Growing
Identifying Vine Weevil: These Insects (And Their Grubs) Love Feasting On Plants
IN THIS GUIDE What Are Vine Weevils? What Do Vine Weevil Look Like? Which Plants Are Affected? Organic Vine Weevil Control Options 1) Boosting Biodiversity 2) Crop Rotation 3) Manual Removal 4) Biological Control References In this article, we explore the common garden pest vine weevil. We’ll discuss why these insects can be a problem and which plants might be affected, as well as what to do if you encounter this issue. What Are Vine Weevils? The scientific name for this insect is Otiorhynchus sulcatus.1 Extremely widespread and common, it is a beetle that feeds on a wide range of plants.2 The adults of the species eat the leaves of plants during the spring and summer months, whilst the grubs are active over the autumn and winter months, and feed on plant roots, weakening and sometimes even killing them altogether. What Do Vine Weevil Look Like? Adult vine weevils are just under 1cm long.3 They are a dull black colour, with smutty yellow marks on their wing cases. Even if you do not spot the vine weevils themselves, you may see signs of their feeding. When adult vine weevils have eaten parts of a plant, you will see irregularly shaped notches on the leaf margins during the summer months. Vine weevils usually grow to around 1cm long. If you have a container plant that wilts and you do not know why, it may be a result of these grubs eating the roots of the plant. Remove the plant from the pot and you will quickly see from the presence of the white grubs where this is the case. Note – there are other weevils that can cause similar damage as adults, but the other species are usually less problematic at the grub stage. Which Plants Are Affected? Vine weevils, as mentioned above, feast on a wide range of plants, including but not limited to: Strawberries Potatoes Tomatoes Cabbages Beetroot Carrots Radishes Spinach & other leafy greens. So they can be a particular problem in an edible garden. They can also be a problem in other parts of the garden, and some other plants particularly affected include: Primula Polyanthus Fuchsia Sedum Heuchera Hosta Epimedium Bergenia Rhododendron Evergreen Euonymous Hydrangea Young yews But remember, almost any plant can be susceptible, especially if it is grown in a container. Organic Vine Weevil Control Options Vine weevil can become a really annoying problem if their populations get out of control. As such it is best to act pre-emptively if possible, to avoid the issue occurring in the first place. If you do encounter this pest, it is something that you should be sure to get on top of as quickly as possible. Each of the options below should be concurrently for the greatest impact – 1) Boosting Biodiversity As with most pests in an organic garden, the best way to deal with pests is to ensure that the ecosystem is in balance. In a balanced ecosystem, pest populations are far less likely to reach worrying levels. The route to achieving good balance in the garden ecosystem is simple – make sure that there is as much natural biodiversity as possible. This means making sure that you include a diverse range of plants which interact beneficially with one another. And it means attracting as much wildlife as possible, and welcoming it into your space. When it comes to vine weevils, there are certain species that you will want to focus on attracting to your garden to keep their numbers down. Predators for vine weevils include: Hedgehogs Shrews Frogs Toads A wide range of birds Ground beetles Rove beetles Creating hedgehog habitats, hedgehog pathways and tunnels, and hedgehog houses can attract these mammals to your garden. You should also, of course, make sure that there are plenty of insects around for them to eat. Diverse planting schemes should also attract other wildlife too, including other mammals and a range of birds. A wildlife pond is great for amphibians, of course. And you should be sure to leave brush/log piles and other undisturbed areas for beetles and other bugs. When choosing plants for your garden, it is worthwhile considering that certain companion plants are anecdotally said to keep vine weevils away from the plants that are susceptible to them. Some people say, for example, that alliums or bay leaves may help keep them away. 2) Crop Rotation In your vegetable garden, avoid growing plants susceptible to vine weevil attack in the same area year after year. Crop rotation is a practice that will help to safeguard your crops from a wide range of pests and diseases that can build up in the soil. In particular, make sure that you have a three or four year crop rotation plan in place for brassicas (members of the cabbage family), root crops, Solanaceae (tomatoes, potatoes etc.) and legumes. 3) Manual Removal If you have a problem with vine weevils in container grown plants, especially if they are indoors or grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel, the above may not be a huge amount of use to you. But that does not mean that you need to resort to extreme measures to get the problem under control. Often, manual removal of the adults, by hand, is all that is required. One mild evening in spring or during the summer, head out with a torch and take a close look at your plants and surfaces nearby. Simply pick off any adult vine weevils you see; shaking a shrub over a sheet can allow you to dislodge more from the plant that can also be collected. You can also look in hidey-holes (beneath plant pots or beneath staging in a greenhouse or polytunnel, for example) to find the hiding adults in their daytime hideouts. Sticky traps are also sometimes used to collect the adult vine weevils from around containers or on the staging in a greenhouse or polytunnel. But bear in mind that these can trap beneficial insect life too – so for a healthy organic garden, they should really only be used as a last resort in extreme cases. Of course, you should always clean out any containers or pots well, and can carefully dispatch or dispose of any grubs that you find in compost or potting mix. 4) Biological Control In cases where there is a severe infestation, you may also wish to consider a biological control. The nematodes Steinernema kraussei, Heterorhabditis megidis, H. bacteriophora and S. feltiae are considered to be effective when used against vine weevils in containers or in the ground. They are best applied when the soil or growing medium has reached the right temperatures for the nematodes to be effective, and before the grubs are big enough to do any serious damage. “Vine weevil can be a major problem for plants grown in pots in particular,” says Colin Skelly, a Master Horticulturist. “I have had to tackle them in nurseries and in living wall systems. Nematodes work very effectively but only when the soil temperature is optimal and when the pot compost is moist. “Too cold, too hot, too dry and the populations will not establish and parasitise the vine weevil larvae.” This is usually in around August or September. They are most effective in lighter, more friable soils and growing media, and can give poorer results when the soil is very dry, or very heavy. It is also possible to purchase a trap which contains a type of nematode (Steinernema carpocapsae). These are placed below plants in the summertime, and adults are killed when they enter during the day. References 1. Otiorhynchus sulcatus (vine weevil). (2022). CABI Compendium. https://doi.org/10.1079/cabicompendium.38071 2. Vine Weevil. (n.d.). NatureSpot. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/vine-weevil 3. Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) identification guide. (n.d.). Natural History Museum. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.nhm.ac.uk/take-part/identify-nature/common-insect-pest-species-in-homes/vine-weevil-otiorhynchus-sulcatus-identification-guide.html
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5 Best Trees That Can Be Planted Close To A House, With Advice From Roy Nicol
IN THIS GUIDE How To Grow Trees Near Structures 1) Birch 2) Hawthorn 3) Apple 4) Pear 5) Plum Growing A Tree Near Your House References If you’re one of many Brits with a modestly sized garden nestled neatly alongside your house, then this article is for you. We’ve rounded up a selection of trees that can be safely planted next to a house, letting you take full advantage of your garden and enjoy the full visual splendour of a tree, rather than just shrubs, bushes, and flowers. Before we start: it’s important to clarify that the advice here is given on an informational basis. Always consult a professional surveyor if you have any doubts. Some people will balk at the idea of putting a tree too close to your house. “Won’t the roots come up through the living room floor?” they’ll say. “Or what about in a storm?” they’ll continue. “You’ll be asleep, then next thing you know you’ll hear an enormous crash and wake up to a tree in your bedroom.” To these people we say, “leaf it out!” – trees and homes can exist in happy harmony, as long as you take the relevant precautions. So, if you’ve got your mind set on a very proximal arboreal neighbour for your home, read on. Each of the trees in this list will grow near your house without causing any unwanted destruction. How To Grow Trees Near Structures Before we dive in, here are a few guiding principles when planning to grow a tree near your house, or similar structure – In general, tree roots cover an area between two to three times as wide as the tree’s profile above ground.1 Trees shed their leaves, and these can be a pain to clean up. Especially if they clog your drains: make sure you’re prepared for the reality of this job before making any decisions. Clay soils are most susceptible to subsidence issues with trees grown near to buildings.2 You may need to cut sections of your tree back to sculpt its growth in a way that presents less risk to your home. Professional surveyors can assist with this task. There are many more factors to consider when planting a tree near your home than we can cover in this article. Speak to your council, your landlord (or your insurer, if you’re the property owner), and your neighbours to ensure you don’t encounter any easily avoidable problems. Now we’ve got that out of the way, let’s take a look at some trees that can do well near structures. 1) Birch Tall and thin: It’ll fit right in These trees work well near to houses and other structures thanks to their relatively narrow profiles – instead of blooming forth in spherical growth, a birch’s leaves retain something closer to a triangular shape. 2) Hawthorn There are many types of hawthorn, some trees and some shrubs, and many of which sport stunning white blooms in spring. Aesthetically, they’ll look great alongside a building. They’re a good choice in practical terms, too, thanks to their relatively diminutive size when compared to some other trees. Hawthorns make popular nesting trees for birds.3 If you’re an avid birdwatcher this could be a good sell for this type of tree – if you’re someone who doesn’t like to be woken up by a chorus of chirping at sunrise, it may be the opposite. “In my role as a professional gardener, I have encountered local authority planning issues for proposed buildings close to established hawthorn,” shares Roy Nicol, a Master Horticulturist. “I would therefore recommend this is checked with insurers before planting as the recommended distance from buildings for hawthorn is 10m.” 3) Apple Now we get to our favourite section of this article: the tree that put forth edible fruits. Pick one of these, and very soon you could be the local neighbourhood purveyor of pie. All you need to do is head into your garden, scoop up the fruity windfall, bake a selection of pies, clear a prime bit of windowsill, and you’re good to go. Getting back to the practical matters at hand, however, apple trees aren’t too difficult to grow. They enjoy full sun and good shelter: Ideal for a position near to a house. Growing an apple tree from seed will take a good many years, but they’re easy to grow from saplings, potentially shaving a few years off the time required to reach full height. Just keep your eyes peeled for local neighbourhood rascals scrumping your apple harvest. 4) Pear If the thought of warding off children desperate to scrump your annual apple supply is too much to handle, why not opt for a pear tree instead? Everyone knows pears aren’t as desirable a fruit, so the kids will inevitably direct their thievery toward a neighbour foolish enough to grow apples. Pear trees also thrive in sunny, sheltered spots. A patch of garden will make an ideal home for this fantastic fruit-bearing tree. 5) Plum If you’d rather something more exotic, something that lends itself better to jams and chutneys than pies, then a plum tree might be the right choice for you. Plums do well if the young trees are trained against a wall or fence, meaning that they can work well very close to a house. If you don’t have the luxury of even a modest-sized garden – perhaps you’ve only got an alleyway to work with, for example – then this might be a good option. As with apples and bears, plums like well-drained soil in full sun. Growing A Tree Near Your House A tree doesn’t need to be miles away from your house There we have it: A short and sweet introduction (especially the last three) to the trees that lend themselves well to growth near to your house. If you take the time and care to choose a suitable spot, the trees in this list should flourish without causing any long- or short-term damage to your property, your fences, or your neighbours’ properties. When deciding which tree(s) to grow near your home, we do advise precaution. It’s a big decision, potentially lasting many years into the future, so it’s best not to rush. References 1. Tree Anatomy 101. (n.d.). Iowa State University: Natural Resource Stewardship. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/tree_biology/101.html 2. Swelling and shrinking soils. (2021, August 16). British Geological Survey. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.bgs.ac.uk/geology-projects/shallow-geohazards/clay-shrink-swell/ 3. Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). (n.d.). Woodland Trust. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/hawthorn/
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18 Striking Hanging Succulent Plants For The Home
IN THIS GUIDE Tolerant Of Neglect 1) Donkey’s Tail 2) Ruby Necklace 3) String Of Pearls 4) String Of Dolphins 5) String Of Hearts 6) String Of Nickels 7) String Of Bananas 8) Flowering Kalanchoe 9) Snake Plant 10) Hoya Plant 11) Christmas Cactus 12) Medusa Head 13) Trailing Jade 14) Mistletoe Cactus 15) String Of Turtles 16) Fishbone Cactus 17) Hanging Cactus 18) Mother Of Thousands Low maintenance but high on aesthetic impact, succulents are the perfect houseplant to hang in your home. Do you want to brighten up your homestead with a splash of greenery, but lack the space to do it? If your floors, coffee tables and windowsills are already at capacity, why not look up? Your ceiling offers a great opportunity to maximise the space and introduce some more foliage into your household, all at the same time. Tolerant Of Neglect There are plenty of trailing plants that you can bring into the home in a hanging basket, but succulents make one of the best options out there. That’s due to the fact that they’re incredibly robust and can bounce back even after a prolonged period without water, making them ideal for forgetful gardeners. They’re also accustomed to the warmer temperatures brought about by central heating, so they’re well-suited to pretty much any room in the house. Some humid-loving varieties will even thrive in the bathroom! If you’re interested in bringing more succulents into your home but aren’t sure where to start, this handy collection of suggestions will point you in the right direction. 1) Donkey’s Tail BOTANICAL NAME: Sedum morganianum LENGTH: Up to 1.2M SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN WATERING: KEEP WELL-DRAINED It’s not difficult to see why this trailing succulent has earned the moniker of Donkey’s tail. The fleshy stems will hang over the edges of your hanging basket, with clusters of pastel green leaves clumping together in a form that resembles the pleat of a rope – or that of an ass’s posterior. If you’re lucky, the plant will produce small, star-shaped flowers of a pale red come summertime. Like most succulents, Donkey’s tail requires a mere modicum of care. Simply place it in a spot that receives decent amounts of light and water it when the soil loses its moisture in the warmer months, cutting back on irrigation in winter. Be sure to never let it dry out completely, however, and keep away from humid settings such as bathrooms and kitchens. Reassess its size every couple of years and repot in a bigger container if necessary. “Sedum morganianum makes an eye-catching trailing succulent,” says Horticultural Consultant Colin Skelly. “It is easy to propagate too. You can cut stems and re-root or even remove the succulent leaves and leave them on a tray of horticultural grit. After a couple of weeks, they will start to root.” 2) Ruby Necklace BOTANICAL NAME: Crassothonna capensis LENGTH: Up to 0.4M SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE WATERING: KEEP WELL-DRAINED Originally hailing from South Africa, Ruby necklace offers its owners a mesmerising display of different colours. The stems themselves are perhaps its most eye-catching aspect on first glance and are what give the plant its name, being a full ruby red or purple hue. Though the leaves are typically a deep green, prolonged exposure to the sun will encourage them to take on the characteristics of the stems, leading to a real ruby necklace display! And in summer, the daisy-like yellow flowers offer the perfect contrast to the purplish backdrop behind. Unlike many of the other options on this list, Ruby necklace does well even under the direct gaze of the sun and, as mentioned above, will reward you with a colourful transformation if it is placed in such a spot. All it really requires to thrive is well-drained soil and a pot with drainage holes to ensure it doesn’t become waterlogged and suffer from root rot. 3) String Of Pearls BOTANICAL NAME: Senecio rowleyanus LENGTH: Up to 1M SUNLIGHT: ANY WATERING: INFREQUENT; ALLOW TO DRY OUT String of pearls have become a hugely popular hit on social media in recent years and it’s not hard to see why. Their trailing, tendril-like stems – which can reach up to almost a metre in length – are dotted with small, spherical leaves that resemble pearls and retain water. This latter fact means that String of pearls is drought-resistant and actually prefers less moisture, so wait until the soil completely dries out before watering it. It enjoys bright spots but doesn’t do so well in direct sunlight, although they’re hardy little creatures who will adapt well to most environments. For that reason, they’re easy to propagate, as well; simply replant a cutting in a fresh pot of soil and water it regularly until the roots take hold. 4) String Of Dolphins BOTANICAL NAME: Dendrophorbium peregrinum LENGTH: Up to 0.8M SUNLIGHT: INDIRECT WATERING: INFREQUENT; ALLOW TO DRY OUT Every bit as photogenic as its pearl-shaped cousin, String of dolphins has that unusual name due to the unusual shape of its leaves. It also boasts trailing stems studded with fleshy leaves, but these have a beautifully crescent-shaped format, with a small protuberance at one side which resembles the fin of a dolphin. They’re also known as String of fishhooks for the same reason, but we know which name we prefer. For the sheer novelty of their appearance, String of dolphins are an excellent complement to an ocean-themed setting, but don’t introduce them into the bathroom, since the humidity will sap their strength. Instead, keep them in a spot which receives some sunlight but not direct exposure, since that may cause the poor little dolphins to burn, while the soil should be allowed to dry out before watering. 5) String Of Hearts BOTANICAL NAME: Ceropegia woodii LENGTH: Up to 4M SUNLIGHT: BRIGHT BUT INDIRECT WATERING: KEEP WELL-DRAINED Are you noticing a theme develop yet? String of hearts are so named for the romantic shape of their leaves, which dangle from the trailing vines of the plant itself. They’re quick-growing plants and can reward you with an attractive beaded curtain-like effect in next to no time – but be sure to position them in a location with plenty of space below, since their vines have been known to reach up to four metres in length! Like the other succulents mentioned above, String of Hearts do best in bright but indirect sunlight, since too much ultraviolet exposure will singe the foliage. They’re also prone to root rot if their soil is allowed to retain moisture too much, so ensure they’re placed in a pot with good soil drainage and a hole at the bottom. 6) String Of Nickels BOTANICAL NAME: Dischidia nummularia LENGTH: Up to 0.5M SUNLIGHT: BRIGHT BUT INDIRECT WATERING: KEEP WELL-DRAINED No prizes for guessing that the English name of this trailing succulent was coined by an American! But despite its US moniker, String of nickels is actually native to the southeast Asian tropical rainforest, meaning you can bring a little of that eastern exoticism into your own home by transplanting it to a domestic setting! It doesn’t require much water but does thrive in humidity and heat, so it’s an ideal choice for a bathroom or kitchen, since those rooms best replicate the conditions found in the rainforest. Another interesting fact about String of nickels is that it’s an epiphyte plant, which means that it will willingly grow on top of other plants and organisms. Put simply, it doesn’t care much for personal space or have any idea of what boundaries are socially acceptable! This means that you might need to be proactive when it comes to paring back and pruning, unless you want your whole home interior to be covered with tiny nickel-shaped leaves. 7) String Of Bananas BOTANICAL NAME: Curio radicans LENGTH: Up to 1M SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN WATERING: KEEP WELL-DRAINED Native to South Africa, this stunning little succulent is the last in our “String of…” series. As you might have guessed, it’s named for the banana-like leaves which dangle from its thick, lengthy stems. Though not quite as prolific as String of hearts, the vines of String of bananas can reach a metre in length, so ensure there is plenty of room for them to grow and develop from your hanging basket. String of bananas will do equally well indoors as they will al fresco, as long as they’re not placed in direct sunlight and their soil isn’t allowed to become waterlogged. They don’t like the cold, however, so if you are hanging them outdoors, you’ll likely need to bring them inside when the mercury begins to drop. 8) Flowering Kalanchoe BOTANICAL NAME: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana LENGTH: Up to 0.5M SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN OR BRIGHT BUT INDIRECT WATERING: KEEP WELL-DRAINED Unlike all previous entrants on this list, Flowering kalanchoe is not a trailing succulent, but a more compact and self-contained alternative. However, you shouldn’t be put off by that fact, since its stunning foliage and flower blooms are sure to catch the eye. There are many different types of the species, which are generally divided by colour rather than cultivar. Choose from red, yellow, orange, pink, lilac, salmon, white or green flowering types to tailor the plant to the décor already in place in your home. The thick flesh on the plant’s leaves allows it to retain moisture, so weekly watering is sufficient to give Flowering kalanchoe all the encouragement it needs. The species is also a short-day plant, which means that buds will appear when it enjoys fewer than 12 hours of light. Because of that fact, it’s possible to manipulate the plant’s exposure to light and trick it into thinking that it’s winter all year round, thus ensuring floral displays whatever the month. 9) Snake Plant BOTANICAL NAME: Dracaena trifasciata LENGTH: Up to 3M SUNLIGHT: INDIRECT WATERING: KEEP WELL-DRAINED Who doesn’t love a snake plant? These drought- and shade-resistant plants can literally go weeks without water or light without losing their lustre, while their stiff, pointed leaves with unusual patterns are reminiscent of the scales on a snake’s back. Like the Flowering kalanchoe mentioned above, Snake plants aren’t trailing species, but their upright foliage can look equally effective hanging from the ceiling as it does sprouting from the floor. Just remember that the plants can grow up to a maximum of three metres in height, so you may need to transplant them into a larger pot with regularity. They are, however, very easy to divide and propagate in other pots. Although they’re more than a match for temporary darkness, they’ll thrive best and their leaves will look the most impressive when granted prolonged exposure to medium or bright levels of light. 10) Hoya Plant BOTANICAL NAME: Hoya carnosa LENGTH: Up to 1.5M SUNLIGHT: BRIGHT BUT INDIRECT WATERING: KEEP WELL-DRAINED Rather than trail, hoya plants are climbers. This means that depending upon where you place the hanging basket, you can encourage quite stunning arrangements in and around your own. Besides its lengthy vines, hoyas are well known for their beautiful blossoms. The plant produces clusters of star-shaped flowers in white, pink and other soft tones, which all together form a globe. In full bloom, it’s quite a breath-taking sight. Hoyas are native to Australia, Indonesia, India, China and several other parts of Asia. That means they need both warmth and brightness, but they don’t cope well in direct sunlight, so choose your spot carefully. Hoya carnosa is one of the most commonly found types of the species, but plenty of others are available. If you’d like a similar effect but without the climbing aspect, Hoya bella is a smaller and more compact alternative that works well in hanging baskets. 11) Christmas Cactus BOTANICAL NAME: Schlumbergera bridgesii LENGTH: Up to 0.25M SUNLIGHT: ANY WATERING: INFREQUENT; ALLOW TO DRY OUT While all cacti are succulents, not all succulents are cacti! This festive specimen is ideal for hanging around your home as the Yuletide season approaches, since its brilliant flowers blossom in the winter months. However, it’s just as attractive the rest of the year, too, with its chunky segmented stems that will trail over the edge of your basket. Best of all, it’s not as spiky as some of its other cacti brethren, so you can put away the gloves when handling it. Although the Christmas cactus can cope in low-level light, it will produce better and more regular blooms in brighter locations. It also likes a little more water than many other cacti, so ensure the top of the soil is kept moist (but not soaking wet). To propagate, simply cut out a Y-shaped fragment from the extremity of its stems and re-plant up to a quarter of its height in fresh soil. 12) Medusa Head BOTANICAL NAME: Euphorbia caput-medusae LENGTH: Up to 0.9M SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN WATERING: REGULAR As the name suggests, this exotic succulent bears a striking resemblance to a seething den of snakes, much like those found on the head of Greek mythological creature Medusa. When hanging from the ceiling, the head-height position of Medusa head makes it all the more impactful. They’re a thirstier type of succulent than most of their counterparts, so be sure to water them regularly. They also need six hours of sun per day to reach their full potential, but they can become stressed if they receive too much UV light. However, as a succulent, they’re still pretty resilient if either light or water is taken away from them for a few days and should bounce back well. 13) Trailing Jade BOTANICAL NAME: Peperomia rotundifolia LENGTH: Up to 0.3M SUNLIGHT: BRIGHT BUT INDIRECT WATERING: INFREQUENT; ALLOW TO DRY OUT 14) Mistletoe Cactus BOTANICAL NAME: Rhipsalis heteroclada LENGTH: Up to 1M SUNLIGHT: BRIGHT BUT INDIRECT WATERING: INFREQUENT; ALLOW TO DRY OUT 15) String Of Turtles BOTANICAL NAME: Peperomia prostrata LENGTH: Up to 0.3M SUNLIGHT: BRIGHT BUT INDIRECT WATERING: KEEP WELL-DRAINED 16) Fishbone Cactus BOTANICAL NAME: Disocactus anguliger LENGTH: Up to 0.3M SUNLIGHT: BRIGHT BUT INDIRECT WATERING: INFREQUENT; ALLOW TO DRY OUT 17) Hanging Cactus BOTANICAL NAME: Lepismium bolivianum LENGTH: Up to 1M SUNLIGHT: INDIRECT WATERING: INFREQUENT; ALLOW TO DRY OUT 18) Mother Of Thousands BOTANICAL NAME: Kalanchoe daigremontiana LENGTH: Up to 1M SUNLIGHT: INDIRECT WATERING: INFREQUENT; ALLOW TO DRY OUT
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20 White Flowering Shrubs With RHS Awards For Garden Merit
IN THIS GUIDE Award Winning White Flowering Shrubs 1) Paeonia lactiflora / Peony ‘Whitleyi Major’ 2) Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ 3) Rhododendron ‘Dora Amateis’ 4) Cotoneaster conspicuus / Tibetan cotoneaster ‘Decorus’ 5) Argyranthemum / Marguerite ‘Donington Hero’ 6) Rhododendron ‘Madame Masson’ 7) Enkianthus campanulatus 8) Tulipa ‘Lady Jane’ 9) Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’ / Red Guelder Rose 10) Magnolia stellata / Star Magnolia ‘Centennial’ 11) Hyacinth ‘L’Innocence’ 12) Erica lusitanica / Portugal Heath 13) Spiraea nipponica / Tosa Spirea ‘Snowmound’ Notable Mentions 14) Escallonia lveyi 15) Buddleja davidii ‘White Profusion’ 16) Philadelphus coronarius ‘Aureus’ 17) Holodiscus discolor ‘Creambush’ 18) Cephalanthus occidentalis ‘Buttonbush’ 19) Syringa vulgaris ‘Madame Lemoine’ 20) Hibiscus syriacus ‘Snowdrift’ References White is the lightest colour, associated with all manner of noble concepts like innocence, sacrifice, cleanliness and purity. From the White Cliffs of Dover to the proud white granite facades of famous buildings of antiquity, the colour holds a special place in our culture.1 It also occurs frequently in nature, with some of the most beautiful plants and flowers boasting crisp white petals and blooms. If you’re looking for white flowering shrubs and bushes to grow in your garden, it can be an overwhelming task. There are thought to be over 3,600 plants which can be grown in the UK with these attributes.2 With this in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the prettiest and most rewarding white flowering shrubs. Award Winning White Flowering Shrubs Each of the white flowering bushes in this list has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), indicating particular suitability for growth in British gardens.3 We wanted our list to be practical and actionable, rather than abstract. 1) Paeonia lactiflora / Peony ‘Whitleyi Major’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 SIZE: 1 X 1M FLOWERING MONTHS: SUMMER MORE WHITE PEONY VARIETIES: ‘Shirley Temple’, ‘Double White’ These proud white-cupped peonies are eye-catching and undeniably attractive. Centred around bold yellow stamens, the white petals really come into their own. Sometimes it takes a strong colour to bring the best out of white petals, and peony ‘Whitleyi Major’ is a perfect example. In the spring you’ll also enjoy a red tint to the foliage, lending another visual element to these fine flowers. This peony likes full sun or partial shade, and will grow to height of around a metre over a few years. It’s not fussy with soil type or acidity, but prefers moist, well-drained conditions. 2) Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 SIZE: 2.5 X 2.5M FLOWERING MONTHS: SUMMER MORE WHITE HYDRANGEA VARIETIES: ‘RUNAWAY BRIDE’, ‘BENI-YAMA’ Hydrangeas are a familiar sight in British gardens, with blue, pink, and white being the prominent colour palette. While we love them all, it’s hard to deny the subtle charm of ‘Annabelle’. Here you’ll find flat open flowers in a perimeter around a smaller cluster of closed ones. Taken together, it’s an inviting and thought-provoking bloom. This plant flowers in late summer and early autumn, extending the season of visual interest in spring- or summer-heavy gardens. “I have planted ‘Annabelle’ in slightly alkaline soil, but I would not recommend it as you tend to find leaves go a bit yellow,” shares gardening expert Dan Ori. Moist, well-drained soil is important too, and avoid alkali soil. Over a period of five or so years, your hydrangea bush should reach its full height of about a metre squared. 3) Rhododendron ‘Dora Amateis’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 SIZE: 1 X 1M FLOWERING MONTHS: SPRING MORE WHITE RHODODENDRON VARIETIES: ‘GREAT WHITE’, ‘PLEASANT WHITE’ Another common contender in British gardens, rhododendrons come in an exciting array of colours, shapes, and sizes. Dora Amateis takes the cake for white rhododendrons, however. In spring your bush will erupt into a fanfare of white, whose brevity more than makes up for its beauty. Combined with another later-flowering white bush, this rhododendron variety will make a fantastic visual contribution to your garden. For best results, grow in partial shade and ensure the plant is sheltered from the worst of the weather. Avoid chalky soil, as well as neutral or alkali planting locations. The timeframe and eventual size is similar to the Hydrangea above: five years or so to reach a maximum size of about a meter squared. 4) Cotoneaster conspicuus / Tibetan cotoneaster ‘Decorus’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 SIZE: 1.5 X 2.5M FLOWERING MONTHS: SUMMER Each summer, every bough of your cotoneaster will burst forth with hundreds of tiny white flowers. Then, as summer fades away and autumn sets in, wildly bright red berries will take their place. Combined, the two provide a majestic visual. If you’re looking for a white bush that provides a large volume of flowers, this is a good option. Grow in full sun or partial shade, and enjoy working with a plant that’s not too fussy with soil conditions, as long as it’s well-drained. Your wait time for a full-sized plant is a little longer than others in this list: It’ll take at least ten years to hit full size, probably a few more. 5) Argyranthemum / Marguerite ‘Donington Hero’ HARDINESS RATING: H2 SIZE: 1 X 0.5M FLOWERING MONTHS: SPRING / SUMMER / AUTUMN MORE WHITE ARGYRANTHEMUM VARIETIES: ‘QINTA WHITE’, ‘MADEIRA WHITE’ If you enjoy the wildflower aesthetic, with lots of intrepid white flowers poking forth from a dense green bush, then you’ll love the ‘Donington Hero’. Each flower is a line-up of white petals dancing around a vibrant yellow centre, simultaneously bringing to mind calmness, peace, sunshine, and many other things you’ll want to define your garden. This plant loves full sun and a well-sheltered position, and will be happy in any soil except chalk, provided it’s sufficiently drained. Compared to the previous couple of plants, this will get established quickly. Expect to wait a year or two for a full-sized plant. 6) Rhododendron ‘Madame Masson’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 SIZE: 2.5 X 2.5M FLOWERING MONTHS: SPRING MORE WHITE RHODODENDRON VARIETIES: ‘CUNNINGHAM’S WHITE’, ‘LODER’S WHITE’ Another rhododendron, this time with flowers which sometimes boast a delicate pink tint alongside their characteristic whiteness. We’ve included this flower in our list because it’s a great reminder that real beauty in gardens is often achieved when colours are used to draw out the best in each other, creating striking harmonies between different shapes, sizes, colours, and hues. Seeing such displays dance gently in the wind, maybe with a few bees and butterflies thrown into the mixture for good measure, is what gardening is all about. And ‘Madame Masson’ is exactly the kind of flower that performs well in such ensembles. This flower likes partial shade and good shelter, and won’t grow too well in chalk soil. It prefers acidic soil that’s moist and well-drained, and will take about 15 years to grow to its full size. 7) Enkianthus campanulatus HARDINESS RATING: H5 SIZE: 4 X 4M FLOWERING MONTHS: SPRING / SUMMER If big, brash flowers aren’t up your street, then perhaps you’ll enjoy the dainty and intricate bloom of the Enkianthus campanulatus. These lantern-like flowers hang in small clusters beneath rich green leaves, with light green stems creating a balance between the two. It’s a treat to behold. Then, in spring, summer, and autumn, you see little flourishes of orange, red, and yellow. All in all, this is a beautiful and rewarding plant. This bush can grow to a full size upwards of four metres, and will take at least twenty years to get there – perhaps one or two decades more! Make sure to consider this fact when planting the bush, as you’ll be in it for the long haul. 8) Tulipa ‘Lady Jane’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 SIZE: 0.5 X 0.1M FLOWERING MONTHS: SPRING MORE WHITE TULIP VARIETIES: ‘DANCELINE’, ‘MONDIAL’ Tulips are one of the most popular flowers for a reason. Their striking beauty and delicate scent encapsulate everything a flower should. ‘Lady Jane’ is a fantastic choice for gardeners looking to bring the magic of tulips into their garden, for several reasons: They’re fairly easy to grow, distinctly characteristic and move through a series of captivating hues centred around a brilliant white. Plant in full sun with shelter against the worst of the weather and ensuring well-drained soil, and you’ll be quickly rewarded by a wonderful white bloom. 9) Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’ / Red Guelder Rose HARDINESS RATING: H6 SIZE: 4 X 4M FLOWERING MONTHS: SPRING / SUMMER MORE WHITE VIBURNUM VARIETIES: ‘STERILE’ The guelder rose is neither a rose, nor are its flowers red. The name refers to a region of the Netherlands where a popular cultivar, the snowball, was developed. This cultivar achieves a stunning bloom of white flowers, nestled against each other in a compact globe. It’s a sight to behold, and what better place to behold it than in your own garden! In autumn, the white flowers will give way to a striking burst of bright red berries whose size and shape resembles cranberries. This beautiful bush isn’t fussy with aspect, exposure, sunlight, soil type, or pH. Little wonder it’s received the RHS AGM, as it’s a popular choice for beginner gardeners looking for something pretty but easy to grow. 10) Magnolia stellata / Star Magnolia ‘Centennial’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 SIZE: 2.5 X 4M FLOWERING MONTHS: SPRING MORE WHITE MAGNOLIA VARIETIES: ‘ROYAL STAR’, ‘SCENTED SILVER’, ‘CENTENNIAL’ Another common name in lists of popular flowers, magnolia carries a certain amount of star power at the best of times. This variety, the star magnolia ‘Centennial’, condenses the astral appeal of the plant: Bright, illuminating white blooms that stand aloft on tall branches, casting their radiant glow onto everything beneath. And while we may be taking liberties with grand poetic descriptions of plants, the white flowers of this magnolia cultivar will definitely hold up to scrutiny. In full sun or partial shade, and with shelter against the elements, the Centennial will grow to a size of around 2.5m x 4m, over a period of about 15 years. 11) Hyacinth ‘L’Innocence’ HARDINESS RATING: H4 SIZE: 0.1 X 0.5M FLOWERING MONTHS: SPRING MORE WHITE HYACINTH VARIETIES: ‘GYPSY PRINCESS’, ‘AIOLOS’ ‘L’innocence’ alludes to white’s associations with innocence, purity, and similar concepts. The airy white flowers with light dustings of yellow in the centre grow vertically around a central core, creating an inviting and appealing aesthetic. While the season of visual interest is short – just one bloom in spring – hyacinths can be replanted to encourage ongoing growth year after year. Their scent is something to behold, too: It announces, without any ambiguity, that spring has arrived, and is here to stay. This variety of hyacinth grows best in full sun or partial shade, with good shelter. It’s not fussy with soil type or acidity, as long as the soil is well-drained. 12) Erica lusitanica / Portugal Heath HARDINESS RATING: H4 SIZE: 2.5 X 1M FLOWERING MONTHS: WINTER / SPRING MORE WHITE HEATHER VARIETIES: ‘GOLD TURRET’ Another plant with a strong vertical aesthetic, Portugal heath enjoys showy clusters of lantern-like flowers, draping languorously from green boughs. Their listless, lilting energy are the perfect visual accompaniment to a warm, hazy spring day, where there’s nothing more appealing than sitting, basking in the sun, and watching the world go by. Thriving in full sun, this plant definitely aligns well with spring. Growing well in anything except chalky, acidic soil, Portugal heath will take between five and ten years to reach its maximum spread of 2.5m x 1m. 13) Spiraea nipponica / Tosa Spirea ‘Snowmound’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 SIZE: 2.5 X 2.5M FLOWERING MONTHS: SUMMER MORE WHITE SPIREA VARIETIES: ‘VANHOUTTE’, ‘GARLAND’ The clusters of white flowers that make snowmound so charming are a pleasure to behold. Densely packed but not cramped, and nestled amongst deep green leaves, it’s a bush with a lot to offer visually in your garden. This variety is favoured by bees and other pollinators, meaning you’ll get to enjoy watching their buzzy business unfold whenever the weather allows for it. For us, flowers that invite life to your garden are amongst our favourites. They’re a reminder that gardens are more than just sideshows to look at – they’re rich, active ecosystems where flora and fauna interact and support each other in a beautiful dance. In a spot with full sun or partial shade, where soil is anything but chalky, this plant will take hold in a British garden. Over a decade or so, the plant will approach its full size of about 2.5 metres squared. Notable Mentions While the white-flowering shrubs chosen as notable mentions might not all be AGM award winners, we still think you’ll enjoy growing them in your garden: 14) Escallonia lveyi HARDINESS RATING: H4 SIZE: 2.5 X 2.5M FLOWERING MONTHS: SUMMER MORE WHITE ESCALLONIA VARIETIES: ‘BIFIDA’ 15) Buddleja davidii ‘White Profusion’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 SIZE: 4 X 4M FLOWERING MONTHS: SUMMER / AUTUMN MORE WHITE BUDDLEJA VARIETIES: ‘BUZZ IVORY’, ‘PIXIE WHITE’ 16) Philadelphus coronarius ‘Aureus’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 SIZE: 2.5 X 1.5M FLOWERING MONTHS: SUMMER MORE WHITE PHILADELPHUS VARIETIES: ‘VIRGINAL’ 17) Holodiscus discolor ‘Creambush’ HARDINESS RATING: H5 SIZE: 4 X 4M FLOWERING MONTHS: SUMMER 18) Cephalanthus occidentalis ‘Buttonbush’ HARDINESS RATING: H5 SIZE: 2.5 X 2.5M FLOWERING MONTHS: SUMMER / AUTUMN MORE WHITE CEPHALANTHUS VARIETIES: ‘TETRANDRUS’ 19) Syringa vulgaris ‘Madame Lemoine’ HARDINESS RATING: H6 SIZE: 4 X 4M FLOWERING MONTHS: SPRING / SUMMER MORE WHITE SYRINGA VARIETIES: ‘MEYERI FLOWERFESTA WHITE’, ‘ALBA COMMON’ 20) Hibiscus syriacus ‘Snowdrift’ HARDINESS RATING: H5 SIZE: 4 X 2.5M FLOWERING MONTHS: SUMMER / AUTUMN MORE WHITE HIBISCUS VARIETIES: ‘WHITE CHIFFON’, ‘WHITE PILLAR’, ‘SHINTAEYANG’ References 1. Cherry, K. (2023, March 13). The Meaning of the Color White. Verywell Mind. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.verywellmind.com/color-psychology-white-2795822 2. RHS advice & tips on garden & indoor plants. (n.d.). Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/search-results?colourWithAttributes=40014&plantTypes=6&pageSize=20&startFrom=80 3. See RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) plant, fruit & veg award winners / RHS Gardening. (n.d.). Royal Horticultural Society. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/award-of-garden-merit
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Grow Food In A Small Space With These 10 Vegetables For Containers
IN THIS GUIDE 1) Tomatoes 2) Lettuce 3) Kale 4) Potatoes 5) Carrots 6) Courgettes 7) Cucumbers 8) Peas 9) Beetroot 10) Radishes References Edible gardening is all the rage right now – and by growing vegetables in pots, you don’t even need a garden to do it! Plenty of vegetables lend themselves well to cultivation in pots and containers, meaning you don’t need a huge amount of space for your crops to flourish. A terrace, balcony, greenhouse or conservatory is all that’s required to coax delicious edibles from the soil. Another strong advantage of growing in pots is the soil itself; while the idea of a foolproof vegetable patch is a total myth, containers offer the closest thing to it. That’s because you have far greater control of the concentrations of compost, nutrients and water which go into the terrain, while the enclosed nature of the cultivation will also protect your plants from unwanted critters and blights. Finally, growing your vegetables in pots gives you the opportunity to quickly and easily move them into shadier or sunnier spots as the circumstances warrant. You can even bring them inside or move them outdoors as the thermometer dictates! This means you can prolong yields for as long as possible and reap the benefits far later into the calendar year. Here are ten plants to help get you started: 1) Tomatoes PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN SOW: FEBRUARY – MARCH HARVEST: AUGUST – SEPTEMBER Yes, we know they’re technically a fruit! However, providing you get the species and the conditions right, tomatoes are easy to grow and very satisfying to watch develop. To make your life easier, select a bush or determinate variety, which will grow to a predetermined size and won’t take up too much space. Having said that, it’s eminently possible to grow other strains as well, but they may require more room and support in the shape of staking or a tomato cage. Tomatoes love the sun, so start out your seedlings in February or March on a windowsill that receives plentiful UV. They’ll also work well in greenhouses, conservatories or polytunnels, but be wary of transplanting into garden soil unless you enjoy warm temperatures, lots of sun and little to no frost. They also thrive with plentiful nutrients, so keep the plants well fed and watered in sizable containers (at least 10 litres in volume per plant). 2) Lettuce PREFERRED ASPECT: PART SHADE SOW: JANUARY – FEBRUARY HARVEST: MAY – JUNE A durable vegetable, lettuce is perfect for the Great British climate in that it doesn’t require as much sun or warmth as some others on this list. In fact, it actually prefers a bit of shade, so the fact that it’s in a container means you can move it around the garden to receive more or less sun as is required. This will also allow you to better clamp down on the weeds and pests which can often disrupt lettuce yields. Most lettuce varieties crop in spring, but some may continue to produce yields later into the summer, especially if you move them to cooler climes. They’re also fast-growing; seed them in January to harvest in June. Simply sprinkle a few seeds on the surface of the soil, before dusting them over with compost, since they thrive on light during the germination stage. Miniature varieties like Little Gem and Tom Thumb are perfect for pots, as they require less space. 3) Kale PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN SOW: APRIL – JUNE HARVEST: YEAR-ROUND If lettuce is easy to grow, kale is positively child’s play. This robust plant is almost bulletproof in terms of the climatic conditions it can withstand; only the very worst extremes of winter will make a dent and it should otherwise flourish for the rest of the year. “Watch out for the Cabbage White butterfly,” warns Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly. “If you see it, cover your kale with netting to prevent the butterflies from laying eggs on your crop. “They lay their clusters of yellow eggs on the underside of leaves and can strip a kale plant in a matter of hours. “If you find the eggs or caterpillars, you can remove them from the leaves, but prevention is easier than cure.” It makes an excellent addition to your smoothies or a tasty sauteed side dish for breakfast, lunch or dinner. For best results, ensure you plant kale in a spacious pot with a diameter of at least 30cm, while the soil mixture should be free-draining and packed with nutrients. Nero di Toscana and Russian Kale are especially recommended for growing in pots due to their manageable size and the fact that their taste will actually improve as the temperatures drop. Expect one plant to feed one person on a weekly basis all year round. 4) Potatoes PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN SOW: VARIES BY TYPE HARVEST: VARIES BY TYPE Though potatoes might require a little more space than other vegetables, if you provide them with enough soil and water then you’ll be well rewarded. That’s because the earthiness of freshly picked potatoes, alongside their higher water content, make them a far more appetising prospect than ones you might pick up in the supermarket. The importance of irrigation can’t be stressed highly enough, however; insufficient watering is the number one reason for poor crop yields. For best results, seek out seed potatoes that are specifically designed to be grown at home. You can plant the seeds in March or April, placing them at around half the depth of a pot at least 30cm in diameter and topping up with more soil or compost as the shoots begin to develop. One key advantage of planting in pots is the protection it affords against blight, a big killer of crops in late summer. You can also avoid this by harvesting in June or July. 5) Carrots PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN SOW: VARIES BY TYPE HARVEST: VARIES BY TYPE All types of carrots adapt well to pot life, though standard varieties have extensive root systems, meaning you’ll need to use a container that is both deep and wide. If space is at a premium, baby carrots are an ideal choice in smaller points and come with the added advantage of their sweet taste. That’s thanks to the fact that they’re harvested before they have reached full maturity. Larger varieties should be sown in February, while smaller ones can wait until April or later. You should always ensure that the container is covered with a fine fleece or mesh, since carrot flies are a significant issue once the mercury begins to rise in late spring and summer. Another advantage of cultivating your carrots in a pot is the greater control you’ll have over the soil composition; carrots struggle in terrain with a lot of stones or clay, so a fine compost will produce markedly better results. 6) Courgettes PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN SOW: MAY – JUNE HARVEST: JULY – OCTOBER Courgettes are summer crops that will produce more vegetables the more they are harvested! Rigorous picking will ensure that a single plant can easily satisfy the needs of a small family all throughout the warmer months. They are quite delicate, however, so avoid planting out until May if you plan to keep them outdoors; otherwise place them in a sunny spot inside the house, greenhouse or conservatory. They’re also hungry and thirsty plants, so make sure you give them enough room to develop. The seeds can be sown individually in smaller pots, but once a single large leaf has appeared, they must be transferred to a receptacle of at least 10 litres in volume. Once in position, make sure they’re fed and watered on a regular basis. You can make the process of ensuring they have enough nutrients that much easier by using a slow-release fertiliser in the compost composition. 7) Cucumbers PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN SOW: APRIL – MAY HARVEST: AUGUST – OCTOBER Have you ever heard that a cucumber is 96% water?1 If you have, it should come as no surprise that these vegetables are incredibly thirsty and demand constant irrigation. That makes growing them in pots slightly easier than in the ground, since the pot will retain moisture better, while container cultivation is also conducive to warmer soils. Cucumbers love the heat and warmer air penetrates pot soil much more effectively than it does compacted ground soil.2 Cucumbers are also tender plants, meaning you should avoid growing outside unless your garden enjoys respectable ambient temperatures. For best results, cultivate them in a conservatory or greenhouse, while you should also use supports in the form of canes or strings to ensure the weight of the vegetable doesn’t impact the growth of the plant. Follow the same seeding, transplanting and picking process as the one outlined above for courgettes and you’ll be rewarded with a similar bountiful harvest each summer. 8) Peas PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN SOW: MARCH – JUNE HARVEST: JUNE – SEPTEMBER As one of the easiest vegetables to grow in a pot, peas make for an excellent project with younger members of the household. Although bush varieties are available, most pea plants (including sugar snaps and snow peas) will need some form of support to hold them up. One or more bamboo canes set in the middle of the pot and fastened with twine will be adequate to ensure they don’t collapse under the weight of their own deliciousness. As well as providing a tasty snack or side dish, pea plants are also attractive additions to the garden in their own right, especially after flowers have begun to blossom but before the seedpods appear. What’s more, they’re also excellent enrichers of soil, imparting plenty of nitrogen which will help subsequent plants.3 Seed them in March, harvest them in June and replace them with salad leaves or other delectable veggie produce in late summer for round two of crop yields from that nitrogen-rich soil. 9) Beetroot PREFERRED ASPECT: PART SHADE SOW: APRIL – JUNE HARVEST: JUNE – AUGUST Beets are fairly adaptable plants that will fair well in potted environments – providing they are given enough ground clearance. The roots like to grow deep into the soil, so make sure you plant them in a pot with a depth of around 25cm to 30cm. You should also bear in mind that a single beetroot seed contains a cluster of five or so individual seeds, so planting just one seed could produce multiple plants, depending on how many germinate.4 Look to bed the beetroot seeds in March, before harvesting their early leaf growth as a stand-in for spinach. Come late summer, you’ll have plenty of delicious beets to incorporate into your salads and sandwiches. A little know fact about beetroot is that it comes from the same family as Swiss chard, too, with the former grown for its roots and the latter for its leaves. Both do very well in pots, as long as they have enough good quality compost and regular irrigation. 10) Radishes PREFERRED ASPECT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE SOW: MARCH – AUGUST HARVEST: 4-6 WEEKS AFTER SOWING There’s nothing quite like the satisfying crunch and the subtle spiciness of a ripe and ravishing radish. Incredibly versatile, these eye-catching red vegetables will make do in even the smallest containers; all that’s needed is a sprinkling of soil and enough water to slake its thirst and you can enjoy radishes almost year-round. Be mindful that they don’t enjoy full sun, however, so remember to move them to a shadier spot when the temperature rises. Another huge selling point of radishes is their rapid turnaround time. Most strains will go from seed to harvest in well under a month, meaning you’ll have to wait hardly any time at all to enjoy their unique flavour and texture. With many different types available, you can pick and choose the ones that best suit your palette, while the fact that both the pods and the leaves are also edible means there is very little waste from this robust, dynamic and supremely efficient potted plant. References 1. Jaarsma, C. (n.d.). 10 water-rich foods to help you stay hydrated. BUPA. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://www.bupa.co.uk/newsroom/ourviews/ten-water-rich-foods-hydration 2. Soil compaction. (n.d.). University of Minnesota. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://extension.umn.edu/soil-management-and-health/soil-compaction 3. Wallace, J. (n.d.). Make the most of legumes to fix amd keep nitrogen in your soil. Conition. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://eap.mcgill.ca/MagRack/COG/COG_E_97_02.htm 4. Beets Beta vulgaris. (n.d.). Hamilton University. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://academics.hamilton.edu/foodforthought/Our_Research_files/beet.pdf
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These Pine Tree Types Can Be Grown Anywhere From The Highlands To The New Forest
IN THIS GUIDE 1) Scots Pine 2) Douglas Fir 3) Noble Fir 4) Norway Spruce 5) Western Hemlock 6) Corsican Pine 7) Sitka Spruce 8) Lodgepole Pine 9) Eastern Hemlock 10) Bosnian Pine 11) Dwarf Mountain Pine 12) Weymouth Pine 13) Schwerin’s Pine 14) Japanese White Pine 15) Stone Pine 16) Mexican Yellow Pine 17) Japanese Red Pine 18) Monterey Pine 19) Bhutan Pine 20) Golden Scots Pine Identifying A Pine Tree Watch Out For Pines! References A pine tree is a coniferous tree with long needle-shaped leaves. Some don’t stop growing until they’re 150 years old and can live up to 1,000 years.1 The biggest pine tree recorded is the Ponderosa Pine, at a jaw-dropping height of 268.35 feet!2 For those who prefer something a little smaller, the Siberian dwarf pine is native to North-East Asia and grows up to 3m in height with compact branches. On the whole, plants in the Coniferous family tend to have leaves that don’t fall off. However, as with all rules, there are a few exceptions to this, which we’ll highlight throughout this post. The majority of pine trees are native to the Northern Hemisphere, and most countries have their own native species of pine. In this article, we take a look at twenty types of pine tree that can be grown in the UK. Although not all are native to the United Kingdom, there are plenty of beautiful examples of pine tree that can be found throughout Britain – from the Scottish Highlands all the way down to the New Forest. So, let’s start our pine tree exploration! 1) Scots Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus sylvestris HARDINESS RATING: H7 UK NATIVE To begin, it seems appropriate to start the list with one of the ‘backbones’ of the pine ecosystem: the Scots pine. After the Ice Age, this species of pine tree spread into northern Scotland.3 While native to Europe and Asia, today it can be mainly found in the Scottish Highlands, and the Pinus sylvestris is now known as Scotland’s national tree.4 The Scots Pine lives up to 300 years and can grow as tall as 36m in height.5 It supports many species of insect, and it produces egg-shaped cones with small prickles. For some notable Scots pines worth visiting, start by taking a trip to Muirward Wood in Perthshire to visit the ‘King of the Forest’. This tree has the largest trunk in the UK, with a 6m wide trunk and 31m height.6 There’s also the ‘Twin trees of Finzean’ to visit, where two trees formed a natural arch to create an ‘H’. 2) Douglas Fir BOTANICAL NAME: Pseudotsuga menziesii HARDINESS RATING: H6 Named after Scottish botanist David Douglas, the first seed of the Douglas fir was sent from North America to the UK in 1791.7 However, its botanical name – Pseudotsuga menziesii – stems from its original discovery by Archibald Menzies in 1791. With a lifespan of up to 500 years, the Douglas fir has been grown in the UK for over two hundred years. Today, the tallest of the species can be found in Reelig Glen in Inverness – with a whopping 64m in height – that’s more than 220 feet!8 The leaves of the species are flat and soft, and are relatively small with a maximum length of 4cm. And, when crushed, the needles give off a strong citrus-like smell. It’s regarded as the best of edible conifers because of this – perfect for adding to cups of tea! As a conifer, the Douglas fir is no exception when it comes to growing pines. The male flowers are pollen cones up to 3cm in size, and the female flowers grow up to 10cm long in size. 3) Noble Fir BOTANICAL NAME: Abies procera HARDINESS RATING: H7 With its native roots in Washington and Oregon, the Noble Fir – Abies procera – was introduced to the UK by the previously mentioned David Douglas.9 The noble fir is striking – it’s regularly used for Christmas Trees in places like Denmark, and across Europe to create wreaths. Interestingly, its scientific name – Abies procera – literally means ‘tall’, and this is particularly apt as the noble fir can grow up to 45m in height.10 Its needles grow upwards at right angles to the branch. It also grows in the traditional ‘Christmas tree’ shape with a narrow crown, and tends to grow in places with high altitudes. To find your nearest noble fir, there are a few notable examples of this species throughout the country. From the 40m fir at Heaven’s Gate in Longleat Forest to the 55m fir in Big Trees Walk, there are some spectacularly tall and striking examples of Noble firs throughout Britain.11 4) Norway Spruce BOTANICAL NAME: Picea abies HARDINESS RATING: H7 For us Brits, the Norway spruce is the epitome of the Christmas tree fir. This is the most commonly selected species of pine that makes its way to living rooms across the country throughout December! The Norway spruce is native to Europe – and, as the name suggests, Norway – and was widely planted in Britain at the end of the 19th century.12 With a lifespan of 200 years, some of those planted during this period are still alive today and can reach heights of up to 40m.13 The reddish-brown cones of the Norway spruce are unique, with long cones that tend to hang down rather than up. Its timber is tough, making it the perfect material for indoor building work. It has also earned the name ‘violin wood’, due to its sound transmitting properties. As it was planted so vastly, the Norway spruce has roots throughout the UK as it was originally planted for forestry. If you’re looking for your nearest spruce, look out for square-shaped needle-like leaves with fine white speckles. You’ll also be able to identify them through their unique shape, and their downward-growing red-brown crones. 5) Western Hemlock BOTANICAL NAME: Tsuga heterophylla HARDINESS RATING: H6 RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT The Western Hemlock is another example of a Northern American pine which has made its way to Britain!14 In 1852, botanist John Jeffrey introduced the Western Hemlock to British shores, and today it’s one of the most common conifers in the UK.15 One of the most interesting facts about this species of pine is that its needles, when crushed, smell like grapefruit! It shares the ‘Hemlock’ part of its name with the herb hemlock due to the shared scent. The needle-like leaves are soft to the touch, flat and have characteristic white bands underneath them. The species also comes with some mild controversy over its scientific name – Tsuga heterophylla. During Queen Victoria’s reign, she asked for the name to be changed to Tsuga albertiana for her husband, Albert.16 However, while it stuck for a while at the time, its original name is now more commonly used. The Western Hemlock is often used for building due to its ability to firmly hold nails, and it can grow up to heights of 50m during its 500+ year lifespan.17 To identify your nearest Western Hemlock, look out for the ‘randomly arranged’ needles and widespread leaves and branches. If you’re on the hunt for a Western Hemlock near you, it’s generally grown in local parks and sometimes in private gardens. 6) Corsican Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus nigra subsp. laricio HARDINESS RATING: H7 Native to Corsica – as the name suggests – the Corsican pine is a species of black pine. It’s characterised by its straight trunk and light branches and can live for up to 500 years. Originally, it came to the UK in 1759 and was used for railway sleepers.19 Today, it’s often used for telegraph poles, although it’s not known for its durability. Known as part of the P. nigra subsp. laricio, it grows best as timber in the south and the east of the UK, where there are marginally lower levels of rainfall and higher volumes of sunshine. Due to its characteristics, however, there has been a huge shift in the importance of the Corsican pine which shouldn’t be underestimated. Research by the Forest Commission has found that due to global climate change forecasts, the Corsican pine may thrive in warmer climates and that an expansion of its growth is particularly important over the next 30 years.20 If you’re looking for your nearest Corsican pine, look out for one in your nearest park, churchyard or local large gardens! You’ll also be likely to find birds nearby, as a wide range of bird species feed on their seeds. 7) Sitka Spruce BOTANICAL NAME: Picea sitchensis HARDINESS RATING: H7 As the fifth-largest conifer in the world, if you live in Scotland, the Sitka Spruce is the most common pine species that you’ll find in a forest near you.21 Its name stems from Sitka in Alaska and it originates from North America. The main reason for the popularity of the Sitka is not just its fast-growing speed (up to 1.5m each year) but because of the versatility of its timber. Incredibly, the commercial wood industry rests on the success of Sitka trees, as Sitka timber can be used for paper, boat-building, construction, pallets, packaging, and more. It’s also not too picky on where it grows – and can even grow successfully in poor soil. With a whopping 600-year lifespan, the Sitka grows up to 100m in height and is often found in UK forests. 8) Lodgepole Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus contorta HARDINESS RATING: H6 RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT The Lodgepole pine stands tall at up to 50m in height.22 With its distinctive slim shape and high branches, the Lodgepole pine – Pinus contorta – often loses its lower branches as it matures.23 While native to North America, the lodgepole has a rich history. Its name stems from the use of the straight poles of the tree to support the lodges of Native Americans. Today, the species covers over 50 million acres in North America.24 Back in the UK, the Lodgepole pine graced our shores in 1855, and because of its tolerance to poor soil, it quickly became a useful timber crop in Britain – especially in Scotland. One of the most interesting facts about this species is that its cones need high temperatures to open and release seeds, which is why many believe that the Pinus contorta won’t be here forever. To find your own Lodgepole pine, there are plenty to be seen in Scotland and the north of England. For a particularly notable example, take a look at the 26.5m tall Lodgepole pine in Errol Park, Errol.25 If you want to sneak a peek at the 50m species, you’ll need to nip across the pond to North America. 9) Eastern Hemlock BOTANICAL NAME: Tsuga canadensis HARDINESS RATING: H7 10) Bosnian Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus heldreichii HARDINESS RATING: H6 RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT 11) Dwarf Mountain Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus mugo HARDINESS RATING: H7 RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT 12) Weymouth Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus strobus HARDINESS RATING: H7 RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT 13) Schwerin’s Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus × schwerinii HARDINESS RATING: H7 RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT 14) Japanese White Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus parviflora HARDINESS RATING: H7 RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT 15) Stone Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus pinea HARDINESS RATING: H4 RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT 16) Mexican Yellow Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus patula HARDINESS RATING: H4 RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT 17) Japanese Red Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus densiflora HARDINESS RATING: H7 UK NATIVE 18) Monterey Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus radiata HARDINESS RATING: H5 RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT 19) Bhutan Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus wallichiana HARDINESS RATING: H6 RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT 20) Golden Scots Pine BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus sylvestris ‘Aurea’ HARDINESS RATING: H7 RHS AWARD OF GARDEN MERIT Identifying A Pine Tree Spotting conifers is straightforward, but how can you tell the difference between a Pine, Fir or a Spruce tree? Well, pine trees have a few distinctive features to look out for. These include: The needles of pine trees grow in clusters from a single point – most often in clusters of 2, 3 or 5 The needles are usually longer than those on other conifers The branches on pines are generally upturned and there are fewer branches on a pine tree The cones hang towards the ground, rather than in an upward direction as firs do. Watch Out For Pines! While the word ‘pine tree’ may spring to mind messy Christmas trees, walks in the park or pine cones, there are a wide range of pine trees and various species to be found throughout the UK. While only the Scot’s pine (P. sylvestris) is native to the UK, non-native pines may hold the key to the future of our wildlife, environment and timber production. For those readers who live in Scotland, many of the most spectacular versions of each of these examples can be found on your doorstep! For everyone else, take a stroll to your local public park to see what you can find – one such example is the traditional Christmas tree, the Norway Spruce. Happy pine tree hunting! References 1. The UK’s oldest tree. (2018, June 28). Woodland Trust. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2018/06/the-oldest-tree-in-the-uk-how-long-do-trees-live/ 2. Riggs, K. (2017, February 21). Oregon Forest Home for World’s Tallest Living Pine Tree. USDA. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2011/12/08/oregon-forest-home-worlds-tallest-living-pine-tree 3. Smout, C. (2014). The History and the Myth of Scots Pine. Scottish Forestry Trust. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.scottishforestrytrust.org.uk/userfiles/file/projects/p13-243%20inaugural%20rsfs%20annual%20lecture/scots%20pine.pdf 4. The national tree. (2014, January 30). Botanics Stories. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/10267 5. The Famous Scots Pine at Loch of the Lowes. (2019, May 30). Scottish Wildlife Trust. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/2019/05/the-famous-scots-pine-at-loch-of-the-lowes/ 6. Scots pine. (n.d.). Forestry and Land Scotland. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://forestryandland.gov.scot/learn/trees/scots-pine 7. Douglas fir. (n.d.). Forestry and Land Scotland. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://forestryandland.gov.scot/learn/trees/douglas-fir 8. Four of Britain’s tallest trees in glen near Inverness. (2014, March 25). BBC News. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-26729935 9. Noble fir. (n.d.). Forestry and Land Scotland. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://forestryandland.gov.scot/learn/trees/noble-fir 10. Christmas Tree – Abies procera. (n.d.). North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/abies-procera/common-name/christmas-tree/ 11. Tall trees trail at Blackwater. (n.d.). Forestry England. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.forestryengland.uk/blackwater/tall-trees-trail-blackwater 12. Norway Spruce (Picea abies). (n.d.). Woodland Trust. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/norway-spruce/ 13. Norway spruce. (n.d.). Forestry and Land Scotland. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://forestryandland.gov.scot/learn/trees/norway-spruce 14. Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla). (n.d.). Woodland Trust. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/western-hemlock/ 15. Western Hemlock. (2014, February 5). Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://glasgowbotanicgardens.co.uk/projects/national-tree-collections-of-scotland/tree-trail-online/11-western-hemlock/ 16. D, C. (2020, October 9). Western Hemlock Tree – Tsuga Heterophylla. GraftinGardeners Ltd. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/western-hemlock/ 17. Western hemlock. (n.d.). Forestry and Land Scotland. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://forestryandland.gov.scot/learn/trees/western-hemlock 18. Corsican Pine or Black Pine. (n.d.). Woodlands.co.uk. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/tree-identification/corsican-pine-or-black-pine/ 19. Steven, H. (1934, April 1). Corsican Pine In Great Britain. Oxford Academic: Forestry. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://academic.oup.com/forestry/article-abstract/8/1/14/523587 20. Broadmeadow, M., & Ray, D. (2005, June). Climate Change and British Woodland. Forest Research. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://cdn.forestresearch.gov.uk/2022/02/fcin069-2.pdf 21. Sitka spruce. (n.d.). Forestry and Land Scotland. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://forestryandland.gov.scot/learn/trees/sitka-spruce 22. Lodgepole pine. (n.d.). Forestry and Land Scotland. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://forestryandland.gov.scot/learn/trees/lodgepole-pine 23. Pinus contorta | lodgepole pine. (n.d.). Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/13066/pinus-contorta-lodgepole-pine-beach-pine/details 24. Report on the Heath of Colorado’s Forests. (2002). Lodgepole Pine Forests. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/06fhr.pdf 25. Lodgepole Pine in the garden of Errol Park in Errol, Scotland, United Kingdom. (2013). Monumental Trees. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/gbr/scotland/perthandkinross/10765_errolpark/
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Here's 10 Vivid Blue Flowering Shrubs Grown By Colin Skelly
IN THIS GUIDE 1) African Lily 2) Bluebeard ‘Heavenly Blue’ 3) Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’ 4) Blue Flowering Lilac 5) Rose Of Sharon ‘Blue Chiffon’ 6) California Lilac 7) Chinese Wisteria 8) Clematis ‘Dutch Sky’ 9) Hydrangea ‘Nikko Blue’ 10) Russian Sage Shrubs and bushes are essential for adding body and depth to your garden, while choosing ones with blue blossoms brings a splash of colour to boot. What is it about blue flowers that make them such a striking sight? Perhaps it’s their relative rarity in comparison to white, yellow, red and purple blossoms; maybe it’s the cool tranquillity they lend to their surroundings. Whatever the reason, blue blooms are quite something to behold and when adorning a bush or shrub, they can bring even more variety to your existing display. Even though blue flowers are less commonplace than some other colours, there are still plenty of shrubs and bushes bearing their picturesque petals to choose from. Here are ten of our favourite blue flowering specimens to provide some inspiration the next time you’re planning a makeover or tweaking the colour scheme of your garden arrangements. 1) African Lily BOTANICAL NAME: AGAPANTHUS HARDINESS RATING: H3-H5 FLOWERING MONTHS: JUNE – SEPTEMBER Despite originally hailing from South Africa, the African Lily (sometimes known as Lily of the Nile) has been bred to thrive in climes less kindly than its native land. Today, the genus positively thrives in Britain, producing clusters of bell-shaped flowers on towering stems that can surpass 1.2m. They bloom all summer long and add a striking blue focal point to any bed or border. Thankfully, Agapanthus come in three different categories, according to their size: small plants, reaching a maximum of 60cm; medium-sized specimens, which can grow to around 90cm; or the larger varieties mentioned above, which exceed one metre. As such, you can choose whichever species fits best for the location in which you wish to plant it. As for growing them, African Lilies perform best when drenched in sunshine, so plant them in a south-facing spot of the garden. They’ll do well in any fertile soil that drains freely, though more vulnerable strains (A. africanus) may need transplanting indoors during the colder months. 2) Bluebeard ‘Heavenly Blue’ BOTANICAL NAME: Caryopteris x clandonensis HARDINESS RATING: H4 FLOWERING MONTHS: AUGUST – SEPTEMBER ‘Heavenly Blue’ is a deciduous shrub that will treat you to a spectacular display of dark blue flowers each August and September. The blooms are stacked intermittently on spindly stems, atop a mass of pale green leaves with pointed tips and aromatic foliage. Come winter, the plant will lose all of its finery and wither back into itself, before springing forth with new shoots the next year. Best of all, Bluebeard is an absolute magnet for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. That makes it an invaluable tool for injecting a dollop of biodiversity into your garden and ensuring it is full of life, colour and activity. It makes a particularly pleasing addition to a mixed border or in amongst a collection of other shrubs. The cultivar generally does well in most climates, being a fully hardy shrub that’ll stand up to even the most dramatic drops in the mercury. If you do expect temperatures to plummet regularly below -5°C, accommodate it by planting against a south-facing wall or fence, and prune and mulch each spring to ensure best results. 3) Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’ BOTANICAL NAME: Buddleja davidii HARDINESS RATING: H5 FLOWERING MONTHS: JULY – OCTOBER Speaking of butterflies, Buddlejas aren’t known colloquially as butterfly bushes for nothing. This particular cultivar, smaller and more compact than its more sprawling cousins, makes for a perfect border plant or can even be cultivated as a low hedge, giving off an intoxicating fragrance and drawing in countless fluttering wings to please both the sight and the smell. Aside from the wonders that it will work for the diversity of your garden’s ecosystem, ‘Blue Chip’ will also, as the name suggests, bring striking azure tones to your garden. The delicately bobbing stems will be awash with thousands of blue flowerheads throughout the whole summer long, making it highly useful as a cut flower, too. A miniature deciduous shrub, ‘Blue Chip’ isn’t likely to surpass 30cm in height, but could double that in width. It loves the full warmth of the sun’s rays and will do well in almost all soil types, while it’s also resistant to drought, pests and disease. Remove spent flowerheads to maximise blossoms and minimise self-seeding, but avoid pruning until the spring. 4) Blue Flowering Lilac BOTANICAL NAME: Syringa vulgaris ‘Nadezhda’ HARDINESS RATING: H4 FLOWERING MONTHS: MAY – AUGUST This Russian hybrid is a particularly striking type of lilac that can be grown as either a deciduous shrub or small tree. Its heart-shaped flowers deliver up stems studded with pinky-purple buds, which unfurl themselves in late spring and early summer to reveal double flowerheads that are stunning for both the eyes and the nostrils. Indeed, the deep blue lilac bloom is so heavily perfumed that you can even take cuttings to place around the home, and your household will be filled with a wonderful fragrance for days at a time. Depending upon the specific cultivar you choose, this blue flowering lilac can reach a maximum height of up to 4m in tree form, though it will obviously remain shorter as a shrub. The species isn’t a fan of acidic soil, but other than that, it’s a very low-maintenance, high-reward choice for a low hedge, mixed flower bed or even indoor display. It’ll do well facing any aspect, but if planting in a spot that’s particularly susceptible to full sun, remember to mulch it occasionally to retain some moisture for the roots. 5) Rose Of Sharon ‘Blue Chiffon’ BOTANICAL NAME: Hibiscus syriacus HARDINESS RATING: H5 FLOWERING MONTHS: JULY – SEPTEMBER Otherwise known as Blue Chiffon, this eye-catching hibiscus is a medium-sized deciduous shrub with palmately lobed leaves, its points spreading out from the stem liked fingers on a hand. Every year, the foliage serves as background to beautiful pale-blue blooms with layer upon layer of papery petals, the outermost bearing a purplish stain at their centre. Indeed, it’s the layering of those petals which give the Blue Rose its alternative moniker; the flower itself resembles a pile of ruffled chiffon. It’s a reliable shrub that has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit, meaning you know you’re getting a quality plant when you settle upon it as part of your floral garden display. Growing up to a maximum of 2m in height, the hibiscus serves equally well as a standalone plant or as a low hedge as it does in tandem with other shrubs around it. It loves the sun but prefers shelter from the wind, while it requires little maintenance other than trimming back to keep it from encroaching on surrounding species. 6) California Lilac BOTANICAL NAME: CEANOTHUS HARDINESS RATING: H4 FLOWERING MONTHS: JUNE – OCTOBER Ceanothus are arguably the most impressive and instantly recognisable of all blue-flowering shrubs, coming in both deciduous and evergreen varieties. Indeed, there are so many different strains available that you can even select whether you’d prefer a spring, summer or late-blooming addition to your garden, offering maximum flexibility in your options. Whichever variety you choose, you’re guaranteed to enjoy a sea of colour when the shrub is in full bloom, with its dense foliage carpeted in blossoms of its characteristic blue (although pink and white flowering alternatives are available). They look particularly impressive when trained against a south-facing fence or wall, but can also serve as low hedges or border plants. This species can be prone to flowering profusely one year, then producing nothing the next. To avoid that problem, remove the blooms after they have lost their vibrancy but before the seeds begin to form. You can also instigate more growth by clipping back those stems which have already flowered more than once. 7) Chinese Wisteria BOTANICAL NAME: Wisteria sinensis HARDINESS RATING: H6 FLOWERING MONTHS: MAY – JUNE Unlike all of the other plants mentioned on this list, Chinese wisteria won’t necessarily be confined to your garden. As a prolific climbing shrub, wisteria can completely transform the exterior of your home, trailing up around doors and windows and adding a spectacular aesthetic to your building’s façade. It is characterised by blue, purple or pink drooping blooms each year. When choosing a wisteria specimen to introduce into your garden, ensure that you get one that has been bred by grafting rather than from seed, since the latter variety can take decades to produce flowers. Grafted wisteria is immediately discernible by the bulbous growth at the base of its stem, while all varieties of this breathtaking climber demand plenty of sunshine. For best results, position the plant against a sturdy wall and fix wires in place across it to train the new growth. You can plant the wisteria in a pot, but it’ll do much better in the earth itself, while a fully mature specimen can swell to the size of a small tree trunk, so ensure the surface that you plan to train it against is stable and can support its weight as it grows. Prune twice a year, in January and July, to ensure that the wisteria follows the path you have laid out for it. 8) Clematis ‘Dutch Sky’ BOTANICAL NAME: Clematis viticella HARDINESS RATING: H6 FLOWERING MONTHS: MAY – SEPTEMBER Clematis is another climbing shrub, and though it might not produce as jaw-dropping results as wisteria, its faint blue flowers which subtly slide into a darker hue at the tips are a pleasing sight in themselves. The blooms will occur between June and September and produce plentiful blossoms without fail each year, ensuring the wall, fence or other greenery they adorn enjoys a boost of colour. Despite their name, the sky isn’t the limit for ‘Dutch Sky’ plants – they rarely reach a height in excess of two metres, but their spread can exceed one metre comfortably. Plant them in any type of fertile soil which enjoys good ventilation and ensure they receive at least partial exposure to sun and you’ll have no problems whatsoever with this low-maintenance climbing shrub. They’re also not as structurally demanding as wisteria, meaning they can be trained to climb trees, shrubs and other plants in the vicinity, as Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly shares: “I use Clematis viticella a lot in my gardening, wheter that’s up walls, on trellises, over pergolas, up trees and shrubs or through hedges. “It will put on a large amount of growth quickly in spring and early summer and flower on that year’s growth. “They can be pruned back to 30cm from the ground in winter or to wherever you want the growth to start from the following spring. “You can prune out stems during the growing season if it becomes vigorous.” Another variety to consider is Clematis ‘Fukuzono’, a rare Japanese strain which features incredible bluish-purple flowers at will. When planted alongside ‘Dutch Sky’, this variety will complement the subtle, pastel colours of the former with its own bold palette, creating a stunning display of climbers wherever they appear. 9) Hydrangea ‘Nikko Blue’ BOTANICAL NAME: Hydrangea macrophylla HARDINESS RATING: H5 FLOWERING MONTHS: AUGUST – SEPTEMBER Nikko Blue is remarkable for the rounded globes of its flowerheads, in which individual blossoms group together to create a mophead effect of metallic blue. As such, it’s an excellent cut flower in its own right and will work exceptionally well as a hedge or border plant. In fact, the sharp contrast between its vibrant flowers and lush foliage make it versatile for planting anywhere you wish. Aside from its attractive floral display, another strong selling point of Nikko Blue is its fast-growing properties. In just two or three years, a seedling plant can reach its full height of over 1.5m, providing a convenient screen to create privacy without having to sacrifice on aesthetic impression – or wait forever and a day for the plant to provide adequate cover. Like most hydrangeas, Nikko Blue likes partial sun and moist terrain that enjoys good drainage. It should be protected from the worst ravages of the wind – especially as a younger specimen – but once established, it will require very little in the way of any maintenance whatsoever, except for perhaps the occasional pruning to keep it in shape. You might need to undertake some efforts to keep your hydrangea blue, but we think it’s well worth the spectacle! 10) Russian Sage BOTANICAL NAME: Perovskia atriplicifolia HARDINESS RATING: H5 FLOWERING MONTHS: AUGUST – SEPTEMBER Characterised by dense tangles of thin, grey-green stems dotted with blue or lavender flowerheads, Russian Sage can lend its environment an aura of weightlessness and calm. It will bloom slightly later in the year than some other options and hold its blossoms well into autumn, making it a great choice if you wish to prolong the displays in your garden. It’s beautiful but austere aesthetic means it may work best when planted in a gravel garden or as part of a herbaceous border. Its blooms also attract plenty of bees, butterflies and other pollinators, meaning that it can enhance biodiversity, especially when planted among complementary shrubs which do the same. One of the hardiest plants on this list, Russian Sage is all but impervious to droughts and pests, though it does prefer full sun and may require protection in colder parts of the UK during winter. It can grow to over a metre in height and may require support if cultivated individually; alternatively, you can plant it in batches to provide mutual support. Careful pruning should be conducted once a year in early spring to prevent floppy growth later in the year.
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These Special Plum Cultivars Can Be Grown For Culinary, Cooking Or Dual-Purpose Use
IN THIS GUIDE Culinary Plums (For Jams, Sauces & Preserves) 1) P. domestica ‘Belle de Louvain’ 2) P. domestica ‘Czar’ 3) P. domestica ‘Marjorie’s Seedling’ 4) P. domestica ‘Purple Pershore’ Desserts Plums (For Eating Right Away) 5) P. domestica ‘Cambridge Gage’ 6) P. domestica ‘Jefferson’ 7) P. domestica ‘Mirabelle de Nancy’ 8) P. domestica ‘Opal’ Dual-Purpose (For Cooking & Eating) 9) P. domestica ‘Avalon’ 10) P. domestica ‘Blue Tit’ 11) P. domestica ‘Oullins Gage’ 12) P. domestica ‘Victoria’ Planting Considerations References While all types of plum trees will perform best in warm and sheltered gardens, the fruit they bear can vary significantly in taste and purpose. Do you like nothing more than taking a bite of a sweet and succulent plum? Or perhaps you prefer to whip them up into a mouth-watering preserve? Whatever your chosen method of consuming plums, there are plenty of varieties out there to suit all palates and preferences. In this guide we share some of the different plum varieties to choose from, how to coax the best performance from them and the practical considerations to take into account. Here is a selection of some of the most popular types of plums that can be grown in the UK, subdivided into cooking, culinary or dual-purpose cultivars: Culinary Plums (For Jams, Sauces & Preserves) 1) P. domestica ‘Belle de Louvain’ NAME: BELLE DE LOUVAIN FRUIT COLOUR: DARK RED HARDINESS RATING: H5 DISEASE RESISTANCE: STRONG SELF-FERTILE: PARTIALLY The dry flesh of the ‘Belle de Louvain’ makes it an excellent choice for crafting pie fillings, since its lack of moisture means the bottom of your pastry won’t turn into a soggy mess. It’s also exquisite when converted into jam, with a rich dark colour that catches the eye. It’s also a hardier variety of plum tree than many on this list, meaning it’s more capable of withstanding colder and windier conditions and will fight off disease more successfully than others.1 It is partially self-fertile and though it may take longer to bear fruit than others, this gives the tree time to strengthen its branches and prove more reliable in the long run. 2) P. domestica ‘Czar’ NAME: CZAR FRUIT COLOUR: BLUE HARDINESS RATING: H6 DISEASE RESISTANCE: AVERAGE SELF-FERTILE: YES ‘Czar’ plum trees produce decent quality fruits on a remarkably reliable basis. The tree will produce dazzling white flowers in the spring, while the fruits themselves – a devastatingly attractive dark blue – will appear in late August onwards. Growing to a very maximum of four metres in height (but normally shorter), the ‘Czar’ is a compact and self-pollinating specimen which is ideal for locations where space is at a premium. Its ability to withstand more inclement conditions and its unfailing ability to yield fruit means it’s best suited for northern locations. 3) P. domestica ‘Marjorie’s Seedling’ NAME: MARJORIE’S SEEDLING FRUIT COLOUR: BLUE HARDINESS RATING: H5 DISEASE RESISTANCE: AVERAGE SELF-FERTILE: YES Another hardier strain that is suitable for colder gardens, ‘Marjorie’s Seedling’ produces heavy, blue fruits which can be harvested from September onwards. However, a fuller, richer taste can be obtained if they are left to ripen on the vine, since the fruit itself will not be damaged by dropping to the ground. As such, it can be left to ripen fully until late October. To achieve the best results, it’s essential to thin out the fruit in late June to ensure that the tree devotes the requisite attention to those remaining on its branches. It is self-fertile and invariably returns a good yield when cropping time arrives. 4) P. domestica ‘Purple Pershore’ NAME: PURPLE PERSHORE FRUIT COLOUR: RED / PURPLE HARDINESS RATING: H5 DISEASE RESISTANCE: STRONG SELF-FERTILE: YES ‘Purple Pershore’ is a favourite culinary plum for its durability, dependability and resistance to disease. It’s one of very few plum cultivars which can fend off silver leaf fungus and the fact that it blossoms later in the year means it normally escapes the most serious effects of spring frost.2 It’s also self-fertile, making it fairly easy to cultivate. On the other hand, ‘Purple Pershore’ can be particularly susceptible to over-cropping; if that occurs, the tree is likely to produce no yields at all the following year. Therefore, it’s a good idea to thin it out in summer before reaping the fruits in mid-August. It’s also quite a large specimen, making it unsuitable for smaller gardens. Desserts Plums (For Eating Right Away) 5) P. domestica ‘Cambridge Gage’ NAME: CAMBRIDGE GAGE FRUIT COLOUR: BLUE HARDINESS RATING: H5 DISEASE RESISTANCE: AVERAGE SELF-FERTILE: PARTIALLY As a greengage, ‘Cambridge Gage’ produces smaller fruit than some other plum cultivars – but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in its delectably sweet taste. With yellow-green flesh that falls easily away from the stone, it’s been a favourite for desserts for centuries. The tree itself is a slightly sensitive creature, doing best in warmer and more sheltered climates. It takes its time to crop and is vulnerable to spring frosts, while it’s self-incompatible, meaning it will require pollination. Even in the best conditions, it produces only a modest yield on a semi-reliable basis – but the fruit itself is well worth the struggle. 6) P. domestica ‘Jefferson’ NAME: JEFFERSON FRUIT COLOUR: YELLOW HARDINESS RATING: H5 DISEASE RESISTANCE: AVERAGE SELF-FERTILE: NO The ‘Jefferson’ cultivar is about as good as it gets for taste and texture. With unparalleled sweetness and juiciness, the robustness of the fruit’s skin is helpful in keeping most of it in your mouth and not on your chin! It produces average-sized fruit of a dull greenish-yellow colour and crops over a ten-day period in mid-to-late August. Its susceptibility to spring frosts makes it unsuitable for northern locations, but anywhere in the Midlands or further south will nurture its needs more adequately. It won’t self-pollinate, so planting it with a partner (‘Czar’, ‘Marjorie’s Seedling’ and ‘Victoria’ are all advisable) returns the best results. 7) P. domestica ‘Mirabelle de Nancy’ NAME: MIRABELLE DE NANCY FRUIT COLOUR: YELLOW HARDINESS RATING: H5 DISEASE RESISTANCE: AVERAGE SELF-FERTILE: YES Hailing from the Lorraine region in France, ‘Mirabelle de Nancy’ trees produce such bountiful crops of cherry-sized yellow plums that they were traditionally harvested by laying a large sheet under the branches, then shaking them for all they are worth.3 The fruit is tasty but drier than many other dessert varieties, meaning it can work as a cooking plum, too. With an early flowering pattern, the ‘Mirabelle de Nancy’ produces its yields in mid-to-late August and requires minimal maintenance due to its self-pollinating capabilities. However, its French heritage means that it doesn’t like colder temperatures and can be decimated by late spring frosts, while its abundant yields also mean that overcropping can be a problem. 8) P. domestica ‘Opal’ NAME: OPAL FRUIT COLOUR: GREEN / RED HARDINESS RATING: H6 DISEASE RESISTANCE: STRONG SELF-FERTILE: YES The ‘Opal’ is a mix between a plum and a gage, meaning it has inherited the best of both worlds. On the one hand, it has the delicious sweetness of the gage family, but with the slightly bigger dimensions of a plum. When ripe in late July and early August, its exterior is a very appetising yellow adorned with swirls of red and purple. Due to the fact that the ‘Opal’ crops earlier in the year than some of its counterparts, it is a little susceptible to spring frost and therefore does best in full sunlight in warmer parts of the country. On the other hand, it is self-fertile, resists disease fairly well and produces generous yields – so much so that overcropping can become a problem on occasion. Dual-Purpose (For Cooking & Eating) 9) P. domestica ‘Avalon’ NAME: AVALON FRUIT COLOUR: PINK / PURPLE / RED HARDINESS RATING: H5 DISEASE RESISTANCE: STRONG SELF-FERTILE: PARTIALLY A relatively novel cultivar, ‘Avalon’ was originally bred to offer a more attractive option than the Victoria variety. If picked when the skin is a pinkish red, it’s ideal for making jams or other preserves. However, it’s possible to leave the fruit on the tree until it turns a darker purplish red, at which point it becomes an excellent choice as a dessert plum. ‘Avalon’ might take a little longer (a year or more) than other cultivars to bear its first fruit, but once it has done so, it’s a fairly reliable option. It’s partially self-fertile, meaning it will benefit from another plum variety in its vicinity, while it does have a tendency to overcrop – which can not only impact upon the quality of this year’s yield, but also endanger the emergence of any fruits whatsoever the following year. Appropriate pruning can prevent such an eventuality. 10) P. domestica ‘Blue Tit’ NAME: BLUE TIT FRUIT COLOUR: DEEP PURPLE HARDINESS RATING: H5 DISEASE RESISTANCE: STRONG SELF-FERTILE: YES An offspring of ‘Old Green Gage’ and ‘Czar’, the ‘Blue Tit’ has inherited the succulent taste of the former and the hardiness of the latter. Its fruit will first appear on the branch as light green, but will darken to a deep purple over time. Pick a week or so before it’s fully ripe in order to use for culinary purposes, or wait until it drops to the ground to eat right away. A good choice for novice gardeners, the ‘Blue Tit’ has strong disease resistance and is self-fertile. Having said that, you can improve the crop yields by introducing a second similar species nearby (Victoria is a particularly apt choice). It handles spring frosts reasonably well and should survive in all but the most intemperate parts of the country. 11) P. domestica ‘Oullins Gage’ NAME: OULLINS GOLDEN GAGE FRUIT COLOUR: GREEN / YELLOW HARDINESS RATING: H5 DISEASE RESISTANCE: AVERAGE SELF-FERTILE: PARTIALLY ‘Oullins Golden Gage’ is one of the most reliable gage varieties going, producing relatively large fruits every summer. It serves the dual purposes of culinary and cooking plums, meaning you can eat it right away or whip up a delicious jam with it. The fruits, ready for picking in mid-August, are a greenish-yellow colour. Due to its late flowering nature, the ‘Oullins Golden Gage’ is suitable for almost all locations in the country, proving fairly frost- and disease-resistant. That includes northern spots which suffer from colder drops in temperature, though it’s advisable to cultivate it in a sheltered location that is protected from the worst of the wind to achieve the best results. It is self-fertile but, once again, will benefit from the presence of a partner cultivar nearby. 12) P. domestica ‘Victoria’ NAME: VICTORIA FRUIT COLOUR: ORANGE / RED HARDINESS RATING: H5 DISEASE RESISTANCE: HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE SELF-FERTILE: YES Undoubtedly the most popular variety of plum tree grown in the UK, ‘Victoria’ is one of the oldest species and one of the easiest to grow, to boot. It’s equally suitable for cooking or eating; simply pick the fruit when it is an orangey-red for the former, or wait until it develops into a purplish red to enjoy it via the latter method. ‘Victoria’ is self-fertile and will produce generous yields even without the presence of another plum variety nearby. On the flipside, it is highly susceptible to disease and pests, with bacterial canker, brown rot, plum moth and silver leaf all notable concerns. “I used to have a ‘Victoria’ plum tree that produced delicious but declining numbers of fruit as it slowly succumbed to canker and silver leaf, despite my best efforts to create the conditions for it to thrive,” shares Colin Skelly, a Master Horticulturist. “A couple of years after its removal I planted ‘Czar’ on a dwarfing rootstock and this seems to be healthy so far (fingers crossed).” Its high yields can also lead to overcropping and irreparable damage to the branches, so be sure to thin it out in mid-June. Planting Considerations Plan in advance to achieve the best results There are several things that you should ponder before deciding which type of plum to introduce in your garden. These include (but are not limited to): Purpose – In general, plum trees come in three distinct varieties: dessert plums, which are best suited to eating uncooked; culinary plums, which are ideal for cooking and converting into sauces and jams; and dual-purpose plums, which can fulfil both roles. Your preferred purpose for the plums will dictate the type you should choose, so the varieties below have been divided into those three categories. Siting – All varieties of plum tree invariably perform best in a warm, sheltered location in your garden – and none of them are impervious to spring frosts. With that in mind, it’s advisable to plant the plums in a south-facing or west-facing site in the garden which is not exposed to the elements. On the other hand, you could try to fan train the tree(s) against a wall or fence which receives a lot of sun. Region – As mentioned above, no plum variety in the UK is completely immune to spring frosts. However, there are specific species of the fruit which are regional to each county of the UK and are better equipped to cope with the unique climatic conditions of their geographic location. Bear that in mind when researching the type of plum which might be best suited to your home. Pollination – Some plum trees are self-pollinating, others are partly self-fertile, and others still are self-incompatible cultivars. While the former category is the easiest to grow, all types will benefit from having another tree in the same or an adjacent pollination group planted nearby. For that reason, it’s advisable to plant at least two different plum varieties at once, even though a single tree will normally produce a good yield. Disease resistance – Unfortunately, plum trees are generally more susceptible to disease than certain other types of fruit trees. Bacterial canker and silver leaf are the two most serious ailments which can befall them, though some regional (and some modern) cultivars are more resistant to those blights than others. Armed with that foreknowledge, you should now be better placed to select a plum variety that serves your needs and suits your circumstances best. References 1. Prunus domestica “Belle de Louvain.” (n.d.). Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/81932/i-prunus-domestica-i-belle-de-louvain-(c)/details 2. Purple Pershore. (2020, June 26). Suffolk Fruit and Trees – the Fruit Tree Specialists. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://realenglishfruit.co.uk/purple-pershore/ 3. Prunus d. “Mirabelle de Nancy.” (n.d.). Majestic Trees. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://majestictrees.co.uk/fruit-nut/1608-prunus-d-mirabelle-de-nancy
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Horticulturists Recommend These Colourful Shrubs For Shaded Areas
IN THIS GUIDE 1) Azalea 2) Buddleja 3) Camellia 4) Chaenomeles 5) Cornus 6) Daphne 7) Hydrangea 8) Magnolia 9) Pieris 10) Rhododendron 11) Sarcococca 12) Skimmia 13) Viburnum 14) Weigela References Flowering shrubs can bring a splash of much-needed colour to a dark and shaded area of your garden. Shady gardens are an increasingly common phenomenon around the UK, especially in towns and cities. If that sounds familiar, don’t fret. There are many varieties of flowering shrubs that positively thrive in full or partial shade, adding a dollop of lush foliage and a dazzle of bright blooms to a part of your garden which might otherwise suffer from a lacklustre aesthetic. Indeed, the options available to you are so plentiful that you’re simply spoiled for choice, but the following list (in alphabetical order) of our favourite flowering shrubs for shade can give you some inspiration when it comes to planning out a shady display. 1) Azalea COMMON NAME(S): AZALEA HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘ENCORE’, ‘CHERRY DROP’, ‘KIRIM’ Azaleas belong to the Rhododendron family, but generally speaking, the former are a smaller beast than their more expansive counterparts, with finer foliage and slower-growing habits. Azaleas are demanding when it comes to the acidity of the soil, but otherwise they’ll bloom impressively in partial shade. There are two types of azaleas, evergreen and deciduous, both of which are extremely hardy and easy to maintain once established. Simply mulch them each spring in order to give their roots an extra helping hand and marvel at the floral extravaganza they put on for you every year. Some double-blooming varieties, the aptly named Azalea ‘Encore’ is a notable case in point, will even repeat the trick once again in autumn. 2) Buddleja COMMON NAME(S): BUTTERFLY BUSH HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE FLOWERING PERIOD: SUMMER / AUTUMN RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘BLACK KNIGHT’, ‘SANTANA’ This hardy shrub grows just about anywhere in the UK, from abandoned wastelands to immaculate country gardens. Although it prefers full sunlight, it’ll do just fine in partial shade and its abundant blooms (which last all season long) add cones of colour to the darker parts of your garden. It’s often colloquially known as a butterfly bush and you can expect to see plenty of these captivating creatures fluttering around it during the warmer months.1 It’s great for other pollinators too, making it ideal for boosting biodiversity in your garden. 3) Camellia COMMON NAME(S): CAMELLIA HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL / PART SHADE FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘EXIMIA’, ‘DEBBIE’, ‘LUCINDA’ With glossy evergreen foliage and big, beautiful flowers that bloom in the late winter and early spring, camellias can be the forerunner you need to inject some vibrancy into your home after the colder months. They do best in partially shaded locations that are protected from strong gusts of wind. Although C. japonica is by far the most common variety of camellia in the UK, other strains such as C. x williamsii can be hardier and produce longer-lasting floral displays. Having said that, most camellia varieties are durable enough to look after themselves once established. 4) Chaenomeles COMMON NAME(S): JAPANESE QUINCE HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘WHITICE’, ‘SARGENTII’, ‘NIVALIS’ Otherwise known as Japanese quince, Chaenomeles japonica is an incredibly undemanding shrub to grow. Stick it in the shade, plonk it in substandard soil, train it to climb a fence or wall – the intrepid Chaenomeles is always up to the task. When early spring rolls around, Chaenomeles is a real sight to behold. Its wiry branches become studded with brilliant pockets of bright orange flowers, making it look like the whole bush is aflame. As the year rolls on, the flowers will eventually mature into greenish-yellow quinces, which can then be harvested and converted into an exquisite jelly. What’s not to like? 5) Cornus COMMON NAME(S): DOGWOOD HARDINESS RATING: H7 PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING / SUMMER RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘MAS’, ‘CHINA GIRL’, ‘ANNY’S WINTER ORANGE’ There are a wide variety of different Cornus shrubs; some are grown for the bright red brilliance of their winter stems alone, but there are plenty of flowering species to choose from, too. All of the above will do well in partial or even full shade but prefer fertile, well-drained soil that is rich in nutrients, and regular mulching can help with this. C. mas is a particularly popular variety of Cornus, delivering fragile yellow petals on its dense undergrowth. The floral blooms generally appear in late winter, while red fruits (Cornellian cherries) spring forth in late summer. 6) Daphne COMMON NAME(S): DAPHNE HARDINESS RATING: H4 PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE FLOWERING PERIOD: WINTER / SPRING RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘EXIMIA’, ‘NAKAFU’ In total, there are around 70 different types of Daphne, several of which are grown in the UK. With a variety of sizes, flowering calendars and floral blooms to choose from, you have plenty of options when it comes to tailoring the shrub to your garden’s requirements. Whichever strain you opt for, Daphnes inevitably perform best in partial shade and neutral, well-drained soil that maintains moisture without becoming waterlogged. They also don’t take kindly to being relocated, so choose your spot wisely. Once you do, however, you’ll be blessed with gorgeous blooms that are pleasing on both the eyes and the nostrils. 7) Hydrangea COMMON NAME(S): HYDRANGEA HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE FLOWERING PERIOD: SUMMER RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘ANOMALA’, ‘PANICULATA’ There is an abundance of hydrangea species available in the UK, many of which have only been introduced in recent years. Some of those modern strains can offer longer floral blooms, a second flowering spell later in the year or even flowers which change colour as they mature. Whichever species you plump for, you’ll find them incredibly easy to grow, thriving in either full sun, full shade or anything in between, and climbing varieties can easily be trained to scale a wall or fence. “There are a variety of Hydrangeas to consider,” explains Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly. “The most common garden Hydrangea, H. macrophylla, will thrive in full shade and its flowers will light up a shady area from late summer to early winter.” Just be sure to plant them in moist soil, leave the seedheads on the plant over winter to protect the buds below, then prune them come spring and you can’t go wrong. 8) Magnolia COMMON NAME(S): MAGNOLIA HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘RUTH’, ‘HOT LIPS’, ‘MILKY WAY’ Although magnolias will perform best in full sun, they’ll still thrive in partial shade as long as they’re protected from the ravages of the wind. It’s for this reason that they’re often grown alongside walls and fences, in order to provide a shield against the elements and support for their drooping stalks. While they might take a little more coaxing into blossom than some of the other options on this list, they’re well worth the effort. In fact, their delicate and waxy flowers might be among the most eye-catching of all flowering shrubs, so taking the time to ensure magnolias have the conditions they need to come to maturity pays off dividends in the spring and summer. Expect the flowers in early summer, but verdant foliage the whole year round. 9) Pieris COMMON NAME(S): PIERIS HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE FLOWERING PERIOD: WINTER / SPRING RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘FOREST FLAME’, ‘BLUSH’, ‘PRELUDE’ Pieris is one of the more ostentatious shade-tolerant shrubs out there. Its foliage will shoot forth new growth of a vivid red in spring, mellowing to subtler tones of pink in the summer, before settling into its customary green later in the year. It can handle semi-shade well and tolerates most soil types, but it flourishes best in acidic terrain. As for its blooms, the foliage of Pieris is complemented beautifully by masses of slender bell-shaped flowers in spring, normally white in colour. 10) Rhododendron COMMON NAME(S): RHODODENDRON HARDINESS RATING: H4 PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: PART SHADE FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘BLUE PETER’, ‘CYNTHIA’, ‘MARKEETA’S PRIZE’ Rhododendrons are most commonly found in the wild among woodland areas, which means they enjoy the dappled shade that tree canopies provide. Replicating those conditions as closely as you can in your own garden will lead to the best results, although any partially shady spot will serve them well. Avoid full sun or full shade. Rhododendron is a genus encompassing many plants, including the aforementioned azaleas, meaning you should be able to find a variety which suits your desired colour palette.2 Whichever one you opt for, you’re guaranteed a head-turning display of blossoms in the late spring and large, leafy foliage all year round. 11) Sarcococca COMMON NAME(S): SWEET BOX / CHRISTMAS BOX HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL / PART SHADE FLOWERING PERIOD: WINTER RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘PURPLE STEM’, ‘DRAGON GATE’ This compact, bushy shrub produces leathery green leaves, tiny white flowerheads and chunky blackberries. They thrive in full or partial shade and cope well in all well-drained but still moist types of soil, delivering their fragrant blossoms each winter and their fruit in summer. Sarcococca confusa (otherwise known as ‘Christmas box’ or ‘sweet box’) is an ideal pick for a sheltered corner of the garden, but plenty of other cultivars will do equally as well. S. ruscifolia is an even more space-efficient option if your garden dimensions are on the smaller side, while S. hookeriana has a lovely scent to its flowers. 12) Skimmia COMMON NAME(S): JAPANESE SKIMMIA HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: PART SHADE FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘RUBELLA’, ‘FRAGRANS’ Boxy shrubs native to China, Japan and the lower reaches of the Himalayan mountain range, skimmia generally grow to around 1m in height with the same spread, making them an ideal choice for cosier garden environments.3 Plant them at regular intervals and you can even create a bespoke hedge, fit for purpose. They’re most commonly grown for their impressive foliage, though pollinated females will produce red berries and both genders feature attractive clusters of white flowers, budding in late autumn and blossoming in spring. They thrive best in acidic soil, but will fare well in almost all soil types and require little in the way of maintenance throughout the year. 13) Viburnum COMMON NAME(S): VIBURNUM HARDINESS RATING: H5 PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: ANY FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘DAVIDII’, ‘EVE PRICE’, ‘ESKIMO’ The viburnum family are a very diverse bunch. Choose between deciduous and evergreen varieties, those which flower in spring or summer and those which blossom in the colder months, and berry-bearing strains and sun- or shade-loving species. For providing variety and year-round floral extravagance, a mixture of viburnum never disappoints. For a British native, check out V. opulus, which thrives in all types of sun exposure and isn’t fussy about the soil it inhabits. Meanwhile, those searching for a cultivar that delivers evergreen colour and picturesque florets of miniature flowers should try V. davidii. This latter variety has a whole host of different subspecies, several of which handle partial shade without a problem. 14) Weigela COMMON NAME(S): WEIGELA HARDINESS RATING: H6 PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: ANY FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING / SUMMER RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘VARIEGATA’, ‘RED PRINCE’, ‘ROSEA’ Hardy, compact and easy to grow, it’s easy to see why weigelas are a popular option for borders, flower beds or standalone containers. The exquisite pinks, reds and whites of their blossoms make them a sight to behold wherever they’re planted and with a number of strains to choose from, you can mix and match to create a multi-coloured floral collage in your garden. Their diminutive dimensions mean they’ll fit snugly into any spot you select for them, while their capacity to do well in partial shade is ideal for anyone who doesn’t enjoy the luxury of an expansive south-facing garden. Some varieties are more tolerant of shade than others, however, so be sure to check the label carefully – W. florida ‘Variegata’ and ‘Foliis Purpureis’ are two cultivars that generally do well in less sunny spots. References 1. Young, M., Bullock, A., & Brookes, A. (2016). Butterflies & Moths: Three members of Butterfly Conservation give their views on the best Buddleja for butterflies. The Buddleja National Collection. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.buddlejacollection.com/butterflies-moths/ 2. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023d, February 20). Rhododendron. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/plant/rhododendron 3. Skimmia japonica (Japanese Skimmia). (n.d.). North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/skimmia-japonica/
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