SEASON’S

GREETINGS

Victorian Lodge, Sweden

Discover the secret of Hartley Botanic by calling UK - 0800 783 8083 or visit www.hartley-botanic.co.uk
USA - 781 933 1993 or visit www.hartley-botanic.com

NOTHING ELSE IS A HARTLEY

The only aluminium Glasshouses and Greenhouses endorsed by the RHS
© The Royal Horticultural Society 2020. Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society. Registered Charity No 222879/SC038262 rhs.org.uk
 PL ANTING IDEAS • BEAUTIFUL GARDENS • EXPERT ADVICE

GA DENS
Celebrate
theseason plantstobrighten
winterdays Make
awild
wreath

PLUS
’s best FIND YOUR PERFECT
apple tree
I ENTIFYING LICHENS
on winter walks
Perfect Christmas
presents for gardeners
 Garden Masterclass SUPPORTED BY

Annie Guilfoyle & Noel Kingsbury are GARDEN MASTERCLASS

and this is what we do
Ø
Live workshops for gardeners, designers and landscape professionals

An extensive programme of webinars with recordings available from our online library

A weekly pro bono broadcast with past recordings on our YouTube channel

Workshops and lectures with industry leaders such as Tom Stuart-Smith, Dan Pearson & Piet Oudolf,
as well as rising stars from all over the world.

We are global - events in 2020 have ‘taken’ us to Pennsylvania, Buenos Aires, Jodhpur,
Hokkaido, Atlanta, Chicago, Bergamo, Kiev, Vilnius and Christchurch.

We now have a friends’ membership scheme offering priority booking, discounts on curated
products and online events and invitations to exclusive live events.
Come and join us!

Learn, share and experience knowledge, skills and ideas in gardening and garden design
gardenmasterclass.org [email protected]
Editor’s letter

J
upiter Artland is Scotland’s foremost
contemporary sculpture park. Nestled within
its 22 acres, through a heavy wooden gate,
is its most recent installation. A collaboration
between the artist Joana Vasconcelos and
gardener Thomas Unterdorfer, Gateway
is a whimsical pool garden created in the shape
of a splash where the space is part of the art.
Graphic topiary in beech, box, laurel and yew
work in contrast to the dynamism of the
pool and look mesmerising in winter’s frost.
With crisp winter walks in mind, gardener
Hannah Gardner considers the subtle beauty
of lichens. Lichens thrive on rock, wood and tree
bark, and are most visible when trees are not in
leaf. In a practical spotters’ guide, Hannah
identifies those most commonly found.
On page 21 we highlight the best Christmas
presents for gardeners, from small wonders to gifts
that last a lifetime, including
hand-forged Swedish tools and
a gardener’s leather trug.
Wishing you all a very
happy Christmas,

LUCY BELLAMY, EDITOR

JASON INGRAM

Find out how a gerden has become part

of the art at Jupiter Artland , page 62.

3
Contents
DECEMBER 2020

Plants People
28 Plantsman’s favourites 68 Who’s who Waterperry
Wildside’s Keith Wiley Gardens’ self-taught head
chooses his ten favourite gardener Pat Havers on a
plants for December lifetime spent loving her place
48 Christmas at home Deck the of work and why there was no
halls in style this Christmas with messing with Miss Havergal
ideas for natural decorations

54
and present wrapping
Plant profile: Cotoneaster
Design
Plantsman Andy McIndoe 93 Design update Including
selects the best of news of plans for a memorial
these versatile and low- garden in Manchester,
maintenance shrubs wildflowers in the centre
84 Heart of the home Head of Liverpool and a new phase
gardener Matthew Reese for The Laskett Gardens
shows how best to arrange 97 Design sourcebook Nine
plants around a fireplace of the best terracotta pots
86 Know your lichen Learn how to
recognise some of the UK’s
most common species of lichen
Regulars
114 Begonia The houseplant 3 Editor’s letter
world’s great pretender can 6 Contributors
be a challenge, but persevere 15 Dig in This month: the best
and rewards will be yours of the Christmas season’s
garden light trails, a new cacti
Places subscription scheme and an
orange-scented lemon balm
38 Sculpting nature In her 21 Gifts for gardeners Christmas
lakeside garden, Monique present ideas for gardeners
Gudgeon has used shrubs and 32 Subscription offer Save
grasses to create a strongly money when you subscribe to
structured showcase for her the digital edition of Gardens
husband Simon’s art Illustrated this month
62 A brighter splash A calm 34 Cold comforts Midwinter is
and static green garden both a time to dig and a time to
provides the perfect setting relax for Great Dixter’s gardener
for a colourful new addition to cook, as Aaron shares his tips
the permanent artworks at on soil health and how to make
Jupiter Artland in Scotland best use of your winter crops
70 Formal thinking For their 36 Gardening talent Meet
Flanders farmhouse, Olivier Alexander Summers, the
and Trudy Vico have made glasshouse supervisor
a formal garden that also at Cambridge University
exudes colourful planting Botanic Garden
78 Traditional taste Among 99 Books Our pick of the best
the fields of apple trees at the gardening reads from 2020
ANNAÏCK GUITTENY

traditional family run nursery 104 Christmas Crossword

RV Roger you are sure to find 108 Stockists and back issues
an apple tree that is perfect 113 Next issue What’s coming
for your garden up in January

4
 Subscribe
& save
take out a digital
subscription to
Gardens Illustrated
SEE PAGE 32

COVER IMAGE
Cotoneaster lacteus by GAP
Photos/Robert Mabic

ON THE COVER
Plants to brighten winter
days, pages 28, 54, 70
Perfect Christmas presents
for gardeners, page 21
Make a wild wreath, page 48
Find your perfect apple
tree, page 78
Identifying lichens on
winter walks, page 86
Win this year’s best
gardening books†, page 99

EVENTS AND
OFFERS
• Join us on two garden
tours: to Morocco with guest
host designer Tom Stuart-Smith,
and to France’s rose gardens
with rosarian Michael
Marriott – page 10
• Book now for our tour of the
best gardens in Provence, in the
company of James and Helen
Basson – page 12
• Save money when you
subscribe to the digital edition
of Gardens Illustrated – page 32
• Win all 14 of our gardening
books of the year†– page 99
• Receive a free Diakon canvas
tote bag when you spend more
than £100 at Niwaki – page 106
• Save on a selection of species
hellebores from Woottens of
Wenhaston†† – page 107

†
Books competition open to UK
residents only.
††
Hellebore offer available to mainland
UK residents only.

Our packaging
Subscriber copies of Gardens
Illustrated are now delivered
in paper wrapping instead of
recyclable plastic polywrap.
This paper wrap is 100% recyclable
and made from sustainably
sourced paper. Please recycle
in your kerbside recycling
Sculptural waves of shrubs and grasses create bin. We would love to hear your
a bold backdrop to an art collection, page 38. feedback, please contact us at
[email protected]

5
We give Contributors
you the tools,
you create

NICOLA FAVARON
the garden. Thomas
Unterdorfer
Thomas reveals the
Hannah Gardner
Hannah offers a guide
to spotting lichens
PatrickMorgan
Patrick illustrates
our houseplant
art of creating a pool on winter walks, column, page 114.
garden, page 62. “The page 86. “As we enjoy “Plants within the
garden became part the skeletal beauty environment have
Brand new online learning of Gateway, and the of wintery days it’s always been at the
story of a drop worth tuning in to the forefront of art, from
with gardencourses.com of water falling from
the heavens.”
miniature wonderland
of lichens.”
David Hockney to
Ellsworth Kelly.”

launching on
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
1st December 2020.

At gardencourses.com we put
you in control and help you achieve
results that work for you and
your garden. ANDREW MONTGOMERY

ANDREW MONTGOMERY
We know that modern gardeners want to be eco-aware
and use their garden to relax and be healthy in. Our
courses draw on the latest information and techniques
from the world of horticulture and have a strong focus JamesBasson
on sustainability and eco-friendly gardening. 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.

• Courses designed by expert horticulturists and Fergus Garrett

Fergus was appointed head gardener at Great Dixter by Christopher Lloyd
constantly updated in 1993. He is passionate about passing on his knowledge through student
• Learn online anywhere, at any time 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.
• Fit study around your personal schedule and
commitments 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. She lives and gardens in Dorset.

Register for more details at Dan Pearson

www.gardencourses.com Dan is one of the UK’s best-known garden designers, familiar to many
instagram@onlinegardencourses through his gardening columns in the Observer magazine. Eight of his
facebook@onlinegardencourses gardens, including the Tokachi Millennium Forest in Japan, have won awards
and he was awarded Best in Show for his garden at Chelsea in 2015.

Sarah Price
Unearth Your Sarah is one of the UK’s most sought-after garden designers who gained
Learning Potential worldwide recognition for her designs for the 2012 London Olympic
Park. She won Gold at Chelsea in 2012 and 2018, and was GMG Garden
Columnist of the Year in 2016 for her design series in Gardens Illustrated.
 LIFE SIZE ANIMAL SCULPTURE
Free UK delivery
HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US
Subscription enquiries and back issues
UK 03330 162114
USA/CANADA 1 866 464 8103 (TOLL-FREE)
REST OF THE WORLD +44 1604 973722
UK buysubscriptions.com/contact
buysubscriptions.com/gardensillustrated
USA/CANADA [email protected], britsubs.com/garden
UK/REST OF THE WORLD Gardens Illustrated, PO Box 3320,
3 Queensbridge, Northampton NN4 7BF.
USA/CANADA Gardens Illustrated, PO BOX 37495, Boone, IA 50037-0495 USA.

Advertising enquiries
+44 (0)117 300 8805 [email protected]

Editorial enquiries
+44 (0)117 300 8622 [email protected]
Gardens Illustrated, Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited,
Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST.

Syndication & Licensing

Gardens Illustrated is available for licensing and syndication.
+44 (0)117 300 8787 [email protected]

App support
For App support please visit apps.immediate.co.uk/support
www.andrewkaysculpture.co.uk
We abide by IPSO’s rules and regulations. To give feedback about our magazines, please visit
Immediate.co.uk, email [email protected] or write to Katherine Conlon,
Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST.
07740 306412
MAGAZINE CONTACTS
EDITORIAL
Editor Lucy Bellamy
Contributing editors James Basson, Fergus Garrett, Anna Pavord, Dan Pearson, Sarah Price
Deputy editor Sorrel Everton
Art director David Grenham
Deputy art editor Niki Goss
Production editor Juliet Giles
Digital editor Daisy Bowie-Sell
Editorial assistant Katie Dutton
Botanical adviser Dr James Compton
Thanks this issue Liam McAuley, Jenny Price
ADVERTISING
Group advertising manager Laura Jones 0117 300 8509 [email protected]
Advertising manager Heather Golden 0117 300 8805 [email protected]
Business development manager Sophie North 0117 300 8804 [email protected]
Brand sales executive Phil Wallington 0117 300 8807 [email protected]
Classified sales executive Elle Butcher 0117 300 8756 [email protected]
Advertising designer Parvin Sepehr
INSERTS
Laurence Robertson +353 (0)876 902208
CIRCULATION, MARKETING, PRESS & PR
Newstrade manager Rob Brock
Subscriptions director Jacky Perales-Morris
Direct marketing manager Aimee Rhymer
Press officer Dom Lobley [email protected]
MANAGEMENT
Chief executive officer Tom Bureau
Managing director, Bristol Andy Marshall
Managing director, specialist Marie Davies
Promotions and partnerships Rosa Sherwood
manager, specialist
Publishing assistant Lara Von Weber
SYNDICATION & LICENSING
Director of licensing & syndication Tim Hudson THIS MAGAZINE IS OWNED AND PUBLISHED
BY IMMEDIATE MEDIA COMPANY BRISTOL
PRODUCTION
Production director Sarah Powell
Production managers Rose Griffiths, Louisa Molter
Junior production co-ordinator Georgia Tolley

Standard subscription rates: UK £64.87 per annum; Eire and Europe £74.87 for 13 issues; rest of the world £79.87 for 13 issues. Distribution
Frontline, Peterborough. US distribution Source IPD/Speedimpex. Email [email protected] Printed in the UK by William Gibbons Ltd. Gardens
Illustrated (ISSN 0968-8920) (USPS 015-608) is published 13 times a year (monthly with a Special issue in July) by Immediate Media Company
Bristol, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST, UK. Distributed in the USA by NPS Media Group, 2 Corporate Drive, Ste. 945, Shelton, CT
06484. Periodical postage paid at Shelton, CT and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Gardens Illustrated, PO
Box 37495, Boone, IA 50037-0495. Unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or transparencies are accepted on the
understanding that the publishers incur no liability for their storage or return. The contents of this magazine are
fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without permission. The Gardens Illustrated cover is
printed on 250gsm Respecta Gloss produced in Belgium by Burgo; the china clay filler is supplied from the UK.
The Immediate Media Company Limited is working to ensure that all of its paper is sourced from well-managed Jan-Dec 2019
forests. This magazine can be recycled for use in newspapers and packaging. Please remove any gifts, samples
or wrapping and dispose of it at your local collection point. All prices are correct at time of going to press.
38,438*
*Combined print
© Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited 2020. Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. ISSN 0968-8920. and digital sales
 More of our best
investment ideas
Less time and effort
for you
Discover the investment trust that’s been trusted by
generations since 1888.
Diversification is one of the golden rules of investing, and we
achieve this through our multi-manager approach. But we also
aim to add value by including only the managers’ very best
ideas in our portfolio.1 A portfolio that aims to outperform
world stock markets over the long term,2 while shielding you
from some of the risks of active investing. Ultimately, we do
all the hard work of constructing a global equity portfolio, so
you don’t have to.
To find out more, easily, visit alliancetrust.co.uk/time

:KHQ LQYHVWLQJ \RXU FDSLWDO LV DW ULVN 7KH YDOXH RI \RXU LQYHVWPHQW PD\ ULVH RU IDOO
DV D UHVXOW RI PDUNHW XFWXDWLRQV DQG \RX PLJKW JHW EDFN OHVV WKDQ \RX LQYHVWHG
Alliance Trust PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is registered in Scotland No SC1731.
5HJLVWHUHG R FH 5LYHU &RXUW :HVW 9LFWRULD 'RFN 5RDG 'XQGHH '' -7 $OOLDQFH 7UXVW 3/& JLYHV
QR QDQFLDO RU LQYHVWPHQW DGYLFH
1
As rated by Willis Towers Watson. 2 MSCI All Country World Index.
 Le Jardin Secret.

11-16 MARCH 2021

GARDENS OF MARRAKECH
& TAROUDANT
Join special guest host, award-winning designer Tom Stuart-Smith,
to explore the wonders of Morocco’s contemporary gardens

T
GUEST HOST his special Moroccan garden tour offers a unique selection of 21st-century, BOOKING DETAILS: Price per
Tom Stuart-Smith mostly private gardens, designed by some of our best-known designers.
award-winning
person, based on two people
landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith will join the group for two days to guide you through sharing, is £3,898 (single supplement
working on projects his own creation, Le Jardin Secret in the heart of Marrakech, while in the ancient of £350 levied by the hotels).
internationally.
city of Taroudant on the southern edge of the Atlas mountains, we visit a series of
The price includes: bed and breakfast
remarkable gardens designed by Eric Ossart and Arnaud Maurières, two French
TOUR LEADER accommodation at Jnane Tamsna
Kirsty Fergusson globetrotting botanists and renowned garden designers. A further highlight will
and Dar al Hossoun; five evening
trained at Capel be a day of all things Yves Saint Laurent, including a tour of Jardin Majorelle, and meals with wine plus five lunches;
Manor. She is now
a garden writer
a private view of the garden of Villa Oasis, Yves Saint Laurent’s Moroccan home. return flights from London Heathrow;
living in France. In a picture-book setting with views of the High Atlas Mountains and a and all transportation and visits in
wonderful climate and cuisine, visitors will discover two warm and friendly cities Morocco. The price does not include any
steeped in history. We will stay at two remarkable, small hotels: guest house Jnane hotel extras or travel insurance.
Tamsna, surrounded by its own botanically rich and fascinating garden, and Dar al
Hossoun in Taroudant, an eco-friendly riad surrounding richly planted courtyards.

Château de Villandry.

30 MAY – 3 JUNE 2021

THE FRENCH ROSE GARDEN

Join us for a five-day tour from Paris to the Loire Valley in the
company of rosarian Michael Marriott to celebrate the French rose

F
TOUR LEADERS or 2021, our popular rose tour travels over the Channel to investigate the BOOKING DETAILS: Price per
Michael Marriott story of the French rose and enjoy some truly wonderful gardens and rose person, based on two people sharing
has worked at
David Austin Roses,
collections. Starting with a visit with the curator of Roseraie du Val-de- is £3,280 (a single supplement
designing and Marne in L’Haÿ-les-Roses, you’ll come to understand more about the vast array of of £250 is levied by the hotels).
advising for the French roses and the development of the roses we grow in our gardens today. You’ll
past 30 years and The price includes: one night with dinner
is an expert on all also visit collections of wild roses; a specialist nursery producing beautiful new
at Hôtel Les Pléiades, Barbizon and three
matters relating to roses each year; a village overflowing with roses in bloom; a fairy-tale château where
rose growing. nights at Hôtel Le Choiseul, Amboise –
the discerning owner has surrounded her home with sumptuous roses; as well as bed, breakfast and dinner with wine
Maïté Delmas has some intimate private gardens where roses steal the show. This is an unmissable
CLAIRE TAKACS; RHETORICAL ANSWER / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

more than 30 years’ included; five lunches; return tickets on

experience of opportunity to stroll from rose to rose discussing the merits of mulching, pruning, Eurostar and all transport during the tour.
managing plant budding, training, and even ‘the name of the rose’ in the company of a great rose If you wish to travel independently to join
collections
(including roses)
enthusiast and expert. We will stay one night at Hôtel Les Pléiades, in the village the tour at Paris, Gare du Nord, please
gained at Kew, of Barbizon before travelling down to the Loire Valley to Hôtel Le Choiseul in deduct £80 and contact the office to
Bordeaux and Paris Amboise. Both hotels offer good food, local wines and convivial Gallic hospitality. discuss joining arrangements. Price does
Botanic Gardens. not include hotel extras or travel insurance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK EITHER TOUR PLEASE CONTACT

Boxwood Tours, 1 West Street, Buckingham HK18 1HL. Tel +44 (0)1341 241717 email [email protected] website boxwoodtours.co.uk

These tours have been arranged exclusively for readers of Gardens Illustrated by Boxwood Tours Quality Garden Holidays, a specialist garden tour company set up in 1990.
Please note that itineraries may be subject to change for reasons beyond Gardens Illustrated’s control. These tours are financially protected by the ATOL scheme.
When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it.
Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate

10
 Dry-climate planting at Pépinière Filippi. James Basson design for a Provence garden.

24 28 JUNE 2021
PRIVATE GARDENS
OF PROVENCE
Join experts James and Helen Basson to discover a new
approach to gardening in a Mediterranean climate

he region of Provence, in southeast France, with its long, hot, dry summers provides a wonderful
opportunity to learn how to design and plant gardens adapted to such conditions. The landscape remains
essentially unchanged: medieval hill towns rise among olive groves and vineyards, and fields of lavender
and sunflowers soak up the sunshine. Dusty roads fringed with pines give way to banks of wild cistus,
rosemary and thyme. Hidden behind old iron gates or an avenue of ancient plane trees, old country
estates have been elegantly rejuvenated in recent years by contemporary designers, creating sensuous gardens, each
in its own way responding to the spirit of place and the designer’s eye. Designers James and Helen Basson show us
GUEST HOST two of their recent projects for private gardens and introduce us to the legendary Pépinière Filippi nursery near
James Basson lives Montpellier, where Olivier Filippi’s experimental techniques in dry gardening have transformed our understanding
in the south of
France where he of Mediterranean gardening practice. Other highlights include the garden designer Dominique Lafourcade’s home
and his wife Helen La Pomone, in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, and Le Terrain, the garden of artist-tree surgeon extraordinaire, Marc
run award-winning Nucera. Our hotel for the stay is the 5-star Hotel d’Europe, in the historic heart of Avignon.
Scape Design.

BOOKING DETAILS FOR MORE INFORMATION OR

TO BOOK PLEASE CONTACT
The price per person, based on two people sharing
Boxwood Tours, 1 West Street, Buckingham HK18 1HL.
is £3,890 (a single supplement of £490 is levied by
Tel +44 (0)1341 241717, email [email protected]
the hotel). Website boxwoodtours.co.uk
The tour has been arranged exclusively for readers of Gardens Illustrated by
The price includes: four nights bed & breakfast at Hotel d’Europe; Boxwood Tours Quality Garden Holidays, a specialist garden tour company
TOUR LEADER three evening meals and four lunches, all with local wines; and set up in 1990. Please note that itineraries may be subject to change for
reasons beyond Gardens Illustrated’s control. The tour is financially protected
CLAIRE TAKACS

Kirsty Fergusson return flights to Marseille with British Airways. Those wishing to by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL
trained at Capel Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked
make their own travel arrangements should state this on the
Manor. She is now (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking
a garden writer booking form and we will deduct £143 per person from the tour conditions for further information or for more information about financial
living in France. price. The price does not include extras or travel insurance. protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate

12
 The
Beauty of
Bespoke Innovative PowerView®
smart blinds, custom-made
and expertly installed

Book a consultation: 0800 688 8118 or visit thomas-sanderson.co.uk

 N
WI NTER SALE

20
ALL TIMBER WINDOWS & DOORS
%
O FF
THROUGHOUT DECEMBER & JANUARY

Enhance the value and beauty of your home with natural timber windows and doors from sustainable sources.
Constructed from engineered timber slow grown in cold climates, their strength, stability and beauty are guaranteed.

With a 20% discount off all windows & doors in our Winter Sale, explore the range in 43 showrooms nationwide.
AMERSHAM CARMARTHEN ESHER HIGHGATE LINCOLN SHEFFIELD
BIRMINGHAM (HARBORNE) CHANNEL ISL ANDS GUILDFORD HONITON MORETON IN MARSH ST ALBANS
BL ANDFORD CHELTENHAM HARROGATE HORNDEAN NOT TINGHAM TAVISTOCK
BOURNEMOUTH CIRENCESTER HARTLEY WINTNEY HORSHAM OLNEY TUNBRIDGE WELLS
BRISTOL (CLIF TON) COLCHESTER HEATHFIELD INGATESTONE OXFORD WIMBLEDON
BURY ST EDMUNDS DENBIGH HENLEY ON THAMES KNUTSFORD RIPLEY WINCHESTER
CATERHAM DULWICH HEREFORD LEAMINGTON SPA SALISBURY WOODBRIDGE
CARDIFF

timberwindows.com/gi
‘2019 National Timber Window
& Door Supplier of the Year’ T: 0800 030 2000
 Digin
What’s happening, what’s in flower and what to buy this month

Fundingstream
The RHS is now a huge step closer towards meeting its
funding target for RHS Garden Bridgewater thanks to
a generous individual donation. The £1.8 million gift from
retired Hong Kong businessman Dr Lee Kai Hung DL will
go towards the development of the garden, in particular
Bridgewater’s Chinese Streamside Garden, which has been
designed in a horticultural knowledge exchange with experts
from the China Flower Association and which will celebrate
the many contributions to British horticulture from native
© RHS / MARK WAUGH

Chinese plants such as Acer davidii. The 154-acre garden in

Salford, which is due to open in May 2021, also includes an
11-acre walled garden (left) that features a Paradise Garden,
designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, and a Kitchen Garden by
Harris Bugg Studio. rhs.org.uk/gardens/bridgewater

15
News
COMPILED BY KATIE DUTTON
Let there be light
It will be a slightly different Christmas for us all this year, but luckily
many festive light shows and light festivals are still going ahead in
the open air until the new year. All RHS gardens are taking part,
as well as many stately homes including Blenheim Palace in
Oxfordshire, Dunham Massey in Cheshire and Stourhead
(pictured) in Wiltshire. Expect lit up woodland
creatures and flora, spectacular laser light shows, glittering
light tunnels and a glass or two of mulled wine. To find a light
trail near you visit gardensillustrated.com/christmas

Bright ideas
Winter may feel like the end of the
growing season, but for those with
a greenhouse, the opportunities are
just beginning. Many cut flowers
can be grown under glass over
winter. Freesias, for example, flower
naturally in late winter and thrive in
a cool greenhouse. Or you could try
the stalwart of many a wedding
bouquet Eustoma. Also known as
lisianthus or prairie gentians, these
gorgeous flowers from the warm
climes of Central America offer
a broad and subtle colour palette
and have a long vase life. With
a frost-free greenhouse you can
sow from November to March in
a heated propagator then pot on
ready for summer. If you already
have a greenhouse now could be
time to move out the tomato plant
pots and make way for some cut
flowers. And if you don’t have one,
now could be time to find your new
greenhouse at hartley-botanic.co.uk

16
 DIG IN NEWS

Orange appeal
A new, zesty lemon balm plant
has landed in UK nurseries. Melissa
officinalis ‘Mandarina’ is the first
lemon balm to feature a fresh
orange scent that is fragrant all
summer long. The leaves can be
used to make a soothing herbal
infusion or added to savoury dishes
INSIDER TOURS for a citrus kick. The plant is easy
to grow and is ideal for growing in
This winter the National Garden Scheme is offering the chance to take a containers, beds or borders. Its
cascading growing habit also makes
virtual tour at some fabulous garden,in the company of some distinguished
it a good choice for sloping gardens
designers. Tours include The Barn, home to Tom Stuart-Smith, Bunny or difficult areas you wish to cover.
Guinness’s own garden Sibberton Lodge and the Manor House at Ayot Sow in small pots from late February
until April and keep on a warm
St Lawrence in Hertfordshire (pictured), which has been shaped by two windowsill until all chance of frost
distinctive designers: the late great John Brookes and for the current owners has passed. A pack of 30 seeds
from Chiltern Seeds costs £2.75.
by Julie Toll. Tours are free to view, but donations to the charity are chilternseeds.co.uk
welcome. ngs.org.uk/virtual-garden-visits

PLAY YOUR
CARDS RIGHT
Based on the best-selling book by
Robert Macfarlane, The Lost Words
card game is a new entertaining,
way to learn more about Britain’s
fauna and flora. Suitable for age eight
and upwards, it is sure to help all the family
learn a little more about, and develop
a new appreciation for, the plants and
animals that populate the British Isles.
A fun way to enjoy the natural world
on a rainy afternoon, it is beautifully
illustrated by Jackie Morris. Produced
by Kosmos, the game is available from
Waterstones, priced £13.99.
waterstones.com

17
DIG IN NEWS

Tree gazing
Still on the hunt for some Christmas
decorations? If you prefer natural,
understated decorations at this time of
year, Sukima may be the brand for you.
Based in Hiroshima, Shima specialises in
minimalist and contemporary wooden
products. Its Sukima Forest Mobile is made
from natural wood and brass and is made
up of geometric forest trees and woodland
figures, including a deer and bird. It comes
flat packed so is easy to tidy away and store
once Christmas is over but it’s so lovely you
may want just to leave it up all winter. The
Sukima Forest Mobile is available from
Japanese contemporary homeware brand
Nimi Projects, priced £80. nimiltd.com

Prickly pals
Their spikes may say don’t
touch, but for many cacti are
PRINTS CHARMING
The eagle-eyed art lovers among you may have spotted a familiar plant among the
the perfect introduction to photography prints selection on the Saatchi Art website. The beautiful hellebore from
our January 2020 cover (below centre) is one of 12 limited-edition prints now available
gardening. Now a new from award-winning photographer, and regular Gardens Illustrated contributor, Jason
subscription box makes Ingram. Jason photographs gardens, plants, food and people for many of the UK’s
leading magazines and is regularly commissioned to photograph Highgrove for HRH The
choosing and caring for them Prince of Wales. As well as these hellebores, the collection includes images of the Oudolf
even easier. Barry’s Cactus Field at the Hauser & Wirth gallery in Somerset and some stunning black and white
prints of the UK landscape. Prices start at £76. saatchiart.com/jasoningram
Club delivers a different
cactus or succulent each month
with a pot and care instructions.
All plants have been chosen for
their low-maintenance, making
them a great choice for
apprehensive plant parents.
A monthly subscription costs
£15. barryscactusclub.com

3 FOR THE GARDEN WOO Y SCARVES

18
Give the gift
of knowledge
Learn Piet Oudolf's garden design
Treat your family, friends and colleagues secrets directly from Piet and long-time
to the gift of knowledge from the collaborator Dr Noel Kingsbury
world's biggest names in gardening.

Learning with Experts gardening courses

offer an unrivalled level of expertise.
Taught in our friendly and private online
classroom, where you get to learn the full
gamut of skills needed to become the
complete gardener.

Learning with Experts is the only online

course provider to offer you direct
contact with the very best experts and
to receive personalised feedback from
the comfort of your own home.
Join Sally Nex who will talk you through
Tutors include landscape architect Tom crop selection, managing your land and
Stuart-Smith, influential Dutch garden much more, becoming one step closer
to becoming fully self-sufficient
designer Piet Oudolf and his long-time
collaborator Dr Noel Kingsbury, garden
designer and broadcaster Chris
Beardshaw, Michael Marriott, chief
rosarian at David Austin Roses, and top
garden design lecturer Annie Guilfoyle.

With many other courses and world class

experts to choose from, Learning with
Experts is rapidly becoming the go-to
destination to study for garden designers,
enthusiasts and garden lovers alike.

Grab a last minute gift at: Explore the history of garden design
learningwithexperts.com with Dr Toby Musgrave, from the first
garden-making culture, the Egyptians,
to 20th century and post-Modernism
 DIG IN SHOPPING

Giftsforgardeners
Find the perfect Christmas present
for the gardener in your life
COMPILED BY KATIE DUTTON AND NIKI GOSS PHOTOGRAPHS STEVE SAYERS

Patterned Paper Snowflake wrapping paper, 50cm x 70cm, £2.50, Cambridge Imprint; Tokusen Secateurs, 210mm, £169,
Tokusen Secateurs, 165mm, £149, Tokusen Barracuda Secateurs, £159, all Niwaki. For all stockist information, turn to page 108.

21
 DIG IN SHOPPING

Top row (left to right) Leather Work Gloves, £28, Labour And Wait; Agrimony Cyanotype Print, £75, The Shop Floor Project;
Orte Gardening Tools Set, £146, Nest. Middle row (left to right) Folding Outdoor Bench, teak, £425, The Conran Shop; Lino Prints, £25 each,
Studio Wald; Design House Stockholm Step Folding Ladder, £450, Connox. Bottom row (left to right) Sunshine Bloom Scented Candle, £28, Floral
Street; Japanese Tool Carrier, navy, £122, Labour And Wait; Geometric Plant Pot Cover, yellow/brown, small, £8, Block Design
Facing page Patterned Paper Dandelion Turmeric wrapping paper, 50cm x 70cm, £2.50 per sheet, Cambridge Imprint;
Handforged Swedish Forest Axe (shown with and without leather sheath, included), £105, Objects Of Use.

23
DIG IN SHOPPING

Top row (left to right) Women’s Iris Jersey Lined Wellington Boots, navy, £100, Le Chameau; Niwaki Trug, £249, Niwaki; Pocket Flask, £26, Labour And Wait.
Middle row (left to right) Ferm Living Desert Chair, stripe, £245, Nest; Grow Set of 4 Postcards, £9, Lewes Map Store; Cube Rusty Fire Basket, 271.97, Höfats.
Bottom row (left to right) Brass Mister, £14.95, Sarah Raven; Waist Apron, 85, Yard Etc; Bee Bricks, £30 each, Green & Blue. Facing page Navy Star Patterned
Paper, 50cm x 70cm, £2.50 per sheet, Wanderlust Paper Co; Copper Hand Fork, £34, Copper Dibber, £36, Slim Copper Trowel, £34, all The Future Kept.

24
DIG IN SHOPPING

Top row (left to right) Norfolk Natural Living Succulent Plant Food & Atomiser Set, £15, Fenwick; House of Plants Card Game, £15,
Oliver Bonas; Small Hanging Clay Planters, £24 each, Leaf Envy. Middle row (left to right) Ferm Living Plant Box, dark green,
£185, Nest; Leaf-Shaped Plant Fibre Place Mat, set of two, £16, Maisons du Monde; Indoor Plant Pruner & Secateur, £12.50, Leaf
Envy. Bottom row (left to right) Hand Cultivator, 10, Garden Trowel, 11, both Yard Etc; Pidät Bird Silo, green, £52.50,
Connox; Mycelium Gift Pack ‘The Nature Lover’, £40, Seedlip.

26
Thank you, Sylvia
Sylvia left a gift in her Will to help conquer Stroke
The first we knew of Sylvia was when for medicine. Becoming a medical Sylvia’s gift has helped fund our work
we received notification of the gift secretary was her next step and, in the to conquer stroke. She’s supported
she’d left us in her Will. Shortly after, course of her career, she discovered research to prevent and treat stroke,
a beautiful story of a much-loved the devastating impact a stroke could and she’s helped care for survivors.
woman began to unfurl. have on people and their families. She And that’s something you can do too –
Friends remembered Sylvia’s kind- saw that research and treatment were in the same way.
heart and her wish to help others. She vastly under-funded, and she decided If you would like to learn more about
spent part of her adult-life caring for to remember the Stroke Association remembering the Stroke Association
her mother, and developed a passion in her Will. in your Will, please get in touch.

Call 020 75661505 email [email protected]

or visit stroke.org.uk/legacy
5HJLVWHUHG R FH 6WURNH $VVRFLDWLRQ +RXVH &LW\ 5RDG /RQGRQ (&O9 35 5HJLVWHUHG DV D &KDULW\ ,Q (QJODQG DQG :DOHV 1R DQG ,Q 6FRWODQG
6& $OVR UHJLVWHUHG LQ 1RUWKHUQ ,UHODQG ;7 ,VOH RI 0DQ 1R DQG -HUVH\ 132 6WURNH $VVRFLDWLRQ ,V D &RPSDQ\ /LPLWHG E\ *XDUDQWHH ,Q
(QJODQG DQG :DOHV 1R
PSEUDOWINTERA COLORATA
An uncommon, slow-growing and
usually compact, small, evergreen shrub
that ought to delight flower arrangers
more for its unusual colour combinations.
There are several forms of this plant in
the trade, varying mainly in the degree
of purple speckling on the leaf. This one
has a more jade-green base colour
(turning more ochre with age or in full
sun) with some speckling and a very
narrow, purple, picotee edge. All forms
though have the dark stems and the
distinctive silver-grey undersides to
each 5cm-long leaf.

Height 1m.
Origin New Zealand.
Conditions Well-drained soil; full
sun to part shade.
Hardiness RHS H3, USDA 8a-10b†.
Season of interest Year round.
 DIG IN PLANTSMAN’S FAVOURITES

Decemberplants
CHARLIE HOPKINSON

Keith rounds off the year with plants chosen for their winter foliage and bark
alongside the heady scents of an early daphne and clear-yellow witch hazel
WORDS KEITH WILEY PHOTOGRAPHS JASON INGRAM
Keith Wiley
runs Wildside
nursery in Devon
wileyatwildside.com

DAPHNE BHOLUA
‘DARJEELING’
The first of the Daphne bholua cultivars
to flower in the winter months, usually
opening its first flowers in late
November. Some of the D. bholua
cultivars are semi-deciduous, which
makes them slightly less vulnerable to
cold winters, but ‘Darjeeling’ is fully
evergreen, meaning it is a little less
hardy. I have also found it to be not as
robust as cultivars such as ‘Jacqueline
Postill’ but that is offset by the fact it
produces its heavily scented flowers
at least six weeks earlier, a wonderful
fillip at this time of the year.

Height 2-3m.
Origin Himalaya, Nepal, China.
Conditions Well-drained soil; full sun
to half shade.
Hardiness RHS H4, USDA 7a-9b.
Season of interest Early winter.

JUNIPERUS RECURVA PHYLLOSTACHYS

‘CASTLEWELLAN’ BAMBUSOIDES
*Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Soc ety.†Hardiness ratings given where available.

‘HOLOCHRYSA’
A very graceful conifer with soft blue-grey
foliage. This is a small, quite slow-growing This bamboo has wonderful, deep
tree that has upright primary branches, yellow-orange canes all year, but it’s in
secondary branches arching out with winter when their colour seems especially
age and lastly smaller branchlets that are welcome. This is not a plant for the
fully pendulous. While these traits are smallest gardens as it is capable of growing
common to many conifers, add the fact up to 9-10m, and when settled and happy,
this plant also has cinnamon-red especially in warm and sheltered spots
branches, turning grey on the trunk, and (less so in cooler gardens), will begin to
flaking bark almost as good as the spread significantly at the root. At this
paperbark maple, Acer griseum, and you point the new canes start becoming larger
have a combination that elevates it to the in girth achieving diameters of more than
very highest order and makes it a 5cm. I annually remove smaller canes to
wonderful choice as a specimen plant. encourage this process. AGM*.

Height 5-15m. Height 4.5-10m.

Origin Garden (species Himalayas). Origin Garden (species China/Japan).
Conditions Well-drained soil; full sun Conditions Humus-rich, moist but
to part shade. well-drained soil; full sun to part shade.
Hardiness RHS H6, USDA 6a-9b. Hardiness RHS H5, USDA 7a-10b.
Season of interest Year round. Season of interest Year round.

29
WehavemadeitaChristmastradition
topickasmallsprigofHamamelis x
intermedia‘Pallida’toenjoyits
powerful fruity scent indoors

HAMAMELIS X INTERMEDIA
‘PALLIDA’
Usually begins flowering towards the end
of December, and we have made it
a Christmas tradition to pick a small sprig
to enjoy its powerful, fruity scent indoors.
The start of its flowering normally
coincides with the winter solstice, which
is also the cue for the first crocus and
snowdrops, so it has become a symbol for
me of the new year and the possibilities
and excitement that may bring. Flowers
for six to eight weeks and has lovely,
clear-yellow autumn foliage. AGM.

Height 3m.
Origin Garden hybrid (species China
and Japan).
Conditions Well-drained soil; full sun
to part shade.
Hardiness RHS H5, USDA 5a-9b.
Season of interest Winter; autumn
for leaf colour.

HEBE OCHRACEA TRACHELOSPERMUM

‘JAMES STIRLING’ JASMINOIDES ‘WILSONII’
This hebe will be familiar to very The star jasmine is a self-supporting
many gardeners. Over familiarity, evergreen climber of fairly slow growth,
however, can sometimes lead to loss covering itself in sprays of highly scented,
of interest and overlooking merits in small, creamy-white flowers in summer,
plants. I was guilty of this with ‘James set against the dark-green, oval leaves. Not
Stirling’ but having a plant left over considered fully hardy, it is usually grown
one year, I planted it where its against a warm wall but I’ve found it’s also
distinctive rounded shape, leaf colour happy growing on a sheltered, south-
and somewhat rigid texture contrasted facing bank where it surprisingly makes
with the soft feathery grass Stipa a weed-suppressing carpet of foliage,
tenuissima. It has proved itself to be which for much of the year is a richly
a hardy focal point, making a mound suffused purple. However, it doesn’t seem
1m across and acting as an essential to flower as much as a wall-grown plant.
foil to agapanthus, helianthemums
and many other plants. AGM. Height 4m (against a wall).
Origin Southeast Asia.
Height 50cm. Conditions Well-drained soil; full sun
Origin Garden (species New Zealand). to part shade.
Conditions Well-drained soil; full sun. Hardiness RHS H4, USDA 8a-10b.
Hardiness RHS H4, USDA 7a-9b. Season of interest Year round for
Season of interest Year round. foliage; summer for flowers.

30
 DIG IN PLANTSMAN’S FAVOURITES

ASTELIA NERVOSA LOMATIA FRAXINIFOLIA

The bush flax is an evergreen plant Native to Queensland in Australia,
with tough leathery leaves that merits this rare, evergreen shrub is a delight
close inspection for the subtle variety throughout the year. I bought a plant
of colours in its foliage. Although this is of this when I worked at the long gone
superficially grey, take a closer look and Keepers Hill Nursery after I left school,
you’ll see jade green, dark green, silver- and offspring from it have been with
grey with the faintest hint of crimson me ever since, rarely showing any
along its edge and central vein, all damage from cold winters in all that
running longitudinally along each time. Looser growing and more
leaf’s length. This colour combination graceful than the slightly more
will link well with many other foliage frequently seen upright Lomatia
plants. Makes an arching dome of leaves ferruginea, it branches from the ground
eventually around 90cm high and 2m forming an arching mound of much-
across when happy. The flowers, which divided, fern-like foliage that is
are held on short central spikes, are bronze-tinted when young.
insignificant and easily missed.
Height 2m.
Height 60cm-1m. Origin Australia.
Origin New Zealand. Conditions Well-drained soil; full sun
Conditions Well-drained soil; full sun. to part shade.
Hardiness RHS H3, USDA 8a-10b. Hardiness RHS H3-4, USDA 8a-10b.
Season of interest Year round. Season of interest Year round.

EUONYMUS JAPONICUS
‘PRÉSIDENT GAUTHIER’
A handsome-enough, evergreen
shrub, which provides me with
welcome additions to flower
arrangements through the winter
months. It is slow growing and
will happily create a rounded bush
up to 2m high. For many years one
plant I grew did just this, and then
one year, perhaps sensing a nearby
high wall, it decided it no longer
wanted to be a shrub and changed
growth habit to become a climber,
growing up said wall to 5m in the
following years.

Height 2m as shrub.
Origin Garden (species Japan).
Conditions Well-drained soil; full sun
to part shade.
Hardiness RHS H4, USDA 7a-9b.
Season of interest Year round.

31
Save when you subscribe
to the digital edition
A must-have read for
passionate gardeners,
Gardens Illustrated
magazine provides
a unique insight
into the world’s most
beautiful gardens,
expert advice and
planting ideas.

ENJOY OUR
PREMIUM APP
EXPERIENCE
NOW
buysubscriptions.com/
gardensillustrated
 COLD COMFORTS
Midwinter is time to look to your soil, as the richer and more vital you
make it, the more flavoursome and nutritious your produce. But December
is also time to relax with a good seed catalogue and plan next year’s plot –
and to reward yourself with some comforting meals from this year’s harvest
WORDS AARON BERTELSEN ILLUSTRATION ALICE PATTULLO

eather permitting, December is

winter digging month for me.
With the soil cleared of crops,
Jobs for December
I work through systematically, Check on any stored produce to make sure it is still dry,
using a double digging technique
safe from predators and free of any rot.
so that the top spade’s depth of
soil is turned over and a good load If you are using your own compost to enrich the soil,
orated into the next layer down. either by digging it in or spreading a thick layer of mulch, make
By doing it now, I feel I am maximising the opportunity for sure you take the well-rotted stuff from the middle of the heap.
the worms and insects to take the organic matter right down Use the outer layers to start a new heap, or as a mulch for soft
into the soil and for the frost – should we be lucky enough fruit, rhubarb and artichokes.
to get some – to break up any lumps and clods of earth. By Before you start ordering seed, take a few minutes to do
next spring, there should be a good crumbly tilth, perfect a quick audit of what you already have. While some seeds –
for planting out seedlings and even – with a very little gentle
parsnip being the most obvious example – do need to be
digging and raking – for direct sowing seeds.
Up until a few years ago, I didn’t give the soil much absolutely fresh in order to germinate, many will keep for
thought, beyond the basics of creating a good foundation a good few years provided they are stored in a cool dry place
for growing. Then a kind friend in the USA gave me a book and, ideally, in an airtight container.
about soil microbes and I was officially obsessed. Whether With no crops in the ground, this is an excellent time to
you are ‘dig’ or ‘no dig’, the principle is the same: what we reassess the framework of the garden – paths, fences, etc – and
take out, we must put back in – and the richer and more vital make any significant changes or carry out essential repairs.
the soil, the more flavoursome and nutritious the produce. If like my friend George you have spent the whole
Then after a hard day’s work out in the vegetable garden, summer talking about how you wish you had more fruit
what could be nicer than a bit of time spent reading through
in the garden, this is the time to do something about it. The
seed catalogues and planning for next year, perhaps with
a glass of this summer’s fruit vodka to hand? This is when soil should still be warm enough for planting bareroot trees and
you will be glad you took my advice and kept copious notes fruit bushes, and you should not have to worry too much about
through the spring and summer, so that you know which them drying out. Once they’re in the ground, mulch with
varieties worked for you and which didn’t. I urge you too to a good layer of compost from the outside of the heap. Don’t
seek out smaller suppliers who produce their seeds with care, forget to support trees with a sturdy stake.
rather than pumping them full of water and chemicals. Any carrots that are still in the ground should be dug
up and eaten this month. I find that after the New Year,
WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR CROPS they tend to toughen up and develop lots of unappealing
wispy white hairs.
Chicory should be in peak condition now. With its bold
speckled red and white leaves it does look stunning, but
Leeks and parsnips can be left in the ground and dug
don’t let that stop you from harvesting it – it is stunning up as and when you need them. If there is a hard frost
on the plate too, adding a most welcome freshness and you might find it difficult to get them out, so if the forecast
bitter crunch to winter salads. Add a little balsamic vinegar is for a prolonged spell of bad weather, make sure to harvest
to your dressing to really bring out the flavour. a few in advance.
Root vegetables, such as parsnips and turnips, and greens If you are intending to force chicory and haven’t got
such as kale and chard will all benefit from a cold snap, round to it yet, this really is your last chance to get the plants
which will turn the starches they contain into sugars and out of the ground, cut back and packed into a large pot of sandy
make them even more flavoursome. It is hard to imagine
compost before the frosts hit. Cover, and keep them somewhere
anything more delicious and comforting on a cold dark
day than a dish of caramelised root vegetables or a hearty, cool, dry and dark.
warming stew made with lentils with greens. n If you don’t already have a bird feeder, get one. I have one
hanging from the gutter outside my kitchen window, and
You can find Aaron’s delicious recipe for warm spiced it brings me so much pleasure to watch the birds go about their
lentils with cavolo nero at gardensillustrated.com/recipes business. It is more entertaining than any TV show.

35
 GARDENING TALENT

ALEXANDER
SUMMERS
With a knack for successfully caring
for plants from around the world, Alex
works as glasshouse supervisor at
Cambridge University Botanic Garden
PORTRAIT ANDREW MONTGOMERY

Earliest gardening memory Helping my parents to hand dig

a pond in the back garden. It is now well established and adds
so much life to the garden, as well as a whole array of extra
niches for marginal and aquatic plant species.
Who has inspired your career the most? My parents – they are
both horticulturists. I grew up gardening with them, visiting
gardens and nurseries and exploring Nottinghamshire.
Favourite landscape and garden Chanticleer Garden in
Pennsylvania – its Arts and Crafts feel, its botanically rich
and imaginative plantings, and the ethos that underpins
a horticultural team who dabble with pottery and metalwork
in the down season, really put this garden on another level.
Worthwhile tips for every gardener Always question the
methods and techniques you’re taught: horticulture is steeped
in tradition, some of which is unfounded. Always seek out the
best tools for the job and look after them.
Dream plant destination The steamy tropical forests and

Weleaveany temperate highlands of the island of New Guinea; it’s been

top of my list for as long as I can remember.
Favourite ‘weed’ you’re happy to have in your garden In the

roguefernsthat glasshouses we leave any rogue ferns that germinate – they

always soften our plantings and help to improve the

germinate–they microclimate of pot culture.

Favourite gardening book Like many other gardeners, I’ve

alwayssoften accumulated a vast array of books, I’ve recently finished One

River: Explorations and Discoveries in the Amazon Rainforest
by Wade Davis. It’s an ethnobotanical odyssey, and one

our plantings I recommend to any budding plant explorer.

What’s the next project you’ll be tackling in the glasshouse
at the botanic gardens We‘re installing a koppie and quartz
plain to display collections we made, alongside Kew and South
African National Parks, in the Richtersveld, South Africa.
Do you have an aim in your gardening career that you’d really
like to achieve? Have a go at growing Rafflesia, I am particularly
fond of parasitic plants. The aim would be to raise it successfully
from seed, although I think this may remain a pipe dream.
Contact [email protected]; Twitter: @CamPlantsman;
botanic.cam.ac.uk

36
 Adderley Travel
small group garden tours for garden lovers everywhere

adderleytravel.com
for COVID-planned 2021 season tours

the gardens at Rousham House, Oxfordshire

ONE YEAR GOOD GARDENING DIPLOMA

September 2021 – June 2022
Covers the best in planting design while training in the more serious aspects of horticultural
techniques. Practical sessions held at Arundel Castle under the guidance of head gardener Martin
Duncan and at Sandhill Farm House, Rogate. Lectures by many leading gardening personalities and
regular visits to outstanding private gardens. Students also learn to draw up planting plans.
(1 day a week (Tues), 10.30am–3.15pm, over three terms)
THE ESSENTIAL GARDEN DESIGN DIPLOMA
January – March 2022
Based at the Chelsea Physic Garden and led by Rosemary Alexander and architect Catriona
Rowbotham, the course is an overview of Garden Design, covering all the elements needed to rethink
an average garden.Taking students step by step through site surveying, using the grid, horizontal and
Garden of Medicinal Plants – Chelsea Physic Garden Photo: R Alexander
vertical features, garden layouts and planting plans, costing and specification, plus drawing tuition and
homework on design and plant portfolios.Tutors are well respected in the industry and will guide
students on how to succeed in this diverse profession. Not sure which Diploma course is for you?
(2 days a week (Wed &Thu), 10.30am–3.15pm, plus 2 days homework)
We prefer potential students to attend an
GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS
Wednesday &Thursday 21/22 April & 5/6 May 2021 Information Session when Rosemary explains
One of our most popular courses, led by master horticulturist Ben Pope, which aims to take each the whole course content and you can see our
student through all the practical elements of caring for a garden from soil, tools, maintenance, seed facilities at the historic Chelsea Physic Garden.
sowing and propagating, weed control and pests and diseases.The first 3 days will be spent at the
Chelsea Physic Garden and the final day will be spent gaining practical experience in Rosemary JUST CONTACT US TO SET UP A DATE/TIME
Alexander’s much praised garden near Petersfield and the garden nearby, where Ben is in charge. www.englishgardeningschool.co.uk
Participants will be given a chance to prune, plant, sow seeds and regular maintenance tasks will be
discussed.A light lunch and refreshments will be provided daily. Email: [email protected]
GARDEN DESIGN & CARING FOR YOUR GARDEN Tel: 020 7352 4347
Distance Learning Courses study anytime, anywhere in the world
A stepping stone to a new career.These two correspondence courses are a step by step guide to either
designing your own garden or learning how to plant and maintain an existing garden: drawing up plans, Long established as the leader in all design
hard landscaping, site analysis, planting, month by month tasks etc.Taught through a comprehensive course and gardening tuition and based at the
book, with projects submitted to us. (1-3 years to complete and individual assessment) unique and historic Chelsea Physic Garden
 In her lakeside garden Monique Gudgeon has created a strongly
structured garden to showcase her husband Simon’s art
WORDS KENDRA WILSON PHOTOGRAPHS ANNAÏCK GUITTENY

38
 IN BRIEF
What Private garden around a lake, with strong
winter structure that hosts the owner’s sculptures.
Where Dorset.
Soil River-deposited silt and gravel.
Size 26 acres.
Climate Temperate with a southwesterly
wind coming from the sea.
Hardiness zone USDA 9.

Wavy paths spread away from the

house, separated by textural planting of the
fountain grass Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Head’
and rolling mounds of Lonicera ligustrina var. pileata
‘Moss Green’. Monique was keen to use shrubs
as sculptural forms after seeing the garden of
Spanish landscape designer, Fernando Caruncho,
as well as the land forms created by Charles Jencks.
 T
he prospect of landscaping 26 acres is less daunting, it could be argued, if half of the land is under
water, measured out in lakes and ponds. When Monique and Simon Gudgeon took on Pallington
Lakes in rural Dorset, it was a fishery and they had no plans to turn it into anything else. The
outbuildings would be useful for Simon’s career as a sculptor and the fishing business would
generate its own income. Three and a half years later the Gudgeons waved goodbye to the fishermen
forever, as Simon’s sculptures began to take up residence by water’s edge. This was a development
that neither party would have predicted before Simon decided to swap storage space for the open
air – and was impressed by the way his sculpture interacted with the landscape.
The only part of the emerging sculpture park that Monique planned on paper was the area around the house. Beyond
the estate fencing and figurative gates (made by Simon), various winding paths spread themselves out from no single
point, leading to a destination that is not clear. A giant pergola draped with roses and clematis in summer, offers a further
route towards the wider landscape. Sculptures emerge along the way, rising from grasses, sitting in woodland clearings
and perched in or around water. Naturally progressing as more sculptures have appeared, the garden has benefited from
Monique’s experience as a horticulturist, and a shared sanguine approach to size and scale.
Curving away from the house, a grass path slowly elevates into a raised walkway, framed initially by Pennisetum
alo ecuroides ‘Red Head’ and Lonicera li ustrina var. yunnanensis, which was cut into mounds b Jake Hobson of

Close to the house, Monique planted lengths of Lonicera ligustrina var. yunnanensis before calling in Jake Hobson
of Niwaki, to cut it in the karikomi manner. These rounded forms relax into spreading mounds of Lonicera ligustrina
var. pileata ‘Moss Green’ as the walkway leads further into the garden.

40
 Pruning relaxes into
Caruncho-esque cushions,
intended as a reflection
on the Dorset Downs
 Niwaki. Monique was impressed by the shaping of land at Charles Jencks’s Garden of Cosmic Speculation in Scotland,
and these ideas were further confirmed by a visit to the garden of Fernando Caruncho in Madrid.“It’s my natural
inclination to keep expanding,” she says.“I wanted to try these sculptural forms, and this area and situation lent itself
to that.” At the end of the spiralling path, where Lonicera ligustrina var. yunnanensis gives way to L. ligustrina var. pileata
‘Moss Green’, the pruning relaxes into Caruncho-esque cushions, intended as a reflection on the Dorset Downs. Monique
was further inspired by the karikomi way with shrubs from Japan: “It’s about forming a landscape, using plants.”
The drama of the planting creates an atmosphere where land art sits easily with art on the land. A willow tunnel
makes a statuesque arc around a wildflower meadow, while its straight stems and pinnate leaves merge into those of
bamboo, part of a collection of 500 plants brought from a previous garden. She cheerfully grows 20 types of bamboo,
and about 20 different types of willow, six of which were already thriving in the watery landscape. Having cut her teeth
as a gardener first in the show gardens of Agriframes, followed by more detailed horticulture at Architectural Plants, she
now volunteers once a week at the Arboretum nursery at Kew Gardens. She is used to dealing with structure, both hard
and soft, and her enthusiasm for knowledge and growing experience is particularly focussed on trees.
“I know I’m going to lose a lot of ash, so I’m looking at all sorts of trees that I can replace it with,” says Monique, as
we examine a Norway maple that she has planted close to an old, common ash specimen, which is showing the first
To continue turn to page 46

This image It takes around two weeks in February for Monique to cut back and weave in new growth of the willow
(Salix viminalis) in her willow tunnel. Monique likes the character of its growth and finds the long process therapeutic.
Cuttings from the tunnel also make pliable wands that are useful in the kitchen garden.

42
 CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT
Agapanthus Queen Mum (= ‘Pmn06’) A cultivar with
white flowers that are blue at the base. It fades to
leave striking seedheads. 1.2m. RHS H4, USDA 8a-11†.
Lycopus europaeus A native, shallow-water marginal
plant with whorls of flowers on an interrupted spike.
Its seedheads offer frosty winter structure. 90cm.
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Head’ A long-lived
and self-sufficient grass, only needing to be cut back
in late February. 90cm. AGM*. RHS H3, USDA 6a-9b.
Cistus x lenis ‘Grayswood Pink’ A bright-pink rock
rose, with evergreen foliage that looks gorgeous in
winter dusted by frost. 90cm. AGM. RHS H4.

*Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural

Society. †Hardiness ratings given where available.
 Sculpturesemerge,
risingfromgrasses,
sittinginwoodland
clearingsandperched
in or around water

44
Facing page Monique and Simon
enjoy how water and the seasons
affect sculpture.“In winter, you are
more aware of form,” says Simon,
Similarly, Monique is happy
experimenting with size and scale,
planting outsized trees, such as
dawn redwood and cedar of
Lebanon, and 20 types of bamboo.

This image In a small pool,

the sculpture Diving Otter is
surrounded by native marginal
plants including reedmace (Typha
latifolia) and common rush (Juncus
effusus). Further back, Monique
cleared an area graced by an old
birch tree and planted 460 more
to make a quiet woodland.
 signs of ash dieback. New trees include sweet chestnut, three dawn redwoods, three swamp maples, a cedar of Lebanon
and multiple eucalyptus. They are joined by countless magnolias and Japanese acers in the sheltered woodland walk, and
460 silver birch trees in a serene glade by the water. “After oak, birch is one of the most important trees for wildlife,” says
Monique. “Hundreds of species rely on it.” Including owls, hunting for voles.
Before the lakes were created in the 1970s, Pallington was part of Thomas Hardy’s ‘verdant plain’, in the Vale of the
Great Dairies. “In summer they used to run the cattle through this area. In winter, because it was always flooded, they
just let it go,” says Monique. She gardens for nature as much as for herself, and was keen to maintain a winter habitat for
caterpillars, in an area that was already popular with butterflies. Building a bank to protect the garden from flooding,
Monique planted it with butterfly attractants, such as eupatorium and nepeta, while maintaining quantities of nettles.
The couple are privileged to have the reed-fringed River Frome winding through their garden. Left to its own devices,
the waterway has formed an oxbow bend, which will one day become a small island. Just the spot for a new sculpture.

USEFUL INFORMATION
Address Sculpture By The Lakes, Pallington Lakes, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 8QU. Tel 07720 637808.
Web sculpturebythelakes.co.uk Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm (summer times may differ). Entry £12.50.

This image The waved form of lonicera curls around Simon’s sculpture Dancing Cranes. Having trained with the cloud-pruning expert
Jake Hobson of Niwaki, Monique’s young gardener Sam McLuckie was given free rein to develop the hedges. Karikomi, as this style of
pruning is known, is the art of sculpting a plant into an idea of a landscape. Here, the rolling shape is a reflection on the Dorset Downs.

The drama of the planting

creates an atmosphere
where land art sits easily
with art on the land
47
Christmas at home
Bring some Yuletide cheer to your home by embracing time-honoured
traditions of lighting candles, gifting presents and decorating
your home with greenery from the garden, woods and hedgerows
WORDS AND STYLING JACKY MILLS PHOTOGRAPHS JASON INGRAM
 A FORAGED AFFAIR
Tools and materials To make decorative branches through the lichen-encrusted sprigs of
Secateurs, natural twine or stub wire, The muted tones and contrasting gaps, minimising the need for blackthorn and sprays of
a woven grape vine or willow base, textures of this large, naturalistic wiring. I used a mix of deciduous Vaccinium myrtillus. The
glycerine, moss, Vitis coignetiae wreath add festive drama to and evergreen branches, asymmetrical nature of the
(crimson glory vine), seedheads of a doorway. The base is made collecting wind-damaged finds wreath was amplified using
Clematis vitalba (old man’s beard), mix from lengthy trimmings of a off woodland floors, sprigs from angled branches of dusky
of branches – cypress, Sequoiadendron wall-trained Vitis coignetiae. The our boundary hedges and a few red barberry, pre-soaked for
giganteum (wellingtonia), Pinus canes are cut back to one or two offerings from generous friends. a fortnight in a solution of
sylvestris (Scot’s pine), Pseudotsuga buds from the old framework and Starting with a selection of glycerine diluted in two parts
menziesii (Douglas fir), Cedrus atlantica woven into a loose ring while still conifers arranged around the warm water to preserve the
Glauca Group (blue cedar), Larix fresh and pliable. Long stems of lower portion, a beautiful central leaves. Similarly treated Clematis
decidua (larch), Vaccinium myrtillus wild bramble, stripped of their cluster of fresh, green cones vitalba seedheads were dotted
(bilberry), Prunus spinosa (blackthorn) unforgiving thorns, would make provides a focal point. Gently through the foliage with tufts of
and Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea an equally robust base. curving branches of larch lawn moss. It was finished with
(barberry) – in lengths from 15-30cm, The open twiggy structure and cedar add movement, sprigs of mistletoe and hung
hemp rope or ribbon for hanging. makes it easy to thread counterbalancing the gnarly, with a length of hemp cord.

49
 THE GIFT OF GIVING
Tools and materials To make through a process known as contenders. Strip rose hip stems
Glue gun, glue, glycerine, double- Combining fabric wrap with eco-printing. The cut fronds are of thorns and remove any jagged
Plant-dyed silk ribbons from Northern Hands, see page 108 for stockists.

sided sticky tape, scissors, paper, ribbons and festive foliage dipped in an iron solution and edges. The silky, tessellated
embroidery threads or natural twine, can be very effective and all sprayed with diluted vinegar seedheads of old man’s beard
luggage tags, a selection of wrapping elements can be reused or before laying directly on to the quickly turn into fluffy snowballs
papers – brown parcel or hand-made
composted. For a natural look use silk, which is then rolled up in after picking but can be made to
– a choice of fabrics, such as linen,
unbleached, hessian ribbon or an iron blanket and steamed last by placing the cut stems in
velvet and silk, in a range of festive
combine it with silk ribbons hand- for several hours. a 2:1 water to glycerine mix for
colours, silk and hessian ribbons,
cones, seedheads, nuts for dyed using plant extracts. The For the final embellishment of a few days. Use a glue gun to
decorating, a range of seasonal sage green hue was produced a mini corsage, choose material attach a multitude of cones,
foliage, including Larix decidua (larch) using dry ash leaves, the neutral that will last without wilting. Many eucalyptus seedheads, nuts, star
with cones attached, Alnus glutinosa hues from fresh and dried conifers are ideal as long as they anise, cinnamon sticks or dried
(alder) with catkins, Chamaecyparis eucalyptus leaves and a pewter don’t exude sap after cutting. grapefruit slices, which also smell
pisifera (false cypress), pine, rose hips grey from fresh Rubus leaves. Knobbly larch twigs replete with delicious. Finally, attach luggage
and seedheads of Clematis vitalba The delicate tracery of ferns cones and the dusky mauve of tags, using embroidery silks in
(old man’s beard). on the silk wrap was created alder catkins are perfect contrasting hues, as gift tags.

51
 THE CIRCLE OF LIFE
Tools and materials To make at this time of year. I’ve focused the base in groups of three
Moss ring, secateurs, stub wire To create this evergreen wreath on conifers, layered with the across the wreath with twine or
or natural twine, a selection of you can either use a moss ring naked, curving boughs of larch stub wire as you work around the
evergreens – cypress, Pinus sylvestris with a metal template, available and mossy antler-esque circle in one direction. If using
(Scot’s pine), Sequoiadendron to buy ready made in various branches of Magnolia x a mix of evergreens it can be
giganteum (wellingtonia), Cedrus
sizes, or make your own from soulangeana. Add a scattering easier to make up a number of
atlantica Glauca Group (blue cedar),
tightly wrapped straw, covered of voluptuous orange rose hips individual bundles that can be
and bare branches of Larix decidua
in a layer of moss. Keep one side and Ilex verticillata berries, but laid out on the base first and
(larch), Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry)
and Magnolia x soulangeana – cut flat to sit flush against the door, Pyracantha would also work, then attached when you’re
to varying lengths (15-25cm), a mounding up the top side to interspersed with the metallic happy with your design.
selection of orange rose hips and attach your trimmings. blue berries of Viburnum tinus. Finally, suspend the wreath
Ilex verticillata (winterberry) berries, There is an abundance of To build, attach varying with a ribbon of your choice
ribbon for hanging. evergreen foliage to choose from lengths of the chosen foliage to and enjoy the festivities.

For an extra Christmas project from Jacky Mills, and for more Christmas decoration ideas, head to gardensillustrated.com/christmas

52
 COTONEASTER
These versatile and low-maintenance shrubs combine easily with perennials and
grasses and offer richly coloured berries through autumn and winter
WORDS ANDY McINDOE
DAVID TADEVOSIAN / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO.

Cotoneaster horizontalis
A good groundcover plant for
slopes and banks, or to grow
against low walls. Small, dark-
green leaves turn flame red in
autumn. Profuse white spring
flowers develop into sealing-
wax red berries in autumn.
90cm. RHS H7, USDA 5a-7b†.

55
 H alf a century ago Cotoneaster horizontalis, with its
fan-like sprays of stiff herringbone branches and shining red berries, graced
the low wall beneath the bay window at the front of our house – as it did in
most of the gardens along the road. For no effort it reliably produced its bright
autumn display as the leaves turned red before falling. I remember it buzzing with
bees in May and its somewhat surreal silhouette in winter. No one considered that
it was an excellent source of food for wildlife, or its ability to seed. Seedlings were
given by neighbours or otherwise acquired and the palette of species was limited.
PLANT PROFILE
What Evergreen and
deciduous shrubs of the
rose family (Rosaceae),
closely related to Photinia,
Pyracantha, Sorbus and
Crataegus (hawthorn).
Origins Around 400
species are spread across
Away from the suburbs, among professional horticulturists, especially northern temperate regions
shrub authorities such as Sir Harold Hillier, cotoneasters were and are including Europe, North
regarded as one of the most important groups of shrubs. With 400 species to Africa, southwest China
choose from, they offer a diversity of habit and evergreen or deciduous and the Himalayas. The
subjects. Species have been selected, hybridised and named. species have hybridised
As gardens have evolved, good groundcover plants have come to the fore and to produce many cultivars
cotoneasters are an obvious choice. The bearberry cotoneaster, Cotoneaster grown in gardens.
dammeri, is a modest little plant. But once established, the low-creeping stems Season Small, single, white
or pinkish flowers, attractive
and small, dark-green leaves efficiently smother weeds and cover the soil
to pollinators in spring,
beneath trees and larger shrubs; it will flow gracefully over low walls and on
followed by orange or red
slopes and banks with white flowers in spring and scarlet berries in autumn. berries; occasionally yellow
Other low-growing cotoneasters, such as Cotoneaster salicifolius ‘Gnom’ and or pink in the case of some
Cotoneaster procumbens ‘Queen of Carpets’, are less well known, but valued by garden hybrids.
those of who grow them. In my own garden these reliable groundcover subjects Size Species and hybrids
cope with the tough growing conditions experienced in recent years – both in vary in size from creeping
terms of temperature and rainfall extremes. Their evergreen foliage looks good groundcover shrubs,
throughout the year and the colourful berries last well into winter. originating from alpine
At the other end of the scale, the large-growing cotoneasters make regions, to small trees that
grow to several metres in
excellent evergreen trees. Cotoneaster ‘Cornubia’ is one of the finest with
height and spread. Most are
broad, spreading branches and dark-green leaves. In spring it offers loose
bushy shrubs reaching two
clusters of white flowers and is a magnificent sight in autumn when some of or three metres.
its semi-evergreen leaves turn gold and begin to fall, and large bunches of Conditions Tolerant and
deep-scarlet berries provide a feast for wild birds. versatile shrubs that thrive
Most cotoneaster species are bushy shrubs that grow in scrub or on the edge on most soils including
of temperate woodlands. Franchet’s cotoneaster Cotoneaster franchetii falls into chalk and clay. Most
this category and is a good example of the versatility of these plants. It grows as grow quickly and are
an airy shrub with ascending, arching branches and small, well-spaced leaves. It valuable for hedges.
works well in an evergreen mixed planting or as a free-standing transitional Hardiness Most are
hardy throughout the UK
shrub. You can use it to lighten heavy evergreens, such as laurels and mahonias,
even in cold winters.
or you can use it to create an excellent backdrop to shrub roses and perennials.
Hardiness ratings vary
It can be trimmed as a hedge or it can be trained against a wall offering flowers from RHS H6 to RHS H7,
and fruits, and it even works well in naturalistic planting schemes. and are suitable for gardens
As mixed planting schemes become more popular, shrubs that combine easily in USDA zones 4a to 10b.
with perennials and grasses become more important. The naturalistic habit of the
shrubby cotoneasters makes them an ideal choice. At their best in autumn and *Holds an Award of Garden
winter, they help to maintain the effect when herbaceous partners take a rest. Merit from the Royal
Unlike many of the shrubs that are grown for their flowers cotoneasters do Horticultural Society.
†
not need regular pruning and are undemanding when it comes to feeding and Hardiness ratings given
where available.
regular care – making them a worthwhile, low-maintenance option within
a mixed planting.
Cotoneasters offer many of the qualities I look for most in a garden plant:
RM FLORAL / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO.

they are reliable subjects that have more than one season of interest, they are
plants that can cope with the extremes of weather, and they are wildlife
friendly, offering shelter to birds and insects, as well as nectar and pollen for
bees and other pollinators, and food for wild birds in autumn and winter.
Though they may be sometimes overlooked, they are worth seeking out. n
• Author Andy McIndoe is a writer, broadcaster and horticulturist. His recommendations
for the best cotoneasters can be found over the next five pages.

56
Cotoneaster salicifolius
‘Pink Champagne’
A dense, vigorous shrub with
arching stems and willow-
like, evergreen leaves. White
flowers develop into yellow
berries, turning salmon-pink
with age. 2.5m. AGM*.
RHS H6, USDA 7a-10b.
Cotoneaster x suecicus
‘Coral Beauty’
A dense, low shrub with
abundant berries on arching
branches of evergreen
leaves that take on purple
tints in winter. An attractive
groundcover. 50cm. AGM.
RHS H6, USDA 5a-8b.
 Cotoneaster x suecicus Cotoneaster frigidus
‘Juliette’ ‘Fructuluteo’
A superb plant for Vigorous shrub of broad,
groundcover around large spreading habit that can
shrubs with grey-green grow into a tree. Clusters
and cream variegated of white spring flowers
leaves, and large berries. develop into heavy bunches
45cm. AGM. RHS H6, of creamy-yellow berries.
USDA 5a-10b. 10m. RHS H6, USDA 6a-9b.

Cotoneaster Cotoneaster dammeri

‘Rothschildianus’ A ground-hugging shrub
A large, spreading shrub with shining, evergreen
with narrow leaves and leaves. Flowers appear
large clusters of cream- singly in spring, followed
yellow fruits in autumn. by red berries in autumn.
Useful plant to add colour An excellent groundcover
among heavy evergreens. subject for shade. 30cm.
5m. AGM. RHS H6. RHS H6, USDA 5a-8b.
JOHN MART N / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; ELKE BORKOWSK / GAP PHOTOS; DORL NG K NDERSLEY LTD /
ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; JOE WAINWRIGHT / GAP PHOTOS; NOVA PHOTO GRAPHIK / GAP PHOTOS.

59
Cotoneaster franchetii Cotoneaster salicifolius
A graceful shrub with ‘Gnom’
leaves that are green above A low-growing shrub with
and silver-grey beneath. long, trailing stems and
Pinkish white flowers give small evergreen leaves.
rise to orange-scarlet fruits. Small clusters of spring
Good in naturalistic flowers develop into shiny
planting schemes. 1.8m. orange-red berries. 45cm.
RHS H6, USDA 6a-10b. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 5a-8b.

Cotoneaster microphyllus Cotoneaster ‘Cornubia’

A compact evergreen Perhaps the best tree
shrub with stiff branches cultivar for fruit, with
and tiny dark, evergreen bunches of scarlet berries
leaves. A useful small in autumn weighing down
shrub for rocky banks and the arching branches. Older
under the light shade of leaves turn gold and fall as
deciduous trees. 90cm. the berries ripen. 5m. AGM.
RHS H6, USDA 5a-9b. RHS H6, USDA 6a-9b.

ABIGAIL REX, MATT ANKER, MARTIN HUGHES-JONES, JONATHAN BUCKLEY / ALL GAP PHOTOS.
 Cultivation
Cotoneasters are easy to grow: they are tolerant of most soils
including clay, as long as it is not waterlogged, and will also grow
well in dry conditions on chalk and sand. They are also ideal for
new-build gardens where other plants might struggle.
They will thrive in sun or shade, although flowering and fruiting
is usually better when a plant gets three or more hours of direct
sunlight a day during the growing season. In a smaller garden,
plants that tolerate the shade and rain shadow of walls and
fences are particularly valuable. Several, including Cotoneaster
franchetii, Cotoneaster x watereri and Cotoneaster frigidus, can
be trained against walls for colour.
Most cotoneasters grow swiftly and soon make an impact,
so choose smaller plants in two- or three-litre pots. Even if your
aim is to create a hedge, you are better off with several small
plants. Because of their versatility several cotoneasters, such
as Cotoneaster microphyllus and Cotoneaster simonsii, have been
widely used for amenity planting. They cope with tough treatment
and indiscriminate pruning. In a garden situation the only care
needed when pruning is the preservation of their natural habit,
unless they are used for hedging.
Pruning to control shape and size is best carried out in late
winter or early spring. However, pruning can be done at any
Cotoneaster x watereri
time of the year without causing harm.
‘John Waterer’ Some species seed freely and when seed is distributed by
A large, semi-evergreen birds it can result in some cotoneasters, especially Cotoneaster
shrub with long, spreading horizontalis, establishing and overwhelming native habitats
branches and narrow, such as limestone cliffs. Therefore, caution is advised when
leathery leaves. Fruiting is planting potentially invasive species in rural environments.
prolific and provides a feast The wide range of sizes and habits offered by cotoneasters
for wild birds. 3m. RHS H6, makes them suitable for a spectrum of planting schemes.
USDA 6a-9b.
Large-growing cotoneasters, such as Cotoneaster ‘Cornubia’
Cotoneaster and Cotoneaster x watereri, are perfect for screening or as
atropurpureus ‘Variegatus’ large, background shrubs in wide borders. They can also be
Pretty, grey-green and trained as medium-sized evergreen trees.
white variegated leaves, Those of prostrate habit, especially Cotoneaster dammeri,
followed by red berries.
Cotoneaster salicifolius and Cotoneaster x suecicus are very
Brilliant autumn leaf colour.
valuable evergreen groundcover shrubs that thrive in sun or
Excellent for a shaded
shade. They are excellent on banks and slopes, embracing the
border. 60cm. AGM.
RHS H6, USDA 6a-8b. contours gracefully where more upright subjects look awkward.

Where to buy and see

• Ashwood Nurseries • Kelways Plants
Ashwood Lower Lane, Barrymore Farm,
Ashwood, Kingswinford, Picts Hill, Langport,
West Midlands DY6 0AE. Somerset TA10 9EZ.
ROB WHITWORTH / GAP PHOTOS; MARTIN HUGHES-JONES / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO.

Tel 01384 401996, Tel 01458 250521,

ashwoodnurseries.com kelways.co.uk
• Barcham Trees • Larch Cottage Nurseries
Eye Hill Drove, Soham, Ely, Melkinthorpe, Penrith,
Cambridgeshire CB7 5XF. Cumbria CA10 2DR.
Tel 01353 720748, Tel 01931 712404,
barcham.co.uk larchcottage.co.uk
• Beeches Nursery • The Sir Harold
Crown Hill, Ashdon, Saffron Hillier Gardens*
Walden, Essex CB10 2HB. Jermyns Lane,
Tel 01799 584362, Ampfield, Romsey,
beechesnursery.co.uk Hampshire SO51 0QA.
• Burncoose Nurseries Tel 01794 368787,
Gwennap, Redruth, hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/
Cornwall TR16 6BJ. hilliergardens
Tel 01209 860011,
burncoose.co.uk *National Collection holder

61
IN BRIEF
What Swimming pool garden.
Where Near Edinburgh.
Soil Rich, cultivated.
Size 1,000 square metres.
Climate Temperate.
Hardiness zone USDA 8.

Joana Vasconcelos’ artwork Gateway

was commissioned specifically for
this garden at Jupiter Artland. It is
entered via a pathway lined by tall
yew hedges that takes you from the
naturalistic planting around the café
and gallery area to Joana’s Sun Gate.
A red-bricked pathway, to suggest
one of the ley lines said to converge
here, is repeated at the far end of the
garden where the Moon Gate leads
you back out into the parkland.

62
 A colourful new artwork for Jupiter Artland in Scotland required
a calm, green garden. Head gardener Thomas Unterdorfer explains the
art of creating a pool garden that is also part of the art
WORDS THOMAS UNTERDORFER PHOTOGRAPHS JASON INGRAM
 e a garden surrounding a swimming pool is always exciting, even more so when
l is also a work of art. The modern, large-scale installation Gateway by the
ed artist Joana Vasconcelos opened last year in the walled garden of Bonnington
he 17th-century home of Nicky and Robert Wilson. Just over ten years ago Nicky
ert transformed the 120 acres of parkland surrounding their Scottish home into
emporary sculpture park Jupiter Artland. Starting with Cells of Life, a series
ed earthworks by Charles Jencks, the Wilsons have added to their permanent
n with works from artists such as Antony Gormley, Andy Goldsworthy and
pecific and the artists often form a relationship with the landscape here before
t each piece is closely linked to the site and its history.
Gateway is no excepti a took her inspiration from the ley lines that are said to converge in Jupiter’s landscape,
while also including ele t make the artwork personal to the Wilson family. Around the circular pool are six
curved shapes (one for ert and each of their four children) that many have likened to the petals of a flower,
although Joana has told ision was of a single drop of water falling from the heavens and landing on a powerful
ley line to create a seism Ribbons of bright colour formed by 11,366 unique tiles, each one hand-painted and
glazed in Joana’s native weave across the pool, representing the energy lines and the astrological charts of the
Wilson family and of Joa lf, making this a piece that is personal to Joana as much as to the place where it sits.
Any artwork, even on h you can swim, needs careful positioning, but with Gateway the space is also part
of the art, so in designin den Nicky and I worked closely with Joana to link pool and planting. Joana asked for
a green planting palette t dn’t distract from the artwork’s bright colours, so we have limited ourselves to just
four hedging plants – ye urel and beech – chosen for their form and graphic qualities. My initial idea was to fill
the box-edged beds with asses but Joana also wanted to avoid movement in the planting, making the ripples of
the water even more po stead the curvilinear box beds, which fold around the curves of the pool, are filled with
numerous spheres of d es of box and beech to suggest the droplets created by the splash. These support

ialideawastofilltheboxbeds
withgrassesbutJoanawantedtoavoid
movementintheplanting,makingthe
ripplesofthe water even more powerful

Shaping the plants in the pool garden

is a delicate art. The large dome
of Prunus lusitanica and the smaller
spheres of Fagus sylvatica need to
be clipped with secateurs, but here
electric hedge trimmers are used for
the low hedge and spheres of Buxus
sempervirens and taller yew hedges.

64
 Textureandcomposition
So as not to distract from the colours of the pool, the garden relies on the
texture and structure of just four hedging plants (clockwise from top left):
Buxus sempervirens We clip box twice a year to keep a crisp appearance, and
feed in spring to keep it healthy. 5m. RHS H6, USDA 5a-8b†.
Prunus lusitanica We shape it with secateurs early in the season to avoid damaged
leaves and, in our case, flowering. If possible choose ‘Myrtifolia’, as its smaller leaves
increase the play of sunlight on the surface. 15m. AGM*. RHS H5, USDA 6a-8b.
Fagus sylvatica Common beech can be fashioned as spheres, but use secateurs to
avoid blemishes of the leaves. Late frosts can cause damage on young leaves, so we
cover the plants with horticultural fleece. 25m. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 4a-7b.
Taxus baccata English yew is one of my favourite topiary plants. Clip in early August to
keep it in shape through the winter. We clip it at least twice a year with hedge trimmers
followed by secateurs to achieve a neat finish. 20m. AGM. RHS H7, USDA 6a-7b.
*Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. †Hardiness ratings given where available.

Outsidethebox
While box remains unsurpassed for its versatility, glossy leaves and its ability to be
shaped into wondrous creations, concern over box blight means that like many, I’ve set
myself the enjoyable challenge of looking for alternatives; thinking about the strengths
of different selections for their health, colour, scent or their genius for the right place.
One of my favourites is Osmanthus x burkwoodii, an evergreen shrub with scented
white flowers, that can be shaped into hedges and spheres, preferably with secateurs.
Over time, it will become a dense shape with beautiful, glossy leaves. Sarcococca
hookeriana var. humilis is another strong contender that has proven to be useful for
small hedges. It is evergreen, beautifully scented in spring and easily pruned making it
especially useful for dark, shady corners. Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’ is a very slow-
growing cultivar of the common yew and tolerates clipping. It can be formed into small
hedges, spheres or clouds and provides a strong anchor for any design.
 Any artwork, even one in which
you can swim, needs careful
positioning, but with Gateway the
space is also part of the art
 five large topiary pieces – three yew and two Portuguese laurel – that give structure and height to the planting and
frame the space. Green waves of box and yew lead up to a straight yew hedge that frames the entire garden creating
a sense of enclosure and tranquillity. Throughout, we kept hard landscaping to a minimum using only black bricks,
even for the internal wall in the glass-domed pool house, and Corten steel for all edging and other details.
Inspiration also came from the extraordinary pool scenes captured by the American photographer Slim Aarons
from the 1950s to 1970s, where colour is saturated and there is a movie quality to the setting. “All you need to do is
don a fabulous kaftan and with a dry martini in hand you are transported to one of those famous scenes,” says Nicky.
In keeping with Gateway’s cosmic theme, you enter the garden through Joana’s Sun Gate, and exit past a ceramic
fountain from Bordallo Pinheiro, adorned by hand-crafted ceramic water lilies and glamorous frogs, through
a chalice-shaped yew to the sound of a slow trickle of water, then step out through the Moon Gate into the real world.
We were fortunate to find rich soil in the garden, so only some nutritious compost was added prior to planting for
a good start. All plants are fed annually with organic fertilisers to maintain the health and vigour. Over the seasons, we
aim to strike a balance between keeping the precision of sharp lines and letting plants grow and develop with the help
of a gifted team of gardeners. Shapes will become more detailed as we maintain the garden, always remembering the
flow of water until eventually individual plants become one living organism and part of Gateway.

USEFUL INFORMATION
Address Jupiter Artland, Bonnington House, Steadings, Wilkieston, Edinburgh EH27 8BY. Tel 01506 889900.
Web jupiterartland.org Open May to September, daily, 10am to 5pm. Entry £9. See website for how to book a swim.

With so much colour woven through

Gateway, only green was left for the
pool garden, giving it a very different
feel to the naturalistic planting in
the public areas, and the formal
private gardens laid out by Arabella-
Lennox Boyd on the other side of
the yew hedges. Three large Taxus
baccata topiary echo the turrets of
Bonnington House in the background
and add height and gravitas.

67
 HORTICULTURAL WHO’S WHO

PAT HAVERS
Waterperry Gardens’ self-taught head gardener on learning the ropes by osmosis, why there was
no messing with Miss Havergal and a lifetime spent loving the gardens where she now works
WORDS CLAIRE MASSET PORTRAIT CHARLIE HOPKINSON

he story of how Pat Havers became a professional café. A few years later, they asked me if I’d like a job in the garden.”
gardener is so charming that it would make a lovely Eventually, the position of head gardener became vacant. “I didn’t go
children’s book. It is the tale of a little girl who grew for the job at the time, but the team realised I knew more about the
up near a beautiful garden, surrounded by a friendly gardens than anyone else coming in.” So the job was hers.
band of women, and learned the ropes by osmosis. Pat has had no formal training. She describes herself as
Pat was born in the small village of Waterperry in a ‘homegrown head gardener’. After 20 years at the helm, she
he focus of the village was a pioneering ‘school for understands the garden intuitively. She knows what to do and when
lady gardeners’. It had been set up in the 1930s by Beatrix Havergal to do it and is most proud of the fact that she has finally mastered
and her partner Avice Sanders and was renowned for its first-class the garden’s complicated and intricate three-season border. “It’s
teaching. Over the years (it closed in 1971), the school trained many taken me all this time, but I’ve got my head around it,” she beams.
professional women gardeners, including Pamela Schwerdt and Perhaps surprisingly, Pat has no desire to put her own stamp on
Sibylle Kreutzberger, who went on to the garden. Her pleasure comes from
do great things at Sissinghurst. maintaining its high standards and
Waterperry was Pat’s childhood perpetuating its legacy. “I could never
playground but also – unbeknown to I FEEL THE be bored or ever feel that I need to
her at the time – her training ground.
“My mum worked in the garden and, NEED TO KEEP make a great impact on the garden. I
feel the need to keep it looking lovely,
when my dad died when I was six,
the team wrapped their arms around
WATERPERRY but not to change it. That would feel
like a betrayal.” The only area where she
me.” Pat spent her spare time and LOOKING LOVELY, allows herself free rein is in the cutting
holidays there. Students and staff
at Waterperry worked side-by-side BUT NOT TO garden. “I can put whatever I like there
and have a bit of fun with it. When
and most lived in; it was a warm,
friendly community.
CHANGE IT. THAT everything is getting on top of me, that’s
where I go.” She has her own garden
“There are pictures of me asleep in WOULD FEEL LIKE to retreat to as well, just minutes away
the wheelbarrow,” Pat smiles, thinking
back to her younger years. She recalls A BETRAYAL in the village, where she unashamedly
gives in to her love of the cottage garden
the little tasks she was allowed to do, style. Despite her own plot’s loveliness,
such as using rabbits’ tails to pollinate in the evenings and at weekends, Pat
the strawberries. “I remember Miss Havergal. You didn’t mess with finds it hard to resist walking over to her ‘other’ garden and having
her – but on the other hand she had a heart of gold. She would a wander to make sure everything is looking just right.
put on Christmas parties for the village children, and the students Still today the garden remains true to its origins and has strong
would play games with you. teaching credentials. As well as offering a variety of in-house
“One day, when I was four or five, I was playing near the potting classes, it runs an RHS Level 2 course. In Waterperry tradition,
shed. Miss Havergal came over with a group of people. I thought I some of the modules are taught by members of the gardening
was going to get told off, but instead she said: ‘This is my youngest team, including Pat.
student.’” How right Beatrix Havergal was. Listening to Pat, it’s patently clear how much she loves the place.
When Pat was nine or ten, she took a trip with her mum to the “There is often the need to make your own story and your own
RHS Chelsea Flower Show. She remembers the excitement as she mark when you start working in a garden. Mine had already started
wove her way through the crowds and stood on tiptoe to catch a from childhood. When I came to be head gardener, I had all that
glimpse of Miss Havergal’s famous strawberry exhibit. (Miss H, history to fall back on. The story was already there. I almost feel
or Trix, as she was variously known, was a passionate strawberry like it was meant to be. That’s why I do it: for all the ladies that were
grower and won a total of 15 gold medals for her displays.) here before me.”
As she grew up, Pat spread her wings in the world of work, but
remained a Waterperry resident. Then suddenly she became a single USEFUL INFORMATION
mum and had to juggle work and raising two young daughters on Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry, Oxfordshire OX33 1LA.
her own. “That’s when I started working part-time in the Waterperry Tel 01844 339226, waterperrygardens.co.uk

68
IN BRIEF
Name Domaine du Ooievaar.
What A formal garden and orchard
that houses important collections
of bulbs, shrubs and trees.
Where Belgium.
Size Two hectares.
Soil A moisture-retentive loam
that drains freely.
Climate Temperate.
Hardiness zone USDA 7b.

This image Close to a boundary

hornbeam hedge a collection of birch
trees are surrounded by the colourful
stems of dogwoods, Cornus sanguinea,
and underplanted with hellebores and
snowdrops. In the foreground the pale
bark of Betula costata peels back to
reveal the pink tones of the tree trunk.
Facing page Behind the house there is
a swimming pool that is cleaned by the
movement of water through the roots
of plants. Natural swimming pools are
often made in organic forms, to resemble
ponds, but here the rectilinear pond
is used to echo the formality of other
parts of the garden.
 Formalthinking
In the garden around their Flanders farmhouse, Olivier and Trudy
Vico have combined formality with exuberant planting
WORDS JOHN HOYLAND PHOTOGRAPHS ANNAÏCK GUITTENY

71
 am a plant collector, obsessively so, and this is a plant collector’s garden,” says Olivier Vico,

I
Above In the orchard the fruit trees are
speaking of Domaine du Ooievaar, the garden he has created southwest of Ghent in Belgium. planted in a grid and are linked by lines
“But, I also like well-designed gardens and I did not want a garden like so many collectors’ of spring-flowering bulbs. Olivier
gardens, with plants growing together and hundreds of plant labels.” Olivier has succeeded explains that this also has a practical
maintenance benefit: the grass in most
beautifully and, together with his wife Trudy, has made a harmonious garden that sits
of the orchard can be mown while the
comfortably in the surrounding landscape, wearing its horticultural credentials lightly.
bulbs are left to die down naturally.
The house, a traditional Flanders farmhouse built from red brick with the white
pointing typical of the area, is built on three sides around an open courtyard. “I knew Facing page A stream runs through
from the very beginning that in this central courtyard the garden had to be formal,” explains Olivier. the garden and passes along the
boundary. Here the couple have
Evoking the cour d’honneur of grand French and Dutch gardens of the 18th century, the courtyard is
planted snowdrops, forms of
flanked by pleached limes enclosing a parterre of low box hedges, punctuated, in each quadrant, by
Cyclamen coum and part of their
yew pyramids. The rigorous formality of the gardens that inspired it, though, is challenged by collection of Hamamelis. The shade
the exuberant planting within the box-hedged areas, with a vibrant mixture of herbaceous provided by the American red oaks,
perennials, annuals, grasses and, above all, bulbs ensuring that this part of the garden is full of Quercus rubra, and the well-drained
colour and movement throughout the year. soil of the bank provide perfect
Moving away from the house the formality continues in an orchard of 22 fruit trees that are conditions for the plants.
planted in a grid pattern. In the classical manner, the further one is from the house the less formal
the garden becomes. “Given the layout of the buildings, a certain formality imposes itself,” says
Olivier, “but as we get further away from them, we allow ourselves an element of looseness and
a preference for more organic forms.” In the orchard this looseness is provided by 30,000 narcissi,
snowdrops and camassias planted, not throughout the orchard as they might be in most gardens,
but in the connecting lines between the trees. Once the bulbs have finished flowering, they are left
to die back naturally, allowing grasses to grow up in waves between the trees.
A rediscovered appreciation of 18th-century French and Dutch gardens is evident in many
contemporary gardens in the region and Olivier has been influenced by several of the most important
ones. The revered French plantswoman Princess Sturdza advised them on the importance of using
evergreens as an anchor for both deciduous hedges and ephemeral plantings. At Jardin Plume, the
To continue turn to page 76

72
 Snowdropsareplanted
wheretheycanromp
around,crosspollinateand,
mostimportantly,bringlife
and colour for many months
1 2 3 4

12 KEY PLANTS
1 Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Spanish Spider’ A form of witch hazel that blooms from January
to March. The flowers have twisted, crinkly petals that, for some people, resemble spiders’ legs.
Hamamelis prefer rich, well-drained soils and will not grow on chalk. 3m. RHS H5, USDA 5a-8b†.
2 Acer davidii Known as the snake-bark maple because of the attractively striated green and
grey bark. In autumn its foliage turns first orange then a buttery yellow. 12m. RHS H5, USDA 5a-7b.
3 Salix gracilistyla ‘Mount Aso’ An eye-catching form of Japanese pussy willow that has
attractive, bright-pink catkins in late winter and early spring. The foliage has a glaucous
sheen with silvery undersides to the leaves. It grows best in rich, moist soils. 4m. RHS H5.
4 Helleborus croaticus The Croatian hellebore is a clump-forming species hellebore that
has slightly pointed petals with a greenish tinge on the interior and purple veining on the
outside. This is a tough plant that soon forms large clumps. 40cm. RHS H6, USDA 6a-8b.
5 Helleborus x hybridus Party Dress Group A hellebore hybrid with double
flowers. Originally promoted by hellebore breeder Robin White at Blackthorn Nursery,
the name now encompasses double-flowered forms with white, pink and purple
flowers, often with speckled petals. 50cm. RHS H7, USDA 4a-9b.
6 Galanthus ‘Hippolyta’ A vigorous snowdrop that quickly forms large clumps. The inner
5 petals are heavily marked with green and the outer ones often have a faint veining. It flowers 6
later than most snowdrops, looking at its best in March. 20cm. RHS H5.
7 Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans’ A conifer that undergoes an extraordinary
annual transformation. At the beginning of the year the foliage starts out a blue-green
colour, which turns a fresh-green throughout summer and then by autumn the whole shrub turns
a rusty red. The feathery foliage is unusually soft for a conifer. 2m. AGM*. RHS H6, USDA 5a-8b.
8 Crocus tommasinianus Perhaps the best crocus for naturalising in turf as the relatively
long neck of the flower holds it above the grass. Flowers in February and March, and once
established it will happily self-seed and form large colonies. 10cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 3a-8b.
9 Cyclamen coum f. pallidum ‘Album’ The white-flowered form of Cyclamen coum has
a deep-purple stain at the base of the petals. The foliage often has a silvery sheen. Flowers
from January to March and will eventually form large groups. 10cm. RHS H5, USDA 5a-9b.
10 Galanthus ‘Etoile de Neige’ The winter days that Olivier and Trudy spend looking
at colonies of snowdrops occasionally turn up treasures. This snowdrop was found by Trudy
growing near a colony of Galanthus nivalis Scharlockii Group and named by her. 15cm.
11 Betula nigra Heritage (= ‘Cully’) An unusual birch tree, native to North America that has
a copper-coloured bark revealing a creamy trunk beneath. In spring the branches are hung
with golden catkins. Eventual height about 15m. RHS H7, USDA 4a-9b.
12 Picea breweriana Native to North America, this is an evergreen spruce with a weeping
habit. Curtains of blue-green leaves cascade from its branches to dramatic effect. A very
slow-growing tree that eventually can get to 12m. AGM. RHS H7, USDA 6a-8b.
7 *Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. †Hardiness ratings given where available. 8

9 10 11 12
 Theaimisnottorecreate
historicstylebuttoevokethe
tranquillityoftheformal
whilemarryingitwith
a contemporary aesthetic
Between the formality of the orchard and
more informal areas of the garden is a series
of low, clipped beech hedges, which create
a separation between areas without closing
them off entirely. Olivier favours beech for
the way that it holds on to its leaves in winter.

75
 contemporary garden in Normandy, created by Patrick and Sylvie Quibel, they saw that formality and Above A series of 15 metal arches,
informality can be juxtaposed to create beautiful spaces. The influence of Le Jardin Plume can be seen clothed with climbing roses,
most clearly in an area containing six large squares of bulbs and perennials surrounding a miroir d’eau, stretches alongside a perimeter
a square reflecting pool. The squares are planted mainly for spring interest with thousands of species hedge. Linking them on both sides
is an underplanting of Geranium
narcissus, forms of Narcissus poeticus and varieties of Tulipa clusiana. Geranium pratense, Gladiolus
macrorrhizum, which in mild winters
communis subsp. byzantinus and Allium sphaerocephalon take over later in the year.
is evergreen. The job of pruning the
As at Le Jardin Plume, the aim here has been not to recreate the historic style but rather to roses is usually done in the lull
reinvent it, to evoke the tranquillity of the formal while marrying it with a contemporary aesthetic between Christmas and New Year.
and a modern plant palette. The plants in the garden are as important as the design of the space.
Facing page Clumps of snowdrops
“For me a well-designed garden is not enough. I need a certain botanical richness and it is
thrive under a specimen of Betula
important that our plant collections are integrated into the garden,” Olivier explains. “This is a
nigra Heritage (= ‘Cully’). Snowdrops
relatively small space and once the structural elements – trees, shrubs, hedges – were planted, there are not just a flower of early spring
was not only less space but also more shade, so I am more and more interested in plants that are and in this garden there are
adapted to both, like the snowdrops, the cyclamen and the ferns in the wilder areas.” specimens in flower for six months,
It is in these wilder areas that Olivier has planted collections of birch and witch hazel, underplanted starting in autumn with forms of
with hellebores, crocuses and, as everywhere else in the garden, snowdrops. Rather than being grown in Galanthus reginae-olgae and finishing
pots, in the manner of an exhibition, here they are planted in the garden where they can romp around, with the last of the Galanthus nivalis.
cross pollinate and, most importantly, bring life and colour for many months of the year.
This is a garden for all seasons, but its owners look forward most to seeing it in winter.“A garden of two
hectares is a lot of work, particularly in the summer. In the winter there is less to do and so we are able to
appreciate the garden more,” says Olivier.“As much as we like the vigour and abundance of summer, in
winter we can admire the architecture of the garden traced by the hedges and anchored by evergreens, and
we have the time to really look at those plants whose winter flowers furnish the space. Winter is when the
whole garden is here, when everything comes together.”

USEFUL INFORMATION
Address Ooievaarsnest 11, 8510 Kortrijk, Belgium. Web domaineduooievaar.be Open Most years in
June as part of Jardins Ouverts de Belgique, and by appointment for groups of 10-30 people.

76
 Inthesewilder
areasOlivierhas
underplantedbirchwith
hellebores,crocusesand,
aseverywhereelsein
the garden, snowdrops
 Traditional taste
RV Roger has a century-old reputation for growing
top-quality plants, but it is its field-grown apple trees for which
this traditional family run nursery is now best known
WORDS BEN PRESTON PHOTOGRAPHS JASON INGRAM

78
 oyston Valentine Roger started with a modest half acre near Pickering in Yorkshire in 1913. He began

R
growing alpines that could be cultivated to a saleable size in just three months, to get the business
off the ground. More than 100 years on, RV Roger is now a third-generation family-run nursery,
growing over 450 varieties of field-grown top fruit with many other strings to its bow, including field-
grown roses, extensive bulb collection and a nursery. But in the north of England, the nursery is best
known for its magnificent, gold medal-winning, tiered apple displays at the Harrogate Flower Show,
showcasing its extensive range of more than 240 heritage and modern cultivars. This has not always
been the case, through its history it has specialised in different areas, adapting to the horticultural
requirements and the needs of the country – from ornamental trees in the 1920s and 1930s, through fruit trees in the Dig
for Victory war efforts, to roses, growing up to 240,00 every year by the 1960s.
Today, the farm and nursery extends to 200 acres and with 70-80 acres cultivated with field-grown stock at any one
time, in a complex rotation system encompassing; traditional farming, and fruit trees. Ian Roger, managing director and
grandson of the founder, leads a passionate team of 20, who use traditional horticultural and land management techniques
passed down through three generations. “Many of our team, like me, have worked alongside their fathers and grandfathers
within the nursery and have horticulture in their blood,” says Ian with some pride.
Tradition is important to RV Roger, but not to the point of sentimentality, especially when it comes to selecting the
apple cultivars it grows. “Just because an apple variety has been grown for 200 years doesn’t mean it’s a good apple,” says
David Patch, RV Roger’s nurseryman. “We are not a preservation society, every single apple we grow has its own qualities
and uses, from early cider apples to late dessert apples.” This pragmatic approach is applied to every part of the nursery,
from the techniques it uses in the field to the care and attention it takes in the packing shed. Every espalier and cordon is
expertly hand wrapped, ensuring delicate branches are protected during transit.

Facing page A Malus domestica

‘Discovery’ from the fields of RV
Roger. This popular cultivar, which
originates from Essex in 1949, has
exceptional crisp, white juicy flesh.
Field-grown fruit, specifically apples,
has become RV Roger’s main area
of expertise at its North Yorkshire
nursery. Here field manager, Martin
Cook undertakes summer pruning
of half-standard trained trees.
 1 2

Training apple trees

1 Espalier The most common form of decorative training.
Usually with two to four branches on either side. Ideal for
space saving, training against a wall or a fence.
2 Bush tree Ideal for small gardens and maximum productivity.
With the aim of roughly six main branches with an open centre,
grown to a maximum of 3m high.
3 Traditional fan Also ideal for training against a wall or fence. A
very attractive decorative and high-yielding form, ideal for space
saving and combining ornamental and productive gardening.
4 Belgian Fence A very attractive and decorative lattice-like
pattern, were multiple trees are planted close together and
branches are trained at a 45-degree angle to overlap one another.
5 Handrail Trained like a step-over but to around waist height,
with just one tier of branches. Looks good around the edge of
a vegetable garden and is easy to maintain.

3 4

80
 Out in the fields propagation of new fruit trees begins with the planting of root stocks in late winter, followed by
bud grafting in July. This yields a 90-95 per cent success rate and any rootstock with a failed bud graft will be re-grafted
using the traditional whip-and-tongue technique the following March. This process produces a field-grown maiden (a
single stem young fruit tree roughly 1-2m), ready for bareroot sale in November, a 16-month process from graft to sale.
What sets the nursery apart for gardeners, however, is the huge range both in the number of cultivars and trained forms
it offers. At first, this vast selection seems quite overwhelming, but the knowledge and guidance provided by the team will
help you select and plan, whether you’re planting a heritage orchard or choosing trained specimens (see box on facing page)
for a small ornamental garden. Walking between row after row of meticulously trained trees, from simple cordons to more
complex Belgium fences, you get a real idea of the scale of the operation and can’t help but be inspired by the beautiful ways
in which fruit trees can be grown for ornamental structure as well as productivity.
All the trees produced are field grown and lifted specifically to order. The major advantage to this process is in the root
development; by allowing the root system to develop an association with the soil rather than in a pot helps to form
a more robust and vigorous tree that once transplanted will establish well and yield plentiful fruit. The hardiness and frost
tolerance of each cultivar can also vary greatly, often depending on the origin of the cultivar. Many bred in the south of
England will not crop as prolifically in the colder regions of the north, but these trees have northern grit, and thankfully
many of the cultivars grown here have been introduced from as far north as Edinburgh.
Turn the page for 16 key apples
USEFUL INFORMATION
Address Malton Road, Pickering, North Yorkshire YO18 7JW. Tel 01751 472226. Web rvroger.co.uk
Open Monday to Saturday, 8am-5pm; Sunday 10am-4pm. Also offers mail order.

5
 1 2 3

16 key apples
1 Malus domestica ‘Laxton's Superb’ A heavy-cropping
4 5
dessert apple that has a superb sweet flavour with crisp, white
flesh. Resistant to frost. RHS H6, USDA 5a-8b†.
2 Malus domestica ‘Lord Derby’ A prolific, culinary apple with
bright-green fruit that holds its colour when cooked. Very
hardy, suitable for wet soils and scab resistant.
3 Malus domestica ‘Laxton’s Fortune’ Sweet and aromatic
dessert apple, with medium-sized, yellow-flushed-red fruit. Has
good frost resistance and is a heavy cropper. AGM*.
4 Malus domestica ‘Thomas Jeffrey’ A glossy red, striped
dessert apple that originated in Edinburgh in 1923. Noted for
its firm and sharp flavour. Good for cider production.
5 Malus domestica ‘Golden Pippin’ A very old cultivar, first
recorded in 1629. A useful dual-purpose apple with small,
golden-yellow fruit. Intense, sweet and lemony flavour.
6 Malus domestica ‘Duke of Devonshire’ A medium-sized,
golden-green dessert apple. Flat in appearance with an
intense flavour that is both sweet and sharp.
7 Malus domestica ‘Yellow Ingestre’ A late-season
dessert apple. Its small, yellow-skinned fruit have
a good flavour that is sharp but also sweet.
8 Malus domestica ‘Rajka’ An attractive dessert apple from
the Czech Republic with round fruits, crisp flesh and juicy.
Good disease resistance. Perfect for organic cultivation.

6 7 8
 9 10 11

9 Malus domestica ‘Ribston Pippin’ A classic Yorkshire

dessert apple. Excellent, quality fruit and prolific cropper,
with firm and juicy flesh. Grows well in the north. AGM.
12 10 Malus domestica ‘Bloody Ploughman’ One of the 13
most attractive dessert apples, with heavy, shiny, deep-red
fruit. Sweet, crisp and juicy flesh.
11 Malus domestica ‘Brownlee’s Russet’ A late dessert
apple that can be stored long after Christmas. Aromatic
and intense, sharp but sweet fruit.
12 Malus domestica ‘Worcester Pearmain’ A dessert apple,
ready as early as August. A medium-sized, red fruit that crops
reliably every year. Good frost resistance. AGM.
13 Malus domestica ‘Scrumptious’ A flavoursome
dessert apple, one of the best early season croppers. Thin
skinned and sweet fruit that is loved by children. AGM.
14 Malus domestica ‘Sunset’ A tasty dessert apple with firm
and juicy fruit. A good northern replacement for ‘Cox’s Orange
Pippin’. Resistant to frost and a good cropper. AGM.
15 Malus domestica ‘Newton Wonder’ A good dual-purpose
apple. Bears large fruit and releases a sweet aroma with good
flavour when cooked. Resistant to late frosts.
16 Malus domestica ‘Golden Spire’ A very useful dual-
purpose apple, with yellow, conical-shaped fruit. Good for
cider, apple sauce and has striking blossom in the spring.

*Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

†
Most apple trees have a hardiness rating of RHS H6, USDA 5a 8b.
Eventual height of all will depend on the rootstock selected, but most range from 1.8m to 4.5m.

14 15 16
 HEART OF
THE HOME
A fireplace is often a focal point for a room,
and can always be improved by a plant or two.
Matthew Reese shows how best to arrange
plants, whether adding interest to an empty
hearth or bringing a mantelpiece to life
WORDS MATTHEW REESE PHOTOGRAPHS JASON INGRAM
 Plants
1 Alocasia x amazonica ‘Polly’
A tuberous, tropical perennial. Its large, shield-like,
dark-green leaves have striking white veins and maroon
undersides. Prefers a moist, rich compost, warm
atmosphere and indirect sunlight. 45cm. RHS H1A†.
2 Guzmania ‘Rostara’
This wonderful bromeliad spouts a candelabra
composed of bright-red bracts that arise from the
centre of leafy rosettes. Makes an ideal house plant with
regular misting. 50cm. RHS H1A, USDA 10a-12b.
3 Vriesea ‘Elan’
1 2 3 This bromeliad forms rosettes of soft-green foliage from
which it throws up flattened, branching flower spikes in
flame red. These produce smaller flowers. It needs
humid, tropical conditions. 40cm. RHS H1A.
4 Philodendron x domesticum
This cultivated hybrid of Philodendron hastatum is
a clambering Philodendron grown for its attractive
silver-green foliage, hence its common name of silver
sword. 2m. RHS H1A, USDA 10a-12b.
5 Aechmea fasciata
An epiphyte from the rainforest canopy of Brazil, it
makes vase-shaped rosettes of stiff, grey and white
banded, blunt leaves and has candy-pink flower spikes
with pale-blue flowers. 90cm. RHS H1B, USDA 10a-11b.
6 Aechmea ‘Pepita Elegant Flames’
From a central spike, this epiphyte produces
4 5 6 spectacular bright-red inflorescences with yellow
flowers on the tips. Does best in warm shady
conditions. 40cm. RHS H1A.
7 Guzmania ‘Candy’
This epiphytic bromeliad forms lax rosettes of thin,
glossy green foliage from the centre of which rise pink
spikes with white flowers. Needs moist, warm, shady
conditions with good air movement. 50cm. RHS H1A.
8 Aechmea ‘Felice’
A striking bromeliad with gold-variegated leaf margins
that are presented in a vase-shaped rosette. It produces
long-lasting pink flower spikes. Desirable and easy to
grow in normal household conditions. 60cm. RHS H1A.
9 Tillandsia usneoides
This epiphyte has the largest natural range of the
7 8 9 bromeliads. It makes ropes of small, silvery-green,
thread-like, rootless plants. 1-2m . RHS H1C.

F
*Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.†Hardiness ratings given where available.

ireplaces are often the focal point in a room and lend themselves to bold
decoration. If a fire is to be lit, we drape swags of cut flowers and foliage over
Where to buy
the mantelpiece as very few plants will survive the updraft of heat from the Crafty Plants
flames. But, when fires are not lit, they look lovely adorned with plants. Hortivation, 64 Dunkirk Lane, Leyland,
The brilliant colours and striking shapes of the winter-flowering bromeliads bestow Lancashire PR25 1TX.
a wonderful, tropical swagger on the room. The larger, more tropical leaves of the aroids Tel 01772 657564, craftyplants.co.uk
add contrast to the whorls of bromeliad foliage and continue the exotic theme. The Specialist in air plants. Mail order only.
plants are mostly housed in heavy porcelain and glass vases that help to counterbalance Bridgemere Garden Centre
the top-heavy bromeliads, which often have very limited root systems. We have also Bridgemere, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 7QB.
introduced Aechmea fasciata and Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish moss) to the display, Tel 01270 360003, bluediamond.gg/garden-centres
both of which can be grown as air plants in the conservatory. Good selection of houseplants. Monday to Saturday,
Arranging plants on the mantelpiece in a linear fashion can make the display 9am-6pm; Sunday, 10.30am-4.30pm.
look quite lacklustre. For a more interesting presentation, use plants of varying Duchy of Cornwall Nursery
proportions in different size pots, and place them off-kilter so they do not all line up Cott Road, Lostwithiel, Cornwall PL22 0HW.
like soldiers. Here we have tucked the air plants in between the pots to link the display Tel 01208 872668, duchyofcornwallnursery.co.uk
and make it look more luxuriant. Adjust the plants so the foliage laps over the edge of Good selection of houseplants. Monday to Saturday,
the mantelpiece to create a more comfortable and natural-feeling arrangement, and 10am-4pm; Sunday, closed (temporarily).
position plants in the fire grate to complete the composition. RHS Garden Wisley Shop and Plant Centre
Bromeliads are easy to grow, and provided they receive a daily misting and do RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB.
not get too cold, they will last for weeks in the house. We repair the plants back to Tel 01483 211113,rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley
the conservatory when they need a refresh. Eventually, the flowering rosettes will die Good selection of houseplants. Monday to Saturday,
and a new generation of offsets will be produced. 9.30am-5.30pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm.

85
Usnea articulata
Despite appearances this
is often unattached to trees,
draping over branches
forming soft festoons. Older
stems become swollen with
constrictions at intervals
giving the appearance of
strings of sausages.
 Know your lichen
Although they often go unnoticed, with their multitude of colours
and forms, lichens deserve a closer look. Discover their intricate
beauty with our guide to some of the UK’s most common species
WORDS HANNAH GARDNER PHOTOGRAPHS JASON INGRAM

he chances are that lichens are growing closer to hand than you might think.
Small in stature, their subtle and furtive beauty passes unnoticed by the casual
eye. I first discovered lichens as a coral-like cluster hanging from the branches of
a gnarly tree on the edge of Dartmoor, but I also see them as blackened blotches
on shoreline rocks and in chartreuse blue-grey on the legs of my wooden garden
bench. These tough and intricate structures are not quite a fungus, nor are they
a moss. The very first lichens probably occurred before the evolution of land
plants, cup fungi species having evolved during the Carboniferous period 358-
298 million years ago. A lichen is not a single organism, rather a group of at least two organisms
that closely interact in a stable, mutually beneficial (symbiotic) association. This produces a more
elaborate and longer lived organisms than either partner can form alone. The relationship is between
a fungus and at least one alga (most commonly a green alga) or cyanobacterium.
Most require light to grow and tree lichens are most ‘active’ when their hosts are not in leaf. Lichens can
adapt to different ecological settings by pairing with different photobionts. Many different groups of fungi
form lichens, but with an occurrence in 98 per cent of all lichen species cup-fungi are the most common to
do so. Lichens reproduce by discharging spores and also vegetatively by shedding ready-to-grow structures
that contain both alga and fungus. Some species form upright branched structures but many are prostrate
establishing an expanding, irregular, flattened, multi-lobed crust. If undisturbed rock lichens can survive
for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Lichens are useful organisms, although conservationists often now discourage their collection.
A small hand lens will enable a closer look at some easily identifiable features and offer a chance to
name key species. A garden survey is always satisfying and valuable but be aware that lichens found
on stone are often disfigured by browsing slugs and snails. It may be easier to identify conspicuous
twig species, these are especially colourful after rainfall. The bulk of lichen diversity belongs to those
with cup-shaped or open-fruiting bodies, including Cladonia, Parmelia and Peltigera. They retain
roughly the same form throughout the year and with close observation you can identify them in
your own garden or in the wider green spaces around you.
The colourful mosaic crusts of lichen can be found colonising a wide range of materials, both
natural and man-made in practically all regions of the world. They thrive on rock, wood, tree bark
and heathland soil but it’s not necessary to head for remote hills and upland forests to make exciting
discoveries. Gardens, yards and urban churchyards offer up treasures too. Check the surface of
evergreen leaves, the bark of fruit trees, paving slabs and old terracotta pots. Lichens absorb water
from the atmosphere very efficiently so they can survive some environmental extremities. Rock
lichens are prolific on virtually water-free substrates, such as bare rocks, brick or stone walls. They
survive periods of severe desiccation by becoming metabolically inactive but they have no defence
against atmospheric pollution. Since Victorian times they have been reliable indicators of
air pollution. Lichens subtly colour the whole landscape in places where the air is pure, so with its
good air quality, combined with high rainfall, southwest England is one of the best places in the
UK to spot a diverse range of lichens. However, it is the remote Celtic rainforests, the Caledonian
pinewoods, the Atlantic hazelwoods and high montane habitats of Scotland that are a lichenologist’s
true nirvana. But wherever you choose to walk this winter, be sure to take a closer look at the lichens
you find growing on trees and take pleasure in the multitude of colours and forms you’ll find. n

Turn the page for our guide to the UK’s most commonly found lichens

87
 Cladonia floerkeana Ochrolechia androgyna
Common on peaty heaths. Has a warty, pale-grey crust
The basal scales form often tinged with yellow.
scattered greenish grey Abundant soralia (bumps)
patches. Protruding stalks usually cover much of the
are sparsely branched and surface. Widespread, often
bear large scarlet apothecia growing over moss on
(spore-producing bodies) rocks and in thinner crusts
at their tips. on acid tree bark.

Flavoparmelia caperata Peltigera hymenina

Commonly found in Smooth and shiny felted
southern England where, dark upper surface;
on old deciduous trees, it pale-beige underside.
often reaches a large size. Red-brown oblong spore-
The broad lobes are slightly producing apothecia are
wrinkled and a beautiful found on long lobes that
shade of green-yellow when curl upwards. Creeps on
wet; grey when dry. the surface of the ground.

88
Cladonia ciliata
Variable in habit and
colour but with the
overall appearance
of grey moss. There
are brown tips on
the branched stems.
Colonies usually form
small mounds.

Thecolourfulmosaiccrustsoflichen
thriveonrock,wood,treebarkandheathland
soilbutit’s notnecessarytoheadfor
remotehillsanduplandforeststomakeexciting
discoveries.Gardens,yardsand
urban churchyards offer up treasure too
Parmelia omphalodes Hypogymnia tubulosa
Found on siliceous Mainly grows on twigs
mountain boulders, scree, and tree trunks attached
upland walls and acid- by a dark undersurface.
barked trees. Forms loosely Lobes are tubular and
attached, brown leafy grow upwards with
clumps. Lobes carry a fine masses of pale, powdery
tracery of white lines and soredia (reproductive
often a metallic sheen. structures) at their tips.

Cladonia crispata Lasallia pustulata

Usually grows on peat Occurs in large patches
heathland forming a layer with prominent pustules
of scale-like, brown-grey across its surface. The
‘leaves’, from which margins have dense
protrude short, upright, tufts of black isidia
hollow branching stems. (reproductive outgrowths).
Very small cups are held Found on rocks in
on the tips. upland areas.
Hypotrachyna taylorensis Pertusaria corallina
A rock lichen with foliose Common on siliceous rocks
(leaf-like) growth. The in upland regions. Forms
pale, blueish-grey surface a thick grey crust often
is often crumpled and enclosed by a white line. Its
spotted with white, and surface is very rough. When
has overlapping lobes examined with a lens can
that point in the be seen to be covered in
same direction. tiny granular isidia.

Platismatia glauca Sphaerophorus globosus

A varied but colourful rag A coral-like fruticose lichen
lichen that is common on that is found on mossy wet
trees, fences, walls and bark in upland habitats
rocks. Spore-producing in the north and west.
discs are rarely found Colonises rocks and tree
but white vegetative trunks forming much-
structures are common branched, brownish-grey
around the edges. coral-like tufts.

91
DEVELOP

rd t s f s
ga en tmal

s!
en re ris ea

en or
YOUR

er
ke p Ch Id
s
PASSION
FOR
PLANTING
DESIGN
At the London College of Garden
Design our aim is to provide world- class,
inspirational garden design training.
Our six month Planting Design Diploma
has been created to enable students to
learn from the very best designers and
PLANT SUPPORTS
plants people.
& Garden Artefacts
Beautiful designs for herbaceous perennials,
roses, shrubs & climbers.
www.leanderplantsupports.co.uk
Tel. 01773 550495 for a brochure

HERITAGE WORKWEAR FOR MEN AND WOMEN

MADE IN NORFOLK, ENGLAND
c a r r i e rc o m p a n y.c o.uk + 4 4 ( 0 ) 1328 820699
CONTACT US
+44 (0)1483 762955
[email protected]

lcgd.org.uk
 Design
News and sourcebook

A SPACE TO REMEMBER
BCA Landscape and design agency Smiling Wolf have submitted
plans for approval to Manchester City Council for a memorial garden
to the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing. Inspired by the
purple colours of the upland heaths of the nearby Peak District,
the planting within a sunny glade of grasses, heathers, bulbs and
perennials, will change through a subtle palette of crimson, cerise,
ruby, magenta and amethyst throughout the year. The centrepiece
of the tranquil garden will be a white halo in marble that will
BCA LANDSCAPE

bear the names in bronze of the 22 people who lost their lives in
the 2017 attack. bcalandscape.co.uk

93
News COMPILED BY ANNIE GATTI

1 2

3 4

1 HEATH PARK 2PRESIDENTIAL 3FINSBURY PARK 4ST GEORGE’S

The RIBA competition to transform LIBRARY CIRCUS HOSPITAL
the Heath Business and Technical International architecture and The winning design of a The worn and sloping grassy space
Park in Cheshire into a multi-use, landscape practice Snøhetta has competition to restore Finsbury in front of the entrance to London’s
carbon-free environment has been selected to design the Theodore Circus Gardens, the City of St George’s University Hospital has
been won by emerging practice Roosevelt Presidential Library in London’s oldest and largest public been transformed in just a few weeks
EcoResponsive Environments. Green North Dakota. The library, which open space, has been revealed. The by the design team at Bowles & Wyer.
roofs and permeable pavements will abuts the Theodore Roosevelt winning team of Architecture00 + The higher part of the two-tier
minimise surface runoff of water National Park, will be built with Studio Weave, with ReardonSmith planted landscape offers formal
and a wetland filtration system will natural and renewable materials. Landscape, has retained the seating surrounded by perennials in
deal with waste water. Mature trees Its sloping roof, which will be planted existing York stone paved outer bright colours combined with grasses
will create a green spine and with grasses, sedges and flowering ring and inserted a second pathway such as Calamagrostis x acutiflora
communal courtyard gardens forbs native to, or adapted to, the that frames a large lawn. An urban and Stipa tenuissima. Lower down,
will include allotments and areas region’s climate, is a visual extension forest will cover the west side an informal path leads through
for relaxation, and a 500m-long of the landscape. A curved path of the two-acre park, and on the a woodland area with lush green
wildflower meadow will create a leads visitors around the site, and northeast side a new open-sided planting and a more muted colour
4 BOWLES && WYER

natural corridor for pollinators. The a series of small pavilions will provide stone pavilion and terrazzo, will scheme to create a feeling of calm.
next stage will be a feasibility study. spaces for reflection and activity. host a café and an events space. bowleswyer.co.uk;
ecoresponsiveenvironments.com snohetta.com cityoflondon.gov.uk stgeorges.nhs.uk

94
 DESIGN

5 6

7 8

5WILDFLOWER 6GROSVENOR 7 SENSORY GARDEN 8 THE LASKETT

MEADOWS SQUARE Concept plans for a new sensory The Laskett Gardens, the
The sight of a combine harvester Initial design proposals by London garden designed by Victoria and Joe Herefordshire gardens created by
^
in Everton Park in Liverpool this practice Tonkin Liu for the redesign of Wade for Ty Hafan children’s hospice Sir Roy Strong and his late wife
summer confirmed the success of London’s Grosvenor Square reveal in Wales have been revealed. The Julia Trevelyan Oman, has been
the scheme to bring wildflowers to four interlocking gardens based on garden is conceived as a woodland gifted to the horticultural charity
the centre of the city. When the the original oval shape set out when walk through willow tunnels and Perennial. Since 1973, the couple
National Wildflower Centre, which the square was created 300 years twiggy arches. Trees on earth transformed a four-acre field into
introduced the scheme, closed in ago. Corner gardens, each featuring mounds provide shade and areas a series of garden rooms, with the
2017 the Cornwall-based Eden a floating rain basket that doubles of privacy, and there is a colourful latest addition being a belvedere
Project stepped in to protect its as a shelter, will provide green understorey of woodland planting. that Sir Roy designed and built
legacy and continue its work gateways leading to the open space In the middle of the garden, a in 2018. The charity will receive
restoring wild habitats and at the centre. Here, a rising mound woodland hut, with walls made of ownership from 1 January 2021 and
biodiversity around the UK. The will form the roof of a secret, stacked logs and clay mortar, and the garden will be open to visitors
plantings in Liverpool have been underground water garden that will a planted green roof, will have seating for periods of the year from April.
made over the past two years with enable rainwater capture. A new for up to ten people. A den, made of At the moment there are no plans
the help of more than 700 school planted zone around the edge of the woven hazel branches, will be dotted to change the garden. To make
children and a variety of community square will almost double the number with leaf-shaped mirrors on the a booking call 0800 093 8510.
groups. edenproject.comct.co / of existing trees. tonkinliu.co.uk inside. victoriawade.co.uk perennial.org.uk

95
 Choice.
®

01386 750585

[email protected]

[email protected]

Our instant hedging is available to order in a huge range of www.readyhedge.com

varieties and sizes, ready-spaced in troughs or Readybags.

Natural rubber shoes, boots and clogs

High performance
trousers packed with
special gardening features
Technical clothing
for serious gardeners
Styles for men and women

)DEXORXVO\ RUDO VHULRXVO\ FRPIRUWDEOH

WRWDOO\ ZDWHUSURRI

www.poddyandblack.com
+44 (0)20 3633 7288 © The Royal Horticultural Society. Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society. Registered Charity No 222879/SC038262. rhs.org.uk
 DESIGN
SOURCEBOOK

Terracottapots
Nine stylish clay pots for home or garden
COMPILED BY KATIE DUTTON

FORMAL STACKABLE TEXTURAL

Mali White Washed Terracotta Plant Pot, Hoff Plant Pot & Saucer, rosa raw, Fibreclay Planters (set of 2), small H29cm x
H25cm x W35cm, £15, B&Q, H11cm x Ø8cm, £15, Feather & Nest, Ø29cm, large H38cm x Ø38cm, £125, Graham &
0333 014 3357, diy.com 01235 510968, featherandnest.co.uk Green, 01225 418200, grahamandgreen.co.uk

RAISED HAND-DECORATED CLASSIC

Studio Arhoj Tri-Pot, big, Jillia Flower Pot, Bergs Potters Elizabeth Plant Pot & Saucer,
H18cm x Ø15cm, £40, H14cm x Ø15cm, £11.75, Lene Bjerre, antique rosa, H17cm x Ø18cm, £17,
KIN, kinhome.co +45 96 71 21 00, lenebjerre.com Amara, 0800 587 7645, amara.com

PATTERNED STATEMENT GOOD FOR BULBS

Bergs Potter Köpenhamn Flower Pot, pink, Terracotta Face Plant Pot, large, Poterie Redan Terracotta Tulip Pot,
H9.5cm x Ø10cm, £8, Nordic Nest, H12cm x Ø14cm, £16, Rose & Grey, H7.5cm x Ø31.5cm, £76, Manufactum,
020 3002 1196, nordicnest.com 0161 926 8763, roseandgrey.co.uk 0800 096 0937, manufactum.co.uk

97
 GARDENS ILLUSTRATED’S

Best gardeningbooks
oftheyear
A look back at some of our favourite books from 2020, plus your chance to win them all

From a few pots of herbs to apricot

trees, Great Dixter’s gardener-cook
Aaron Bertelsen explains how to
create a container-grown kitchen
garden in Grow Fruit & Vegetables
In Pots, see review on page 100.
ANDREW MONTGOMERY

99
BOOK REVIEWS

ROOTBOUND: REWILDING GROW FRUIT & VEGETABLES RHS YOUR WELLBEING THE WELL GARDENED MIND
A LIFE IN POTS GARDEN by Sue Stuart-Smith,
by Alice Vincent, by Aaron Bertelsen, by Alistair Griffiths and Matt Harper Collins, £20,
Canongate Books, £14.99, Phaidon Press, £24.95, Keightley, DK, £16.99, ISBN 978-0008100711
ISBN 978-1786897701 ISBN 978-0714878614 ISBN 978-0241386729
This is a book so wise and
An inquisitiveness underpins Aaron Bertelsen has spent his life There is no better time to comfortable that it merits
Alice Vincent’s book: a natural loving plants and as a passionate reap the calming benefits a place by the side of every
compulsion to seek and nurture cook has always had a special of natural spaces. Professor bed. The book’s main tenet is
green amid London’s grey. It is interest in growing fruit and Alistair Griffiths, director of simple: that our gardens and
Nature’s unwavering constancy vegetables. If you have limited science at the RHS Centre nature are vital to our wellbeing.
that Vincent finds grounding, as space and time but have always for Horticultural Science and Stuart-Smith leads us gently
a twenty-something contending wanted to grow fresh produce, Learning, highlights the benefits through case studies, literary
with the pressures of ambition, this book will inspire and guide of four types of wellbeing garden: references and fascinating
loneliness and heartache. you in enjoying one of the most Protective, Healing, Nourishing historic vignettes to show
Rootbound is both relevant and basic pleasures in life. It also and Sustainable. Each chapter clearly what has been hiding
important, questioning what it encourages experienced growers is dedicated to the benefits of in plain sight: that we are part
means to call oneself a gardener, to think outside of the box and each type, while practical design of nature and that we need to
and where horticulture fits within consider what can be achieved advice from Matt Keightley shows cultivate our connection with
the modern urban experience. with plants in any situation. how to put ideas into practice. it in order to thrive.

Reviewer Matt Collins is head gardener Reviewer Tom Coward is head gardener Reviewer Katie Dutton is editorial Reviewer Marian Boswall is a landscape
at the Garden Museum. at Gravetye Manor. assistant for Gardens Illustrated. architect and garden writer.

Grow Fruit & Vegetables In Pots RHS Your Wellbeing Garden

100
BOTANICAL REVELATION TOKACHI MILLENNIUM PALACE OF PALMS GARDENING WITH
by David J Mabberley, FOREST by Kate Teltscher, DROUGHT-FRIENDLY
NewSouth Books, £51.95, by Dan Pearson with Midori Picador, £25, PLANTS
ISBN 978-1742236476 Shintani, Filbert Press, £40, ISBN 978-1529004854 by Tony Hall,
ISBN 978-1999734541 Kew Publishing, £25,
Botanical Revelation is not Cultural historian Kate Teltscher ISBN 978-1842467091
light reading. It is so densely The centrepiece of Dan Pearson’s sets out to tell the human story
packed with knowledge and design for the Tokachi Millennium of the iconic Palm House at the The main part of this timely
incident that you may need Forest is the Meadow Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, guide to plants that will flourish
a large pot of coffee and several an immersive celebration of and the men who conceived, in hot, dry summers is a
reference books to make the indigenous plants and selections realised and maintained this comprehensive encyclopaedia
most of it. But the text is leavened of them. A third of the book extraordinary edifice. Wearing of plants tried and tested by
unstintingly with botanical is devoted to a detailed her research lightly, Teltscher the author to be able to thrive
illustrations and with facsimiles description of how this matrix tells her tale of politicking and in dry conditions. More than
of historical herbarium was developed and continues financial wrangles, domestic 200 plants are catalogued,
specimens, which bring to be managed, with a light tragedies and epic plant with sections on bulbs, annuals,
a particular immediacy to hand, by head gardener Midori hunting expeditions with grasses, perennials, shrubs
the account; all efforts to Shintani and her team, and this a pace and vibrancy more and trees, alongside, most
delve into this book will be provides a masterclass in commonly found in novels usefully, details of the author’s
more than amply repaid. naturalistic planting. than in academic study. experience of the plant.
Reviewer Rory Dusoir is a Kew-trained Reviewer Annie Gatti is Reviewer Jodie Jones is Reviewer John Hoyland is
gardener and writer. a freelance garden writer. a freelance garden writer. a plantsman and writer.

Turn the page for your chance to win all 14 books

Botanical Revelation Gardening With Drought-Friendly Plants

101
BOOK REVIEWS

HOW TO GROW YOUR SISSINGHURST: THE FLOWER: EXPLORING THE THE MODERN COTTAGE
DINNER: WITHOUT LEAVING DREAM GARDEN WORLD IN BLOOM GARDEN
THE HOUSE by Tim Richardson, by Phaidon Editors, by Greg Loades,
by Claire Ratinon, Frances Lincoln, £30, Phaidon, £39.95, Timber Press, £18.99,
Laurence King Publishing, £12.99, ISBN 978-0711237346 ISBN 978-1838660857 ISBN 978-1604699081
ISBN 978-1786277145
The most up-to-date exploration Images from across the ages New Perennial planting has
Author Claire Ratinon of the garden, how it was created are presented on facing pages, lately achieved an indelible
understands that space for and why it remains so loved. each picture echoing the other impact on how we view gardens.
growing veg might not be Bringing the story up to date, in its impressions of a flower While this style answers well
much more than a few hanging Richardson reveals how, since or flowers. By comparing the to the problems of large-scale
baskets outside a window; she the appointment of Dan Pearson archaic with the contemporary, landscapes, what of the domestic
is also experienced in all the as ‘godparent’, and under the we are reminded that, though gardener, anxious to squeeze as
nuances of city growing from tenure of Troy Scott Smith, the the years and context between much colour and joy as possible
lugging containers to top-floor garden has once more regained the images may be vast, from a small plot? In this title,
flats to the need for small-scale the tone and feel of Harold and the artist’s relationship and Loades advocates incorporating
nutrient production, such as a Vita’s intensely personal retreat. fascination with their subject elements of modern planting
wormery. As an engaging guide Part horticultural tour and part is steadfast. A captivating style into the traditional cottage
to getting going, I hope it gets exploration of the dreamlike catalogue of flowers, as depicted garden idiom, and includes some
a whole new generation hooked. qualities of the garden’s spaces. in art throughout the ages. of its key plants.

Reviewer Alys Fowler is a garden Reviewer Annie Gatti is Reviewer Katie Dutton is editorial Reviewer Rory Dusoir is a Kew-trained
writer and horticulturist. a freelance garden writer. assistant for Gardens Illustrated. gardener and writer.

How to Grow Your Dinner: Without Leaving the House Flower: Exploring the World in Bloom

102
 ALL 14 OF OUR
WIN
BOOKS OF THE YEAR
We have one set of all 14 of our best books from 2020
to give away. Test your gardening knowledge to win.

THE GARDEN: ELEMENTS ROYAL GARDENS OF

AND STYLES THE WORLD
by Dr Toby Musgrave, by Mark Lane,
Phaidon, £49.95, Kyle Books, £35,
ISBN 978-1838660765 ISBN 978-0857838018

A journey through 3,000 years In this delightful book, garden

of garden making that covers designer and BBC Gardeners’
gardens and planting styles, from World presenter Mark Lane takes
the first Islamic gardens of the you on his personally curated
seventh century to Piet Oudolf’s Grand Tour, through Europe to
currently voguish New Perennial India, Japan and Bali, to visit 21
planting style. This title may well famous royal gardens he believes
grace the shelves of many a have had an impact on garden
student of garden design, but it design and history. In these days
will just as easily appeal to plant of restricted travel, it is a pleasure
lovers who may want to delve to visit these great royal gardens
into the sumptuous photography from your own armchair and to
while learning a thing or two share this labour of love from an
about the wonders of the garden. erudite enthusiast.
Reviewer Rae Spencer-Jones is Reviewer Matthew Biggs is a Kew-
books publisher at the RHS. trained gardener and presenter.

TO ENTER
For your chance to win go to gardensillustrated.com/
bookscompetition and complete your entry. You’ll need
to answer the following question:

Andy Warhol’s iconic Flowers is featured in

Phaidon’s Flower: Exploring the World in Bloom.
The artist has a plant named after him – or more
accurately his hair. What type of plant is it?
a) Hemerocallis
b) Helianthus
c) Hebe

CLOSING DATE 3 January 2021*

*All entries must be received by 11.59pm on 3 January 2021.
To enter you must be over 18 and resident in the UK, including the Channel Islands.
Full terms and conditions can be found at gardensillustrated.com/bookscompetition

The Garden: Elements and Styles

103
Christmascrossword
Test your horticultural word skill in our bumper Christmas crossword
SOLUTIONS TO THIS
MONTH’S CROSSWORD
WILL BE PRINTED
IN THE JANUARY ISSUE

SOLUTIONS TO
NOVEMBER’S CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Obedient 6 Repot 9 Disc

10 Debug 11/20 Corn marigold
12 Laurel 14 Calathea 15 Plumbago
17 Crest 18 Berry 22 Clematis
24 Sunset 26 Tree 27 Skirt 29 Etna
30 Agave 31 Amaranth.

DOWN 2 Briza 3 Decorum 4 End

5 Tobacco 6 Regal 7 Picotee
8 Tormentil 13 Leafy 16 Lobularia
17 Cores 19 Romneya 20 Mystica
21 Gunnera 23 Taste 25 Ernst
28 Tea.

ACROSS DOWN
10 Genus of upright wild ginger, an 28 Holly genus (4) 1 ____ confusa commonly called 22 A Greatorex double snowdrop…
anagram of its relative, Asarum! (6) 30 Fine, what clay soil will do Christmas box (10) some gardener is saving (7)
11 Genus of daisy bush, or New when wet! (5) 2 A type of bean’s… surface- 24 Allium plant that may produce
Zealand holly (7) 31 Trim back eg hedge – vertically, spreading root? (6) a tear (5)
12 Seed case of vegetable in Pisum it’s said (5) 3 Heavy-cropping, large-fruited 26 The ‘niger’ species of this plant is
genus (6) 32 A purple-stemmed salvia blackberry… if Santa mixed up often called ‘Christmas Rose’ (9)
13 Monkshood and wolf’s bane (8) with violet blooms… ‘Swain’s one (8) 29 Fruit of Sambucus nigra used in
14 Viburnum shrub, aka ‘Snowball Lovesong’? (8) 4 Before campion it’s Silene wine and jelly (10)
tree’ – sort of grouse elder (7,4) 34 See 7 down acaulis (4) 30 Spiky plant in Eryngium genus –
15/6 A named hosta with puckered, 36 Henry John __, 19th-century 5 Grass-like plants… in naturalised the main plant for Christmas
creamy-white edged leaves – snowdrop fanatic… hidden in laurel, gesneriads (6) decoration! (3,5)
traditionally decorated at this Westonbirt (5) 6 See 15 across 33 Former name of Wisteria
time of year? (9,4) 38 Ornamental allium with 7/34 Delicate fern, Adiantum sinensis f. alba ‘Jako’ – one provider
17 A pea with long curved, boat- large rose-purple flowers – venustum, provided by young girl of Christmas transport? (8)
shaped pods, hence its name? (5) eg Spartacus (9) with a mop! (10) 35 Peppery salad leaf – duly
18 World’s first garden – in Odense, 40 A floribunda rose with russet 8 Dusky, violet-pink, veined geranium removed from rehashed cold
Denmark (4) brown flowers – provides a warming cultivar – ‘Veiled Dancer’ (6) turkey (6)
19 Common name of Delosperma cocoa drink (3,9) 9 Organic fertiliser from ground 37 Description of lamb’s ears
cooperi ‘Jewel of Desert 42 Mallow family member animal matter (8) leaves – vague (6)
Peridott’ (3,5) resembling compact hollyhock – 12 Former genus of berried shrub, 38 Environmentalists’ vegetables (6)
21 To grow a plant up a wall, say… “Unusual,” said Alec (8) now Gaultheria – try nepeta, 39 Long-stemmed leek with dark
needs time and wet weather (5) 43 Thermal wear used to protect anyway (9) leaves – looted, possibly (6)
23 Ginkgo biloba cultivar for plants in winter? (6) 16 Ripens – when Nature’s given 41 Curved shape… found in regular
a provocative internet poster? (5) 44 Genus of ragged robin and a new start (7) chard (4)
25 Term for a lower petal of Jerusalem cross (7) 17 An orange-red dianthus – 42 Initially spring onions, repeated
a bearded iris (4) 45 It’s a pure-white rhododendron, cheerily pulled at Christmas? (7) – neither good nor bad! (2-2)
26 Rosemary and Basil, say (5) duck! (5) 20 Seed of leguminous plant (5)
27 A series of strong-stemmed 21 Eg the grey-green catkins of
dahlias – ‘Buddhist’s Fate’ (5) Garrya elliptica (7)

104
 GA DENS
JoinGardens Illustrated online
Don’t miss all the exclusive features, videos, interviews
and our new series of online masterclasses on gardensillustrated.com
Head to our homepage for all you need to know about what plants to buy when, how-to gardening
guides, up-to-the-minute news and our exclusive online masterclasses with leading designers and
plantspeople. Follow us on Instagram to see Q&As with garden designers, inspiring images and
videos from gardens throughout the world. Join our garden community on Twitter and Facebook,
and sign up to the Kitted Out newsletter for our pick of the best gardening products around.

gardensillustrated.com
READER OFFERS
FREE Niwaki canvas tote bag when you spend over £100

Niwaki believes in using the best tools hand and shoulder straps and popper
available for the garden task in hand. The fastener. Deep enough to hold shears,
range of tools and equipment may hail from or perfect for garden visits with note book
Japan but they are perfect for western and umbrella at the ready.
gardens too. As owner and founder Jake
Hobson says, “Tripod ladders, it turns out, HOW TO ORDER
are just as useful for hedge trimming as they Go to niwaki.com to view Niwaki’s range
are for pine pruning; and of course topiary of tools and accessories. When placing
clippers work just as well on box topiary as your order of over £100, use the code
they do on karikomi shaping of azaleas.” GITOTE when prompting. Alternatively,
And what started as a focus on tripod use niwaki.com/gitote and the offer will
ladders and fine pruning tools, now takes in activate automatically.
a much more extensive range of products
and ‘great stuff from Japan’ – as the Offer closes 11.59pm on 31 January 2021.
company’s tagline now reads.
T&Cs One Diakon Tote per customer
OFFER (while stocks last). Offer does not apply to
Spend over £100 on Niwaki products and tree orders or workshop booking.
receive a free Daikon Tote Bag worth £32.
The Diakon Tote is made of water-resistant
canvas and features a large inner pocket,

106
SAVE on this selection of species hellebores from Woottens of Wenhaston
Bring interest to the winter garden with this
selection of species hellebores that offer a
variety of flower and leaf form. Most hellebore
species are incredibly frost tolerant, some are
evergreen and their most valuable garden
feature is their tolerance to shade/dry shade.

OFFER*
Choose either a collection of one of each of
the hellebores shown, or three plants of one
species. Save on buying plants individually.
H. niger H. argutifolius
Supplied as young plants in 9cm pots.

MAKE YOUR ORDER A

CHRISTMAS GIFT
You can easily add a different delivery address
when ordering, plus add a gift card by putting
your personal message in the order notes box
at the checkout. Make it an extra special gift
by adding a gift voucher for your loved one to
spend at Woottens in the spring. Vouchers
added on this exclusive offer are discounted
by 10%. Note: vouchers must be purchased in
conjunction with the Hellebore offer. H. x sternii H. orientalis

Postage Charged at £7.50. All deliveries are

• OFFER ONE*
made via overnight courier. For multiple offers
postage cost will increase in small increments.
Code XMASROSE1 £24
One each of the species plus £7.50
See website for full details. hellebores for £24 p&p
plus £7.50 P&P (20% off)
HOW TO ORDER
• By phone 01502 478258, quoting the plant • OFFER TWO*
offer code for the collection(s) you would like.
Phone lines currently open Monday,
Code XMASROSE2
Your choice of 3 of the
£15
plus £7.50
Wednesday, Friday, 9am-5pm. same species for £15 p&p
• Online at woottensplants.com. Click on the H. foetidus
plus £7.50 P&P (15% off)
Offers tab to find these options. You must add
your plant offer code in the order notes box at
Helleborus niger Commonly called the Christmas a sheltered spot in more exposed areas. Prefers full
the checkout to qualify for the offer. rose (although it normally flowers January to sun in well-drained soil. H 60cm.
• By post please include details of the March), it is a Woottens’ favourite and has pure- Helleborus orientalis Commonly called the
collection required, your name and address, white flowers and glossy, dark-green foliage. Lenten rose. Plants of this species have been
A robust garden plant worthy of its AGM. Prefers highly hybridised, whether deliberately or naturally,
telephone, or email and a cheque made
a moist soil and will grow in the sun or part shade. giving rise to a wide range of colours – these are
payable to Woottens of Wenhaston Ltd. Send H 30cm. AGM. often now called H. x hybridus and can prolifically
your order to: Woottens of Wenhaston, The Iris Helleborus argutifolius Also known as the self-seed in the garden. Flowers February to April
Field, Hall Road, Wenhaston, Suffolk IP19 9HF. Corsican or holly-leaved hellebore. Thick, and thrives in dry shade. H 60cm.
evergreen, glaucous foliage with a toothed edge Helleborus foetidus Don’t be swayed by its
and pale-green, bowl-shaped flowers in late winter common name of the stinking hellebore – this is
Offer closes 31 January 2021. Orders and early spring. A wonderful architectural a stunning plant. Native to mountainous regions
dispatched from 7 December 2020. Order by specimen. Plant in well-drained soil. H 60cm. of southern and central Europe, this species looks
21 December 2020 for Christmas delivery. Helleborus x sternii A stunning species cross very different from its cousins. Huge, deep-cut
from H. argutifolius (syn H. corsicus) x H. lividus leaves, thick stems and cascades of green
*Offer available while stocks last. Available to
with the most handsome, deep-red stems and pendular flowers rich in nectar and attractive
mainland UK only. Species/cultivars may be green-grey, softly marbled foliage. Pale-pink and to early bees. Self-seeds readily. Happy in
substituted depending on availability. green flowers from December to March. May need shade/part shade, in well-drained soil. H 90cm.

107
 BUYING BACK ISSUES OF

Stockists
PRINT
VERSION
You can buy
printed issues
of the magazine
published up
to six months
ago. See below
for details.

DIGITAL
VERSION
Save money
when you
subscribe to
the digital
edition –
see page 32

CLOTHBOUND SLIPCASES
Cost from £9.99 each (inc p&p). Subscriber
discounts available – see below for details.

TO ORDER PRINTED COPIES OR SLIPCASES

Find the perfect Christmas presents, page 21.

03330 162114 +44 1604 973722
GARDENS ILLUSTRATED PRINTED ISSUES ORDER FORM Block Design 01503 230003, blockdesign.co.uk
Complete this form and send to: Gardens Illustrated, Back Issues, PO Box
3320, 3 Queensbridge, Northampton NN4 7BF (You may photocopy this form). Cambridge Imprint 07732 131135, cambridgeimprint.co.uk
SINGLE ISSUES Connox 020 3880 0027, connox.co.uk
I would like to order copy/copies of issue(s)
SUBSCRIBERS NON-SUBSCRIBERS
The Conran Shop 0344 848 4000, conranshop.co.uk
n UK £4.79 per copy n UK £5.99 per copy
n EU £5.59 per copy n EU £6.99 per copy
Fenwick 0800 783 1783, fenwick.co.uk
n Rest of world £6.39 per copy n Rest of world £7.99 per copy
Floral Street 020 7836 3366, floralstreet.com
CLOTHBOUND SLIPCASES
The Future Kept thefuturekept.com
I would like to order slipcase(s)
SUBSCRIBERS NON-SUBSCRIBERS Green & Blue 01872 858658, greenandblue.co.uk
n UK £8.49 each n UK £9.99 each
n EU £9.45 each n EU £10.50 each Höfats +49 831 98 90 94 60, hoefats.com/en
n Rest of world £10.80 each n Rest of world £12 each
Postage & packaging is included in all prices. Labour and Wait 020 7729 6253, labourandwait.co.uk
"

PAYMENT DETAILS Le Chameau 01572 772444, lechameau.com

n I enclose a cheque/international money order made payable to Leaf Envy leafenvy.co.uk
Gardens Illustrated for £
n I would like to pay by credit/debit card, please debit my card Lewes Map Store lewesmapstore.co.uk
Visa n Mastercard n
nnnn nnnn nnnn nnnn Maisons du Monde 0808 234 2172 maisonsdumonde.com
Expiry date n n n n Issue no. (if shown) n n Nest 0114 243 3000, nest.co.uk
Signature Date / / Niwaki 01747 445059, niwaki.com

YOUR DETAILS
Northern Hands 07784 784899, northern-hands-uk.com
Title Forename Objects of Use 01865 241705, objectsofuse.com
Surname Oliver Bonas 020 8974 0110, oliverbonas.com
Address
Sarah Raven 0345 092 0283, sarahraven.com
Post/Zip code Seedlip seedlipdrinks.com
Daytime tel no.
The Shop Floor Project 01229 584537, theshopfloorproject.com
Email address
Subscriber number (if applicable) Studio Wald studiowald.co.uk
Wanderlust Paper Co wanderlustpaper.co
KEEP IN TOUCH
Gardens Illustrated (published by Immediate Media Company Limited) would like to send you Yard Etc +46 (0)761 339978, yardetc.com
updates, special offers and promotions by email. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Please tick here if you would like to receive these
We would also like to keep in touch by post and telephone about other relevant offers and promotions from
Immediate Media. If you do not wish to be contacted this way please tick here post phone . For more
information about how to change the way we contact you, and how we hold your personal information,
please see our privacy policy, which can be viewed online at policies.immediate.co.uk/privacy
 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

2021 Nursery guide

Get inspired for the winter season with the best plant and bulb suppliers

OLD COURT CHRYSANTHEMUMS

NURSERIES DIRECT
Michaelmas daisy specialists since Chrysanthemums Direct offers the
1906. Asters, late season widest range of chrysanthemum
perennials, succulents and more plants to UK growers. With over
available by mail order. Catalogue 420 varieties to choose from,
available by request or online. including hardy garden and
Now is a perfect time to plan your exhibition cultivars, we are sure to
2021 autumn displays. have something to tempt you.
autumnasters.co.uk chrysanthemumsdirect.co.uk
01684 540416 0800 046 7443

BINNY BLUEBELL
PLANTS ARBORETUM
2020/21 catalogue online. Over 250 & NURSERY
herbaceous, intersectional, and tree
peonies ready for October/November Specialists in hardy trees, shrubs and
delivery. Printed catalogue – 4 x 1st climbers including a huge selection
class stamps to – Binny Plants, of unusual species and varieties.
Ecclesmachan, EH526NL. Over 1,500 Informative website and a reliable
perennials, grasses, shrubs and ferns. mail-order service is available.
binnyplants.com bluebellnursery.com
[email protected] 01530 413700

MEADOWGATE EDULIS
NURSERY NURSERY
A family-run, independent
The nursery grows an eclectic mix
nursery, specialising in
of rare plants, including a large
ornamental grasses. Over ten
selection of unusual edible plants
years’ experience in growing a
as well as many rare shady plants.
diverse range of grasses. We offer
Most plants in the nursery are
tailored advice on the use and
hardy and relatively easy to grow.
care of the grasses we sell.
edulis.co.uk
meadowgatenursery.co.uk
07802 812781
07736 523262

WOOTTENS OF
WENHASTON WEASDALE
Christmas shop now available on
NURSERIES LTD
the website. Wreaths, festive plant Hardy trees and shrubs from
gifts and vouchers. Order before hardy beginnings at an elevation
21 December for Christmas of 260m above sea level. Ask for
delivery. 10% off with coupon a copy of our splendid 124-page
FESTIVE20. mail order catalogue today.
woottensplants.com weasdale.com
01502 478258 015396 23246
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Christmas Gift Guide

BACKDOORSHOES WONDERLAND BOUTIQUE

Backdoorshoes are lightweight, waterproof and easy to slip off/on. Further designs A pure-silk scarf is a perfect gift. The Silk Scarf shown is £39, which includes gift
available online, sizes UK 3-14 from £31.95, including standard postage. wrapping and p&p and can be sent directly to the recipient.
01202 232357 | backdoorshoes.co.uk 01263 732643 | wonderlandboutique.com

ARPE STUDIO UK HARRIS DRYBOOT

High-quality stainless steel fire pits look immaculate all year round – no matter what Washable, quick-drying, cushion lined, reinforced ‘digging’ sole, deep gusset for easy
weather conditions they are exposed to. access, top-quality natural rubber, and guaranteed waterproof. Only £69.99, plus p&p.
020 3290 8690 | arpestudio.co.uk 07974 977112 | thedrybootcompany.com

MISTY CASHMERE PERILLA

Our sustainable yak jumper is a best-seller. Natural, undyed, hypoallergenic! Luxurious alpaca walking socks with hand-linked toe seams. Seven other ranges are
Gift wrapping service. 10% off with code GI10. Call for a brochure. available in a fabulous palette of colours.
01273 401827 | mistycashmere.co.uk 01886 853615 | perilla.co.uk
To advertise email [email protected] Marketplace
PRODUCTS

Fireguards for stoves 01453 731305

he
English Panelling
Company

Panelling made Affordable!

Handmade in Britain Our Jacobean design shown above is made up of less than £150 worth of our
high quality moisture resistant MDF panels!
catalogue available
01225 851577
garden-requisites.co.uk www.englishpanelling.com
VACANCY

HEAD GARDENER
Rural Estate, North Northumberland

T H E RO L E
To work with the owner in developing There is an experienced but retiring Groundsman/Handyman
and a successor is being sought for that role too. The estate
the many areas of the garden: has been called ‘Northumberland’s hidden gem’. The house
and gardens sit beautifully in remarkable landscape.
• 1 acre walled garden Accommodation is provided – a two bedroom Gate Lodge or
loft-style flat in the C18th stable block.
• Extensive woodland garden
Experience and training in a similar garden is vital, in particular
• Long established meadow in long border management, propagation, disease and weed
control. Verbal references from up to 3 former employers will
be taken up. Salary will be discussed on interview.
• Vegetable garden and Polytunnel
Candidates with a partner with skills appropriate to any of the
aspects of estate management should include mention of that
in applying.

Please respond to Jo Dixon on [email protected] 07879 996336

Andrew Crace ALITAGS PLANT LABELS
www.andrewcrace.com
www.alitags.com

Annual labelling is a thing of the

past with Alitags. Simply write
on Alitags aluminium labels
with Alitags or HB pencil. The
pencil will react with our
specially made aluminium tags
and become permanent.

Alitags labels can also be

Slatted Wheelbarrow Seat punched with Alitags character
punches & jig.

Copper, Teak, Bamboo labels

are also available.

Alitags, 33 Bourne Lane,

Much Hadham,
Hertfordshire SG10 6ER, UK.
Tel 01279 842685

Leagrave 2 Seater

Gifts & Gardens

www.giftsandgardens.com

Peacock 3 Seater

Wooden Keyrings - 90 Locations available

Park Seat on Skids

GARDEN FRIENDS.
Made of aluminium that will not rust, painted by hand on
both sides. Suitable for outdoor gardens.
Hanging Wooden Signs : 60 Texts

Large Lutyens Seat

Made in the UK
Made from Iroko or Oak
CANDLE LANTERNS
33 Bourne Lane, Much Hadham
Herts SG10 6ER,
Wooden UK. :Tel
Keyrings 90 01279 842685
Locations
Have a window at the back with a small tray inside for a tea light candle.
www.andrewcrace.com 33 Bourne Lane, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire SG10 6ER, UK. Tel 01279 842685
 JANUARY ISSUE
• Discover the delicate beauty of erythroniums
• Tranquil forest planting for a modern Californian home
• How to propagate snowdrops
• Early delights beneath the trees of a Devon garden

PLUS100plantsspecial
Five leading garden designers choose the
plants no garden should be without
TORIE CHUGG, RICHARD BLOOM, JASON INGRAM.

ONSALE4 JANUARY
Save money when you subscribe to the digital edition – see page 32.
Also in selected Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Tesco stores,
as well as WHSmith, and all good magazine retailers.
113
 HOUSEPLANTS

Begonias
The great pretender of houseplants can be a challenge, but joy comes to those who persevere
WORDS JANE PERRONE ILLUSTRATION PATRICK MORGAN

egin with a begonia, as no houseplant guide ever said. Newcomers to inevitably have exaggerated their true leaf colour). These plants will suffer leaf

B indoor gardening who are tempted by an array of patterned leaves

often find their joy quickly crushed as new specimens deteriorate to
a crumpled heap in a matter of weeks. And it’s not just the beginners
who fall prey. I love begonias, I really do, but they’ve given me more anxious
moments than any other set of plants. Yet I urge you to keep buying and trying
loss and powdery mildew if the soil around their roots is too wet, so make
sure the potting mix is airy through the addition of perlite or leca (expanded
clay pebbles); water thoroughly when the surface is dry and the pot feels
light when you pick it up. Cane begonias also need more light than the
rhizomatous types: an east- or west-facing window is ideal.
begonias: they are a satisfying – and endlessly beautiful – challenge. You just When you are feeling brave, you can take on the king of begonias: more
need to find the plant that will thrive for you among this large and diverse genus properly known as Begonia Rex-cultorum Group, which have the most dramatic
of more than 1,800 tropical and subtropical species. coloured leaves of all the genus, but the greatest reputation for keeling over
Begonias come in all shapes and sizes. As the American Begonia Society without explanation. These plants need high air humidity of at least 55 per cent:
puts it: ‘Begonias are known as the great foliage impostors.’ For every popular so place them in a naturally humid room, such as a bathroom or kitchen, or
foliage houseplant, there’s a begonia doppelgänger: B. pteridiformis has stand the plant on a tray of wet pebbles to create a moist microclimate (avoid
delicate fern-like foliage; B. angularis has large white-veined leaves and is often misting, as it will promote powdery mildew). Hard tap water will result in burned
mistaken for an Alocasia; the round, glossy leaves of B. conchifolia resemble leaf edges, so use rainwater or distilled water if you can. The occasional good
a Peperomia; and B. luxurians is known as the palm leaf begonia. To help you soaking is better than little and often, as the fine roots of Rexes are easily rotted.
navigate your way through the begonia world, they are helpfully divided into Like the cane types, they will do well in bright indirect light, but don’t chuck
eight classifications: the ones most often grown as houseplants are the them on the compost if they lose their leaves in winter: they will often re-sprout
members of the rhizomatous, cane-like and Rex groups. The first begonia to come spring. I hesitate to write this in case the houseplant gods smite me for
bring me long-term success was B. ‘Erythrophylla’, a rhizomatous type with my brashness, but I am currently keeping a B. ‘Curly Fireflush’ in excellent
fleshy leaves that resemble a plate of raw steak, hence the common name of shape, sat atop a dish of wet pebbles. I only squint at it occasionally out of the
the beefsteak begonia. This hybrid has been popular for more than a century, corner of my eye lest it take offence and start failing. Such is the fate of the
loved for its meaty, dark-green leaves and the delicate, pale-pink flowers it houseplant grower who chooses to risk it all on a Rex.
throws out in late winter or spring. Growing from rhizomes means this plant can If your rhizomatous or Begonia rex starts looking peaky, take out an
get by on an erratic watering and feeding regime. It tends to trail as a mature insurance policy by propagating new plants from a still-healthy leaf. Cut it into
plant, and can grow enormously heavy and full when planted in a hanging wedges with clean scissors or a razor blade, making sure each contains a
basket in a spot out of direct light. If you’re looking for something more dainty section of the major veins. Place the lower third of the wedge into damp perlite,
but equally stoic, eyelash begonia, B. bowerae, is a great choice with its cover with a clear plastic bag and leave in a warm bright place. Mist the perlite
chocolate and lime-patterned leaves with hairy margins. occasionally to keep it damp, and within weeks you should see tiny plantlets
Once you’ve mastered the rhizomatous begonias, you can graduate to appearing on the surface. Once these are a decent size, pot them up to supply
the cane-like group, which includes the angel-wing types such as B. maculata, a new generation of begonias. Cane-like begonias are even easier, as sections of
with its olive-coloured, silver-splashed leaves with red undersides (ignore the stem will root easily in a glass of water. n
pictures on Instagram of plants with really dark green leaves, filters will Jane Perrone is a garden writer

114