Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2021 i Gardens Illustrated Magazine

The garden is at that wonderful balance point: the first flush of spring is past; the intensity of summer is yet to come. The garden in May has a determination and energy all of its own. Vibrant, green foliage and blousy flowers have a fresh, restorative appeal. Bearded irises are one of the true stars in May, and on page 74, designer Dan Pearson reveals his passion for those bred by artist gardener Cedric Morris back in the mid-20th century. Growing as many as 1,000 seedlings a year, Morris selected those that he was drawn to for their ‘elegance, pride and delicacy’. It has become the life’s work of former Sissinghurst head gardener Sarah Cook to find and re-establish a collection of Benton Iris (named after Morris’s home Benton End…

Jimi Blake is the owner and enthusiastic gardener at Hunting Brook Gardens in Co Wicklow. The garden is renowned for its modern and inventive plantings, and Jimi’s plant choices always excite and delight. This is where you’ll start your tour and Jimi will talk you through the garden’s seasonal highlights and his approach to plant combinations. The tour continues with Jimi taking you on to his sister June Blake’s small but painterly garden in Tinode, and then the garden of gardening doyenne Helen Dillon, who has recently transposed her ideas, developed over several decades, to a new and smaller space. You’ll also discover the beautifully meditative garden Patthana, and the varied garden of Ardán, impressively located on the hilly peninsula overlooking Dublin Bay. Visits to these and further unique and…

MAGNOLIA DOLTSOPA ‘SILVER CLOUD’ This is a selection from Duncan & Davies Nursery in New Zealand, which is now widely available. I planted this as a young plant in the valley and it impressed me straight away by flowering in the second year after planting. It’s a medium-sized tree with an upright growth habit making it suitable for most gardens regardless of size. The flowers emerge from golden velvet buds from spring and into summer. I had a path worn into where it is planted, so I could wallow in the deliciousness of the scented, creamy-white flowers. Height 10m. Origin Garden (species Asia). Conditions Well-drained, neutral to slightly acid soil; full sun, sheltered position. Hardiness RHS H4, USDA 10a-11† . Season Spring to summer. PSEUDOPANAX ‘CHAINSAW’ I bought this whacky-looking…

I counted at least nine different species of wild bee on our patch of green alkanet – it was incredible Earliest gardening memory From the age of 13, I worked Saturdays at a local small holding growing seasonal bedding plants, initially just to save up for a pair of jeans. But it was here I discovered my utter love and passion for plants and continued on to more formal training. First plant love I’ll never forget seeing my first bee orchid in flower in the beautiful limestone pavement habitats of the Burren in western Ireland. My obsession for terrestrial orchids developed over the years and on a trip to South Africa I came across a stand of Disa uniflora by a stream on Table Mountain. The beauty and natural landscapes…

1 Lilium hansonii Bella uses this lily to follow on from ‘Ballerina’ tulips, to provide a continuation of orange before the hotter colours of July get going. 1.2m. RHS H6† . 2 Geranium phaeum var. lividum ‘Majus’ Bella loves the pale-lavender flowers of this delicate geranium. It is tolerant of shade, flowers abundantly, and is extremely useful on a dry bank in front of shrubs. RHS H7. 3 Aconitum ‘Stainless Steel’ With its wonderful, steely-blue flowers, this picks up the colour of a nearby Amsonia and looks lovely with the acid green of euphorbias or Alchemilla mollis. 1.2m. AGM*. RHS H7. 4 Geranium pratense ‘Midnight Reiter’ A cultivar that Bella values for the striking markings on its dark leaves. She acquired it from a local GP-turned-nurseryman, via her local garden…

What The Apiaceae is a vast family of around 300 genera and 3,000 species of annuals, biennials, perennials plus a few shrubs and trees. They have huge commercial value as many are important edible crops but conversely they include some of the most poisonous plants known to man. Origins The majority are concentrated in the northern temperate zone although they are found sparingly throughout the rest of the world with some interesting (but difficult to grow) specimens, hailing from New Zealand and Australia. Season In such a large family there are genera that flower in early spring; the majority flower in summer and some during autumn. Some architectural skeletons persist during the winter months providing templates for spider’s webs and hoar frost. Size Diminutive genera, such as Oreomyrrhis argentea, are…

1 Stipa gigantea Always bigger than you expect it to be, this grass needs space to spread and show itself off properly. It catches the light beautifully and is evergreen, too. 2.5m. AGM*. RHS H4† . 2 Phlomis russeliana An ever-reliable plant that will flower in sun or shade and which looks solid and defiant even in the depths of winter. 90cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 5a-9b. 3 Salvia nemorosa ‘Amethyst’ Salvias are so useful flowering for months and needing little attention apart from a chop in midsummer if they’re too leggy. This forms a good, upright clump. 60cm. AGM. RHS H7. 4 Cynara cardunculus The majestic, silvery leaves look good all year, but do remember to stake the flowerheads, which are very heavy. An excellent plant for bees. 2.5m.…

Don’t be fooled by appearances. Slight, pretty and endlessly charming, Jo Thompson is also one of the most determined people you will ever meet. How else could a divorced mother of two have turned herself into an internationally renowned award-winning garden designer in just 20 years? A GARDEN DOESN’T NEED TO LOOK LIKE IT’S ALWAYS BEEN THERE, BUT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE IT COULD BE THERE FOREVER Jo learned the importance of hard work from her father, an Italian cocktail waiter from the Rome of La Dolce Vita who came to this country in search of adventure and went on to build a chain of Italian restaurants in southwest England. As a child, Jo divided her time between Rome, where she was fascinated by the classical architecture, and school in…

THE COMPLETE GARDENER by Monty Don DK, £27 ISBN 978-0241424308 Down-to-earth wisdom from Monty Don, earned over a lifetime; you’ll struggle to find such pertinent advice in many other practical gardening books. Reviewer Jodie Jones is a freelance garden writer. Viewers of Gardeners’ World will be familiar with Monty Don’s brand of calm, confident advice, and the relaxed but expansive scale of his garden. These two elements come together in a new edition of the book he first wrote some 20 years ago as his last word on the subject of practical gardening, and although the nuts and bolts of plant selection and cultivation remain the same, an awful lot else has changed over the intervening decades. Box blight has decimated most of the hedges and topiary pieces he was…

Choose your sowing method Direct sowing If you’re sowing seeds for vegetables that have tap roots, such as carrots, parsnips and turnips, or don’t want the hassle of replanting seeds from trays, direct sowing is best into fine, weed-free soil. If planting in rows, draw your trowel or tool edge along the soil to create a shallow channel. Sow seed thinly according to the seed packet instruction, then draw the soil back over the seeds and gently water. If your seeds are of a reasonable size to handle individually, you can use a dibber to create small holes and space your seeds out accordingly. Label at both ends of the row to avoid confusion come spring. Sowing under glass If the soil isn’t warm enough outside (see the section on…

Eva Nemeth Eva photographs Alison Jenkins’ container planting ideas, page 48. “Alison’s eye for detail, her choice of plants and containers always impresses me. I’m sure readers will be equally inspired.” Marina Christopher Marina recommends the best umbellifers, page 54. “Essential for insect biodiversity, the Apiaceae family includes many favourite root vegetables and herbs.” Rebecca Bernstein Rebecca photographs a beautiful Oxfordshire garden, page 84. “Castle End was a delight to photograph. The walled garden, full of umbellifers, had a touch of fairy-tale magic.”…

MOISTURE LOVERS For many years this fire bucket sat in the corner of my studio and was used as a wastepaper bin. There are so many familiar household objects that can be repurposed once you’re on the look out for them. I like both the solidity of the bucket’s construction and the fine detail of the handles, but it was really the soft, burnt-red tone of the peeling paint that was most interesting to play with. How to achieve the look Container and composition I drilled holes in the bottom of the fire bucket using a large, masonry drill bit. I then lined the base with some sheep wool to help contain the compost and to stop water from draining away too quickly. You could also use a piece of…

Andy Sturgeon’s garden in the middle of Brighton, which he shares with his partner and four “mainly teenage” children, is a masterclass in how to make the most of an overlooked and sun-baked space. When he begins to describe what was there – an irregular-shaped plot extending from an apex at one end to the side of the house at the other; wall-to-wall paving; no mature plants to provide structure and shade – he says: “It was a tiny, hopeless garden, I’ve no idea why I bought this house.” It did have one saving grace, though: two 180-year-old flint walls, which Andy was excited about. Just 18 months later it is now a remarkably private garden with two terraces (the lower one, at the side of the house, providing a…

BE MORE TREE by Alison Davies Quadrille Publishing, £7.99 ISBN 978-1787136243 Fans of Davies’ earlier book Be More Bee will love her celebration of trees, and how humans can benefit from quite literally branching out. COCKTAILS, MOCKTAILS AND GARNISHES FROM THE GARDEN by Katie Stryjewski Yellow Pear Press, £16.95 ISBN 978-1642504965 Full of fun and modern recipes for delicious drinks, this vibrant book provides tips on how to grow your own herb bar and garnish garden. NEW NORDIC GARDENS by Annika Zetterman Thames & Hudson Ltd, £25 ISBN 978-0500296141 A re-release updated with a survey documenting the best gardens in the Nordic regions over the past ten years. Expect stunning photography and exceptional design. A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO TERRARIUM GARDENING by Sueko Katsuji et al Tuttle Publishing, £12.99 ISBN 978-0804854078…

Perched on the tip of North Africa and overlooking southern Spain, Tangier has always attracted a certain kind of adventurer. As the city changes, and subversive behaviour is overtaken by a passion for decorating, Tangerines old and new are creating free-spirited gardens, not all of which are behind closed doors. City of light Several hotels in the Kasbah offer sunny roof gardens for the light-starved, such as. La Tangerina and Aux 3 Portes. For sunset drinks, head to the terrace at Hotel Nord Pinus. They all overlook the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. Ten minutes away, 1920s Café Hafa is arranged on descending terraces for maximal views. Further west, Donabo is a new botanic garden on the Old Mountain, conceived by people who care about teaching…

Chiltern Seeds You’ll find an interesting, tried-and-tested list of seed-sowing choices in the Chiltern Seeds vegetable catalogue. Favourites include the climbing French bean ‘Cobra’, which proves resilient to variable British summers, providing a good crop time and again. If you have a sheltered, sunny spot, you could try aubergine ‘Kermit’, a small, green, Thai type, or if space is limited, the new ‘Shooting Star’ climbing, yellow courgette. 01491 824675, chilternseeds.co.uk Franchi Seeds of Italy Founder Paolo Arrigo received the Slow Food UK Person of the Year award in 2020 for his dedication to promoting seed biodiversity. His seed selection focuses on endangered, heritage and ethical varieties with provenance. 020 8427 5020, seedsofitaly.com Jekka’s Herb Farm Fresh herbs can enhance your cooking and boost your well-being. Queen of herbs, Jekka McVicar,…

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.…

If you haven’t done so already, sow pumpkins and courgettes before the middle of the month to give crops a chance of maturing before the end of the growing season. Peas, beans and sweetcorn should also be under way by now. This is also the time to sow winter brassicas including the king of them all, kale. I leave mine to grow over the summer and only start eating it after the first frost, when the sugar levels have risen and it is at its best and sweetest. Get supports in place for climbing beans and peas – tall pea sticks are ideal, or use netting stretched between some strong poles – before you plant out the seedlings. Similarly, tomato plants will need a good strong support – I use…

Name Pie Corner. What Private garden designed to complement a modern classical house, with formal pool garden and woodland walk. Where Hertfordshire. Size Four acres. Soil Various. Climate Temperate. Hardiness zone USDA 8. To the north of the house, crisp topiary shapes on the terrace contrast with more relaxed planting around the pond, including generous clumps of rosemary and Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’. The beds are filled with masses of Allium cristophii and the beautiful, lavender-coloured Geranium ‘Philippe Vapelle’.…

Hailing from the magnesium-rich limestone of the Dolomites, the rhizomatous iris needs plenty of sunshine and free drainage. Though adaptable as garden plants, it is worth giving them a position in full sun where they will not be overshadowed. They prefer not to have companions so that they can harvest all the light, and are best grown alone to the front of a bed where they can bask or, as I grow them, at the foot of a sunny wall. Their early growth and rush towards May flowering is made possible by the energy from the previous summer that is stored in the root. During flowering however, their whole root system dies and the plants go into a period of semi-dormancy in June and July after setting seed. The majority…

What is so cool about the Dutch still lifes is that they painted tulips with a dark background, which makes the flowers look like light bulbs I love following flowers as they come into season – I feel more connected to them and the colours are appropriate for the time of year Decorative painter and designer Flora Roberts longs for foxgloves but is in the throes of painting tulips. “I do like foxgloves, they are so cute and have all those dots,” she says. “Roses are a challenge. Dahlias are satisfying.” Flora paints flowers from life every day from spring to the end of summer and can be impatient for flowers to grow. When they do emerge, she finds herself in a flurry of paint and petals to catch them…

GABLE-ENDED The National Trust Collection, The Scotney, H3m x W2.6m x D4m, from £15,950, Alitex, 01730 826900, alitex.co.uk CONTEMPORARY COOL Palram Victory Orangery, H2.6m x W3.64m x D3m, £1,599.99, Wayfair, 0800 169 0423, wayfair.co.uk DORMER ENTRANCE Croft Greenhouse, available in three sizes, price on request, White Cottage Greenhouses 01270 753826, whitecottage.co.uk PLENTY OF HEIGHT The Classic Vision Glasshouse, price on request, Gabriel Ash 01242 662926, gabrielash.com PRACTICAL STYLE Harrod Superior Greenhouse in willow grey, available in six sizes, from £2,000, Harrod Horticultural, 0333 400 6400, harrodhorticultural.com COMPACT DESIGN Halls Forest Green Supreme, available in six sizes, from £519, Halls Greenhouses, 0121 355 7701, hallsgreenhouses.co.uk MODERN LOOK Juliana Compact, available in two sizes, from £1,699, Greenhouses.com, 01242 662926, greenhouses.com COTTAGE GARDEN CUTE Crane Garden Buildings Greenhouse, sage green, H2.78m x W1.8m…

Irises make a colourful addition to the garden. The rhizomatous irises are divided into bearded (such as those in our Cedric Morris feature – page 74) and non-bearded forms, such as the elegant Siberian iris with tall, flowering stems and narrow, architectural leaves. The sibiricas flower in late spring (later than the bearded examples), bringing brilliant pops of colour to borders. They can be planted in sun or shade and will thrive in most soil types. Other beardless species include Iris pseudacorus, our native yellow flag iris, and the purple-black Iris chrysographes – both of these species preferring damp soil in partial shade. Find more details at woottensplants.com OFFER Woottens of Wenhaston is offering readers two iris collections to choose from, or a third offer that includes all the selected…

In this small taster from the Gardens Illustrated special edition A Year in the Edible Garden, gardener cook Jojo Tulloh offers a flavour of the many joys an edible garden can bring. Packed with suggestions of what to sow when, and delicious recipes that make imaginative use of seasonal fruit, vegetables and fresh herbs, Jojo’s month-by-month guide is sure to inspire both seasoned growers and those new to edible gardening alike. And if it whets your appetite for growing your own, we’ve also included a guide to sowing seeds and a selection of the best seed suppliers hand-picked by the Gardens Illustrated team.…