#colouredstems

Plant of the Day

Saturday 8 April 2023

A winter container of cut stems of Cornus cultivars (dogwood) and Salix cultivars (willow) is edged with Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' (Japanese rush). This marginal aquatic perennial is ideal for planting in moist or boggy soil.

Plant of the Day

Friday 10 March 2023

Just bursting into leaf is the Cornus alba 'Sibirica' (Siberian dogwood) which has provided great stem colour all winter. This deciduous shrub will soon be pruned to ensure the regrowth of new red stems for next winter.

Plant of the Day

Saturday 11 March 2023

These Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' (dogwood) are grown for the orange-red and yellow young shoots of the previous season’s growth. Notice the way they have been pruned (stooled) near ground level and also to a ‘leg’ (small main trunk) to provide extra height.

Plant of the Day

Sunday 23 January 2022

Here the coloured stems of Salix alba var. vitellina 'Britzensis' (coral bark willow, scarlet willow) have become a winter sculpture. These vigorous medium-sized deciduous tree are here being grown as a shrub which is being ‘stooled’ (coppiced) on top of a short stem known as a ‘leg’. Pruning will be carried out in early spring before bud burst removing last years stems to encourage regrowth with the colourful red bark.

Plant of the Day

Saturday 1 January 2022

Happy plant filled new year!

No fireworks to celebrate but the exuberant colours from the stems of Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. flavescens 'Bright Lights' (rainbow chard, Swiss chard). Adding colour to the productive garden this nutrient-rich vegetable will produce leaves throughout the seasons but some people do not like the ‘earthy’ flavour.

Plant of the Day

Tuesday 25 January 2022

Last year’s Cornus (dogwood) and Salix (willow) cultivar stems have been used here to add some winter colour to this container.

Plant of the Day

Sunday 3 April 2022

This cultivar of coloured stems Cornus sanguinea 'Sifa' (dogwood) starts greenish-yellow at the base but the finely-branched, upright stems finish as a rich red. The young growth is the most colourful and so is encouraged by pruning the old growth before bud burst in the spring.

Plant of the Day

Monday 10 January 2022

The deciduous shrub Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange' (dogwood) has long since lost the orange-yellow leaves of autumn but these have fallen to reveal beautiful, red-tipped, orange-red winter stems. A great addition to the winter garden, the young stems have the strongest colour so some will be pruned before spring.