Magnolia – Pick a Plant
The magnolia family of plants is often unseen in many gardens until they burst forth with their elegant, showy blooms from early spring onwards. Magnolias embrace some of the most magnificent flowering trees, hardy in our temperate region.
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Cryptomeria – for autumn colour in the middle of winter!
At this time of year the rich autumn colours are spectacular, if short-lived. When thinking of plants which exhibit great autumn colour, one automatically thinks of deciduous trees and shrubs which turn lovely shades of gold, copper and scarlet in the months of September and October. However, come November the leaves are gone and all that is left are the bare branches. For something with a longer period of interest it is well worth considering some of the Cryptomeria (Japanese cedar) cultivars.
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Pick a Plant – Hydrangea
One of the most frequent groups of plants we are asked about is the Hydrangea family. The main ones grown and sold in this country are the Hortensias (the familiar mop-headed hydrangeas) and the Lacecaps which are a smaller group, producing flatter, large heads of fertile flowers around which are borne a ring of coloured ray florets.
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Shrub Roses
Many old roses, sold as Old, English, Shrub or Moss roses are true old roses of early European origin. Their exquisite scent, abundance of flowers and long flowering season are almost unrivalled in the plant world.
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The Lucky Rowan
In this article I am going to write about the Rowan tree, better known to horticulturalists as Sorbus. It is one of Scotland’s most famous trees, sung about by countless generations of Scots both at home and overseas and regarded by many as a talisman to ward off evil spirits.
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Hamamelis
One of the first plant species that came to my mind for this article was that wonderful group of plants under the Hamamelidaceae family – Hamamelis, commonly known as witch hazel.
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