Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2018 i Gardens Illustrated Magazine

Cut flower arranging is enjoying a resurgence with contemporary bunches that look like a garden in a vase; naturally beautiful, loosely organised and with British-grown cut flowers. In this issue, Amy Sanderson describes the cut flower arrangements she made for the gardener and plantswoman Beth Chatto while working as an intern at the Beth Chatto Gardens and Nursery, and how this introduced her to the possibility of a more unexpected kind of cut flower. Beth Chatto was notable for pushing the boundaries of horticultural acceptability with her displays at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show as well as in her own garden, and for her championing of species plants. She, and latterly Amy, used plant material from her garden to create weekly cut flower displays, sourcing flowers and foliage at their…

The Cornish peninsula is famous for its sheltered gardens harbouring important collections of magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons, palms, tree ferns and many other exotic plant groups that predominantly flower in the spring. Most of these gardens are found on the south coast where valley gardens lead down to secluded creeks warmed by the Gulf Stream to give unique microclimates. Our four-day tour allows you to discover the magnificence of some of Cornwall’s finest gardens including Tregrehan, Caerhays, Trewithen and Tregothnan. We’ll also be joined for a day by garden designer Charles Fox whose influential shipping merchant family was responsible for the creation in the 19th century of the gardens at Glendurgan, Penjerrick and Trebah, and he’ll talk about the gardens’ fascinating histories over lunch at Glendurgan. We’ll stay at Olga Polizzi’s…

WRIGGLE ROOM Love them or loathe them, worms are essential for healthy soil and for encouraging wildlife into the garden. The UK has 29 different species of worm and this year Wild About Gardens, an initiative set up by the Wildlife Trusts and the RHS, is asking gardeners to help worms flourish by creating compost heaps, feeding the soil and removing unnecessary paving. On the Wild About Gardens website you can download a free worm booklet to help you identify the species in your garden, learn interesting facts and find more advice on how to welcome worms into the garden. wildaboutgardens.org.uk IN THE BAG Make easy work of harvesting and foraging with this stylish gathering bag from Barebones Living. The waxed canvas exterior is weather- and water-resistant,…

Near the small village of Wilhelminaoord in the north of the Netherlands is the well-known nursery Kwekerij Arborealis. It’s a traditional nursery owned by Micha Wieland and Sietske Metz that offers a contemporary selection of shrubs and trees, including a wide range of viburnums and hydrangeas. Micha and Sietske are also proponents of forest gardening – a sustainable agroforestry system that uses companion planting to build an edible woodland habitat of fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines and perennial vegetables grown in a succession of layers – and the nursery offers a huge range of plants suited to this system. Twice a year Micha and Sietske bring a selection of their favourites to the specialist plant fairs we run at De Kleine Plantage and there’s often one plant I’m…

Polygonatum odoratum Polygonatums are wonderful for cutting. Spring brings creamy-green flowers, summer an arch of fresh-green foliage, and in autumn they drip with deep-blue berries. 85cm. RHS H7, USDA 3a-9b. x Heucherella ‘Tapestry’ Heucheras and heucherellas offer a paintbox of colourful foliage perfect for small arrangements. Not only does ‘Tapestry’ have beautifully veined leaves, but its stems of pink flowers are also long-lasting in the vase. 30cm. RHS H4, USDA 4a-9b. Melica uniflora f. albida A low, woodland grass with pale-white buds in late spring. 60cm. RHS H7, USDA 5a-9b. Corydalis ‘Korn’s Purple’ Corydalis have a long season of bloom and ferny foliage, holding well in the vase. This selection from the Swedish horticulturist Peter Korn has particularly beautiful deep violet-blue colouring. 50cm. RHS H7, USDA 3a-9b.…

1. Bothriochloa bladhii Delicate looking grass, produces masses of silvery pinkish flowers to create a light and airy effect. Beautiful autumn foliage. 1.2m. 2. Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ Distinctive vertical habit and wide, blue-grey foliage that turns yellowy orange in autumn. 1.8m. RHS H6, USDA 5a-9b† . 3. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Flamingo’ Feathery inflorescences that open pink and take on a silvery colour in late autumn. 2m. AGM*. RHS H6, USDA 5a-9b. 4. Chasmanthium latifolium ‘Golden Spangles’ A beautiful grass with arching stems that bear flattened, aubergine-tinged flowers. 1m. USDA 3a-8b. 5. Stipa calamagrostis Show-stopping grass with masses of long, fluffy, silvery-white flowers that mature to a biscuity buff colour. 1m. RHS H4, USDA 4a-9b. 6. Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Herbstzauber’ Attractive grass with fluffy white flower plumes that likes a sunny, well-drained spot.…

MY BEST ADVICE FOR ANYONE CONCERNED ABOUT WILDLIFE IS THIS: JUST GROW PLANTS. IF YOU DO THAT, YOU ARE DOING ALL RIGHT Ken Thompson is sitting in his kitchen in Newton Abbot in Devon, looking out over a sea of rooftops and greenery, and musing about triffids. “If they did exist, they’d have to have a lot of fascinating biology in order to make them work. Plant senses and intelligence, movement, and, of course, they are carnivorous too.” He thought about turning the topic into a book, an explainer of the science behind triffids, but until Hollywood creates a blockbuster revisiting triffids, publishers are not biting. “Though it’s bound to happen and then I’ll get the book out quick and be flown in to LA as triffid technical consultant, drinks…

Art embroiderer Amanda Cobbett’s work is like the best form of magic – delightful, surprising and, to the untrained eye, completely unfathomable. At first glance her perspex curiosity cabinets seem filled with a simple assortment of fungi, twigs or lichen. But look closer and you’ll see, just, that these are Amanda’s, not Mother Nature’s, creations, though it’s hard to put your finger on exactly what is different. “People often think I’ve embroidered on bark,” says Amanda. “Or they ask how I’ve preserved the mushrooms, but in fact I use no natural materials at all.” Instead, Amanda’s ‘preservations’ – for this is how she thinks of them – are a beguiling blend of papier-mâché and machine embroidery, embellished with hand-coloured silks and cleverly worked threads, often singed to earthy effect with…

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1 THE GARDEN HOUSE The Garden House is addictive. Visit the garden you will dream of it always and visit it often. Ten acres of naturalistic planting with timeless views and dazzling acer glade colours. From November we’re open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am-3pm. Tearooms will be serving a winter warmer menu. Yelverton, Devon PL20 7LQ | 01822 854 769 | thegardenhouse.org.uk 2 SISSINGHURST CASTLE GARDEN, NATIONAL TRUST Beatrix Potter’s Garden, an exhibition at Sissinghurst Castle Garden. In Beatrix Potter’s Garden, celebrate nearly 120 years of publication by Frederick Warne & Co of the original Peter Rabbit Books™ and explore the unique story of their creator. 27 October 2018 to 6 January 2019. Normal admission applies. Cranbrook TN17 2AB | 01580 710700 | nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle 3…

A PATH HAS TO BE A ROUTE AND A VIEWING PLATFORM AND A WAY OF KEEPING YOUR VISITOR’S SHOES DRY I had forgotten what the paths should look like and, consequently, how important they were. We tend to think of a garden path as no more than a good indication of how to get from A to B; that it should be clear but unassuming. It is the plants that matter and the path is the thing you stand on to look at them. Most of us would rather spend money on flowers than on stone and most paths, as a result, are little more than strips of mown grass half-heartedly edged with half-moon cutters whenever smartness is required. There are worse things than a grass path (bark on membrane…

AMY SANDERSON Amy explains the Beth Chatto approach to cut flowers, page 42. “Unusually, I got to know Beth by making her flower arrangements from her garden. It was an education and an honour.” RICHARD BLOOM Richard photographs a Surrey garden designed by Amanda Patton, page 34. “Amanda’s design combines modern and formal with country and informal using plants for texture and year-round interest.” CHRISTINE REID Christine visits the flower-filled Frogmore, page 70. “The flowering borders at Frogmore are inspirational. Looking at these plant choices made me want to rush home and replant my entire garden.”…

Spain has earned a reputation as a country of extraordinary creativity in many fields. Garden making and landscape design are now catching up, and this six-day tour, based in Madrid, is an opportunity to see several different aspects of the country’s gardening life. The Iberian Peninsula is very rich botanically, and Spain has the second largest number of plant species in Europe. In late May the wildflowers should be at their colourful best, and a number of short walks in the region of the Sierra Guadarrama, north of Madrid, are planned to appreciate this rich flora, and to understand the natural vegetation of the country’s interior. We will visit several of the area’s classical historic gardens, such as Parque El Capricho de la Alameda de Osuna and the gardens of…

1 Winter Border Masterclass Discover how to use colour, shape and texture to enhance border designs during the winter months on this one-day course at Petersham Nurseries. Horticultural experts will also advise on how to make plants last well into the next season. 2 November, 11am-12.30pm. £30. Petersham Nurseries, Church Lane, Off Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 7AB. Tel 020 8940 5230, petershamnurseries.com 2 Kiku : Spotlight on Tradition If you’re heading to New York this autumn, don’t miss the displays of kiku , the Japanese name for chrysanthemums, which will be trained in traditional Japanese style at the New York Botanic Garden, 3-18 November, 10am-5pm. Included in all-garden pass, from $23. Bourke-Sullivan Display House, Nolen Greenhouse, New York Botanic Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458-5126, USA. Tel +1…

The Lazio region of Italy surrounds Italy’s capital city and has borders with Tuscany, Umbria and Marche to the north, Abruzzo and Molise to the east, Campania to the south and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west. My route took me between the Torrecchia Vecchia estate, deep in the Castelli Romani hills, 40 miles south of Rome, to the nearby Garden of Ninfa. The region feels fresh and authentic. The foothills of the Lepini Mountains (carpeted by blue Anemone apennina in spring) offer excellent hiking and the ancient town of Cori is home to the Roman Temple of Hercules. For a change of mood, the coastal town of Latina showcases the Fascist-era architecture favoured by its founder Mussolini. Inspiration for the trip For years, I have held the eight-acre Garden…

• Plant hedges to add structure and give a sense of discovery. Deciduous hedging, such as beech and hornbeam, contrasts well with the evergreen foliage of yew and laurel. • A well-placed sculpture or container creates a focal point. Such permanent features will usually require less maintenance than the organic parts of the garden. • Consider what happens to perennials and shrubs after they have flowered. Choose those with attractive seedheads, fruits, stems or foliage that remains appealing through autumn and winter. • Use ornamental grasses that provide a soft canvas for spring-flowering perennials, as well as later interest with their own flowers. Many will stand through the winter and add an informal beauty to the garden. Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’ and Chasmanthium latifolium are just…

1. Linaria purpurea ‘Canon Went’ From dry stony, environments, linarias like well-drained soil and tolerate drought. Well-branched plants send dozens of airy spires of tiny flowers. Other cultivars worth trying are the beautiful sea-shell pink ‘Pink Kisses’ or the sunset colours of ‘Peachy’. 90cm. RHS H6, USDA 5a-9b. 2. Symphoricarpos albus An extremely undemanding shrub, with arching stems weighed down with berries in late summer and early autumn. Beth planted different species and cultivars. As an alternative try the blush-coloured S. x doorenbosii ‘Mother of Pearl’. 1.8m. USDA 3a-7b. 3. Cynara cardunculus With silvery serrated foliage and spiked flowerheads, cardoons are great for arrangers who work on the large scale or want to make dramatic dried arrangements. 1.5m. AGM. RHS H5, USDA 7a-9b. 4. Gaura lindheimeri As in the garden,…

Deciduous grasses need little maintenance. Prune annually every spring and divide clumps when they become too large. Pests and diseases are rarely a problem. Prune, cut or strim grasses to just above emerging new growth in mid to late March. The cut stems can either be composted or laid on the beds as a mulch; a top dressing of general fertiliser (at approximately 50g per square metre) will help feed the new growth. Choose grasses that have a caespitose or clump-forming habit rather than grasses that are spreading, as this will ease management. To divide congested clumps dig up the plant between March and May then split using a spade – or even a knife if the roots are very tough. Pot up to grow on if small or replant…

What Hardy evergreen and deciduous ornamental shrubs. Most are known by their botanical name, viburnum, although the group includes some plants known by common names, such as black haw, guelder rose and Japanese snowball. Origins A genus of over 200 species, including some British and North American natives, distributed mainly across northern temperate regions. Some originate from South America, some from southeast Asia and some from Morocco. Season Viburnums may be grown for their early season flowers, but they have the benefit of autumn foliage colour and fruits – a second season of interest. Size Plants range from small compact shrubs, such as Viburnum davidii (75cm x 90cm), to small trees, such as Viburnum sieboldii , (3m x 2.4m). Conditions Most viburnums are easy to grow, being hardy shrubs that…

DARWIN’S MOST WONDERFUL PLANTS: DARWIN’S BOTANY TODAY  by Ken Thompson Profile Books, £10.99 ISBN 978-1788160285 A detailed and engaging retrospective look at the numerous contributions made by Charles Darwin to modern botany. Reviewer Rory Dusoir is a Kew-trained gardener and writer. The thesis of Ken Thompson’s engaging new book is that Darwin’s reputation as a botanist has long lacked the recognition it deserves. The over-arching achievement of his career, the discovery and promulgation of the theory of evolution, has cast shade on some of his more detailed research in the sphere of plant biology; work that demands celebration in its own right. The author sets out to right this wrong by examining some of Darwin’s prescient botanical discoveries and theories. Thompson draws attention to Darwin’s work in three areas: the…

1. OLD COURT NURSERIES Michaelmas daisy specialists since 1906. Visit us until 20th October to enjoy the nursery and 1.5-acre garden, or online for mail order. autumnasters.co.uk | 01684 540416 2. DAISY CLOUGH NURSERIES Daisy Clough Nurseries specialise in a huge variety of perennials and grasses grown on site in Lancashire. Open seven days a week. Quality, home-grown shrubs, bedding and vegetable plants always available. daisyclough.com | 01524 793104 3. HARDY’S COTTAGE GARDEN PLANTS We supply a wide range of home produced herbaceous perennials, which are grown outdoors in peat free compost, and over 1,200 plant varieties. hardysplants.co.uk | 01256 896533 4. WEASDALE NURSERIES LTD Hardy trees and shrubs from hardy beginnings at an elevation of 260m above sea level. Ask for a copy of our splendid 126-page mail order catalogue today. weasdale.com |…

JAMES BASSON James lives in the South of France where he runs Scape Design with his wife Helen, specialising in low-maintenance and dry gardens. He is a fervent advocate for creating sustainable landscapes. The winner of four Chelsea Gold medals, he was awarded Best in Show in 2017. FERGUS GARRETT Fergus was appointed head gardener at Great Dixter by Christopher Lloyd in 1993. He is passionate about passing on his knowledge through student and volunteer programmes at Dixter and through worldwide lectures. He was awarded an RHS Associate of Honour in 2008. ANNA PAVORD Anna’s books include her bestseller The Tulip and most recently Landskipping. For 30 years she was The Independent’s gardening correspondent. In 2000 the RHS awarded her the Veitch Memorial Medal. She lives and gardens in Dorset.…

SORBUS PSEUDOHUPEHENSIS ‘PINK PAGODA’ Its beautiful, feathered, blue-green leaves have a greyish underside, and in autumn turn a glorious rich red. In spring it is covered in white flowers, which grow in pyramidal clusters, and are followed by dark-pink berries. Unlike other rowan berries, these pretty pink ones aren’t loved by birds, so the display continues until the following spring. It’s a small tree that is easy to grow and is able to withstand extremes of heat, cold, strong winds and drought. AGM*. Height 8m. Origin Garden origin (species China). Conditions Well-drained soil; full sun. Hardiness RHS H6† . Season of interest Autumn. ALLIUM THUNBERGII ‘OZAWA’ This ornamental onion flowers late, from September to November, producing clusters of bright-purple to purple-pink flowers. Its thin, hollow, grassy leaves are attractive throughout…

Earliest gardening memory Harvesting my first pumpkins from our family allotment. I placed them in size order and chose the biggest to carve out for Halloween. It had grown so big I had to have help lifting it. First plant love Lupins, with their bright stripy colours, covered in bees. I used to grow as many as possible as a child on our allotment. They were at the centre of my favourite childhood story Miss Rumphius, also known as the Lupine Lady who scattered lupin seeds everywhere she went to make the world more beautiful. Most valuable training How to dismantle, clean, sharpen and reassemble my Felco secateurs – an art I was taught by Kew’s tropical nursery staff and one that makes all the difference. Dream plant destination Seeing…

‘On low tables, in simple white bowls, I have posies of white, yellow and green flowers, strengthened by a few dark and marbled leaves of Arum italicum ‘Pictum’ and little clusters of Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ which scent the drizzly evening with a sweet fresh smell… But the flowers which give style to these simple arrangements are a few stems of Fritillaria verticillata, adding height and elegance… Between the flowers, at the top of each stem, are fine curling tendrils which are modified leaves. These, together with the curiously coloured bells, give a very distinctive air to a few spring flowers.’ Beth Chatto’s Garden Notebook. The renowned plantswoman Beth Chatto learned the art of garden composition and plant combinations through years of practice in floral arranging. Inspired by the arrangements of…

No lawn, no bright flowers and limited maintenance was the brief from Christopher and Sheila Richards when, in 2014, they asked Sophie Walker to redesign the garden of their west London home. Their once-pretty cottage garden had become increasingly shaded by trees they had planted 20 years earlier; the lawn had never amounted to much and, when honey fungus claimed a majestic acer and several fruit trees they decided it was time for a change. Sophie’s solution was radical. Using the clearance of the trees and the light that was let in as a starting point, she set out to create something completely different to what had gone before. “Unusually for London, the house is a 17th-century cottage and I wanted the garden to feel like a field or a…

Most viburnums are hardy, tolerant shrubs that are easy to grow on most soils. The majority thrive on clay and alkaline soils, but there are exceptions, such as Viburnum furcatum, which requires acid conditions. As with all long-term garden subjects, thorough ground preparation, including the incorporation of good garden compost or well-rotted manure prior to planting, aids establishment and the development of a healthy root system. Most viburnums will be planted as three-litre, container-grown plants, although you may find larger specimens of the most popular forms, such as Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum ‘Mariesii’. These are usually a good investment as they bring maturity to new planting schemes and gain a year or two in growing time. Watering the plant in the growing pot prior to planting and thorough watering after…

GARDENS ARE ALWAYS EVOLVING, AND NO GARDEN HAS TO BE PERFECT RIGHT FROM THE START Consider including an open space for favourite activities. Located at the furthest point of the garden overlooking the water, this spot is designed with the pergola structure casting light shade from above. There are different ways to introduce art into your garden. Some might prefer to use naturally occurring elements in their untamed forms, such as boulders that can double up as seating; others might prefer bold and daring sculptural pieces. The raised walkway, made using metal mesh panels, gives this garden a contemporary and architectural feel that reflects its owner’s style. When choosing prime materials, think about the overall character you want to reflect within your garden. Distilled, neutral colours suggest a calm and…

GROUND RULES: 100 EASY LESSONS FOR GROWING A MORE GLORIOUS GARDEN by Kate Frey Timber Press, £14.99 ISBN 978-1604698787 A basic guide to the fundamentals of creating a healthy garden. HAPPY ORCHID by Sara Rittershausen DK, £9.99 ISBN 978-0241349229 A guide to caring for over 125 types of orchid with advice on prolonging their flowering time, when to water and feed your orchid and tips for repotting. FROM BLENHEIM TO CHARTWELL by Stefan Buczacki Unicorn Publishing, £25 ISBN 978-1911604235 A reissue of Stefan Buczacki’s 2007 book about the homes and gardens of Winston Churchill, revised and updated. AT WEST DEAN: THE CREATION OF AN EXEMPLARY GARDEN by Jim Buckland & Sarah Wain Photography by Andrea Jones White Lion Publishing, £40 ISBN 978-0711238923 The story behind the creation of the gardens…

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DECEMBER ISSUE • The best plants to brighten winter days • Contemporary planting in a historical landscape by garden designer Dan Pearson • Choosing roses for their hips • Keeping topiary sharp at Mapperton in Dorset • Wonderful Christmas gift ideas for gardeners…