February in the Woodland Garden
British winters are notoriously long, grey, wet and mild, and seem to go on for ever. Here in the south of the country, the … read more
Woodland
Info
The Woodland Garden is situated in front of my house, enclosed by a fence, woodshed and low timber handrails. It is a relativley small area, only 6m x 6m with a single edible cherry tree, whose canopy covers most of the area. Two nearby trees: a flowering cherry and a weeping willow, enhance the woodland feel.
(Since 2020, this area is being gradually renovated)
Permaculture Fruits: The fences and raised beds in this area, as well as the railings, include a number of trained fruit bushes: Apple, fan trained currents, gooseberries. They are under]planted with many shade-loving perennials and bulbs that provide a non-stop show from December to August. This is the most interesting part of my garden through winter and spring.
Now is the time to cut back hellebores (Dec-Jan)
Late December or early January are good times to cut back the foliage of your hybrid Hellebores. The photo above shows a large clump … read more
Paeonia mlokosewitschii – pink form
This is one of the most interesting, reliable and highly scented peonies I have ever grown. It even grows in the dappled shade of … read more
A Winter Homage to Finlay and Frosts
“Formal Gardens are (as it were) statues to Nature.“– Ian Hamilton Finlay 2 “Weather is a third to place and time” – Ian Hamilton … read more
Aquilegia ‘Blue Star’
Aquilegia ‘Blue Star’ 18in (45cm) 14in (35cm) mauve / blue / white May-June Sun / Part-Shade This Aquilegia is one of the prettiest and … read more
Give Green a Chance The importance of foliage in planting design
Designing a planting scheme on a foliage-first basis is a sure-fire way to a classy garden. In this post I will show you how … read more
Double White Hellebore — Photo Study
⇧ I’m not sure of the variety name of this double white oriental hellebore, but it is one of my favourites and has flowered … read more
Dog’s Tooth Violets For The Woodland Garden
There are many species of Dog’s Tooth Violets (Erythroniums) which make fantastic garden plants for dappled shade and woodland settings. Here are three species that I grow successfully.
Lily-turf (liriope muscari ‘Big Blue’)
I have three clumps of lily turf in one of my woodland beds in my permaculture mini-woodland. They have been there for well over … read more
White Willow Gentian
This is the white form of the Willow Gentian, Gentiana asclepiadea alba. It is a choice, slow growing, long-lived and reliable plant for shade … read more
White Martagon Lilies
This is the white Marathon or Turk’s Cap Lily (Lilium martagon var. album). I grow these bulbs in the dappled shade of a cherry … read more