Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2020 i Gardens Illustrated Magazine

This issue of Gardens Illustrated is a heritage special; a roll call of Britain’s brightest gardening talent and an exploration of what our future horticultural heritage might be. From future-proof planting to leading-edge design, we have included the work of our most influential gardeners and garden designers. Dan Pearson’s boldly forward-looking garden for the Garden Museum in London has been designed with wonder and awe in mind. The planting palette includes recent discoveries by people who might be considered to be the modern-day equivalents of the pioneering Tradescant plant hunters, and in the achingly contemporary setting, each plant is a treasure in itself. Critic Tim Richardson takes the first look at The Newt, Somerset, formerly known as Hadspen House, the garden of Penelope Hobhouse and later the notable Canadian colourists…

Here comes the sun Thompson & Morgan’s new waterlily Dahlia ‘Tropical Breeze’, from its dahlia-breeding programme, is a large, statement flower that will bring colour to your garden, no matter what the weather. Blooming from May to October, with dual colours, ‘Tropical Breeze’ will liven up a border or, alternatively, can take centre stage in a planted container. It works particularly well in a cutting garden and is a splendid asset to a spring and summer garden. One jumbo plug costs £4.99. thompson-morgan.com CREATE A BUZZ Help protect the bees while jazzing up your keys. Luxury leather company Tovi Sorga has teamed up with Friends of the Earth, who work to protect the habitats needed for bees to survive, to make a statement, bee-shaped key-ring. Hand-crafted from leather, with a…

February is when those seasonal stalwarts, the galanthophiles, emerge to walk around the gardens of other equally passionate devotees pouring over the minutiae of snowdrops. You’ll find many events across the UK [see page 18 for details of a selection of snowdrop festivals], but two snowdrop-filled gardens that are always worth a visit at this time of year are Anglesey Abbey and Painswick Rococo Garden. The gardens at Anglesey Abbey near Cambridge boast more than 300 different species and cultivars of snowdrop, including some cultivars that are specific to Anglesey Abbey. You can tour the gardens at any time but to get a glimpse of these rare snowdrops you need to book yourself on one of the guided garden tours that take place three times a day in the first…

Wall training When training a rose on a wall, my aim is to cover as much of the surface as possible, creating a single-layer framework with evenly spaced stems. The simplest structures are both healthier and more aesthetically pleasing. The finished structure should be smooth, but by no means flat, a natural undulation occurs as the stems flex away from the wall, and back towards it, softening the sometimes harsh supporting structure. The main stems are tied to wires on the wall, and subsequent stems are coaxed into complex curves and interwoven spirals. The rose is tied to itself, again and again, until a cage-like structure is formed. Patterns and shapes are created with the new stems, which add interest to a bare wall throughout the non-flowering period. You can…

These glossy flowers are charming, perky and a boon for insects As the spring landscape stirs into life, hedgerows and fields are briefly scattered with gold. Not buttercups, but their early cousins, celandines, known until recently as Ranunculus ficaria but now renamed Ficaria verna. These glossy flowers are charming, perky and a boon for insects yet, in the garden, they are not universally welcome. “Celandines are a British native plant and there are two subspecies in the UK,” explains Joe Sharman, of Monksilver Nursery in Cambridgeshire. “Ficaria verna subsp. verna is found on banks and ditches – it is vigorous and weedy and spreads easily, so it can be invasive. But F. verna subsp. fertilis is a plant of ancient grassland and undisturbed meadow. It is smaller and much better…

Eating seasonally and making the best use of ingredients comes more naturally when they are growing outside your door Much has been said and written of late about the importance of understanding where our food comes from, of shifting the focus of our meals to include more vegetables, and reducing food waste. I believe that growing your own – or at least some of your own – is one of the most effective ways of changing your attitude to what, and how, you cook and eat. Eating seasonally, and making the best use of your ingredients, seems to come more naturally when they are growing right outside your door. I am a great believer, too, in the psychological benefits of gardening. Far from being limiting, container gardening offers endless possibilities.…

I find that certain styles of planting have been somewhat hogging the limelight. Prairie planting anyone? Meadows perhaps? Now this is all well and good, and of course they have their place but they lack versatility – and, in the depths of winter, there’s basically nothing there. Gravel gardening may not immediately grab the headlines but should in fact be far more popular and better recognised. It works on all scales, large and small and its relatively easy to look after – perhaps about half the time of a conventional mixed border. I’ve used it equally successfully in minuscule London gardens as well as country estates where vast walled gardens need a large, planted space without the expense of an army of gardeners. I first came to this style of…

When Brian Fearn exhibited a dish containing 40 different living stones at a flower show, one visitor was so fooled that she parked her handbag on top of the plants. Brian, founder of Abbey Brook Cactus Nursery in the Peak District, wasn’t worried; he has been growing Lithops for decades, and knows how tough they are. “You can walk on these plants and not know they’re there,” he explains. The name Lithops comes from two Ancient Greek words: lithos, meaning stone, and ops, face. They grow in arid climes in southern Africa, fooling hungry grazing animals into thinking they are a cluster of pebbles scattered on the ground rather than a potential meal. They can live almost completely obscured by dust, until they give the game away with a brief…

Andy Sturgeon Andy begins a new design ideas series, page 96. “I’m starting with gravel gardens, which I use in all sorts of places from tiny urban spaces to the walled gardens of country estates.” Isabel Bannerman Isabel discovers Margery Fish’s snowdrops page 44. “February, and just when I’d almost given up even the ghost of gardening, along come snowdrops dancing in a newborn sunlight.” Howard Sooley Howard remembers time spent at Prospect Cottage, page 74. “Prospect Cottage is still my favourite place to be in the world. To have known Derek, and have gardened there was an extraordinary privilege.”…

The tour starts with a visit to the internationally celebrated contemporary gardens of Tokachi Millennium Forest, designed by Dan Pearson and situated on Japan’s most northerly island, Hokkaido. You’ll learn about the spirit of nature and sense of place from head gardener and international speaker Midori Shintani, as well as enjoying a cultural workshop and foraged forest lunch prepared by the gardeners. Returning to the mainland you will delve into the traditional gardens, culture and the unforgettable architecture of Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Nara, where gardens will provoke thought and delight in equal measure. Meet with the gardeners of the Chion-in Temple who will demonstrate the fine art of niwaki pruning and offer advice on the tools they use. Discover both renowned gardens and lesser-known hidden cultural gems, such as…

The Sistema Central is the most extensive chain of mountains on the Iberian Peninsula. It’s composed of a series of adjoining mountain ranges running roughly southwest-northeast with an overall length of 600km. The Sierra de Guadarrama mountains rise dramatically from the wide, dusty plateau of central Spain, and stretch for 80km to meet the Sierra de Gredos in the east and are easily reached from Madrid in just under an hour. During the 1920s the Peñalara Mountain Climbing Society proposed that the Sierra de Guadarrama range be declared a national park, and this was finally realised in 2013. The bedrock of much of this biodiverse range is water-retentive granite that forms acidic soils. Altogether there are more than 1,280 different species recorded in the park and in late spring, fragrant…

What A genus of about 20 tuberous perennials grown for their pink and white flowers that appear at a time when few other plants are flowering. Origins Most cyclamen are found around the Mediterranean and across southern France, Italy, Greece and into Turkey. Habitat ranges from deciduous woodlands to scrubland and rocky areas. Season Some species flower from September to December, others from December to March. Size Most grow to about 10cm tall. Established tubers can reach the size of a dinner plate and produce dozens of flowers. Conditions In general, hardy cyclamen prefer poor, well-drained soils in full or part shade. Hardiness RHS H4 and H5 USDA 7b-9a. *Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. † Hardiness ratings given where available.…

Three generations of Tradescants lie entombed at the Garden Museum; two of them, John Tradescant the Elder and his son John Tradescant the Younger, were early pioneers in plant-hunting and horticulture. This place of pilgrimage for modern gardeners was once the churchyard of St Mary’s at Lambeth, a now de-consecrated church next to Lambeth Palace. The Garden Museum (formerly the Museum of Garden History) was created here in 1976 by John and Rosemary Nicholson, who mounted an effort to save the church after they had traced the Tradescants’ remains there. The current director of the museum, Christopher Woodward, has spearheaded a substantial renovation. As well as upgrading the interior of the building to accommodate more exhibits, a visitor café and pavilions for learning have now enclosed the Tradescants’ tombs in…

Plants and pints may sound unlikely bedfellows, but in a corner of a tiny village in Powys, mid Wales, Claire Austin is proving that they work together in surprising harmony. Surrounded by soft, green Welsh hills, yet sitting alongside a helpful A-road, is the village of Sarn’s 134 year-old pub. Named after the village, The Sarn has been given a new lease of life by the daughter of the world-renowned rose grower David Austin. A plantswoman, nursery owner and perennials expert in her own right, Claire and her Australian-raised husband Ric Kenwood bought the freehold in 2017. They had moved to her father and mother’s timber-framed weekend getaway house a mile away after her mother’s death in 2007. That house, up a steep narrow lane tucked between those rolling hills,…

THE LOST ORCHARD: A CELEBRATION OF OUR HERITAGE THROUGH STORIES OF FRUIT AND THEIR RECIPES by Raymond Blanc A beautiful book showing the thought, passion and heritage behind one of the most magnificent fruit plantings of recent times. Reviewer Tom Coward is head gardener at Gravetye Manor. The first time I saw the orchard at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons was about a year after the first plantings had gone in. I was struck by the imagination and ambition behind the project and exited to see how it would develop. Hundreds of apple varieties were carefully tasted and studied before around 150 British cultivars were selected for planting. Later about 600 trees were added, representing flavours from France. Numerous pear, quince, fig, medlar and stone fruit varieties have also been…

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 programmes at Dixter and worldwide lectures. He was awarded an RHS Associate of Honour in 2008 and an RHS Victoria Medal of Honour in 2019. 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.…

Indonesia comes to Kew The Princess of Wales Conservatory at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, has never looked so tropical, thanks to the 25th Orchid Festival on the theme of Indonesia. The country boasts a staggering wealth of biodiversity, with at least 4,000 species of orchids. Visitors at the festival will be transported to the other side of the world, with spectacular displays evoking the many aspects of Indonesian culture and wildlife. A bright-orange orangutan and an erupting volcano made from an array of Indonesia’s fabulous fauna promise to be especially memorable. The festival will also be an opportunity to showcase Kew’s environmental work in the region to protect biodiversity, while exciting after-hours events will feature Indonesian music, dance and cuisine. 8 February – 8 March. Tickets from £12.50. kew.org…

IRIS UNGUICULARIS ‘PELOPONNESE SNOW’ Hardy or near hardy, winter-flowering iris are not thick on the ground, and this one is the standout selection of a species that has filled this gap. The more-often seen cultivars are various shades of lilac-blue, which may or may not have much scent and can be reluctant to produce many flowers. By contrast the beautifully marked white flowers of ‘Peloponnese Snow’ are not only strongly scented but are also produced prolifically for several months. Worth watching out for slugs eating the soft flower stems and flowers. Height 30-45cm. Origin Greece. Conditions Well-drained soil; sun in preferably a sheltered spot. Hardiness RHS H5, USDA 7a-9b† . Season of interest Evergreen clump flowering winter through spring. DAPHNE ‘SPRING BEAUTY’ Purely in terms of scent the best species…

I would love to sit in a tall tree – see all the birds and insects that would come and go Early garden memory My Dad grew a lot of vegetables and used to give me a penny for every cabbage white caterpillar I picked off his brassicas. I made enough for a bag of sweets each week. First plant love Probably trees, just any tree that I could climb. I would love to sit in a tall tree – see all the birds and insects that would come and go. That tranquillity of sitting quietly and just watching all that nature around me; I must have spent hours up trees as a kid. Horticultural heroes Geoff Hamilton and Lawrence Hills (founder of the Henry Doubleday Research Association) were, and…

1 Galanthus ‘Ivy Cottage Corporal’ Dark-green corporal’s stripes near the ovary gave rise to the plant’s name. It is a robust plant with long, elegant flowers. 30cm. RHS H5† . 2 G. ‘Jade’ Found by Alan Street of Avon Bulbs in 2005, the wash of green on the outside petals make this a particularly special specimen. 12cm. 3 G. plicatus ‘Sarah Dumont’ A galanthophile’s Galanthus. Golden ovary and markings and a clean-cut, white bell. It seems fabulously vigorous unlike many other yellow snowdrops. 17cm. 4 G. elwesii ‘Rosemary Burnham’ You would think someone had brushed the petals with green watercolour – and the inner green is strong too. This makes it sought after and expensive. Discovered in the 1960s in Canada. 13cm. 5 G. plicatus ‘Walter Fish’ Discovered in the…

• Ashwood Nurseries Ashwood Lower Lane, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 0AE. Tel 01384 401996, ashwoodnurseries.com • Cherubeer Gardens* Higher Cherubeer, Dolton, Winkleigh, Devon EX19 8PP. Tel 01805 804265, ngs.co.uk Open for NGS on 7, 14 and 22 February, 2-5pm. • Edrom Nurseries Coldingham, Eyemouth, Berwickshire TD14 5TZ. Tel 01890 771386, edrom-nurseries.co.uk • Kevock Garden Plants Kevock Road, Lasswade, Midlothian EH18 1HX. Tel 0131 454 0660, kevockgarden.co.uk *National Collection holder cherubeergardens/the-gardens…

1 Nandina domestica In China, where it is known as the heavenly bamboo, this evergreen shrub is often placed close to thresholds to symbolise welcome. An extremely atmospheric plant. 2m. RHS H5† . 2 Hedychium wardii Dan considered using the showy Hedychium gardnerianum but this more recently introduced ginger lily is more robust and longer flowering. 1.2m. RHS H4. 3 Viola hederacea A diminutive, but vigorously mat-forming perennial, which is a key component of the luscious and imaginative ground layer of vegetation here. 10cm. RHS H4. 4 Disporum longistylum ‘Night Heron’ Dramatic, upright growth in the spring gives way to flowering and an opulent foliage display that lasts until the following spring. 1.2m. AGM*. RHS H3. 5 Canna x ehemanii Among the most magnificent of the canna lilies, with considerable…

Martin Gee is a rare specimen. There can be no other gardener with such a pedigree. Since 1803, his ancestors have all worked at Weston Park in Shropshire. Martin’s own role there goes back a staggering half-century: he joined the gardening team at the tender age of 15 and – now 65 – shows no signs of retiring. As head gardener Martin looks after the vast 70-acre garden, which incorporates ‘Capability’ Brown pleasure grounds, mixed borders, rose gardens, formal terraces and parterres, and a large walled garden. “I was born on the estate in my grandfather’s house; he was head gamekeeper. My parents lived in the local village – that’s where I grew up.” Six generations of Gee men have worked at Weston, starting with ploughman John Gee, who is…

CHILD’S PLAY Contractor and grounds maintenance provider Ground Control took home the Grand Award at the BALI National Landscape Awards 2019 for the design and build of the new Children’s Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Using a range of different materials, and embracing numerous changes in levels across the site, the contractor was praised for creating an amazing play and learning space, with superb attention to detail. The landscaping includes oversized play equipment, an elevated oak walkway, rockery boulders, giant stepping stones and wooden platforms over water. Other winners included Frosts Landscape Construction for the roof garden at 120 Fenchurch Street in the City of London. baliawards.co.uk…

NEW BOTANICAL PAINTING by Harriet de Winton Ilex Press, £12.99 ISBN 978-1781577523 Learn the basics of botanical painting with this clear and beautifully illustrated guide from an award-winning artist. Perfect for creatives and flower-lovers alike. ON FLOWERS by Amy Merrick Artisan, £27.99 ISBN 978-1579658120 Merrick is known for her wild, natural flower arranging and here she teaches us how to create simple yet stunning displays of flora to celebrate any style or season. RSPB GARDEN BIRDS by Marianne Taylor Bloomsbury, £25 ISBN 978-1472955913 A detailed run-through of 47 of the most familiar birds spotted in gardens around Britain, with sumptuous photos and detailed bird descriptions. THE VEGETATIVE KEY TO BRITISH FLORA (2ND EDITION) by John Poland and Eric Clement John Poland, £25 ISBN 978-0956014429 A revised edition of the popular…

Details Price, per person: Two sharing: £1,990, or £1,790 without flights; single occupancy: £2,290, or £2,090 without flights. Included: flights (economy) with BA (Airbus 320); coach travel; hotel as described below; breakfasts; 3 dinners with 2 glasses of wine, coffee; admissions; tips; taxes; services of lecturer and tour manager. Performance: second category tickets to the Passion Play. Accommodation: Vienna House Easy, Munich (viennahouse.com): a 4-star hotel in Neuhausen-Nymphenburg. Details of the 4-star hotel in Oberammergau tbc. NB This is a fairly strenuous tour with some long coach journeys, and walking and standing in churches and galleries. A good level of fitness is essential. Group size: between 10 and 24. DATES 1-5 June 2020 Five days from only £1,990 Lecturer Tom Abbott Plus BBC Music Magazine’s editor or deputy editor accompanies…