#oneadayplant

Viburnum x rhytidophylloides ‘Willowwood’ (Leatherleaf Viburnum) and like me, it never seems sure when it should be flowering! Today’s #oneadayplant . When this plant first came to prominence in the UK market (around 2013 from memory), it was sold as a V. rhytidophyllum cultivar. This has since changed to x rhytidophylloides (which is a cross between the aforementioned species and V. lantana (Wayfaring Tree). Regardless, it grows as rhytidophyllum does. A big evergreen lump. Generally looking slightly better in pots than the species, which hates that environment. Much better planted in the ground. . Should flower in spring and berry in autumn. Perhaps because it was pruned, perhaps because it is mild, we have flowers again. Lovely. They are in nice big clusters, but each flower is pretty insignificant. Foliage is impressive, but all too easily damaged, especially by desiccating winds, which will shred leaves horrifically. Careful placement and shelter required for top plants. The underside of each large leaf has a silver-grey mealy, powder coating, which I think is attractive. . Potentially something at at least 3m+ (10’+) tall and quite an imposing mass. I like it, but it isn’t for everyone, I appreciate. . #viburnumwillowwood #viburnum #viburnumrhytidophylloideswillowwood #viburnumrhytidophyllum #evergreen #shrub #flower #berries #bigleaves #imposingpresence #iplantsman #gardens #gardening #plantingdesign #gardeningtips #gardeningadvice (at Crowborough, East Sussex) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIF7PJiAiLd/?igshid=vvkgdljm8z29

Struggling to remember when I bought this. Either a year or two ago. Time flies! . Fatsia polycarpa ‘Green Fingers’ (False Castor Oil Plant Green Fingers), looking glorious in the rain, making it today’s beautiful foliage #oneadayplant . Evergreen, but a matt green rather than glossy as you get in the more common F. japonica. So far, I have found it to be perfectly hardy. Mine is currently in a pot, with the only thing negatively affecting the plant, having been when it got a little dry during the summer. Outside throughout the last (albeit mild) winter. Don’t know how hardy it will ultimately prove to be, but is growing steadily. . A lovely, large leaf which are deeply cut and slender. Always a very muted green too. I like this plant a lot. Mine gets sun in the afternoon, but not the morning. I think early morning sun would likely damage the new foliage, which emerges from terminal points of growth in an interesting bronze-colour. . I really don’t know how big it will get. F. japonica can make a small tree size in time. I hope this does the same. . Reasonable soil moisture, without water-logging. Sun or shade, but avoid early sun and it will likely be better in slightly shaded spots. . #fatsia #fatsiapolycarpagreenfingers #falsecastoroilplant #greenfingers #plantingdesign #rain #foliage #foliageplant #shrub #evergreen #gardening #iplantsman #containergardening #gardeningtips #gardeningadvice #plants #fatsiajaponica #mattfoliage (at Crowborough, East Sussex) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIDlNnCgTRX/?igshid=1cblkkxwubhux

I like my Aucuba green! . Aucuba japonica f. longifolia ‘Salicifolia’ (Willow Leaved Japanese/Spotted Laurel) and today’s #oneadayplant . While most Aucuba are strikingly variegated with irregular, golden speckling of the otherwise green leaves, there are several mercifully green leaved forms. I really struggle to like the variegated varieties, they are just too much for me and difficult to partner with other plants. Undeniably bright, cheery and impressive, just not my cup of tea. I do like the green leaved forms though and especially this one. Long, you might say ‘Willowy’, evergreen leaves. Much less likely to be scorched by early morning sun or late frosts than other varieties. . As you can see, Salicifolia is a female variety, so, providing that there is a male variety of Aucuba nearby, you should get these rather large red (inedible) berries forming in summer and ripening in autumn for winter interest. . Does better in light shade than anywhere else. Too much sun can bleach the foliage. As can very chalky soils. Really does well under a tree as long as not bone dry. . Like other Aucuba, it is a globose lump of a shrub, but I do love that foliage. Expect plants to grow to 1.5-2.5m (5-8’) in 10 years and potentially more thereafter. Clips very happily, but I tend to avoid as I want it to have a relatively natural form. . #aucuba #spottedlaurel #japaneselaurel #aucubajaponicasalicifolia #willow #evergreen #shrub #berries #fruits #foliage #plant #plantingdesign #iplantsman #gardens #gardening #gardeningtips #gardeningadvice #easyyogrow (at Crowborough, East Sussex) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIAt3-GA3YU/?igshid=fyy88u1at1f7

Aronia x prunifolia (Purple Chokeberry, feels like it should be called Cherry-leaved Chokeberry) today’s rarely planted #oneadayplant . Much more common in American and Canadian plantings (where it is native) than in the UK, but a good doer for our climate given an acidic soil. The cultivars ‘Brilliant’ and ‘Viking’ are particularly good in my opinion. . Attractive, if unremarkable, white flowers in late spring, which develop into dark, purple, almost black fruits, which look great in Autumn and winter. I believe that fruits are edible, but taste horrible, so assume inedible in a practical sense, though I have read that they are high in antioxidants. . Autumn colour is where I feel that it really shines. Reds and oranges before leaf fall are stunning. . Best in decent sun, though will grow well enough in deciduous woodland in semi-shade. Acidic or neutral soil, but avoid chalk. Will get to 1.5-2.5m (5-8’) tall in time. . An attractive thing. In smaller gardens, I suspect that most people could find several shrubs that they like more, but this is a tough and easy-going plant with three good seasons of interest, so worth considering. . #aronia #chokeberry #aroniaxprunifolia #purple #black #berries #fruits #flowers #spring #autumncolours #fallcolors #america #canada #shrub #plants #iplantsman #gardening #plantingdeaign #landscape #gardeningtips #gardeningadvice (at Crowborough, East Sussex) https://www.instagram.com/p/CH-SwnXgMrx/?igshid=anyz1gydvhkn

Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo) today’s #oneadayplant . In recent years the popularity of this bamboo has waned slightly as many species and cultivars of Fargesia have been offered, often at a more favourable price, manageable size and with better pot-growing potential. . Perhaps previous overexposure hasn’t helped them too. Every magazine, chic courtyard and planted container arrangement seemed to feature this bamboo for some years. . Some things to consider. It is as good a plant as it always was. Hardy, evergreen and relatively costly even for a plant with just a few culms. (They are culms/stalks when on the plant and canes when cut). Like most bamboo, they aren’t great in pots for several reasons. Water and space to grow are two big reasons, but often overlooked is the need to fix silica to create stems. Bamboo can do this by processing their own fallen leaves. In pots, the lack of surface area makes it difficult to access enough fallen leaves. . Phyllostachys nigra can produce large, thick culms, but rarely does in the UK. In fact, few species ever do in the UK. I have climbed up individual culms of P. aurea in Italy for example. They are black as the name suggests and if you clear some lower leaves, can make impressive stands, especially in winter if snow is around the base. . Like all bamboo, a fool plants them too close to a building without providing adequate root guard protection. This can be purchased specifically for the job. Better to just plant well away from buildings and neighbouring boundaries. Though it isn’t anywhere near as running a species as some Phyllostachys, it can still form a substantial stand several metres wide in time. . A good plant in the right spot and so much better in the ground than scorched and underwhelming in a pot. . #phyllostchys #phyllostachysnigra #bamboo #plants #culms #canes #plantingdesign #evergreen #grasses #gardens #landscape #thoughtfulplanting #japaneselook #iplantsman #asianplants #gardening #gardeningtips #gardeningadvice (at Crowborough, East Sussex) https://www.instagram.com/p/CH24IFzAlq-/?igshid=1pxvynh1n8akq

Quite early to the party, this solitary flower on Camellia japonica ‘Fircone’ should be celebrated. Hence, today’s #oneadayplant . Ordinarily in most of the UK we would expect C. japonica varieties to really be doing their thing mid season by Camellia standards. C. hiemalis and sasanqua are autumn flowering species (though can easily enough carry through to spring), then, in late winter/early spring come the C. japonica and then the C. x williamsii cultivars through spring. . Japonica types are regarded as a little less robust than other species, especially the hybrid species of x williamsii, which is definitely more free flowering and durable, especially when young. . I like this variety though. Irregularly formed flowers in a good blood-red colour. I’ve found it to be hardy enough, though haven’t seen one through a hard winter yet. . Regardless of the variety you go for, here are the rules for success. Acid soil, I.e. Ericaceous compost if pot growing. Avoid chalky soils. Keep out of very windy spots, which will damage flowers rapidly and destabilise the plant over time. They do drink quite a lot of water when growing, but won’t stand being waterlogged at any time. Prune when frost free and after flowering. Avoid early morning sun, especially for white flowered or pale coloured forms, which will have their petals scorched. They can take being in very sunny spots, but cooler, semi-woodland spots seem preferred. . Easy enough to grow and clip well if needing shaped. I like a Camellia hedge when I see one. Worth trying, though not inexpensive compared with most other options. . A large, evergreen shrub in time 3-4m (10-12’) tall certainly achievable, with time, a good but more. . #camellia #camelliajaponica #camelliajaponicafircone #camelliafircone #camelliasasanqua #camelliaxwilliamsii #plants #evergreen #shrubs #calcifuge #acidsoil #iplantsman #gardening #red flowers #plantingdesign #autumn #winter #plants #gardeningadvice #gardeningtips #hedge (at Crowborough, East Sussex) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHzyVaUAp6y/?igshid=1tp05p48el38d

Quite often I suggest that a particular plant partners well with a grass. Rarely do I mention Miscanthus here as I find them pretty useless as ‘blenders’, but they do make excellent sentinels and colonies. . Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine Fontane’ (Eulalia Small Fountain), today’s #oneadayplant . There are several Miscanthus that I prefer more than this variety, but it serves a great purpose as a smaller form that performs very reliably and is readily available to purchase. . Achieves a height of around 1.5m (5’) and a similar width given long enough. Stems arch gently towards the top of the plant. Flowers are more upright than many forms and remain quite tight. No bad thing. They silver up pleasingly as the season progresses and leaves yellow. . Leave spent foliage and flowers on the plant for handsome winter structure until February, when they will otherwise collapse and be blown around the garden by strong winds. Also, if you leave too late to do anything with them, the new growth pushes through and you can no longer prune easily. . Best in sun and well-drained, but fertile soils. I like the dense massing of stems that this form (like most Miscanthus) achieves. . Doesn’t blend well with other plants, but partners shrubs and taller, late season perennials well. Each, their own thing, but grouped harmoniously. . I like them most when massed in large quantities or used to mark points on a travelled journey through space. . #miscanthus #miscanthuskleinefontane #fountain #grasses #flowers #grass #plants #perennial #boldplanting #gardens #iplantsman #gardendesign #plantingdesign #colour #latesseasoninterest #gardeningtips #gardeningadvice (at Crowborough, East Sussex) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHxPFT1AbdE/?igshid=1w9mquikkq6c0

Today’s #oneadayplant is an unseasonably late flower on one of my favourite plants; Parahebe perfoliata (I’m not going to adopt the renamed name. It is and was P. perfoliata and that is just fine by me) (Digger’s Speedwell) . Parahebe, like Hebe and other allied Genera are going through (have been for a decade now) a name change to Veronica, so you may well also find it under V. perfoliata and the Speedwell bit of the common name makes sense when you look at the flower. . From South Eastern Australia, but perfectly hardy in the UK, it throws out single stems (weird as they don’t really side-branch at all) from the crown of the plant with perfoliate leaves (i.e. leaves that appear to have have a stem passing through their centre, actually, they are densely packed in pairs that overlap). At the tips, in summer, slightly pendant racemes of a very pleasing purple-blue flowers are formed. . Not a typical herbaceous perennial, but then not a shrub or typical sub-shrub either. An oddity and wonderful for it. . The foliage is evergreen and very leathery in a wonderful grey-green. Plants are often a bit straggly and uneven, but merge well with other plants, are great wedged in between rocks, or at the top of low walls allowed to hang over slightly. . It is way less common that it should be, perhaps because it can be miffy to root from cuttings, but I love it. There is a white flowered form and one with more toothed foliage called ‘Pringle’, I have never seen either and would dearly like them. . I like it here with Koeleria glauca (blue grass) as a differing texture in a simile colour. Needs sun and decent drainage. Can tolerate being very hot and dry at times, once established. Should be seen more. . #parahebe #parahebeperfoliata #veronicaperfoliata #derwentia #hebe #newzealand #seaustralia #plants #gardens #plantingdesign #koeleriaglauca #grasses #veronica #speedwell #gardening #gardeningadvice #iplantsman #gardeningtips #fleurs #fiori #blummen #bloemen #flores #foliage #glaucus #subshrub (at Crowborough, East Sussex) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHpsbkbgWF7/?igshid=1cy0u0xhz1bai