Sheena’s Star Plant of the Month: Dicentra Spectabilis
Dicentra Spectabilis is an ideal plant for a shady border, especially if you like the country cottage look. As well as the pink species there is an attractive white one – great for a woodland look. Its common names are ‘Bleeding Heart’ and ‘Dutchman’s Breeches’, obviously derived from the unusual shape of the flowers. It’s […]
Sheena’s Star Plant for April: Amelanchier lamarckii
A versatile, small-sized tree with a softly arching, sometimes spreading habit, Amelanchier is valued for its subtle blossom in spring, its light dappled shade in summer, and its attractive autumn tints. Leaves emerge bronze, with the flowers, phasing to green in summer. Ideal as a specimen in a small garden, after ten years it will […]
Sheena’s Star Plant of the Month: Clematis Montana grandiflora
Early-flowering clematis will bloom with the first mild spell and give the gloomiest garden a lift and the Clematis Montana grandiflora are great for covering an ugly eyesore quickly – very quickly indeed. They can be a little vigorous but are easily controlled by serious pruning straight after flowering. As with all clematis, they require their […]
Sheena’s Plant of the Month: Sarcococca confusa, or Christmas Box
Sarcococca confusa, also known as Christmas box or sweet box, is a must if you like scent in the garden. Any plant that flowers in the winter must work very hard to attract the few insects that are around, hence winter flowering shrubs are particularly fragrant. The Christmas box is a very unassuming, unfussy little […]
Sheena’s Plant of the Month: Rosa Zephirine Drouhin
This is my favourite climbing rose for several reasons. First and foremost, it’s virtually thornless, making it an ideal choice for a family garden, or for planting near a frequently used door or pathway. One of the few roses that will thrive in a shady spot, it requires very little attention, is easy going about […]
Sheena’s Plant of the Month: Prunus Sargentii
This is one of the most beautiful cherries with rosy-pink flowers. The autumn colour is bright and usually scarlet or crimson and is often one of the first trees to colour up sometimes as early as September. In ideal conditions it will grow up to 10 metres tall (30ft.) All ornamental cherries grow best in […]
Sheena’s Plant of the Month: Phlox paniculata ‘Eva Cullum’
Phlox paniculata is a garden classic, considered by many people to be the backbone of a summer border. The variety ‘Eva Cullum’ has particularly striking bright pink flowers that last through to mid-autumn. It has a heady scent that will attract butterflies and bees and is an excellent plant for cutting. Partner with penstemons, roses […]
Sheena’s Plant of the Month: Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’
Unlike most heathers, this attractive, slightly trailing, evergreen shrub will tolerate some alkaline in the soil, so if you love the look of heathers but don’t have an acid soil, this plant makes a good choice. The ideal situation for heathers is in a rock garden, where the soil is free draining. They will not […]
Sheena’s Plant of the Month: Potentilla fruticosa ‘Princess’
Potentilla fruticosa ‘Princess’ is a robust shrub that produces saucer-shaped pale pink flowers that fade to white. Introduced by Bressingham Gardens in Norfolk, these hardy plants flower continuously from June through to October with little preference to soil or water conditions. It makes a good informal low hedge, which will tolerate a little shade, a […]
Sheena’s Plant of the Month: Pyracantha ‘Orange Glow’
Pyracantha, otherwise known as firethorn because of its spiky spines, is a great shrub with fantastic, bright orange berries that last well into the winter. It can be trained against a wall or a fence to cover an eyesore and also works well as a hedge. Pyracantha ‘Orange Glow’ is a fairly easy plant to […]