Innholdsfortegnelse for 9-Feb-2019 i Amateur Gardening

ONE of the questions we are asked most frequently here at AG is, “What can I grow in a small space?” And in most cases the fantastic answer is, “Anything you want!” Plants are extremely adaptable and will grow in the most hostile places on the planet, so there is absolutely no reason why you can’t turn your small garden, patio, flat balcony or windowsills into your own Eden. Raised beds, patio and windowsill planters and pouches for attaching to fences or balcony walls and railings are all widely available and relatively easy to construct. In fact, container growing can give you more versatility than growing in an open garden. You aren’t constrained by soil type, and can grow plants that would otherwise not thrive in your soil (blueberries in…

For all its benefits, small-space growing does have its problems, too. Unlike ground-grown plants, those in containers don’t have access to an infinite supply of water and nutrients. This makes growing them more labour intensive, as they require regular feeding and watering. You also need a system of crop rotation so that pests and disease particular to different varieties of plant don’t get a foothold (clubroot and brassicas, for example).…

IT is 80 years since the RHS joined the Ministry of Agriculture’s Dig for Victory campaign and now the world’s foremost gardening charity is asking the nation to lend it their wartime vegetable garden photographs. The charity plans to display advisory material and wartime propaganda that inspired people to grow more food to supplement ration-book diets at its library and gardens in the autumn, including photos of families’ own gardens and allotments. Fiona Davison, the RHS Head of Libraries and Collections, said: “RHS information and advice helped get a nation growing at a time when food supplies were at an historic low. “Many are likely to recall parents and relatives turning previously unloved plots into efficient and prolific green spaces. “We’re asking the public to share those pictures and memories…

TO celebrate snowdrop season, award-winning AG wildlife columnist and gardening author Val Bourne is giving a talk about the plants during Snowdrop Sensation day at Great Comp Gardens, near Sevenoaks, on February 17. Tales of the Unexpected – Strange Encounters with Galanthophiles Past and Present will cover the widespread fascination with snowdrops and explain why some people pay over £1,000 for just one rare bulb. Val, a galanthophile or snowdrop-lover herself, said: “Some rare bulbs cost over £1000 each but there are lots of super snowdrops that have stood the test of time and they are cheaper.” She added: “The pixie-hatted green snowdrops raised from the ‘Trym’ variety are strong at the moment. ‘Trimmer’ is a good one that bulks up well. ‘Golden Fleece’, has proved headline-grabbing in the last…

Border plants that are just starting to shoot also need mulching to strengthen and protect new growth. Compost, manure dry straw and bark chips are all good to help suppress weeds, slowly release goodness into the soil and protect the new growth from frosts. Any new material that is frost-damaged can be cut back as fresh new growth should soon come through to replace it. Alpines will also be grateful for a mulch of gravel, which helps water drain away and raises their low-growing foliage off the wet ground, reducing the risk of rotting.…

WE all know about (and can usually prepare for) the extreme winter weathers that cause havoc in the gardens – storms that snap branches, frosts and snow that blacken and bury precious plants. But for many of us, British winter weather isn’t usually that exciting. Instead, it tends to be grey, damp, chilly and desperately uninspiring, a something-and-nothing climate that turns the winter months into a long grind. The danger here is to fall into the trap of thinking that because everything outside is calm (if damp and uninviting), the garden is fine left to its own devices. Not so – dull, damp, above-freezing weather is the perfect breeding ground for many pests and diseases. Still conditions with plenty of moisture but little airflow create welcoming conditions for rots and…

LAVENDER is one of our most popular herbs and makes a delightful addition to garden borders and patio pots. Although most people start their lavender collection using small plants or cuttings, if you are feeling thrifty and have patience, growing from seed gives excellent results. Lavenders are reasonably tough plants and thanks to their Mediterranean origins will tolerate thin soils in a sunny spot. If you garden on heavy clay, it will give better results grown in containers. This week’s free seeds are for French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas), which is slightly less hardy than our native varieties but will still tolerate a drop in temperatures to -5ºC (23ºF). It has a compact habit and looks glorious in sheltered borders and along the edge of paths. French lavender has a long…

1 If looking congested, mark clumps of snowdrops and other early bulbs, for lifting and dividing soon after the flowers finish. 2 On a bright, sunny day, use a long cane to knock tiny mummified fruits off trees so as to prevent rots this year. 3 Place some silica gel pouches (available from photographic and electrical stores) in with your seed packets to keep them drier. 4 Hang fat balls and seed feeders on your rose bushes, so tits awaiting their turn will clean any aphid eggs off them.…

Pots Good for deep-rooted veg that are happy to be pricked out, such as celeriac, celery, globe artichokes, tomatoes, peppers, aubergines and parsley. Trays Handy for saving space in heated propagators, when raising large numbers of one crop. Again, for veg that are happy with some root disturbance via pricking out. Modules Use for larger-seeded crops like peas, beans, sweetcorn and squashes. They take up a lot of space in the propagator, so aim to move them out of it ASAP.…

1 Clean greenhouse and cold frame glass with warm, soapy water to maximise light levels and deter leggy seedlings. 2 Wash pots, modules and trays before the propagation season kicks in. Add a sterilant such as Jeyes Fluid to the water , and remember to wear gloves. 3 Avoid planting fruit into frozen soil. If bare-root stock arrives, temporarily ‘plant’ it in a large pot of compost in a garage or shed. 4 Don’t delay pruning your fruit trees, canes and bushes – buds will soon be bursting into flower , so act now before they appear 5 . Hoarding old veg seeds ? Chit them on a saucer of moist paper in a warm spot to see if they still have the ability to germinate .…

CAMELLIAS are ideal plants for large containers as they adapt well to container life; also, in areas with limy soil, it’s easy to provide the growing medium that suits them best. Choose a bagged ericaceous compost from the garden centre and plant in spring or autumn. Set trailing plants such as ivies or vincas around the edge, along with clumps of dwarf bulbs. As your camellia grows and spreads, these other plants may eventually be squeezed out. Watering is crucial; ensure roots never dry out by drenching with rainwater whenever necessary. Drought at flowering time will cause bud drop; drought in summer leads to poor growth and poor bud formation. Some gardeners site the camellia tub in a prominent position for flowering, then move it elsewhere for summer – just…

AS the snowdrops start to bloom, we can sense the grip of winter slackening. Spring is just around the corner – but while you wait for the bulbs you planted back in autumn to brighten your borders, why not celebrate the early bloomers and prepare for the months ahead by planting up containers to decorate your front doorstep and windowsills? For an instant hit of cheering colour, head to the garden centre and invest in some ready-grown bulbs in flower now or (if you’re lucky) still in bud – the likes of dwarf iris (Iris reticulata), aconites and snowdrops. After flowering, snowdrops and aconites can be planted out in areas of humus-rich semi-shade, where they will naturalise. Looking ahead to March and April, pot up a mixture of bulbs (narcissi,…

C = Chiltern Seeds chilternseeds.co.uk & 01491 824675 H = Hayloft Plants hayloft.co.uk & 01386 562999 K = Kings kingsseeds.com & 01376 570000 MF = Mr Fothergill’s mr-fothergills.co.uk & 0333 777 3936 P = Pomona Fruits pomonafruits.co.uk & 01255 440410 PD = Plants of Distinction plantsofdistinction.co.uk & 01449 721720 PW = Plant World plant-word-seeds.com & 01803 872939 S = Suttons suttons.co.uk & 0844 326 2200 SR = Sarah Raven sarahraven.com & 0345 092 0283 T&M =Thompson & Morgan thompson-morgan.com & 0844 573 1818…

YOU don’t need a compost bin to make compost. A simple mound of green waste dumped on the soil will eventually rot down into usable compost. However, if you want to produce good quality compost quickly and without mess, a compost bin will help a great deal. It speeds up the process, contains the waste and keeps it out of reach of wildlife. Compost bins come in many different forms, from open-ended wooden boxes and plastic barrels with lids, to rotating tumblers and sophisticated insulated cubes with ventilation and temperature control. Ultimately, they all work in the same way, though good insulation and temperature monitoring can help you to maximise compost production, and tumblers make aerating compost easier. All bins should have a cover or lid to keep heavy rain…

COMPOSTING on a larger scale works on the same principles. I have three bins side by side at my allotment. They’re made from old wooden pallets and lined with black plastic. When the first is full, it’s forked into the second bin; when the first is full again, the second is forked into the third bin, and the first into the second. When the first is full again, the third is ready and is spread in the soil, the second goes into the third bin, and the first into the second.…

The Peckish All Weather Seed Feeder is 12in (30cm) tall and ideal for hanging from a tree or a bird station. The strong and durable polycarbonate tube has four feeding ports with metal posts, and a quick-release base for ease of cleaning. The All Weather Seed Feeder is designed to withstand all weather conditions, so just choose your favourite seed mix, fill the feeder and enjoy the sight of a host of colourful birds visiting your garden. We have one Peckish All Weather Seed Feeder to give away, worth £9.99. See below for details of how to enter the prize draw. How to enter Send your name and address on the back of a postcard to Peckish All Weather Seed Feeder Draw (9 February), Amateur Gardening, Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst Road,…

Abutilon ‘Kentish Belle’ Train stems against the fence, prune back unwanted outward growths in early spring and during summer, and then admire these bell-shaped red and yellow flowers. Clematis ‘Emilia Plater’ A viticella-type clematis, ideal for adding to climbing roses and shrubs. Mauve flowers open from July to September. Prune plants hard in late winter or, if necessary, from autumn. Lathyrus latifolius This herbaceous everlasting pea is unscented and dies back for winter, growing back every year to produce a show of rosy pink flowers at 6ft (1.8m) in late summer. Solanum laxum ‘Album’ The potato vine just needs a well-drained soil and mild region. Lovely late shows of white flowers well into autumn. Prune after flowering.…

GREY squirrels have long been a problem, ring-barking and killing trees, as well as digging up lawns and eating flower bulbs. Rodent-relatives they may be, but when one comes into the garden, even a cynical son-of-the soil like me is torn between shouting, “Get off my nuts!” and cooing at it. Now, thanks to science, there’s a humane way of curbing their burgeoning numbers. You might think that trapping them live and releasing them elsewhere is the kindest thing to do. But once they are caught, squirrels (by law) must be dispatched as – just like terrapins or crocodiles that outgrow their aquariums, or mink that escape their cages – the non-native grey squirrels cause damage to indigenous wildlife. “The squirrels’ fortunes are set to change!” And let’s face it,…

1 The vibrant stems of cut-and-come-again Swiss chard brighten any garden, and it thrives in containers on my patio. 2 Strawberries are the taste of summer, and will happily grow in containers and even on a warm, light windowsill. 3 If you are stuck for space, there’s always room for spuds in containers – get chitting your first and second earlies now! 4 Fruit trees grown on dwarf rootstock thrive in containers. Apples, pears, plums, apricots and nectarines will all succeed.…

1 Dig the foundations in a sunny, sheltered spot, removing turf and placing the supports. 2 Start fixing the wooden planks, cutting them to size and using a spirit level to make sure they are true. 3 Secure the second layer of planking (and third if required) and saw off the tops off the supporting posts. 4 Treat freshly cut wood, nail holes and plank ends with preservative to stave off rotting. 5 Help drainage by layering its base with rubble and the upturned turf you removed when digging the foundations. 6 Now you can start filling your bed. We used a mix of top soil, homemade compost and well-rotted manure added in layers. 7 Once it is as full as you wish, rake it over well to break up…

THE garden is stirring, and it won’t be long until the buds swell and pop and a thin veil of green coats the branches. Give your potted trees and shrubs a well-earned boost this spring by topdressing or repotting them altogether. Top-dressing involves removing the top inches of exhausted compost from a container and replacing it with fresh. I use a mix of well-rotted homemade compost and horse manure bought from a local farm. Horse manure is a great all-round soil improver, adding body and slow-release nutrients. It needs to be well rotted as fresh stuff is far too rich in nitrogen and may burn the roots of plants. If you have any doubts, stack it out of the way in its sacks for a season before digging it in.…

THE weather in January suited us gardeners pretty well, if my experience was any guide. Soils were dry enough to allow digging and cultivating soil without it sticking to boots. Winter-flowering shrubs and trees had masses of blooms undamaged by cold weather. Aconites and snowdrops were in good colour earlier than usual, and turf was dry enough to mow off top growth, which was as rich a green as we would expect in May. “Only seedling plants with attractively coloured flowers are saved to transplant” Who knows what the future weeks will bring? Whatever comes, at least I have enjoyed January gardening. Oriental hellebores have been putting on a colourful show with three – bought from Ashwood Nurseries several years ago – full of flower and surrounded by self-sown seedlings.…

An unheated winter greenhouse is the perfect place for pests and disease to get a foothold. Above freezing, pests will still be active and moulds will congregate in still, damp air and attack plants that are defenseless in their dormancy. Still, warm conservatories are a haven for glasshouse spider mites and aphids. Stay vigilant for pests and open doors and windows on warmer days, closing them at dusk. Sweep up and bin or burn of contaminated foliage.…

8-10: Primulas, Hellebores and Early Spring Flowers in Watercolours: RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington, Rosemoor, Torrington, Devon EX38 8PH. 0203 176 5830; rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor 8-9: Designing with Plants Workshop: RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 8ET. 0845 265 8071, rhs.org.uk/gardens/hydehall 9: Orchid Days with Ian Parsons of the British Orchid Council: Poundbury Gardens, Peverell Avenue, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 3RT. 01305 257250; thegardeneronline.co.uk 9-10: Snowdrop Weekend: Colesbourne Park, Colesbourne, Cheltenham Glos GL53 9NP. 01242 870264/01242 870567; colesbournegardens.org.uk 12: Container Planting: Brimsmore Garden Centre, Tintinhull Road, Yeovil, Somerset, BA21 3NU. 01935 411000; thegardeneronline.co.uk 13: Introduction to Whip and Tongue Grafting: RHS Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Harrogate, North Yorks HG3 1QB. 0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr 1:3 Container Gardening: Poundbury Gardens, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 3RT. 01305 257250; thegardeneronline.co.uk ■…

I DON’T think our resident blackbird is going to be very happy with us, because the Best Beloved (under instruction) has taken out the Banksian rose on the side of our summerhouse. It was too thuggish and sent out long runners that whipped about high above the roof of the summerhouse. In the end, we decided it had to go, but it was of course the ruftytufty one who got the job of digging it out! I felt mean, because a blackbird had nested in our Banksian rose for the past two years, reusing the old nest at least once. There were no fewer than two broods per year, and last year I found myself weeding as a blackbird flew back and forth over my head – almost parting my…

1 Whether you use a pot, module or seed tray, you need to fill it correctly for uniform results. Rub the compost between your fingers to remove lumps. Overfill the container by 1in (2½cm). Rub it level and swipe off any excess. 2 Water containers thoroughly before sowing, so seeds won’t get washed away later. Attain a gentle flow with a fine rose, then sweep systematically over the containers. The compost shouldn’t slump down, but remain firm and level. 3 Sprinkle fine seeds on the surface and cover with a fine layer of compost. Press medium-sized seeds into the surface with a pencil. Push large seeds 1in (2½cm) deep. Cover with compost, then water in lightly.…

A CHINESE plant that came to Europe to feed Roman Emperors, skirret ( Sium sisarum ) is a crop lost to history that is well worth resurrecting. Seeds can be ordered and broadcast-sown now into a deep pot in the greenhouse. Alternatively, fleshy crowns can be purchased via mail order for planting directly out into the earth. This moisture-loving crop prefers a soil into which plenty of compost has been added. The fleshy roots then lock onto soil water. Rather than developing one large tap root like its carrot relatives, skirret grows dozens of finger-thickness roots, 6in (15cm) long. Roasted or sautéed, they have a sweet, mild flavour. Simply lift the perennial clumps in autumn, separate out a few roots and replant the rest to grow on.…

HAYLOFT young plants measure 3-6in (8-15cm) from root base to stem tip, although they are often much larger, while potted 7cm pots can be either planted straight out soon after arrival or grown on a little longer in pots. Sarah Raven 3-litre pots are equivalent to 19cm pots. Seedlings are supplied as plugs 3½cm or more across the top; 9cm plants describe the upper diameter of the plant. Thompson & Morgan’s bare-root plants are sent in a dormant state and they can be planted straight into the garden if conditions are suitable. Jumbo plugs can be planted straight into baskets or other containers. The top growth is usually 2-8cm. Standard plug plants are 3-6cm from top to base. Garden-ready plants are 4-6in (10-15cm) from top to base. Suttons’ 9cm and…

Q My tomato has been fruiting since June – is this a new record-breaker? Mrs J Bradley, Rugby A This is remarkable! I am not sure if it’s a record, but it is certainly an amazing achievement. Usually, with the advent of the cold weather and low light, tomato plants cease to crop and start dying back. Yours, through some quirk of fate and your undoubted skill, has continued to prosper and fruit. Indeed, I cannot recall another plant, grown domestically, that has borne fruit over such a long period.…

Do ✓ Site the bin away from the house ’ ✓ Stand the bin on soil so liquids from , where decomposing it s easy to get at. waste can drain away. They won’t if the bin is sited on a hard surface ✓ Add a wide range of woody and green waste materials . . ✓ Aerate the contents by tipping out, mixing and returning them. Don’t ✗ Use exclusively green, wet material or all woody ✗ Leave the top open to the elements and wildlife , dry stuff . the compost, while rummaging fo . Heavy rain can satu rate xes and flies can be troublesome ✗ Add cook ed food or meat waste ’ . ✗ Worry too much – if you get it wrong , if…

Traditional: The traditional wooden compost bin has an open base and slatted sides to let air in (which is of debatable value). Usually a generous size, so more suited to large gardens. The front slats are removable to make digging out easier. These bins may not be supplied with a cover – if not, you’ll need to make one. The wood will need treating regularly to prevent it rotting! Dalek: Popular plastic ‘dalek’ bins have an open base, a fitted plastic lid and a sliding front access hatch. They work well for smaller gardens. They can be used for ‘continuous composting’ where you add green waste at the top and dig rotted compost out at the bottom, but it’s not a very efficient way to produce compost and depends on…

On this day, Roger Crompton Notcutt purchased a plant nursery at Woodbridge in Suffolk. His family had mainly been working in the legal profession, but he was not so keen. For his health, his doctor had advised him to pursue an outdoor life, so he put his interest in growing plants, and nature in general, to good use by purchasing an existing business from the estate of nurseryman John Woods (who had died without succession). The Woods family had first started a nursery on that site back in 1749. In 2007, 110 years after the Notcutts moved in, the family sold the nursery side of the business. The Notcutts name now survives through the 18 garden centres that also grew up over the decades.…

ENSURE the roots are moist and, if necessary, stand pot and all in a bucket of water. Dig a generous hole with the back 5in (13cm) away from the fence, or more if rubbley. This should be easy if the soil is sufficiently well prepared. Remove the plant from its pot and gently scuff the rootball to loosen winding roots. Place in the hole adding or removing the soil beneath until the compost surface is at soil level. Fill in, firming around the roots.…

THE contraceptive trials in North Yorkshire will be rolled out across the UK if successful. In the meantime, if squirrels are digging up your lawn, chilli cayenne or paprika pepper (in a spray or powder, applied where you don’t want them to go) discourages squirrels, as they don’t like the smell. Recipes for homemade sprays can be found online, but garden centres sell ready-to-use versions. Interestingly, squirrels dig both to find nuts they’ve buried and also to excavate fake holes to attract other squirrels so they don’t see where the real cache of food is hidden. Clever……

ALTHOUGH I have so far concentrated on container edibles, ornamentals thrive in pots and baskets too and need not be confined to the summer months. You still have time to buy bare-root roses and plant them up in containers. There is a wide range of miniature varieties bred for pot growing that are often strongly scented. Position them close to patio seating areas. Bare-root roses are easy to plant. Make sure the container will comfortably accommodate their roots, without being too roomy, and sit the plant so its graft is just above the surface of the compost. Water well and raise the pot on feet to allow excess moisture to escape. Your rose will soon start putting on new growth and will flower this summer. The corms and tubers of…

THE vast majority of local authorities are still sending coloured plastic plant pots to landfill, despite the horticulture industry’s move from black plastic to recyclable taupe colouring. Research into national recycling centres reveals that although most councils will collect plastic pots, tubs and bottles, many still refuse to take coloured plastic pots and either send them straight to landfill or ask residents to recycle them themselves. Extra confusion is being heaped on the issue by the Government’s recycling agency WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) telling consumers that plastic pots are recyclable. Now a leading MP is telling councils to ‘get on with it’ and improve their recycling record. Ian Liddell-Grainger MP, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Gardening and Horticulture Group, said: “Anything can be recycled if there is…

HELP our beleaguered bees this summer with Hozelock’s Plant a Pot pledge. The irrigation experts are encouraging families to get outside and plant up bee-friendly containers to help the disappearing pollinators. A company spokesman said: “Bees need to forage from the moment they emerge from hibernation in the spring through to the end of autumn, so the more pots you can plant, and throughout the season, the better for the bees. “Planting pots of bee-friendly plants, or sowing some bee-friendly seeds in your borders is a really easy way of providing bees with the food they need to stay healthy.” Good plants to add to your garden include foxgloves, cosmos, lavender, catmint, geranium and love in a mist. More than 18,000 people have already pledged to help bees this year.…

1 Place crocks in the new container while your plant is standing in water to give the roots a good soak. 2 Dampened roots slide from their pot without being torn from the sides. Tease out any constricted roots. 3 Place the plant in the pot and infill using John Innes No 3 or ericaceous compost for acid-lovers. 4 Add the compost to within an inch of the rim, firming it down to steady the plant and remove air pockets. 5 Water your plant well, letting the water soak right through before adding more. Stand it on feet so excess water can drain away.…

1 Winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) will also transplant successfully in a clod of soil at this time of year. 2 February is a particularly good time to split up the perennial, autumn-into-winter flowering herbaceous Schizostylis (recently renamed Hesperantha). 3 Hyacinths, narcissus, tulip and other spring-flowering bulb shoots coming through the soil early are well able to survive cold and snow when it follows a mild spell of winter weather. 4 Remove the fading flowers from named cultivars of snowdrops to prevent self-seeding and poorer quality seedlings getting mixed with original bulbs.…

1 Remove any dead, diseased and damaged leaves and flowers to improve plants’ appearance and health. 2 Watch for scale insects, glasshouse red spider mites, aphids and mealybugs that feed on house plants all year. 3 Many pests can be wiped away, which also removes dust and the sooty mould created by the sticky honeydew they secrete. 4 Use insecticide and fungicide as a last resort. It’s healthier in enclosed spaces to use non-chemical methods.…

IF you are a relatively new gardener, you won’t remember how difficult cucumbers used to be. Despite always being a popular crop, they were slow, finicky, prone to pests and diseases, and they had to be searched daily and rigorously for male flowers before they could open and pollinate females, resulting in bitter fruits. Breeders have since made fantastic improvements. Modern strains have been introduced (starting with the likes of ‘Petita’ and ‘Fembaby’) which are much easier to grow and crop in adverse conditions. Cucumbers now give more (admittedly smaller) fruits, do not often produce male flowers, and have been given resistance to many of the more common diseases. Let there be light Obviously, the warmer and brighter conditions are, the better the growth and the sooner the first harvest…

WHILE it’s still too cold to sow outdoors, veg seed can be started off under cover this month. Having followed last week’s advice and set up a suitable propagation area, how do you go about sowing your crops? Some are easy and forgiving (think peas, beans, radishes and tomatoes) while others are more finickity (carrots, parsley and corn salad). Fresh stock can be crucial, so check the ‘sow by’ date on the packet. Many veg seeds (leek, onion, parsnip, carrot, salsify and scorzonera) are only viable for a couple of years at most, so you must buy fresh each year. Others such as cauliflower, chard, lettuce and tomato can remain viable for four or five years. If you do store leftover seeds for next year, seal the opened packets and…

1 Herbs such as mint, oregano, lemon balm, chives and tarragon form an ever-expanding clump of stems at ground level. Lift entire plants from the earth. 2 Using a spade or sharp knife, chop the clumps into 3-4in (8-10cm) diameter sections. Then discard the old middle, keeping the younger outer sections. 3 Re-pot the young clumps into gritty compost, plant into free-draining soil on the plot or even winkle a few into greenhouse borders for an extra-early harvest.…

WHEN the first camellias arrived in Britain from China in the early 18th century, they were grown in hot houses… and promptly died. New plants from the East were often grown in glasshouses when they first arrived in Britain, because it was assumed that they were tender. Luckily, we learnt from those early mistakes, but the idea that camellias are not hardy remains a lingering rumour – despite being as untrue now as it was 300 years ago. In fact, they have been recorded as surviving at -17ºC – cold enough for most parts of the country, I think you’ll agree. These exotic-looking winter and spring evergreens are a little particular in other respects, but it’s nothing we can’t handle. And their lustrous foliage and sumptuous flowers are surely worth…

Herb-Paris ( Paris quadrifolia ) Related to trilliums, this rare native (rising to 12in/ 30cm) makes an unusual woodland plant, though rhizomes take a while to settle. In spring, four broad leaves are topped by a crown-like formation of four narrow green petals, four wider sepals and eight gold stamens, surrounding a dark purple berry. Solomon’s seal ( Polygonatum multiflorum ) This rhizomatous perennial is a native of old coppiced woodlands, usually on chalky soils. Long stems arch out horizontals, and creamy bells hang downwards. In gardens, we tend to grow P. x hybridum, capable of reaching 4ft (1.2m) high. Watch out for sawfly in May and June. Snake’s head fritillary ( Fritillaria meleagris ) Scarce in the wild, this bulbous beauty is easily…

Malus domestica ‘Eden’ ‘Eden’ is a dual-purpose dessert/ culinary apple that has dark-red fruit with greenish-yellow markings. Its crisp texture and juicy flavour make it ideal for eating and it can also be cooked without any need to add sugar. The flesh, which is very white, holds its colour for one or two days after cutting – in other words, it is non-browning. The fruits can be picked in October and will store until March. HxS: 8-12ft (2.4-3.7m). Supplied on M26 semi-dwarfing rootstock. Pollination Group B. (P)…

Q What is a good holly for berries? Mrs V Cox, Cheltenham A If you have room for only one holly I would choose ‘JC van Tol’. It is self-pollinating and has almost spineless glossy leaves and a wealth of scarlet fruit. Larger garden centres stock it or would order it for you. Q This was in my floral art class – what plant is it? Mrs A Crookes, Sutton in Ashfield A It looks like the Tibetan cotoneaster (Cotoneaster conspicuus). It is a beautiful, low-growing shrub with densely packed dark-green leaves. It has small, white flowers in spring, followed by orange-red berries that are kept through winter as long as the birds don’t eat them! Q Where can I buy mother-in-law’s tongue? Holly Treviss, Surbiton A Sansevieria zeylanica…

1 Site your bin on soil a little distance from the house, but with easy access, and if possible with space around it to work. 2 Put in any organic matter that will rot, from lawn clippings and dead plants to kitchen scraps. Chop and mix them as much as possible. 3 When the bin is full, tip it over or dig the contents out, mix them thoroughly and fork them back in. 4 Put the top on and leave until the bin contents have finished rotting down to a crumbly, earthy smelling compost.…

Happy new year! Xīn nián kuài lè! That’s ‘Happy new year’ in Chinese – I hope! In 2019, the Chinese New Year occurs on Tuesday 5 February. It stars each year on the new moon that appears from 21 January-20 February, and it is one of several new years in Asia based on phases of the moon. We are currently seeing out the Year of the Dog, and welcoming in the Year of the Pig. There is no better a time, therefore, to look at the Chinese influence on our gardening, and some of the plants that originated in this amazing country. Chinese gardens The traditional Chinese garden is a style that has evolved over 3,000 years. It is an idealised miniature landscape that expresses the harmony that ‘should’ exist…

What’s best for my fence? Q We’ve had a long run of fencing put up, 6ft (1.8m) tall and 50ft (15m) long. It is south-facing and catches lots of sun. Do you have any planting ideas for good climbers to suit a sunny fence? Gabby Collins, Chippenham, Wiltshire A Use this new fence as an excuse to evaluate the whole design! You could add a trellis for extra height and privacy near the house, and consider a short barrier of yew hedge at a right angle three quarters of the way down, creating a ‘secret garden’ behind. There should be a planting bed along the fence, at least 24in (60cm) wide, perhaps curving at each end. Against the fence, I’d plant a mix of shrubs and climbers, including pairings such…

Retail therapy in winter I WAS delighted to read this week’s articles by Graham Rice and Tamsin Westhorpe, showing plants and trees that give colour or fragrance in winter ( AG , 19 Jan). Personally, I believe that many people avoid nurseries and garden centres at the bleakest times of the year, and so they are missing out on a whole host of gorgeous plants in flower, which are quite often shown as part of inspirational displays. I live next to a large garden centre ‘chain’, and I know that every year the store becomes packed from Easter through to June, and then it’s quiet again. My feeling is that people are missing out on plants at their best – and at peak planting times, too! I like to visit…