Garden News 18 Jan

Four plants for easy impact
Garden
of the
week
This palm tree is one of
four, and they're so well
established they don't
need protecting in winter
Plants are bought cheaply or
propagated themselves, although
they don’t have a greenhouse.
“We’ve bought most of our roses
from the market for about £1.50
each. We take cuttings and swap
with friends. We like obelisks to add
structure, but we go for inexpensive
ones from Wilkinsons. My wife
made our pergola out of bits of
metal, and we improvised a wooden
archway from offcuts of timber.”
Their one indulgence is a ride-on
lawn mower. The grass is kept green
with two applications of fertiliser
each year, in spring and late
summer. “It’s a £10 box, again from
Wilkinsons, and it’s incredible the
difference it makes,” says Geoff.
The major challenge for Geoff and
Carol is the local wildlife, as their
garden is surrounded by farmland
and open fields. “Rabbits are the
biggest problem, but we also get
squirrels digging holes in the lawn,
moles burrowing, herons taking fish
from the pond and muntjacs, which
will nibble almost anything!”
Netting the pond and protecting
vulnerable plants with chicken wire
helps. “You have to coexist with it,”
says Geoff. “But there are positives.
We've a lot of frogs in our pond, and
as a result we don’t have any
problems with slugs or snails!”
Despite the size of their plot, Geoff
and Carol aren't slaves to it. “It’s
surprisingly low maintenance now
it’s established. Even in summer we
only water twice a week. We like
travelling, so we wanted a garden
that allows us to leave it.”
When they’re at home, they
spend about two days a week
outside. “We like being busy, and
we’re always looking at it with a
critical eye. The nicest part is
when visitors come and see the
garden. Their appreciation is
our enjoyment.”
Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki'
Provides spring and autumn colour with
attractively shaped leaves. Needs partial
shade or full sun and shelter. H: 2.5-4m
(8¼-13ft), but a slow grower.
Buddleja globosa
A semi-evergreen shrub with spherical, hot
orange flowers, 2cm (¾in) across, in early
summer. Prefers a sheltered spot and moist,
well-drained soil. H: 4-8m (13-26ft).
Ferns and a sprinkling
of self-seeded valerian
makes for pretty
pathside planting
Wisteria sinensis ‘Prolific’
A vigorous climbing plant smothered in
violet-blue flowers in spring. An ideal plant
for cladding a pergola or fence, it’s pest and
disease resistant. Prune in late winter.
Climbing rose ‘Compassion’
A coral-pink rose on bushy, dark green
foliage. Has a strong, sweet scent. Will
cover a 3m (10ft) wall or fence. Prefers full
or partial sunlight. H: 2.5-4m (8¼-13ft).
Jobs for January
1We’ll still be
clearing
leaves and
composting them
to make a mulch.
We’re constantly
trying to improve
our clay soil and
digging this in
really helps.
2We like
quality tools,
as it makes
gardening so much
easier, and now’s
the time to give
them some
preventative
maintenance.
3I prune the
roses in
autumn and
winter, before the
new shoots appear.
4We cut down
perennials
ready for
the spring.
14 Garden News / January 18 2020