Category: Horticulture

Shrubs in Shade

by zoe100675, posted in Horticulture, Shrubs, Soil

Some plants never do well in shade but it is surprising how many will perform in these conditions. Often this can be a determining factor for poor growth, little flora and general sickness.

Camellia’s can tolerate partial shade but the winter flowering variety sasanqua must have a full sun location to perform well. Found as a woodland plant often the more shaded the better. The varieties of x williamsii and japonica are hardy and can take hard pruning after flowering. Neutral to acidic soil are ideal conditions.

Skimmia’s too are evergreen and provide elements of interest through the seasons, produce berries for birds in winter and give a profusion of fragrant white flowers in the springtime. They do well in partial shade to full shade and prefer an acidic soil. The leaves can burn in full sun. No real maintenance to speak of, just unwanted growth. Woodland origins.

Azaleas do not respond to being in full sun so similarly suited to partial shade. A heathland plant which prefers a good drained spot with an acidic reading. No real pruning necessary but to control size. The varieties are highly scented and come in a wealth of colours. Light pruning after flowering.

Sambucus nigra has equally attractive foliage and can lift the dullest of corners. It also offers scented cream flowers in the summer months. It does like some sunlight but will happy enough in partial shade. In autumn, it provides deeply rich berries to wildlife as a necessary food source. Origins of a wasteland plant but some interesting cultivars. S. ‘golden tower’ and S. ‘black lace’.

Daphne’s prefer a neutral to more alkaline soil but still prefer a cooler spot. Daphne perform well in sheltered gardens in well drained conditions. They do not tolerate drought so moisture retentive soil packed with nutrients is necessary. The shrub is highly scented and hosts attractive pink flowers. Good solid hardy shrub.

Textural Plants

by zoe100675, posted in Flowers, Horticulture, Soil


Amazing results can be achieved by using textural elements of plants, either through the leaves or flowers. Usually perennials will give your border that extra zing when coupled with contrasting plants or as a cluster of the specimen.

Echinops bannaticulus (blue globe thistle) these flower in summer and are best planted in a cluster. The flowering period can be prolonged by cutting off dead heads. On the whole, very low maintenance but have a tendency to disperse in wind. These seeds can easily germinate where their not wanted so another reason to cut flowers heads off when spent.

Another Echinops is ritro ‘veitch ‘s blue’ – this flowers in late summer and again the same rules apply. The specimen tolerates all soils as long as it is free draining. You can propagate these by division.

Monarda, or ‘Bergamot’ as it is commonly known possess strikingly attractive flowers. In summer, it offers an architectural element in any mixed border and its crimson colour is distinctive especially in a cluster grouped with any contrasting foliage.

Monarda didyma is commonly used for its crimson red effect although there are pink and purple varieties.

Eryngium bourgatii (Sea holly) runs throughout summer and offers architectural value in a perennial border up until autumn. It survives in poor soil as long as it has light and is sheltered to an extent. It also prefers to be in free draining soil and will not sit in waterlogged loam.

Eryngium planum offers summer flowers and is particularly good in clusters. Needs to be in full sun. Eryngium can have quite long roots. When they are settled avoid root disturbance as they don’t like being moved.

Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ is a perfect foliage plant that provides effective mat forming clumps or low growing ground cover at the front of any perennial border. Very hardy. Stachys does lose its leaves eventually in winter ready for its spring growth. Survives in sandy soil and can withstand drought conditions.

Hosta undulata ‘ Mediovariegata’ is another choice for effective foliage at the front of a mixed border. The variegated leaves are clump forming and provide effective colour – they prefer slight shade and an acidic more humus rich environment. If the soil is too alkaline the leaves will suffer chlorosis. It is also a good idea to place them in a slightly sheltered spot as they don’t tolerate particularly cold winds.

A relatively recent addition to the foliage selection is Senecio ‘Angel Wings’ it has proven to be very successful despite only being cultivated in the last couple of years. Clump forming and generally maintenance free it offers all year round colour. It does bear yellow flowers in summer although that’s not what it known for. Needs a more humus rich than sandy soil. However, it will not tolerate being wet so must be free draining but have some substance. It likes the sun and will thrive in these conditions. It is good at sustaining its vigour with harsh cold winds but if the temperature really drops well below 0, it is a good idea to relocate or protect from the elements.

Prehistoric Plants

by zoe100675, posted in Horticulture, Shrubs, Trees

A plants survival will often depend on its ability to adapt as evolution changes the conditions it grows in, the climate it is exposed to. The flowering varieties we take for granted today are probably the most recent to evolve and largely pre dominate our landscapes. Shrubs/trees like Magnolia (m. x soulangeana) are older than we think. The species and non flowering vegetation that bear leaves, needles and cones – these evergreens can produce attractive colour interest, often blue. (Firs) Abies koreana, abies pinsapo ‘Glauca’, (conifers) Cupressus, Chamaeyparis, Cedrus (cupressus leylandii, chamaeyparis lawsonia, cedrus deodora), Pinus sylvestris (scots pine) all have a tenuous link to prehistoric times and are still here.  Lichens, Mosses and Algae seem to point to where it all began as you would expect with our transition from water to land.

Ferns – Dicksonia anartica – the tree fern can reach up to 6 m in the right conditions. Other smaller varieties include deer fern, Blechuum spicant an attractive variety that good for shade in enriched soil.  Polypody vulgare –  common polypody is another that is suited to shade. It is tolerant of dry, gritty areas which make it ideal for cracks in walls.

A plant which is more of a nuisance than anything else but pre dates us is Horsetail.  (Equisetum) It can reproduce itself by a fraction of its growth. Each segment is in effect a new plant. It is highly invasive, roots deeply and spreads quickly. It makes it difficult to treat since the waxy exterior is non – penetrable and needs to be cracked for anything to be absorbed.

Palms too are known to have evolved early. Chamaerops humilis – the mediterranean palm offers dwarf varieties and larger specimens. A hardy specimen that will love full sun where soil is free draining. Although discovered a lot later in the 19th century,  Tracycarpus fortunei will have distant roots to the earliest of palms. A hardy variety but to shelter from winds and particularly colder climes. The reason perhaps some plants survived mass extinctions was the protection and efforts to keep them in cultivation. Gingko’s or Maidenhair tree exist still – you have the Chinese monks to thank for that.

Special Features

by zoe100675, posted in Flowers, Hedges, Horticulture, Shrubs

Plants can possess a number of traits that makes them popular and widely incorporated in planting. Below are a selection that used often for a particular asset.

Flowers

Kalmia augustiflora – It bears summer flowers in full sun. An acid loving evergreen. It does prefer some moisture so will not tolerate drought conditions. It can get leggy, similar to Rhododendrons and seems to develop in this way. Cutting it back harshly will regenerate its vigour.
Azaleas too can grow beautifully in acidic soil and do prefer a partial shade since they can get burnt. It is important to trim back to existing buds when spent or before the end of July/August, this will create other buds. Azaleas are related to Rhododendrons so they too have a tendency to get leggy from inside. Camellia’s survive in this environment and are appreciated for their double and single blooms. They can be species offering flowers at spring and autumn. The main needs would be space, no competition for moisture and nutrients. Camellia’s like some shelter but also a degree of sun, sometimes can sit in over watered areas if need be. I think once in situ and established though do not tolerate being moved. Some Virburnum will display a yield of berries in autumn. While,  v. japonica will give you the summer white flowers, the deciduous varieiy will give a show autumn to spring like ‘bodnantense’ dawn later on.

Scented

Philadelphus (Mock Orange) has citrus scented white flowers. A spring to summer flowering shrub.  It is versatile and adapts to all aspects, soils, and ph levels but cannot abide sitting in waterlogged soil. Prune after flowering quite low to a bulging bud and it will regenerate twice fold. Daphne odora ‘aurea-marginata’ – a fragrant evergreen producing attractive leaves and pink flowers. It has a compact habit and keeps itself relatively neat with only removal of unwanted growth.  Prune after flowering taking crossing branches providing space for new shoots. Any damaged or diseased too. This cultivar is hardier than some specimens. Syringa (Lilac) – a highly scented shrub/tree. Lilacs like full sun but not all the time. A little shade is welcome and in well drained soil. Choosing the dwarf variety guarantees you get a shrub and a neat, compact habit.  Syringa pubescens ‘Miss Kim’ pale pink to white will give you a compact shrub as will another smaller variety, syringa meyeri ‘palibin’ suited to containers, patios, terraces or borders. These are dwarf but they will thicken out and are chosen for their neat habit.

Foliage

Elaegnus pungens or ebbingei ‘Limelight’ a brightly variegated shrub, it has a non-variegated counterpart. Good in all aspects like full sun, partial, soil type and moisture tolerant. Gives white scented flowers in autumn. Hosts an interesting opaque leaf variegated or green. Euonymous fortuneii is a really versatile border shrub that can sit on its own or in a plant combination. Euonymous has striking variegated specimens – ‘Emerald n Gold, ‘Emerald Gaiety’, ‘Dan’s Delight’ are all cultivars with added interest. A trim to maintain a bushy habit is the only maintenance necessary or if the plant is reverting to its original form and you wish to keep the variegation. Laurus nobilis ‘bay’ – attractive highly aromatic leaves. Often misunderstood as a large shrub, is infact a tree and has the potential to grow to 12m (40ft) if given the chance. It prefers to be in the sun in well drained soil. It is semi hardy but in colder climes good to provide additional shelter from the wind and frost. Photinia x fraseri ‘Red robin’ a free standing shrub or unconventional hedge, pruning will make it more dense. Pieris ‘forest flame’ bell shaped flowers in spring. An evergreen. The colour of the leaves will change from red and mature to green. No pruning necessary – just cut out straggly bits. Prunus lusitanica – Portuguese laurel has attractive foliage in the autumn but bears flowers in spring.

Habitat/Beneficial birds/Insects

Empetrum nigrum (Crowberry) An effective ground cover. They are for human consumption but not generally known as an edible berry. Good in shaded spots and with other acid loving plants. A hardy evergreen providing berries. Pyracantha has a show of white flowers in summer and usually successful in well drained soil free standing, against a wall or trellis. It is great for bees in the summer and birds/wildlife in the winter. It needs little maintenance but for its thorns, when it does it can be a pain. Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn) is a winter hedging plant but provides us with white flowers in spring, foliage as a food source for butterflies and moths, berries for hibernating mammals and birds. Crataegus (Hawthorn) offers food and shelter for birds and wildlife, insects are drawn in the flowering period mid spring. Unfortunately hawthorn is widely used as a hedge and often clipped before the heavily scented flowers bloom to their maximum.

Ground Cover For Cracks

by zoe100675, posted in Flowers, Horticulture, Services, Shrubs

Instead of pointing the cracks of a path or wall, extraordinary results can be achieved by filling the void with flowering ground cover plants. A carpet of colour can substitute the most boring of bricks or paving.

In one pot sits a number of plants, only a small amount of piece of fiborous root is needed to be tucked under the surface. Under the right conditions it will root itself and the rest is done. A small amount of soil is needed perhaps within the cracks but only as a root zone. Some species may even be able to cope with a gritty composite of almost no humus rich matter. It will live off the minerals of rocks nearby.

White flowers include – Thymus serpyllum ‘Snowdrift’ – a creeping thyme. Iberis sempervirens – good as foliage and flowers in spring and summer. Cerastium tomentosum – fantastic grey foliage and white flowers – a spreading habit throughout spring into summer. Saxifraga sancta – a true alpine that draws its goodness from the stones around it. Erigeron karvinskianus – providing pink and white ground cover for months.

Pink flowers – Chamomile ‘Treneague’ – effective in sun and shade, gives off an aroma when bruised. Dianthus deltoides ‘maiden pink’ – highly scented, late spring to summer of white, red or pink. Thymus praecox ‘Coccineus’ – pink to red flowers, mat forming and highly scented.

Red flowers – Dianthus deltoids ‘Flashing lights’ providing a striking show from late summer to autumn. Portulaca (moss rose) too provides an assortment of colours including red, orange, white although can be a bit particular about their environment. Must be in full sun and in sandy, free draining soil but at the same time cannot withstand really dry periods, because of their size and habit care must be taken when watering as the flowers can easily be damaged.

Blue Flowers – Aubretia – ‘Blue carpet’ – from spring to summer provides a carpet of blue to violet flowers, deadhead to thicken growth. Cornflower ‘Trailing Blue Carpet’- to prepare for following year indoors or sow in spring outside, mat forming and trailing annual. Geranium ‘Rozanne’ – repeats of blooms throughout summer, but may need a substantial root zone in humus rich soil. It has a relative ‘Johnson’s blue’ but the blooms are not as striking and its habit needs more attention to control. Veronica x ‘Blue reflection’ – a spring flowering ground cover plant crossed with parenting plants for it’s resilience and flowering habit.

Purple flower – Vinca minor – a carpet forming late summer to autumn flower. Vinca major, a relative has the same showy flower but larger and more invasive. Good for shaded neglected spots. Verbena Tapien ‘Purple Passion’ and ‘Blue Violet’ provide flowers throughout spring and summer forming a dense cover to any bare spot. The hybrid ‘blue violet’ requires no deadheading and is extremely low maintenance. Primula tyrolensis – a dwarf flowering primrose. This flowers through winter and often in poor soil but doesn’t like being wet and prefers some shelter in well drained soil. Campanula poscharskyana ‘Blue Waterfall’ flowers from late spring to summer proving to be popular with beneficial insects and requires no maintenance.