Plant of the Day

Sunday 12 May 2019

In a courtyard at Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, several Wisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria) were flowering and filling the air with fragrance. This large, deciduous climber has twining stems with mauve flowers opening before the pinnate leaves. The local bumblebees were enjoying the flowers.

Plant of the Day

Monday 25 February 2019

Belonging to the dwarf, bulbous group of the Reticulata irises is Iris 'George'. This miniature iris has fragrant, deep violet-purple flowers and thrives in full sun, with well-drained conditions in the garden or containers.

Plant of the Day

Tuesday 21 May 2019

Growing in well-drained acidic soil in full sun was the almost luminous Erica arborea var. alpina f. aureifolia 'Albert's Gold' (tree heath). This upright shrub has golden-yellow young foliage and small fragrant, white flowers.

Plant of the Day

Wednesday 10 April 2019

In the sunken garden of Great Dixter, Sussex, a pot of Hyacinthus orientalis 'Aida' (hyacinth) was filling the air with fragrance. This perennial bulb is great in containers and can be planted out in the garden afterwards to flower again next year. I often prefer them the following years as the flowers are less dense on the stalk. This cultivar has glossy leaves and very dark blue, scented flowers.

Plant of the Day

Wednesday 3 April 2019

The delicate white flowers of Magnolia doltsopa (sweet michelia, temple magnolia) have a scent similar to freesias. This small, evergreen tree or large shrub has long, oval leaves, which are shiny, dark green above and have silky, grey hairs beneath. The wood is a rich brown and fragrant.

Plant of the Day

Tuesday 30 April 2019

The early flowering, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub Lonicera tatarica (Tatarian honeysuckle) is a native of eastern Asia but in North America, where it was introduced as an ornamental in 1752, it can be invasive. It will readily establish in open woodlands, fields, and other disturbed sites. It can spread rapidly due to birds and mammals feeding on the fruit and so spreading the seeds. The dense growth can restrict native plant growth and tree seedling establishment. However, this plant was being well behaved at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK.

Plant of the Day

Wednesday 27 March 2019

As visitors enter the garden of Gravetye Manor, Sussex, the fragrance of bulbs in containers greets them in the porch, including the dramatic rich colour of Hyacinthus orientalis 'Pacific Ocean'. This cultivar opens deep purple then darkens to the deepest purple-black and can be planted with tulips for a dramatic effect. Another greeting was provided by Vera, who was patiently waiting for the talented head gardener Tom Coward to emerge from a meeting.

Plant of the Day

Thursday 21 February 2019

A very strongly variegated shrub, Daphne odora 'Mae-jima' (winter daphne) has leaves which are widely margined with yellow. The plant makes a rounded and compact, evergreen shrub that produces fragrant flowers in late winter. As usual my comment is to use variegation with care in a planting scheme, here it was brightening a shaded woodland garden in winter.