This is such a stunningly beautiful little plant which deserves being viewed from down on your knees.. as I lift up its incredibly delicate flower heads to take in their beauty, they tremble on their wiry stems. The heart shaped leaves flush from green to red as spring develops and by autumn turn auburn red. These plants are perfect for shady borders and give every reason to be discovered in the cooler shadows of your garden. Continue reading
I love this little plant and only recently discovered it whilst working on a planting plan for clients with brick raised beds. Of course, as in other aspects of life, I now see it everywhere and I can’t understand why I hadn’t spotted it sooner. Is it just me or have plantsmen and women in London decided this is the plant of the season.. I guess it helps that it is hardy and evergreen, a real keeper. Continue reading
I love this plant, especially because it has endured so much in the way of harsh weather this unending winter, despite it officially being spring.. Still the will is within it to make an appearance up out of the soil and I am instantly all the happier for it. Not only does this plant have the most delicate pale purple and pink flowers, but its leaves host striking white spots and splodges that make it look even more charming. Continue reading
I love these beautiful little plants which look perfect at the front of a cottage garden border. Already in flower in late February / early March. The delicate white flower heads, with their green mound and stamen shimmer up from winter’s residue. Plant them where they meet the sun and you shall enjoy them for years to come.. Continue reading
I love seeing these little plants pop up through the ground with their delicate flowers of soft creamy yellow. A perennial stalwart, often spotted growing wild in woods, hedgerows, pastures and embankments. A treasure and a keeper. Plant in partial shade for a woodland feel. Continue reading
This is a beautiful native Holly (Ilex aquifolium) to the UK. Its new young shoots are distinctively tinted pinkish-red. The broad foliage is spiny, but not excessively so, with a broad creamy white margin surrounding the olive green centre. During winter the clusters of glossy, bright red berries line the branches and just last week whilst working in my own front garden, I spotted a wood pidgeon guzzling them down. No munching just swallowed whole, one after the other. I feared I’d have none left to decorate the house with, so as soon as it flew off, I got my secateurs out and got snipping at a few branches with some remaining berries on. Continue reading
If you have a shady area of your garden and want a dynamic leaf form, then I thoroughly recommend this plant to you. It is beautiful, elegant and strong in form. When planted towards the back of the border it gives structure and with its deep green palmate leaves provides a dramatic backdrop for other planting to work against. Continue reading
Cotinus ‘Grace’
Cotinus ‘Grace’ is a real jewel in the mixed border and I have had Echinacea purpurea (Cone Flower) planted in my home garden since last spring when I first planted the seedlings in the ground, placed in front of the Cotinus, the colour combination is absolutely gorgeous. I’ve been watching how the colours are unfolding in this area of my garden, what I call my ‘red bed’, by red I mean tones of.. such as claret, fuschia, deep and pale pinks. I love combining the colours of leaf, stems and flowers. I’ve also included a Weigela ‘Florida Variegata’, the leaf colouring in autumn is exquisite… Continue reading
Look at this beautiful lily for autumn colour, an absolute wow! This is a really good plant to have for warming the soul on a chilly cool blue morning. Keep their roots moist during the summer and they will come back each autumn with more and more flowers as each year passes. Once established plants can be divided each spring to spread the joy around the garden and to share with friends. Continue reading
