Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2016 i The English Garden

Dianna Jazwinski Based in Dorset, Dianna specialises in plant portraits and her photography has been published in various titles. She captures the beauty of Heuchera on page 105. Barbara Segall Barbara crams as much as possible into her town garden and Suffolk allotment. When not gardening, she writes books and edits magazines. She visits Wood Farm on page 50. Julian Rollins A former news journalist, Julian now specialises in wildlife, the countryside and the environment. He is also the author of Wilder Wales. Julian shares his summer wildlife care advice on page 123.…

Hanging baskets are ideal for making the most of space in smaller gardens. And with the right fragrant plants, a garden can even be perfumed with beautiful scents this way. TYPES OF BASKET Mid to late spring is the perfect time to plant a hanging basket, so that it is ready when risk of frost has passed. Traditional hanging baskets are made with plastic-coated wires with a liner positioned inside to support the compost and plants, but plastic or woven wicker alternatives are common. If opting for a wire basket, make sure the liner is intact. A sheet of plastic will help the basket retain moisture; line the basket with hessian or moss to hide the plastic if desired. BEAUTIFUL BEGONIAS Try the new tuberous begonia ‘Sweet Coral Cascade’ (above,…

• Irises need moist soil. However they are not water plants: they do not like sitting in water, particularly in winter. A bog garden where the soil remains moist is ideal. • An acidic soil is best. They will not be happy in dry chalky soil – a pH of between 5.8 and 6.8 is most suitable. • Irises are heavy feeders. When preparing the bed for planting, dig in lots of well-rotted manure. This or homemade garden leaf mould should also be applied as a mulch in spring. If you do not have access to a mulch, use a seaweed-based fertiliser such as Maxicrop. • Clumps will increase naturally. If, after a few years, you wish to increase your stock, lift the plant in spring, throw away the old…

Ox-eye daisies tumble down its face, rimming the water like a froth of Champagne bubbles IN EARLY SUMMER AT WOOD FARM NEAR Gipping, Suffolk, two distinct but well-matched gardens make their play for supremacy, as they unfurl their floral colours and vie with each other to provide a rising tide of colour and shape. In 1995 when Emily and Rob Shelley bought Wood Farm, the 500-year-old farmhouse was half its current size and in need of extensive renovation. In around 2000 the pair asked local architect Rodney Black to design an extension and undertake a complete restoration of the existing house. Later, in 2012, Black designed the formal layout in the front garden. To achieve the extension, the pair enlarged one of the ancient ponds behind the existing farmhouse. Now…

Perfect Perennials Earl Stonham, Stowmarket IP14 5HY. Tel: 01449 711320; www.perfect perennials.co.uk The Place for Plants East Bergholt CO7 6UP. Tel: 01206 299224; www.placeforplants.co.uk Mickfield Hostas Mickfield, Stowmarket IP14 5LH. Tel: 01449 711576. www.mickfieldhostas.co.uk Swann’s Nurseries Eyke Rd, Woodbridge IP12 2PN. Tel: 01394 460127; www.swannsnursery.co.uk The Crown Church Road, Stowupland IP14 4BQ. Tel: 01449 490490; www.thecrown stowupland.co.uk Columbine Hall Stowupland, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 4AT. Tel: 01449 612219; www.columbinehall.co.uk…

LAKESIDE PLANTING New trees have been planted, primarily for colour, bringing glorious autumn reflections to the water. Giant Gunnera manicata (above) dominates during the summer months, and wild areas have been created, including on an island on the mill pond. VEGETABLE GARDEN An attractive picket fence encloses the kitchen garden with climbing honeysuckle, raspberries and rambling roses planted around the perimeter. Herbs and vegetables are planted in raised beds enclosed with wooden edging for aesthetic purposes. Mown paths are maintained between beds. SNAIL MOUND EARTH SCULPTURE The ingenious snail mound was created using silt dredged from the mill pond. Set on the south side of the garden, the earth sculpture makes an interesting focal point on what was previously an uneven lawn, adding purpose to this area. EYECATCHING SCULPTURES The…

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Not quite a sculpture, but capable of creating a focal point in traditional or contemporary styles, a sundial is an historic piece of garden furniture – they also make a thoughtful present, especially if it has an engraved dial. Sundials need careful positioning to work accurately; their site should be sunny and not overshadowed by trees or neighbouring buildings. They also need to be exactly horizontal, and lined up with true north, as opposed to magnetic north, but most suppliers should be able to advise on correct positioning. Armillary spheres have a more eye-catching, sculptural look, as do the more contemporary takes on them.…

Tiarella are low, creeping plants with unbranched spikes of starry flowers that have five petals and five sepals. They are superficially similar in leaf to Heuchera but Heuchera form clumps and do not run. Heuchera flowers are often on branched spikes and they are usually bell-shaped with five small petals. In some cases they are small and almost insignificant, held on tall, airy stems. Tiarella flowers are abundant and, crowded on the stems, make quite a show. It was inevitable that these two American genera would be hybridised and the results are both interesting and beautiful. Called x Heucherella, there are many to choose from and they include several of my personal favourites. Top of the list is ‘Sweet Tea’, which has large, matt leaves that glow in the sun…

As you come and go in the garden, resist the urge to peer into nestboxes, if you have any. It may not be apparent that a box is in use and taking a look could scare parents away from eggs or chicks. A nestbox bought now is unlikely to be used this year, as most species choose their nest sites in March or April. There is, however, one exception: the spotted flycatcher. The flycatcher looks unassuming, but it is fascinating to have around. As the name suggests, flycatchers are insect-eaters and they specialise in catching their prey in midair. They tend to select just one good perch and flit to and from it as they feed. The acrobatics involved are quite something. Flycatchers spend the winter in Africa and, like…

Does it surprise you that the Eden Project has had 18 million visitors in its 15 years? On one hand I am surprised, because nobody, on building a project like this, dares to believe in its success, fearing that they will be struck by lightning for such hubris. However, from the first day, when visitors came to see the construction taking place, we knew it was going to be successful as they donned hard hats and high visibility jackets and were thrilled at the magnificent view. We all love adventure and I think visitors fell in love as much with the spirit of it being built as with the building itself. Were you ever concerned that it might not strike a chord with the British public? One of the things…

Efforts at combining the best qualities of Tea roses and Hybrid Perpetual roses began to be made in the second half of the 19th century, and the dramatic result came with a rose introduced by Guillot et Fils of Lyon in 1867. Guillot’s first launch of the rose was disillusioning, however: “Before putting [‘La France’] into commerce I presented it with several other seedling roses at the Exposition Universelle at Paris, in 1867. The fourteen flowers of this rose displayed by me measured, each one, 14–15 cm in diameter. Unfortunately the jury who were to meet on the day indicated by the programme did not meet until two days later; my roses were faded or shopworn, the jury could not give them an award, and by way of compensation gave…

Suddenly, early summer is here. The bulbs of spring give way to the first of the summer flowering perennials: meadows and verges are awash with the bright, white blooms of ox-eye daisies, with pretty pastel blue and plum irises raising the colour temperature by a few degrees. June doesn’t bring the hot, spicy colours of late summer, it is more subtle than that. It brings pink peonies and opium poppies, and the purple of the final spring bulb to flower, spherical alliums. Many of June’s great flowers are heros at the Chelsea Flower Show, too, which opens to the public as this issue goes on sale. We’ve picked 10 star plants designers turn to again and again, and dissected some of our favourite gardens over the past decade if, inspired…

FLORAL FEAST Prompt cutting back of lupin flowerheads as soon as the flowers hint at fading might seem like sacrilege, but it results in a further succession of vibrant blooms through the summer, rather than only a single flush of flowers that confines their beauty to July. This allows the lupins to be seen in a new light. STYLE IN THE STUMPERY Full of contrasting foliage textures and summer flowers, the stumpery is given an extra dimension, with the tops of the stumps planted as if they were containers. Daisy-like Erigeron flowers tumble from the tops, while towering euphorbias create a lush background. SOFTENED EDGES In his vision to keep the gardens up to date, head gardener Martin Duncan decided to remove the straight box hedges that edged the herbaceous…

‘MOONLIGHT WAVES’ With clear yellow markings on the falls, this is one of the longest flowering and most reliable of the Japanese irises. ‘GEI-SHO-UI’ Bred between 1890 and 1900 at the famous Yokohama nursery in Japan, this is one of the oldest irises in cultivation. ‘FOREIGN INTRIGUE’ A large showy flower, known as a tetraploid, it has a rich, dark colour and lemon markings. ‘PRAIRIE CHIEF’ A modern iris, bred in 1973, the striated falls are a rosy-mauve colour but have a yellow flash in the centre. ‘ROSE QUEEN’ One of the most beautiful old irises, bred in 1915, ‘Rose Queen’ has also been awarded an RHS Award of Garden Merit. ‘CAPRICIAN BUTTERFLY’ One of the late 20th century American irises, this is a fully double tetraploid with intricate markings…

INSECT MAGNETS When the meadow and the cottage garden are in full flower in summer, you can literally see the insect population in motion, flitting from bloom to bloom. Umbellifers, such as fennel as well as ox-eye daisies and alliums, seem to be the main insect magnets, providing bountiful pollen and nectar. PUB GRUB The vegetable garden is divided into small formal beds. “Since we bought the local pub, The Crown, which was in danger of closure, we have been sending rhubarb, asparagus, herbs and beans, and all that we can from the kitchen garden, to add a homegrown twist to our menus,” Emily says. INFORMAL BOX “I love the box trees when they look a little relaxed and uncut,” says Emily. “An old gardener said I should never shape…

• The style of planting is a natural one with plants spilling over paths. With this design of garden, it is a good idea to keep the borders to a similar style throughout, so that the garden flows from room to room. Allium cristophii, Alchemilla mollis, Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ and Verbena bonariensis are all ideal. • When planting near water, choose plants that like to keep their feet wet, such as marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), Cornus, Persicaria and Iris sibirica. • Include plenty of seating in the garden. Position scented plants near benches and close to the house, so their perfume can be appreciated.…

Like the accessories that add the finishing touches to a room in the house, a piece of sculpture for the garden is the perfect way to enhance an outdoor space. Prices vary considerably, depending on whether the piece is bespoke or bought off the peg, but a beautiful garden highlight is within the reach of every gardener. “When you’re choosing sculpture, there is normally one of two scenarios,” says Polly Bielecka, gallery director at Pangolin London Sculpture Gallery. “You either fall in love with a sculpture and find a way to make it work, or you have a spot in the garden for which you then go out and look for something. How you choose the sculpture would change depending on which scenario you have, but my first and foremost…

In 1917, Mrs Edward Harding wrote, in The Book of the Peony, ‘Within the past 20 years, Victor Lemoine of Nancy, who occupies the old establishment of Crousse, has become one of the world’s greatest hybridisers in peonies... His varieties – the most recent of the French introductions – are notable for their distinction of form and colouring, in addition to their rare beauty. Among the best are La Fiancée (1898), Madame Emile Lemoine (1899), Alsace-Lorraine (1906), Sarah Bernhardt (1906)...’ The peony flourished as a garden flower from the mid-19th century after a trio of French nurserymen, Jacques Calot, Auguste Dessert and Felix Crousse and an Englishman, James Kelway, began crossbreeding European Paeonia officinalis with Chinese Paeonia lactiflora, creating a range of flamboyant hybrids. Their big powder-puff flowers were perfect…

Heuchera and Tiarella are infinitely useful in the garden. Not only are they attractive and mostly evergreen, the leaves often assume richer shades in autumn and winter. The plants reach their ultimate height in a few months and then become broader and denser to provide an almost instant effect. Because their colours are so bright, it is easy to buy one of each and scatter them like dolly mixtures through the garden but, if you can refrain from buying every possible variety, it is better to plant them in groups of three or more. Heuchera tend to come into their own in containers and hanging baskets. Planted in autumn, they maintain condition in winter and bubble over with colour in spring when bulbs or bedding plants jostle for space and…

As spring moves into early summer, there seems to be so much to do in the garden. It can feel as if there are simply not enough hours in the day. But as you work, pause now and again to watch the birds. If you think you have a lot on your plate, then spare a thought for the birds caring for young – they really are working flat-out. As days lengthen, they are on duty from dawn to dusk. Arguably the busiest is the blue tit; if you have a nestbox in your garden there is a good chance that blue tits have taken residence. Watch that box from a distance, keeping still and quiet, and soon you’ll see a bird flit up to the entrance hole. It could…

On sunny afternoons, sheltered beds and borders should be buzzing with feeding bees, butterflies and hoverflies. The garden can provide nectar for insects all the way through to winter if there is an unbroken flowering succession from month to month. With a little thought you can make sure that something is always in flower. For an instant assessment of the garden’s value to bees, complete the Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s online quiz. It will give your garden a points rating and suggest bee-friendly plants that can be added to push that rating even higher, such as catmint (Nepeta), lavender, Echinops, Aquilegia and foxgloves, all in flower in June. For more information about gardening for bees visit www.bumble beeconservation.org…

1 Oxford Planters Ltd Oxford Planters Ltd are designers and manufacturers of hardwood planters, tables, benches, obelisks & garden gates. The hardwood products are all individually handmade to order in the company’s Oxfordshire workshop and are available in Oak, Iroko and Accoya®. Tel: 01608683022 - 07765188725 www.oxfordplanters.co.uk  info@oxfordplanters.co.uk 2 Garden Trading There’s nothing lovelier than a garden in full bloom, and Garden Trading has plenty to make sure yours looks its best! We’ve just launched all of our Barrington Plant Supports in a smart raw metal finish, and we have plenty of planters to brighten empty spots. For those short on space, why not fill up an ingenious Aldsworth Pot Ladder to add a riot of colour to even small gardens? 10% off your first order with code…

ON FORM SCULPTURE EXHIBITION 12 June-10 July, Cotswolds More than 200 works from 39 international sculptors will be on display in the remarkable gardens at Asthall Manor, near Burford. Tickets £10. 12-6pm. www.onformsculpture.co.uk FOREST OF DEAN SCULPTURE TRAIL Open all year, Gloucestershire Discover the hidden sculptures inspired by the history of their natural setting on this awe-inspiring four-mile walk. Beechenhurst Lodge, Coleford, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01594 822 612; www.forestofdean-sculpture.org.uk ENGLISH COUNTRY GARDEN FESTIVAL 10-12 June, Somerset Roy Lancaster headlines this celebration of horticultural heritage held in the Bishop’s Palace, Wells and its 14 acres of gardens. Tickets £7.99 or free for members. 10am-5pm. www.bishopspalace.org.uk EAST MIDLANDS FLOWER SHOW 25 June, East Midlands Walk through show gardens and be inspired by designs from local nurseries, colleges and landscapers at Newstead Abbey, the…

Create natural and easily accessible food for finches, tits and sparrows with these seed-bearing plants. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Flamingo’ This striking grass is a huge attraction for goldfinches and greenfinches. With beautiful pink flowers, the ornamental plant is best suited to sunny areas with good drainage. Remember to leave the seed heads on the plants throughout the year for the birds to feed on. Globe thistle ( Echinops ritro ) Large clumps produce masses of globe-shaped flower heads from mid to late summer, their spikes stuffed with seeds which finches love to feed on. Their vibrant blue flowers are also a great way to attract insects in the summer months. Teasel ( Dipsacus fullonum ) This biennial produces dusky seed heads containing thousands of small…

A FLOCK OF DOVES The yew topiary doves that form a guard of honour either side of the steps leading to the dovecote are both striking and whimsical. Emma feels too much evergreen can be depressing, but yew is tough and disease-resistant, so perfect for this sort of feature, where you don’t want any dieback. INDIAN DETAILS The figure of the bull at the centre of the formal pool surrounded by Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ is Nandi, who according to Hindu religion carried the god Shiva. There is another Indian theme in the kitchen garden, where the fruit cages are trimmed with a Mughalinspired fretwork. SUMMER DRESSING During the summer months, containers full of fragrant lilies are placed along the terrace, which was created when the family built two new wings…

• From spring through to June, I check the meadow thoroughly for ragwort (Senecio jacobaea). Since the meadow is going to be cut for hay, the smallest piece of ragwort could be dangerous for animals to whom the hay is given. I dig it out and burn it. • In spring I check to see if there are any gaps in the border plantings. I move plants from places where there are great blocks or clumps and I am fortunate that my two gardening inspirations, my mother and mother-in-law, give me wonderful plants from their own gardens. • The yew hedge in the front garden is not quite tall enough yet, but once it gets to about two metres I will trim it. I don’t want to shade the front…

THE SOUTHERN RIDGE OF THE NORTH Downs overlooks the tranquil Tillingbourne valley in south-east England. Inspiration to many famous artists, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is nourished by alluvial soil and boasts some of the prettiest villages in Surrey, with Tudor cottages, Georgian manor houses and Lutyens lodges all contributing to the pastoral scene of what seems like a bygone era. From its source at Tilling Springs on nearby Leith Hill, the river Tillingbourne meanders through sandy loam towards the river Wey at Guildford. The Old Netley Mill, a former pumping mill, lies between the villages of Gomshall and Shere, and is now a gently restored family home and garden. Candace Brooke moved to the Old Netley Mill in 2006 and clearly remembers the struggles in the garden 10…

“ An end to painting, an end to rotten posts - an end to constant maintenance. Colourfence is guaranteed† for up to 25 years! ” For me the decision to replace my fence became an easy one relatively quickly. My research, my conversations with neighbours, my reluctance to be constantly repairing my fence all led in one direction. I wanted quality, I wanted value and I wanted a company that I could trust. With Colourfence I was able to tick all of the boxes and make the process far more stress free than I could have hoped. It was clear that I was not the only one to think so. The Colourfence system offers a lasting solution to fencing woes. They use only the highest quality materials to ensure a truly…

• Garden design by James Soane and Christopher Ash, both at Project Orange. Tel: 020 7739 3035; www.projectorange.com • House, summerhouse and garden built by Elford & Sons. Tel: 01787 210714; www.elfordandsons.co.uk • Pleached trees, landscaping and topiary, ProScape. Tel: 01284 735779; www.pro-scape.co.uk • Plants from The Place for Plants. Tel: 01206 299 224; www.placeforplants.co.uk. Others from Wyevale Garden Centres. Tel: 0344 272 3000; www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk • Garden furniture includes two woven chairs, part of the Lyra Collection from www.made.com. Teak furniture, Cyan. Tel: 0208 655 6249; www.cyan-teak-furniture.com • Similar green-roof seed mix from Optigreen. Tel: 0203 5899 400; www.optigreen.co.uk…

“Choosing a sculpture is very subjective. It depends on what kind of style and material you like,” says Andrew Illingworth of online sculpture supplier FiveTwo Designs. “The big factor is cost, while the other is weight. Some sculptures can be put in position and left there forever; other people might want to move the piece around the garden, depending on the plants are looking good that season.” STONE Hand-carved stone makes for a long-lasting piece of sculpture. “If you have a piece of sculpture made from stone that has actually been quarried from deep down, you know it is millions of years old,” says Andrew. “On the other hand, stones such as sandstone are very heavy, so they are difficult to work with and tend to be quite expensive, even…

Design a roof garden for an apartment overlooking the Thames. It belongs to a young professional couple who want an outdoor space that is easy to maintain, looks good all year round and adds value to their property. The garden measures 4.5m wide by 8.5m long. It is accessed by sliding doors that run its entire width, and has a 1.5m high glass barrier to enclose it. It has a water and electricity supply and is designed to bear substantial weight. THE DETAILS • Design an urban roof garden to meet the brief above. You should produce a drawing on A3 paper with colouring where appropriate. Make a copy of your drawing before submission. • Provide a 100-word supporting document explaining the design. • Include a 200-word personal statement explaining…

Opening a catalogue of Heuchera has all the excitement and anticipation of a box of the finest quality chocolates: crisp dark cocoa, perfectly tempered and shiny, smooth milks and rich caramels, fruity blackcurrant, rich raspberry, subtle pistachio and zingy lemon and lime. The colours of heucheras are mouthwatering and addictive, but without the calories or the guilt. In the past decade or so, the range of Heuchera has increased exponentially, largely due to the breeding work of Dan Heims in Oregon, USA, and Thierry Delabroye in France. When I was young, Heuchera were rather dull perennials with marbled green leaves and wands of tiny flowers in shades of pink, red or cream. But by using a small number of forms with coloured leaves from a few species including Heuchera americana,…

‘PATTY’S PLUM’ This is one of the most popular and well-known Oriental poppies, and with good reason. Its colour and ruffled petals are a striking combination, making it one of the showiest varieties of its kind. It was discovered as a chance seedling on the compost heap of Somerset nurserywoman Patricia Marrow in the early 1990s. ‘Patty’s Plum’ is a tall plant – it can reach 85cm in height – and the flowers, which reach around 15cm in width, are held on long stems. The colour fades to an unusual brown that looks even more eye-catching when paired with a white Oriental poppy. ‘PRINZESSIN VICTORIA LOUISE’ An old, peachy-pink variety that has stood the test of time. Named after the only daughter of Kaiser Wilhelm II, this poppy is also…

PLANT A HEDGE Hedges are an exponential improvement on stark fences or walls for their wildlife benefits, providing both shelter and food in the case of berry-bearing shrubs. Bare-root hedges can be planted in winter, but if you can’t wait for young whips to establish, ‘instant’ hedging (below) is available. Choose a mix of native shrubs for maximum benefits. Suppliers such as Practicality Brown can provide – see www.pracbrown.co.uk INSTALL A SMALL POND Ponds are invaluable in a wildlife garden and need not be large – frogs and toads will spawn in a sunken washing-up bowl. If you have room, 4-5m2 is ideal, with a minimum depth of 30cm. Sloping sides and pebble ‘beaches’ give birds a place to bathe and provide an escape route for mammals such as hedgehogs.…

Gardens of the Italian Lakes By Stephen Desmond Frances Lincoln, £35 A profile of 16 gardens around Lake Como and Lake Maggiore in northern Italy, this sumptuously photographed volume is a celebration of garden grandeur. The prevailing style of the gardens featured is formal, with ornate terraces and baroque statues dominating many scenes. But there is also a celebration of diversity in the form of the glorious spring planting at Villa Táranto and the jawdropping rockery at the Villa Carlotta. The stories behind each garden are laced with detail and historical insight and the descriptions of the gardens as they are today is told with a familiarity that can only come from a seasoned visitor. The photography is inspiring for those seeking new ideas for their own garden, with an…

BLUEBELL ARBORETUM & NURSERY Specialists in hardy trees, shrubs and climbers including a huge selection of unusual and rare species and varieties. Expert advice is available from our helpful staff. The nursery is open to the public and surrounded by a lovely nine-acre woodland garden (RHS Partner Garden). Visitors are welcome all year round. Informative website & a reliable mail order service is available if you would like plants delivered. Tel: 01530 413700 sales@bluebellnursery.com | www.bluebellnursery.com Annwell Lane, Smisby, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire LE65 2TA WOOTTENS PLANTS Established for 25 years, Woottens is a traditional nursery specialising in hardy perennials, with some of the largest collections of Irises and Primula auriculas in England. Woottens also specialises in Pelargoniums and Hemerocallis. Mail order and design services. Horticultural courses running weekly.…

"One of the most romantic is Rosa gallica ‘Versicolor’, known as Rosa mundi , a beautiful deep pink, semi-double splashed with white" Can a garden ever have too many roses? Swagged on ropes and poles; draped over arbours and arches; trained up walls or threaded through trellis; scrambling through trees or sculpted into tunnels. Climbing roses, rambling roses, shrub roses; prostrate roses, standard roses, bush roses. Roses in tubs and pots, parterres and borders, woods and wildernesses. Do you know any other plant that is so protean? I must have hundreds but this year I surprised myself by buying still more. I fell in love with roses a long time ago. I still have old catalogues marked up with the first tentative notes…