Wealden Times | WT171 | May 2016 | Restoration & New Build supplement inside

Round Green
Cranbrook, Kent
TN17 2NB
Insulated Pool Construction | Refurbishment
Eco Air Source heating systems
Telescopic Pool Enclosures for all-year round swimming
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amount of soil. We can grow a huge variety of them, both
hardy and non-hardy. They’re tough things but do appreciate
a good start in life and flower best with a little help from
us. So tips for looking after agapanthus would be to protect
the less hardy varieties in the winter; keeping them in pots
with their roots fairly neatly filling the pot; splitting them in
March/April when necessary and growing them in a 2/1 mix
of good garden compost and coarse sand or gravel. Feeding
them with a high potash feed every three to four weeks in
the growing season will encourage a good supply of flowers.
Another favourite with strappy leaves is the coastal astelia,
Astelia banksii, which is native to New Zealand. Unlike its
larger cousin, Astelia chathamica, this one only grows to about
three feet and it has the advantage of narrow, sword-like
silver leaves perfect as a dramatic single specimen in a pot.
There seem to be mixed views about its hardiness and I think
that some protection in a hard winter would be good. It has
certainly got through this last winter without any problem.
Succulents like Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’, the Torch
Aloe, Aloe arborescens and echeverias are all perfect in pots.
However, they are certainly not hardy and would have to
be brought under cover in the autumn. They need little or
no watering and in the right conditions – ie well drained
compost, added grit etc. flourish in a sunny spot. Agaves too
are good statement plants but spiky. I like the black spined
agave for its blue grey succulent leaves and the large Agave
americana. I saw enormous specimens of agave growing in the
completely wondrous Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech this year
– growing as they should as they have the perfect conditions
there, heat and good drainage – but we can have modest sized
plants in pots dotted around adding structure to the garden.
Silver leaved plants for pots would include Plectranthus
‘Silver Shield’ which has pretty huge leaves – well, saucer
sized – and are felty to the touch. Perfect for a sensory garden
actually. Their flowers are a little like those of a salvia and
they grow on from cuttings so easily. Or try Convolvulus
sabatius which is a cousin to our bindweed but not remotely
invasive. This one flowers from summer right through till
the autumn and the beginning of the frosts. It’s the prettiest
thing with pale blue trailing flowers. Just cut it right back
in the spring and it’ll come back to start all over again for
the following season. You could combine it in a pot with
Convolvulus cneorum which is easily sourced. This treasure has
silky silver leaves and its rosy buds open to white flowers.
07407 700195 | 01580 236246 info@alfrescopools.co.uk
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