There is nothing more romantic than an englsh garden dripping with roses. Rosa alba, “Cuisse de Nymph” Roses are undisputedly the Queen of flowers and rightly so when they are in full bloom. Old Moss Rose And as a queen they are temperamental, fussy and prone to all kinds of attacks. With the trend towards organic and fuss free gardening, one tends to give up … Continue reading Romantic Roses
While working at the garden centre, I was often asked “What’s that plant on a long stalk with a ball on top that looks like fireworks?” Well, that’s an ornamental onion. Then I usually heard “A what?” Ornamental onions or alliums are one of the lesser known bulbs but they are an invaluable addition to the garden. Carefree and elegant, they can be as delicate … Continue reading Audacious Alliums
After magnolias, viburnums are my favourite flowering shrubs. A large family, Michael A. Dirr has devoted an entire book to them called “Viburnums Flowering Shrubs for every Season”. From our native species like the nannyberry and arrowwood viburnums that grow by the roadside to the highly scented spring flowering burkwood and koreanspice viburnums from Asia, there is a shrub for every garden. Viburnum juddii My favourites are … Continue reading Vibrant Viburnums
Garden Graces 