Hedging your bet

First box blight and now the risk of box tree caterpillar. Is our ongoing relationship with box seriously coming under threat? And are attempts to keep both disease and pest attack at bay futile, when there are alternatives.

Clipped edging and topiary have long been a staple in many an English garden. Yew (taxus) in particular, is the king. Not only as a superb evergreen hedge but also as playful objects, with many an intriguing shape scultpured by mans' creativity. Such is the size of these individuals creations, they are left generally for the more prominent positions in the garden...and a large one at that!

Topiary at Great Dixter 

Something smaller that would be suitable to edge a sunny path, could be one of the many varieties of lavender. A tidy up in early spring keeps the plants relatively contained, taking care not to cut back into old wood, and a quick clip in autumn to remove the flowered stems. If you wish to create a more relaxed form of edging to separate two areas of the garden, Pennisetum 'Fairy Tails' could be the answer and offers you a naturalistic option. One cut mid-spring is all that's needed.

Pennisetum 'Fairy Tails'

About 4 years a go I started work on a new client's garden and during that time we've made numerous additions and edits to enhance the outdoor space. One site that was in need of a little creativity was around the back of the house where the sloping lawn butts up to the adjoining patio. This 'not-so-green' carpet, always struggled to look pleasing, particularly in summer, given the gradient and poor soil.

By removing an arc of grass to make a new border, this sloping ground was planted up with Teucrium x lucidrys (Hedge Germander).  It was a plant my client had first seen at Highgrove where it had replaced the diseased box hedges. It could be trimmed just after flowering to ensure a neat shape throughout the year, similar to box, but without the tiresome onslaught of pests and diseases. It would also be able to cope with the poor soil and sun drenched location that it would have to deal with.

Teucrium x lucidrys (Hedge Germander)

Despite the compaction the area was well broken up - with a pick axe! The teucrium, very much like the Mediterranean herbs, will thrive if grown tough and hard so no pampering was necessary. The area was planted up in early autumn from cuttings my client had taken in the previous year; therefore, allowing them plenty of time to get their roots established before the onset of winter.

The newly planted area

In time, I would hope to have a solid block (raised about 6 inches from the slabs) and for that level to be maintained throughout the area. Early signs are promising with further planting considered along the whole of the lawn's boundary with the patio. 

Encouraging the plants at the bottom to eventually reach the height of those at the summit may take a couple of years but I'm hedging my bet on a successful and creative outcome...and no box in sight! 

Teucrium x lucidrys beginning to knit together  

Spring jewels

Daffodils, to many, evoke the coming of spring. Scattered in vast quantities around many gardens and loose clumps in our grass verges, the colour yellow certainly grabs your attention. Spring, however, plays host to another genus. A genus whose rise to fame could possibly be put down to one man who caught the attention of the masses at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016.



It was an exhibit that was artistically and lovingly created by plantsman and owner of Ashwood Nurseries, John Massey VMH. Immaculately presented, it was inconceivable not to be in awe of this enchanting arrangement of his beloved plants, Hepaticas.

The genus comes from across the northern temperate zones; from America, most of Asia and Europe, although sadly, none exist in the UK. They are seen growing in the wild, on sunny slopes under deciduous woodlands and enjoy nothing better than basking in the spring sunshine. Once the tree canopy closes in, it offers them the much needed shade for the remaining summer months.





If you're unable to provide them with an Alpine House, the only ones really suitable for a garden setting would limit you to those from Europe. Hepatica nobilis, widespread throughout most of Europe, have shades predominately of blue and purple. H. transsalvanica, coming mainly from the Carpathian mountains in Romania, the colour is largely blue (See below) or seldomly white or pink. Incorporate a plentiful supply of leaf mould before planting, give them sharp drainage and always ensure you loosen the soil around the plants after working in the garden. This will help you, in some way, to achieving some green fingered success.

For those fortunate enough to be able to house them in an Alpine House, the choice is widened to the more tricky species such as those from Asia and America. In order to house his obsessive collection and to keep his breeding programme fluent, it's hardly surprising that John's Alpine House is quite a substantial affair. Similar results however, can be achieved with a much smaller construction or even a cold frame but ventilation is key.

Division is done in September - every 2 years or so. Carefully tease the plant apart and pot up in a free draining compost. Compress the compost very lightly and water well.

As with all collections, they start small but we all know where it eventually leads.

Heavenly hellebores

Although we're still in the latter grips of winter, more flowers are emerging on a weekly basis and hellebores are joining the party. Although there are a vast array of colours to choose from, the hybridisers are still finding new colours with longer lasting flowers, stronger stems and even leaf colour becoming an added feature.

A recent addition at Suburban HQ is Helleborus (Rodney Davey Marbled Group) 'Penny's Pink' - named after the garden writer and designer Penelope Hobhouse.  This is an evergreen interspecies with dusky pink flowers accompanied by flushed pink marbling on its newly emerging leaves in spring. It's only been in position for a couple of weeks so it's far too early to provide a full assessment - only tell will tell.

As a woodland plant, it's best placed beneath deciduous trees and shrubs where it offers a welcome splash of colour to a shady corner of your garden. Peppered with snowdrops and cyclamen coum, an area of ground can easily be transformed into a rich tapestry of winter colour.

Soil preparation is key and shouldn't be flippantly ignored. They like a rich soil, so incorporate plenty of leaf mould into the hole. If this isn't available, garden compost is an alternative option. A sprinkling of bonemeal also ensures you've given it the best start in life.

When you want to get up close, an easy way is to carefully snip off some flower heads and place in a bowl of water. This can then be placed inside on your dining room table or, positioned in a quiet tranquil corner of your garden.

It should be noted that all parts of the plant are toxic so handle with care.

Winter charm

Whilst deciduous trees and shrubs take their well-earned winter rest, it provides a fleeting opportunity to plant some winter and early spring bulbs whilst the sun can penetrate this open canopy. Cyclamen coum are some of the earliest to show their delicate faces beneath the occupied space of my acer, soon to be followed by Galanthus 'Wendy's Gold' which is quite an exquisite yellow snowdrop.

Thereafter, the show will follow on with chionodoxa and the spring jewels themselves. Hepaticas!

As the acer opens its buds, the canopy closes in, the winter bulbs will go into summer dormancy and the hepaticas can relax and enjoy their summer rest in the partial shade of their host. 

The future's bright - the future's orange

Cornus (commonly known as dogwood), probably go unnoticed throughout the summer but they soon make a dash for centre stage around autumn and hold the spotlight right the way through until late winter when their stems are pollarded in readiness for a fresh year of growth.

Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' and C. 'Midwinter Fire' are both excellent varieties and holders of the coveted AGM and certainly popular within the dogwood family. They differ in stem and leaf colour but are 'good doers' nonetheless. There is one however, that I came aware of a couple of years ago. Not as common as those previously mentioned but C. 'Anny's Winter Orange' has an exceptional display. At this time of year the leaves are slowly changing tones - from coral to orange and finally to yellow before its winter stems are finally revealed in all their glory. Slightly smaller in stature than the aforementioned but size doesn't really matter - does it?

 

Although they will cope with partial shade, exposure to full winter sun will intensify its orange and red coloured stems. Let the plant grow for 2-3 seasons before cutting hard back to a low framework towards the end of February, then annually thereafter. If you want a greater impact, plant 3 relatively close together rather than isolated specimens. For a simple combination, surround with snowdrops for an extended season of interest.

The cones are here

Ornamental grasses are still looking fabulous at the moment but other plants too, such as echinacea and eryngium are holding their shape well, even when their flowers have given up the ghost. So, don't be in a rush to cut everything back just to make your garden tidy. Your plants will be in much better shape if left to gracefully ebb away, not to mention providing the plant's footings, vital protection from frost damage and safeguarding your soil of unnecessary erosion. Last but by no means least, great food for wildlife also.

A quiet and unasuming star

August can be a tricky month in the garden but there are some plants that effortlessly span the latter days of summer into the early days of autumn. Hydrangeas being one notable plant that is very much underused and would certainly fit the bill. That aside, there are still some relatively unknown specimens certainly worth giving a go. One plant in particular is Tricyrtis, commonly know as the Toad Lily. Many people think it's exotic and tender - on the contrary. In my own garden I've placed it in a Northerly aspect adjacent to a hornbeam hedge so little wonder I'd say it's as 'tough as old boots.' An eye-catching addition to any 'woodlandy' shady border, growing to about 0.5m tall and as slender as 30cm, it hardly takes up any space. Give it a go!