Ceanothus concha

Stunning blue flowers of Ceanothus concha. Ceanothus are a little bit temperamental to grow and this one benefits from the shelter of a wall, in very hard winters they can be severely damaged especially if snow settles on the evergreen foliage for any length of time and remains frozen. They require a sunny, sheltered position in a fertile, moisture retentive but free draining soil. Pruning should be carried out straight after they have finished flowering if they require a reduction in size, take care not to prune too hard, the older wood looses its ability to regenerate and unlike many evergreen shrubs they do not respond to hard, regenerative pruning. Make sure that you can see evidence of new growing points and prune just beyond them to keep them healthy and bushy.

Polygonatum x hybridum

A striking spring flowering herbaceous perennial with arching stems and dangling bell shaped flowers from each leaf axil. Naturalises well in humus rich and damp soils and can tolerate shade. Ideal for dark corners of the garden, along hedgerows and under established trees.

A perfect partner for other woodland spring flowers such as Lily of the valley and Epimedium and shade loving foliage plants such as Hosta.

Seen here growing with Hosta sieboldiana

Inspirational conifers

Spring time is the time to be inspired by conifers! look out for their  stunning fresh green new growth and astonishing range of colours in the new cones.
Conifers are primitive trees, the technical name is 'Gymnosperm' which literally means 'naked seed', they are not very good parents in that they have not developed enclosed ovaries that protect the seeds as they develop and aid in the distribution of the seeds - such as a sycamore that has developed wings or an oak that encourages small mammals to literally plant their acorns for them!


They also have separate male and female cones, the female cones are usually the ones that are larger and give a superb display in the spring.

Picea orientalis 'Aureospicata' displaying stunning red female cones

Pinus showing male and female cones amongst new growth

Abies koriana displaying its upright, purple and green female cones which sit above green and silver soft, needle like leaves

 

Larix decidua fresh new cones sit next to last years cones on branches with newly emerging foliage. This conifer is deciduous and also displays a superb autumn colour as the leaves fall.