Photos From A May Night

1.Vaeriana officinalis
2.Geranium ‘Orion’
3. Scilla peruviana
4. Parahebe ‘Avalanche’
5. Heuchera and Nandina domestica ‘Obsessed’
6.Heuchera

A few photos of plants in the garden this evening


1.Valeriana officinalis, a number of these have self-seeded, I like their structure and flowers.


2. Geranium ‘Orion’ is a sociable plant mingling with the foliage of Cornus alternifolia ‘Argentea’, while it does not flower as long as G. ‘Rozanne’, I do value it for its more relaxed attitude.


3. Scilla peruviana, they skipped a year flowering last year,  this year one of the five has flowered, they are getting over-grown by neighbouring shrubs, I may need to move them to a more open sunny position.


4. Parahebe ‘Avalanche’ is a favourite of mine in the garden centre, it is evergreen, low growing and flowers for 5-6 months, a beautiful and easy to grow low shrub.


5. and 6.Heuchera flowers( can’t remember which one…) the red foliage in the background is the new growth of Nandina domestica ‘Obsessed’, a super plant!


7. Fatsia polycarpa ‘Green Fingers’ is really starting to grow this year, this is the first year that it has produced big impressive leaves. The first winter the plant got burnt back to soil level by frost, but recovered the following year. I am delighted it has finally really got going.

I love my job!

Pots at the entrance to Johnstown Garden Centre

Working in a large garden centre, I am the Head of Horticulture in Johnstown Garden Centre, is a fulfilling occupation for me. Many people assume that being surrounded by plants all day, and answering customer questions every day, that when I go home that the last thing that I want to do is go out to the garden and be surrounded by plants, and do some gardening:  nothing could be farther from the truth.

I feel so privileged and fortunate to work at what I do, allowing me to search suppliers for interesting plants that I think other gardeners would also love.

At this time of year, hardly a day goes by without me purchasing a plant to bring home.

Plants in the sales area at Johnstown Garden Centre

I think many garden enthusiasts are like minded, not only do we love to discover new plants, accept the challenge of growing them and are open to experimenting with new additions to our collections, but we love to share our experience and love of our favourite plants with others.

Posting pictures, videos and reels on social media, writing articles, creating my website and doing videos for my work, all are ways that I get to share my love of plants and gardening.

So enjoy my latest video of some exciting new plants that I ordered for the plant lovers at Johnstown Garden Centre.👇

Sea Kale – Crambe maritima

Crambe maritima is such a stunning plant in May and June, when the white blooms are produced.

Afterwards it is a very attractive foliage plant throughout the summer.

Check out the video above to see the plant in the garden as it is right now.

Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’

I love to see the frothy white blooms of this dark leaved variety of the wild cow parsley. They sway and swoon in the breeze, one metre high, forming a layer like a billowing cloud below the mountain tops of larger shrubs, shadowing the lower growth of late summer perennials.

When they finish flowering in a few weeks their seed heads continue to provide this textural layer, until late summer when I cut them down. By then, late summer blooms of Actea simplex ‘Brunette’ are about to emerge.

Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’ in full bloom in May

In winter they die back into the ground, to re-emerge in Spring, along with hundreds of seedlings, the next generation attempting to colonize bare earth patches.

I grab away handfuls of the small seedlings, leaving only a few to provide the early summer floral display. It usually requires a second weeding in early April to remove more seedlings and cull any green leaves plants.

It is a bit of work, but totally worth it, to see the wonderful airy display of blooms in late Spring and early summer.

View from a Rhododendron

Views from Rhododendron ‘Belkanto’

Some views of the garden taken this morning before I left for work.

The yellow flowered shrub is Rhododendron ‘Belkanto’. Rhododendrons require acidic soil conditions, in our garden however, the soil is the opposite and alkaline. This plant is grafted on a rootstocks called Inkharo and sold under the brand name Easydendron®. When grown on these rootstocks the plants are more tolerant of the presence of lime: alkaline conditions.

I have found that the plant has done well and with a little extra attention, an occasional liquid feed of seaweed with sequestered iron, the plant does well.

It has grown quite a bit, and flowered well. The   presence of stone mulch helps hold moisture in the soil, this is important for Rhododendron as they are shallow rooted and hate to dry out.

The white flowered shrub in the distance is Viburnum plicatum ‘Watanabe’, a superb variety that will flower until October. Pics 👇

Viburnum plicatum ‘Watanabe’

Mexican Fleabane

Unique, charming, and versatile

If you’re looking for a plant that’s not only beautiful but also easy to care for, look no further than Erigeron karvinskianus. This charming little plant, also known as Mexican fleabane or Santa Barbara daisy, is a versatile addition to any garden.

Erigeron karvinskianus is a low-growing, spreading perennial that is adorned with delicate white and pink daisy-like flowers. These flowers start off white and gradually turn pink as they age, creating a stunning and ever-changing display. The plant blooms from spring through to autumn, providing a long-lasting burst of color in your garden.

One of the best things about Erigeron karvinskianus is its versatility. This plant is well-suited to a variety of garden styles, from cottage gardens to rockeries, and can be grown in borders, containers, or hanging baskets. It also thrives in a wide range of conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and is tolerant of most soil types. This makes it a great choice for gardens of all shapes and sizes.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Erigeron karvinskianus is also a low-maintenance plant. It doesn’t require much watering once established, and is relatively pest and disease resistant. It’s also a great plant for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies to your garden, helping to create a vibrant and biodiverse ecosystem.

If you’re looking for a plant that’s both unique and charming, Erigeron karvinskianus is the perfect choice. Its delicate flowers, versatility, and easy care requirements make it a great addition to any garden. So why not add a touch of Mexican flair to your outdoor space with this lovely little plant?

Pruning Penstemons

I grow a number of Penstemons in the garden, they are evergreen shrubby perennials, they flower from early summer and continue into autumn until the first frosts.

Penstemon ‘Sour Grapes’

Each Spring, I cut them back, usually mid April or end of the month. Cutting back last year’s growth allows the new shoots from the base to develop and prevents the plant getting too leggy and improves the display of flowers.

See my video below to see how I do it.

How to prune Penstemon
This is the plant I was pruning in the video above, P. ‘Garnet’
Penstemon ‘Hidcote Pink’