The weather has been wet, cold and miserable, and while it is far from sit out in the garden weather, there are signs of growth and the rain has stopped
Here are some photos from the garden over the last couple of days.
It is the start of something…
Mahonia x media ‘Charity’ new growth is fabulous
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3 Easy Evergreens for form, foliage interest
In the world of garden design, plants play a crucial role in creating interest and beauty. As a seasoned gardener, I have found that Baccharis patagonica, Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow, and Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’ are three indispensable species that consistently enhance my planting scheme. Their evergreen foliage, compact rounded shapes, and vibrant colors never fail to catch the eye and bring a sense of sophistication to my garden.
When designing the long border in the Pylon Garden here at The Paddock Garden, I turned to these three plants for their ability to provide interest year-round. Baccharis patagonica’s delicate leaves and Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’s vibrant variegation create a dynamic visual contrast, while the small stature of Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’ with its dark purple leaves in winter adds depth and dimension to the overall composition. Whether used as focal points or as repeated accents throughout the border, these plants never fail to impress.
Both Baccharis patagonica and Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow have attractive floral displays, while the foliage of Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’ changes to a more mottled green in summer before returning to dark purple in winter, adding a seasonal dimension to the planting scheme.
Each of these three plants I have used multiple times within the same border, the relation of form I find pleasing while their contrasting colours add visual appeal. Over the last couple of years their dense growth has become wider, thereby helping to suppress weeds.
In summer, Delphinium Highland Hybrids add vertical exuberance with their flowers. I have also included a number of plants of Penstemon ‘Hidcote Pink’ that are also evergreen and provide a long lasting floral display from Summer through autumn.
Here is a quick rundown of each plant:
Baccharis patagonica:
- Size: 1m high (3 feet) tall and wide
- Hardiness: Zones 7-10 RHS H5
- Main decorative quality: delicate, green foliage
- Flower description: small white flowers in summer
- Soil requirements: well-drained, dry to medium moisture
Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’:
- Size: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches) tall and wide
- Hardiness: Zones 6-9 RHS H5
- Main decorative quality: variegated leaves with pink, green, and cream colors
- Flower description: chartreuse flowers in spring
- Soil requirements: well-drained, fertile soi
Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb‘:
- Size: 60-90 cm (2-3 feet) tall and wide
- Hardiness: Zones 7-10 H5
- Main decorative quality: dense, compact growth habit
- Flower description: inconspicuous purple flowers in spring
- Soil requirements: well-drained, fertile soil
By incorporating Baccharis patagonica, Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow, and Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’ into your garden, you can create a visually captivating and evergreen structure that will provide year-round interest. Their unique qualities and ease of care.
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It’s time to Pot Up Dahlias
Potting Up Dahlia Tubers for Planting Outside in May
Spring is in the air, and it’s time to start thinking about getting your garden ready for the summer months. If you’re a fan of dahlias, now is the time to start potting up your tubers in the greenhouse so they’re ready to be planted outside in May.
Step 1: Preparing the Tubers
Before you start potting up your dahlia tubers, you need to prepare them. First, remove any damaged or diseased tubers. Then, cut the tubers into pieces, each with at least one eye. The eyes are small, brown bumps on the tubers where new growth will emerge.
Step 2: Choosing the Right Pots
When choosing pots for your dahlia tubers, make sure they’re large enough to accommodate the tubers’ growth. The pots should also have drainage holes to prevent the tubers from rotting.
Step 3: Potting Up the Tubers
Fill the pots with multi-purpose compost mixed with added John Innes. Then, place the tuber pieces in the pots, eye-side up. Cover the tubers with compost, and water them well.
Step 4: Caring for the Tubers
Place the pots in a warm, sunny spot in the greenhouse. Keep the compost moist but not soggy. The tubers will start to sprout in a few weeks.
Step 5: Planting Outside
In May, when the risk of frost has passed, you can plant your dahlia tubers outside. Choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-drained soil. Plant the tubers at the same depth they were in the pots. Water them well, and mulch around the plants to help retain moisture.
Tips for Growing Dahlias
- Dahlias are heavy feeders, so fertilize them regularly throughout the growing season.
- Pinch out the tips of the stems when the plants are young to encourage bushier growth.
- Stake tall dahlia plants to prevent them from falling over.
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms.
With a little care, your dahlia tubers will produce beautiful flowers that will add color and beauty to your garden all summer long.
Don’t make this mistake!
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A warm feeling
As the door is about to close on February, and March raises the curtain on another month, the garden will soon be a stage filled with colourful performers.
The morning light arrives earlier each day, accompanied by soundtrack of singing birds, I get to spend a few welcome minutes in the garden before my inter-county commute.
Buds on the Nipponanthemum nipponicum are bursting with green, it is time to cut back the deadwood stems, blue flowers are open on the spreading rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis var. prostratus, enlivening the grey green aromatic stems with hope of warm days to come.
Warm brown hues linger on the Microbiota decussata, a reminder that it is still not full spring and summer is a while away yet, it will still be many weeks until the brown scale leaves turn from brown to fresh green.
In the stillness of the early morning, the hair-like foliage of orange Carex testaceae ‘Prairie Fire’ does not move, even the slightest breath of wind will shake the wispy foliage like a head of long silky hair.
As the sun rises and the sky takes on a golden glow, the air smells of renewal and swelling buds are bursting with new season energy, but I shiver in the cold air, filled with the warm feelings, but chilled by the season. Soon. Soon, it will be warmer, and the garden will transform and like the days, we will feel bright and warm.
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Cape Mallow Does Not Rest
Anisondontea capensis is a magnificent plant. I purchased mine in May 2021, as a plant trained on a short stem, or mini-standard as they are sometimes called.
I potted the plant on into a bigger pot , and by the end of the summer the plant was over 1 metre (3’3″) high and as much wide.
When winter arrived I brought it inside to the green house. It went back outside in May, I potted in into its current pot, a big terracotta pot. It became too big and cumbersome to move so it stayed outside for the winter of 22/23 which was quite cold, the coldest since 2010. It survived and the plant now thrives.
It is evergreen and flowers all year round. The video above was taken during this week, you can see there are lots of flowers.
The picture below was taken in early October 2023.
Maintenance wise the plant is easy, last spring I gave the crown of the plant a cut back and removed some dead branches, it seems to get a few each year.
Each week from May to September I give a liquid feed to all the pots, I have found it does not matter what fertilizer I use.
In March I will take the top centimetre or two or compost away and replace it with new compost with slow release fertilizer mixed in.
Then all I have to do is keep the plant watered, and it is one of the more forgiving plants in this regard, it will tolerate drier conditions, but will thrive if kept well watered.
I have a number of seld-seeded plants in the garden, one which is growing big between the shed and greenhouse, I noticed it has longer more deeply cut leaves than it’s parent plant.
Look out for these great plants in May, if you want an easy to care for, evergreen that flowers all year long in a container or in the ground.
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Spring Planter Recipe: A Burst of Colors and Fragrances
Welcome to spring, the season of renewal and vibrant colors! This year, let’s create a stunning spring planter that will add a touch of nature’s beauty to your outdoor space. Here’s a recipe for a planter that combines the elegance of Ilex x meservae ‘Little Maid’ on a stem, the captivating fragrance of Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Chameleon’, the silvery foliage of Calocephalus brownii, the vibrant red berries of Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’, and the cheerful blooms of Wallflower Sugar Rush Series.
Ingredients:
- Ilex x meservae ‘Little Maid’on a stem: This compact evergreen shrub features glossy green leaves and bright red berries, adding a touch of elegance and color to your planter. Note: for berries a male variety such as ‘Gentle’ ot ‘Blue Prince’ need to be close by.
- Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Chameleon’: Known for its delicate white flowers and intoxicating fragrance, this evergreen vine will fill the air with a delightful aroma. The leaves of this variety turn pink and white in summer. The blooms are produced in summer, it is slow growing and ideal for a pot, I am also going to try it as a ground cover plant in The Pylon Garden.
- Calocephalus brownii: With its silvery-grey foliage, this plant adds a unique texture and contrast to the planter, creating a captivating visual effect.
- Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’: This evergreen shrub boasts glossy green leaves and clusters of vibrant red berries, providing a pop of color and a festive touch to your spring display. In April/May, the buds will open into sweetly scented flowers
- Wallflower Sugar Rush Series: These charming plants produce a profusion of fragrant, vibrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, and yellow, adding a cheerful and inviting touch to your planter. I have pink in this pot, they are along flowering and dwarf series, ideal for pots.
Instructions:
- Choose a suitable container: Select a planter that is large enough to accommodate the root systems of all the plants and has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
- Add potting mix: Fill the planter with a well-draining potting mix that is suitable for all the plants you’ve chosen, a multi-purpose compost is fine.
- Arrange the plants: Start by placing the Ilex x meservae ‘Little Maid’ to the back of the planter, 12 O’Clock position) with the Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Chameleon’ at 7, and Calocephalus brownii, at 4 ensuring that they have enough space to grow. Add the Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ (2 O’Clock) and Wallflower Sugar Rush Series to complete the arrangement by filling in the gaps.
- Water thoroughly: Give the planter a thorough watering to settle the soil and ensure that all the plants receive enough moisture.
- Place in a suitable location: Choose a spot in your garden or patio that receives partial shade to full sun, depending on the specific light requirements of each plant. All the plants in this combination will be happy in shade or sun.
By following this recipe, you’ll create a stunning spring planter that will be the envy of your neighbors and add a touch of nature’s beauty to your outdoor space. Enjoy the vibrant colors and delightful fragrances of spring with this captivating planter!
At the end of Spring I will re-use the plants, I will use some in the garden as permanent planting and others I will pot up for use next winter.
Ciaran The Gardener 