As observed during April 2009
1/4/2009
Cold spring - hot chocolate
Today sees the launch of the Queen Mother Memorial Garden souvenir guide.
The garden, designed, constructed and planted in 2004/05 and opened to the public in 2006 is now maturing and this booklet reflects that maturity and a continuing interest in the planting, the architecture, the inscriptions and overall design.
The booklet is available at the garden shop and at the gates for a price of £6.00.
The plant selection through the garden reflects the countries and continents the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother travelled to. Representing the Southern Hemisphere the delicate yellow flowers of Azara microphylla are produced in profusion. The glossy green evergreen foliage may to an extent hide these but nothing can diminish the scent. Wait for a calm warm day and the aroma of hot chocolate will fill this north east corner. You may detect an underlying hint of vanilla or honey depending on your olfactory prowess.
A. microphylla is native to Chile where it can be found as an understory to Nothofagus obliqua growing in disturbed roadside vegetation in the southern part of the country at c. 700m. Developing as a tree to eight metres. Here it appreciates shelter from cold wind and is often a multi branched plant.
6/4/2009
Amelanchier canadensis
A large easily grown North American deciduous shrub preferring a moist root run.
The beauty is in the pure white petals, blemish free, these are of the purest white colour and sit well with the reddish brown shade of the emerging leaves. The foliage is covered in a fine coating of hair to prevent desiccation in the cold winds. These hairs are lost as the season progresses; the leaves later providing excellent autumn colour.
A multi stemmed shrub of vigour easily reaching three metres in height with a sprawling spread of four or more metres.
9/4/2009
Dandelion days
The Easter weekend looms closer. Traditionally the time to take the garden seriously again. Where soil has not been prepared through the winter this long weekend allows catch up time. However the temptation to set out tender plants should be put off until next month.
The Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, is a fine British native. Mid April and a bright sun sees roadside verges covered in the composite yellow flower heads that in a moment develop into the round seed heads loved by children and gives those of us without a watch the ability to tell the time. These dandelion clocks collectively have the ability to spread c.5000 seeds from one plant during the course of a year. Be warned; that is potentially a job for life weeding the progeny out of the borders.
Where it is present in the more manicured garden the deep tap root can be a problem. If not completely removed the vegetative buds will come to life and multiple shoots will arise. Potentially doubling the number of seeds blowing in the wind.
Another plant sending up new shoots is Cardiocrinum giganteum. The burnished bronze leaves are unfurling with the increase in soil temperature and longer day length. The bulb strengthens and develops over 5 - 7 years to reach flowering size for a spectacular display in late June. The image shows the remains of last years flower stem, the plant being monocarpic dies after flowering. The shoots next to this are sprouting from young bulbs growing as offshoots.
The Garden is open 10.00am until 7.00pm daily. A visit is worthwhile to appreciate the visions and vistas and savour the sights and scents of the plant kingdom.
14/4/2009
Musical notes with a frond melody
Osmunda regalis 'Hillii' is a cultivar of the deciduous species. As shoots sprout from the base the growing points elongate and unfurl at different rates. These shoots are covered in a brown woolly down. As growth lengthens from the pink base the shoot takes on a purple hue. The fronds on expanding will either be fertile or non fertile.
Loving waterlogged soils where these plants deep roots can establish in readiness for harvesting as osmunda fibre coveted by orchid growers as a potting medium.
Mention has to be made of the Rhododendron and Magnolia collection. This year has been exceptional for flower colour. Ideal growing conditions during the previous two wet and overcast summers combined with minimal discolouration by frost damage this spring has resulted in plants awash with colour.
A prime example is Rhododendron crinigerum var. crinigerum, the one hundredth collection made by Joseph Rock. Discovered at the Salween - Irrawaddy Divide in the Yunnan Province China. The flowers are pink in bud then pure white on maturing.
17/4/2009
Honesty enduring
Perennial Honesty is a plant of the cottage garden. Scented flowers reliably produced on this herbaceous member of the Cruciferae family. The plant of Lunaria rediviva in this image was grown from seed collected in Croatia on the Sljeme Mountain at 900m. Found growing throughout Central and Southern Europe where it seeds freely.
Here it is easily propagated by self sown seedlings that germinate freely, flowering in their second year. In seed, the almost round, papery seed pods do not fade as completely translucent and silvery as in the annual species, Lunaria annua. However in full bloom this perennial species more than compensates. There is an overall mauve colouration to the heads and the scent is delightful. As for the leaves the net veining is of exceptional quality and clarity, complemented by a serrated edge.
21/4/2009
A plantsman's plant
All the way from the South Korean countryside, Aristolochia manshuriensis is worth growing against a west facing wall for the unusual flower structure. The calyx is an inflated s-shape gaining the genus the name "Dutchman's Pipe".It sits prominently at a leaf joint complementing the rapidly expanding new growth from this deciduous woody climber.
Only 70 - 80mm in length its outwardly yellow shades, with light red marking on the throat attract attention but once the calyx is cut open marvel at the insect attracting kaleidoscope of colours within.
The stem looks older than its years due to a cracking and fissuring habit from the base upwards. Clothed in heart shaped leaves, thick in texture. Native to East Asia this plant was grown from seed collected at 440m in the Soraksan National Park in the Republic of Korea where it was growing in open granitic soil.
24/4/2009
.jpg "Rhododendron adenosum")
Two Rocks and a Schilling
Growing in the copse are progeny of Joseph Rock's selection of Rhododendron adenosum, collection number 18228 from the mountains of Sichuan province, China.
Grow in open woodland where the plants will receive frost protection. Pink buds open white with internal mottling and prominent flower parts.
R. vernicosum, another collection made mid way through Rock's prolific plant collecting career. Born in Austria, later taking American citizenship, during his eccentric life, Rock collected in the region of 40, 000 plants. This is a strong growing plant now covered in bloom, petals with a crinkle cut appearance, almost artificial with a warm pink glow.
R. arboreum ssp. cinnamomeum var. roseum is a plant spotted as garden worthy by Tony Schilling on a trip to Nepal 1n 1983. The retired Curator of Wakehurst Place collected seed from the parent plant at 3048metres in the Dorandi Valley.
The internal brown markings show through as a pattern on the blush outer. Especially prominent on ageing.
29/4/2009
Spring temperatures and still the need for a thermos?
Thermopsis villosa a native to the coastal states of south eastern USA where it is found growing in forest clearings.
The rhizomatous herbaceous growth shoots away in April flowering in terminal racemes.
The flowers are typical pea shape bright yellow with orange anthers enclosed.
The new growth is covered in fine white hairs, trifoliate leaves are held flat together as hands in prayer. The stem is covered in a white bloom. The youngest section of stem purple.
For previous years' highlights during this month, see the April Garden Highlights Archive page.