NG Four January/February 2020

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WINTER GARDEN bling When the flowers have faded, the autumn leaves have blown away and stems turned brown, the garden can look a dreary place; on hold and waiting for spring to awaken it. But there is plenty of sparkle and colour to be had as winter takes hold. Walking round my garden last winter I found so much to take my eye and delight me. The fi rst eye-catcher is a big splash of colour from the stems or berries of a tree or shrub. The fl owering dogwoods (Cornus alba) are blazing with colour from their bare stems. My favourites include the orange “Midwinter Fire”, the deep red “Sibirica” and even the black “Kesselringii” which looks stunning with the wan winter sun shining through. The snakebark maples are spreading their intricately patterned branches against the winter sky with red twigs and olive-green and cream trunks. “George Forrest” has the best coloured twigs and “Serpentine” the best trunk pattern. The trunks of Himalayan birch (Betula jackmontii) is white like bleached bones against the shadows. Another favourite is the trunk of the Tibetan cherry (Prunus serrula) whose dark red bark looks polished to mirror fi nish and is fi lled with swirling patterns of colour. Shrubs and trees are still covered with berries. My favourite of all is holly with all its Christmas associations and memories. The redwings will soon fl y in from Scandinavia and strip the trees of this winter feast. The fi rethorns (Pyracantha) are living up to their name: the yellow-berried ones haven’t been stripped yet and the stems of Cotoneaster horizontalis are fi rmly vertical, splayed out against a fence and studded with small red berries. Evergreen shrubs and plants add some colour through the winter, particularly the showy Heucheras like “Caramel”, “Blackberry Jam” or “Geisha Fan”. On a frosty morning the leaves are coated and edged with ice and look like candied fruits. Frost, ice and dew make the garden sparkle. Frozen droplets hang, suspended from the wheaten seed heads of giant oats (Stipa gigantea) and glisten on the heads of feather grasses (Miscanthus and Calamagrostis), shining brightly in the low sun. Evergreen spurges (Euphorbia) become sprinkled with a diamond-dust of dew and ice and this will cause them to bow their heads as it melts, recovering their pose when the weather warms up. The crinkly leaves of the sun roses (Cistus) are edged with frost and even the watering can and rabbit-wire fences are transformed into sculptural shapes by the frost. The dead-stems of herbaceous plants are dusted with frost and seemingly shining in the light. My favourites are Turkish sage (Phlomis russeliana) with pepper pot seed heads; sea holly (Eryngium) draped with silver strings of frosted spider web; and the dead-heads of conefl owers (Rudbeckia) like silver-edged spears pointing to the sky. Winter may seem long and cold, but there’s always some bling to brighten the short days. Janet & I run Special Perennials, our website www.specialperennials.com. We sell at Plant Hunters’ Fairs throughout the season. Please see www.planthuntersfairs. co.uk DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2020 We will be at the Plant Hunters’ Fairs at Carsington Water DE6 1ST on Saturday 14th March, Free Entry to Plant Fair; 1620’s House and Garden, Nr. Coalville LE67 2FW on Sunday 22nd March, Entry to Garden & Plant Fair £1; Patchings Art Centre, Calverton NG14 6NU on Saturday 28th March, , Free Entry to Plant Fair with 22 top nurseries & artisans attending; The National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas DE13 7AR on Sunday 29th March, Free entry to Plant Fair & Arboretum. We are happy to bring orders to plant fairs for you to collect. Martin Blow
ALL ASPECTS OF ROOFING AND BUILDING WORK UNDERTAKEN No Job too big or too small Flat Roofs • Roof Repairs • Chimneys Leaks • UPVC Fascias • Guttering • Fencing Contact John for free quote or advice info@nottinghambuildingandroofing.co.uk www. nottinghambuildingandroofing.co.uk 0115 871 5101 • 07435 028 074 0800 474 8938 P.A.C PROPERTY MAINTENANCE All work undertaken Tiling • Joinery • Plumbing • Kitchens UPVC windows & Doors • Plastering Bathrooms Fitted • EPDM Flat Roofing Fencing • Landscaping Dry Verges • Free Quotes Landlords Welcome No Job Too Big or Too Small 07799 506 171 0115 987 1165 Conway Road, Carlton Email: pacproperty@live.co.uk www.pacmaintenance.co.uk Landscapes With over 25 years experience, we’re your local experts in: • BLOCK PAVING DRIVES & PATHS • FENCING • TARMAC DRIVES & PATHS • WALLS & BRICKWORK • TURFING/LANDSCAPING • DECKING Honest, Reliable Service, contact John for a free quote Tel: 01159 200197 Mob: 07973 376591 Email:jt@littlegreenlandscapes.co.uk www. littlegreenlandscapes.co.uk To advertise call 0115 926 9777 or email: sarah@ngmagazines.org.uk 63
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NG Four January/February 2020

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