April 2016

Gardening
Advertorial
A border by a north-facing patio
Izi Glover creates a
symphony in green for those
shady urban spaces
Most of us urban gardeners have a neglected shady
windowsill, container or border. But do not despair.
With the right plants, our sombre patches can be
calm, green and serene. Moreover, with a creative
flourish they will delight throughout the year.
To keep spirits high while we soldier on, let’s
bear in mind George Plimpton, by trade a writer,
and his short turn manning the triangle in Shady
Corner under the beady eye of conductor Leonard
Bernstein.* Let’s think of the task ahead in
percussive terms.
The big bass drums are our evergreens – spheres
of box, Buxus sempervivens, and looser mounds of
sweet winter box, Sarcococca confusa. Mountain
pine, Pinus mugo, brings a wilder element.
* It’s a great essay, published in The Best of Plimpton.
Around and amongst this structure intersperse
pheasant tail grass, Anemanthele lessoniana, which
will retain its airy mass but be greener in the
shade, and the marbled heart-shaped leaves of
Cyclamen purpurascens.
Ferns add unfurling rhythmic shapes, with
Polystichum setiferum 'Herrenhausen' being usefully
evergreen. Now add some high notes (think of
Plimpton’s triangle). Here we have the bright blue
of squills, Scilla bifolia, to be followed on by purple
violets.
Ta-da! Your composition is complete.
April things to do
If you have a lawn, pay it good attention now.
You will be repaid threefold in the summer. Adjust
your mower to its highest setting and give the
lawn a trim. Rake well, aerate with a fork and apply
a spring lawn fertiliser just before rain is forecast.
Izi Glover is a Hackney gardener at London Fields
and Gardens: londonfieldsandgardens.com
16 LOVEEAST