The life of a country gardener.

30th June. New discovery.

Whilst searching for a supplier of a tree I saw in Lord Heseltines garden recently (Pterocarya insignis) I stumbled across an amazing little nursery called Pan - Global plants. Nick Macer the owner spends the winter months traveling to remote far away places  to bring back new and exciting plants. I can't wait to get to his nursery and garden to have a look (and bring back some plants of course). You must check out this website too where Nick has posted some stunning photos from his last  trip to Mexico. 

Unfortunately Nick didn't have any of these trees for sale (he has three of his own!) so if anyone knows where I can get one please let me know. 

21st Sept. The gold rush

Although the temperatures and sunshine hours are probably higher than they were in August at the moment, autumn has officially arrived. Gardeners can tell this by the dramatic changes in colour seen in plants such as Vitis cognetii, Hydrangea quercifolia, and Amelanchier lamarkii to name a few. I love this time of year. Getting lost in an arboretum on sunny autumn morning is just magical and rates in my top ten favourite things to do. Wisley is one of the best places to experience this, although I have heard that Westonbirt is even better and would love to get there this Autumn. Timing is critical when planning a visit and you should check out the forestry commissions website which tells you exactly what stage trees are at on a daily basis.

When choosing trees for the garden here autumn colour is a crucial factor. Ideally a tree should provide flowers in spring, then fruits and fiery coloured foliage in autumn. One of my favourite trees that ticks all the boxes is Amelanchier lamarckii. Other trees for great autumn colour are Liquidambar styraciflua, parrotia persica, many prunus species, euonymous europaeus, sorbus Joseph Rock and of course the Acers.

24th June Back in the garden...

Back in the garden I've been sowing biennials for next years displays - I know, summer has only just arrived and it's time to think about next year already! I've sown five varieties of wallflower to compliment the tulips. For the hot border there's Vulcan, Cloth of Gold and Fire King. In the pastel border I've sown White Dame and Giant pink.

I adore foxgloves and cannot have enough of them in the garden. I have sown more Primrose carousel for the woodland, Apricot Beauty to go along an East facing wall ion the topiary garden and alba for the white garden and pastel border.I'm also going to ave a go at growing ornamental cabbages for winter displays this year.

If anyone had seen me yesterday, cleaning the trees, they'd have thought me quite strange! However, the trees in question are Betula Utilis, grown for their ghostly white stems. It helps to carefully peel off the old flaky bark to reveal silky smooth new stems. I also removed side branches lower down which lifted the crown of the trees, revealing more of the stems. To finish clean the stems with warm water to enahnce the white sheen. This should be done once a year to keep them looking their best.

Elsewhere in the garden we're filling gaps in borders. In the pastel border using white Cosmos, and in the hot border marigold Indian Prince.

I have just taken delivery of a fantastic shrub called Crinodendron Hookerianum. I first saw this at East Ruston Old Vicarage. When I stumbled upon It's red lantern like flowers I had to have one. Easier said than done. They're not easy to get hold of. I managed to track down a tiny one last year, just a foot tall. It was carefully planted and protected with a 'cage' of hazel twigs. It has been doing well despite it's choosy preferences - acid soil (mines alkaline!), shelter and part shade. However, when I spotted this meter high specimen at a garden center this weekend I had to have it! It was unloved, dry as a bone, leggy at the top and priced to stay put! It has now had a good drink, lots of lovely fresh ericaceous compost and a light trim. I think it will be very happy in it's new home.   

1st June. Sunday mornings.

I'm often feeling a little 'delicate' on Sunday mornings (much to my husbands disgust!) and find the best hangover cure is to do a little light gardening. Being out in the fresh air on my own, with the birds singing and church bells ringing in the distance is much more effective than a pack of Nurofen. Obviously I wouldn't recommend heavy digging or hedge strimming! But sowing seeds, potting on and making notes of jobs to be done are all quite therapeutic.

I've been trying to decide which plant deserves 'plant of the week' this week. It's quite tricky this week as the last of the spring flowers are over, and the summer displays aren't quite in full bloom. Currently looking good in the garden is Geranium 'Kashmir white' and 'Johnsons blue', Californian poppy and Irises. However I have to give plant of the week to Chrysanthemum leucanthemum (Ox-eye daisy). As much as I have tried to get rid of this wild flower in previous years by digging clumps up, it just won't go away! I have now come to love it's charms. It will grow pretty much anywhere, is quite indestructible, and is native to the UK. Planted in huge swathes or as part of a wildflower meadow is how to see it at it's best. It flowers from late May through the summer.

Wed 21st May. Chelsea dream plants

At Chelsea I always spot new plants to buy. They're not always 'new' of course but just plants that particularly attract my attention on this occasion. I take photos of them with their name tag in the shot so that I can hunt them down when I'm back at my computer. I've been doing this today  and discovered that I have quite possibly wished for the most expensive plant at the show! It's a breathtaking tree Peony from Kelways called 'Black Pirate'. At £75 for a 2litre pot it's not one for the honey fungus infested hot border! (which is where I would have liked it). I must remember to add it to my Christmas list!

It wasn't the only notable plant on the Kelways stand. I'd be happy with anything they have! There were two pure white Peonies called P. shimane Hakugan, and P. Koshino-Yuki. Slightly more reasonable at £35 and £28.50 for a 3-4 litre pot.

There was a lovely little Eucalyptus called 'Baby Blue' which is the one florists use in arrangements. You wouldn't believe how hard it has been to track down. It was on the Hillier stand but there's no mention of it on their website.

Some exhibitors at Chelsea 'cheat' by showing a plant as something it isn't, for example on the stand with the beach huts they showed low growing seaside plants but included lots of a beautiful red rose called Rosa Lilli Marlene. I looked at this rose on Peter Beales website and it is not in fact a low growing ground cover rose as you would leave Chelsea thinking but it actually grows to 90cm.  

Rosa Lilli marlene.

The Hillier stand is always stunning, however they do roll out the same plants every year and just arrange them differently. I'm not sure I agree with this. If everyone at Chelsea did this the ticket payer would be paying to see the same thing year on year. They do have some amazing specimens though. One that I always admire is Cornus Kousa var. Chinensis 'China Girl'. I must get this one this year.

Cornus Kousa var. chinensis 'China Girl'

I'm still checking through my pictures to see what else to add to my wish list. I'll let you know the rest tomorrow.