with small, snapdragon-like pink (L.purpurea) and yellow (L.vulgaris) flowers, which attract bees and other beneficial insects. My Comments I got many of these from the Green Estate. It is one of my favourite plants that I took. It has very elegant and gentle foliage. I am waiting to see if they have self seeded at all.
Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Blue Spire’ Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Little Spire’ Natural Distribution Steppes and hills of south-western and central Asia Size 1m tall (Blue Spire) and 60cm tall (Little Spire) Habit Upright herbaceous perennial Growth Rate Average Flowering Period August and September
My Comments As nice as the leaves smell when you crush them in your hand, it leaves a really horrible stick texture on your fingers that really makes my skin crawl. I got one Blue Spire plant last year and it grew very vigorously but looked spindly on its own. I since bought 6 Little Spire cultivars that were on sale. I am hoping they will blend well with the other plants in this bed. It is very expensive to buy enough of the Blue Spire cultivar to plant en masse or in drifts. I am going to try propagating from cuttings this summer.
Description Aromatic leaves and upright spikes of violet-blue flowers. It makes a wonderful companion to all kinds of late-summer ornamental grasses and perennials. In August and September, tiny, violet-blue, tubular flowers appear on silvergrey spikes above the main framework of the plant, among deeply-cut and lobed, grey-green leaves. It makes a real impact planted en masse alongside a path, where the sage-like fragrance of its leaves can be appreciated, or in swathes in a sunny border.
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Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Miss Jessopp’s Upright’ Natural Distribution Mediterranean. Open, dry habitats Size 30cm (Ultimate height, 2m) Habit An upright, woody, evergreen herb Growth Rate Average Flowering Period May to June. Variable Description Leaves in whorls around the stems, needle like to 25 mm long with white underside and strongly aromatic when bruised. Spikes of purple-blue flowers, usually from mid-spring to early summer but has been known to flower as late as December, and as early as February. My Comments I love how these look after a few years when they’re getting a bit tatty looking. It’s a shame that they’re not very long lived. I have included two of these in my meadow just to add a bit of architectural interest. One is planted on the bottom corner and one by the
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trunk of the Leylandii that I killed when I first moved in. I will crudely prune them to keep from getting too tall. I am hoping they will assume a gnarly, weathered appearance.
Verbascum Thapsus Natural distribution Europe, northern Africa, and Asia. Dry, sandy or gravelly soils Size15cm (Ultimate height, 1.2m) Habit Clump, rosette in first year. Second year it grows a tall pole-like stem Growth Rate Average Flowering Period June to August Description On flowering plants the leaves are alternately arranged up the stem. After flowering and seed release the stem and fruits usually persist in winter,[9] drying into dark brown, stiff structures of densely packed, ovoid-shaped and dry seed capsules. My Comments Another addition from
the Green Estate. Before researching this plant I had no idea it would send up a huge pole like stem. That would have been quite a surprise! I was planting it just as a useful evergreen groundcover. I’m not sure I like the look of it flower – big, phallic and obnoxious looking. I would prefer it stayed as it is now.plants the cottage meadow look. I am keen to see if they have self seeded at all.
including and especially, many grasses. My Comments I love this incredibly elegant plant. It was a little disappointing to see this summer, just how popular they are. They seemed to be absolutely everywhere I went - For good reason though. I want these to float majestically above all the other plants in this bed.
Verbena bonariensis Natural distribution Tropical South America Size up to 2m tall Habit Tall architectural form Growth Rate Average Flowering Period June to September Description Tightly packed clusters of lilac-purple flowers top the tall branching stem. This plant will help to sustain bees and butterflies into autumn. Because of its light, ‘see-through’ character, this plant is suitable for a range of applications with other herbaceous perennials
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Annual Meadow, Ugly Wall
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Buddleja davidii ‘Black Knight’ Natural distribution Central China Size 90cm (Ultimate height, 4m) Habit Arching Shrub Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period July to September Description Distinguished by its deep purple flowers, it’s supposedly the darkest of all the B.davidii cultivars. The flowers are dramatic and fragrant, attractive to butterflies and other beneficial insects. My Comments I got this, reduced at Morrisons. In just a year it has exploded in size. I need to prune it back a lot this spring, to stop it from getting out of hand and also to encourage more flowers. I’ve chosen to put it in that shady corner, as I know it’s a robust plant that can deal with almost any conditions.
Clematis ‘Jackmanii’
Erigeron karvinskianus
Natural Distribution Cultivated Size 1.2m tall Habit Woody vine Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period July to September
Natural Distribution Mexico and Central America. On steep, open banks or hillsides, often on cliffs or in rock crevices, from 900 to 3500m. Size 10cm tall Habit Dense clumps, erect, ascending Growth Rate Average Flowering Period May to October
Description Large, deep purple flowers with greenish centres from mid-summer to early autumn. This large-flowered clematis can be relied upon to produce a mass of velvety blooms with either 4, 5 or 6 petals. My Comments Of all the climbers I’ve planted here, this is the only one that has raced up the trelis. It’s a bit on the thin side though and does very little to hide the ugly concrete blocks.
Description This Herbaceous, shortlived perennial creates masses of small daisies, emerging white, then turning pink, with yellow centres. It has a long flowering period and is amazingly versatile, being lowgrowing, happy in sun or partial shade and thriving in any welldrained soil. It’s also tolerant of coastal conditions. They are used to great effect spilling over walls, or planted in the cracks in paving. Bees and butterflies love all Erigerons. My Comments The bees have my favourite teacher to thank for recommending me this plant. It is
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super low maintenance and super long flowering. I grew this from seed on my windowsill and planted out last summer. So far it has not spread or self seeded at all but I am hoping this summer it will get a bit more mobile. It currently isn’t creating much of an impact in such small clumps. I want it to spread itself as far as possible, filling in every nook and cranny. I have recently sown seed straight outside (April 2016) in cracks and crevices – I don’t have great hopes for it to germinate though.
Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris Natural Distribution Japanese and Korean Peninsula, in woodland Size Up to 15m in height Habit Woody vine Growth Rate Slow at first, then average Flowering Period June to August Description This thrives in some of the most shady, inhospitable areas.
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Slow to establish, it will eventually romp along a wall or fence, clinging by aerial roots. Its almost heartshaped, dark green leaves turn yellow in autumn, and masses of showy, lacy, white flowerheads appear in late spring and early summer. No pruning is required and it climbs by means of small aerial roots on the stems. My Comments I got this from Tesco, as they were selling climbers, 2 for £5. This is a very new addition to my garden and has yet to establish. There are two walls in the garden that are in shade all day and I’m hoping to get this growing on them. There is a variegated cultivar called ‘Silver Lining’ that I’d love to get. I’m not sure they’re going to sell that one in Tesco though.
Lonicera × purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’ See page 41 for details Description The plan was to grow
this with a summer flowering Lonicera spp., with both intertwined with each other. I am yet to do this. For now, I have two of these and both are doing quite well, still holding on to flowers into spring. They don’t want to grow against the trellis though.
Parthenocissus quinquefolia Natural distribution Eastern and central North America Size Up to 15m in height Habit Deciduous climber Growth Rate Fast Flowering Period June to August Description Justifiably popular thanks to its unrivalled autumn colour. Its five-pointed, deeply divided, mid-green leaves turn brilliant shades of crimson-red in autumn and there are occasionally dark purple berries to add to the mix. It’s a spectacular plant that will quickly cover a large wall but it needs lots of space and regular pruning or it will smother other plants it finds in its way. It will grow in low fertility, is shade tolerant and is drought resistant, making it a versatile choice. Because the vine adheres to the surface by adhesive pads rather than penetrating roots, it does not harm masonry.
My Comments I am hoping this will do the majority of work in covering the ugly concrete wall. If it begins to smothers anything else I’ve planted there in the process then I will try and move them. My priority is to cover the wall as fast as possible. And I’m more than happy to have that beautiful autumn colour cover the entire wall.
Ulex Europaeus Natural distribution Europe. Grasslands and Woodland edge Size 30cm (Ultimate height, 2.5m) Habit Bushy evergreen shrub Growth Rate Slow Flowering Period January to June. Though it may flower sporadically throughout the year
about thirty years. My Comments I got these as plug plants as they were really cheap. Looking back I wish I had gotten the ‘Flore Pleno’ cultivar that has double flowers but it’s very hard to find. Because they were plug plants they’re still very small and haven’t flowered yet. Due to their slow growth, I don’t think I’ll ever see them at an appreciable size while I live in this house. I think they make a great choice for a hedge for security and aesthetics because of the thorns and long flowering period.
Description Gorse is a large, evergreen shrub covered in needlelike leaves and distinctive, coconutperfumed, yellow flowers during the spring and summer. An extremely tough and hardy plant, it can live for
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Sarcococca hookeriana var. hookeriana ‘Ghorepani’ Natural Distribution: Ghorepani, Nepal. 2800m above sea level. Size: 35cm (Ultimate height of 1m) Habit: Compact suckering shrub Growth Rate: Slow Flowering Period: December to March Description: Upright, well-branching stems that are clothed with lustrous green leaves. In winter, highly scented creamy white flowers appear and these are followed by rounded near-black berries. A tough and undemanding evergreen, it tolerates drought and shade once established. My Comments: This is the winner. Ever since I read about this genus I have been a bit obsessed with finding the best species. I’ve got S.hookeriana var. humilis, var. hookeriana ‘Ghorepani’ and S.hookeriana var. digyna outside
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my front door (the perfect place for something that smells this good in winter). This cultivar is the best smelling, has the nicest leaves and I prefer that it doesn’t grow so tall. Even as late as April I can smell it without having to stick my face in it or even brush past it. The scent and that it’s such a versatile and robust plant makes this one of my absolute favourites.
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