When we choose a shrub for Mother's day we are often looking for lots of flower or lots of fragrance or both!
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| Prunus nipponica Brilliant |
There are a few very small prunus trees swathed in gorgeous blooms. Once in the garden those blooms will be back every spring making them much better value than a bunch of short lived cut flowers.
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| Camellia Debbie |
Without question Camellias are out about now and make great presents. They are something special another prema donna plant. They can be grown in a pot. Do not plant on an east wall as the early sun will burn the frozen buds and it will not flower.They prefer a more neutrall soil but are not as stringent as rhododendrons.
Its also a great time to choose an azeleas which are budding up soon to look magnificent in flower.
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| Azelea |
Magnolia is definitely a prema donna plant. Its a deciduous shrub originally from Japan, so it’s hardy in our
climate.
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| Magnolia
Stellata |
The flowers of M.Stellata are large white and star shaped. It’s easy to grow
in a warmish spot in reasonably drained, reasonably fertile soil. Right now as a large bush or a tree for a
small garden it will be the envy of your neighbours!
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| Amelanchier |
Another
small tree that may be kept as a shrub not to be overlooked is the
Amelanchier. White spring blossom and later berries and autumn
foliage make it a tree of valuable interest. If you only have a small
space to squeeze one the variety Obelisk is conveniently narrow.
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| Exochorda |
Exochorda 'The Bride' and other varieties is similar to
the feathery white Spiraea Arguta the whole of this medium 5ft deciduous
shrub is clothed in tiny flowers like pure white bridal wreath for at least six weeks in April and May
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| Spiraea Arguta |
Flowers of the exochorda are
about the size of a ten pence piece. Like the above it is also hardy. It
grows in most soils not requiring a prime position. It is dazzling when
in flower and much sought after by our customers.
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| Daphne odora aureomarginata |
Daphne odora Aureomarginata is probably one of the most popular Mothers day choices and it
is justified. Sweet pink flowers, evergreen leaves with creamy margins
and the most wonderful scent, rivalled only by my other top choice saraccocoa or Christmas box. There are a few similar varieties varying
slightly in height and slight flower difference but its a wonderful
evergreen with a magnificent perfume. It is largely pale flowers with
the strong perfume to ensure wildlife do seek them out. Inevitably they
have a lot to offer our wildlife. These two medium shrubs belong in
every body's garden.
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| Daphne Mesereum |
Daphne Mesereum is almost in flowers about to burst. Its a very popular choice because it has a delicious fragrance and the most beautiful flowers. Its not difficult to grow.
Lilac or syringa are also budding beautifully. They deserve a spot in every garden to perform there spring display. Keep them in shape. Don't leave them too it so they get too big. Prune shortly after flowering Lilac and philidephus always appear to evade the pruning shears!
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| Dwarf lilac Syringa Meyer Palibin |
Lilac comes as a small tree a large shrub a standard and in the photo above we have the dwarf variety
Herb Baskets and Containers make excellent gifts.
If
I didn't have a garden center this would probably be my choice gift.
Its something that not only looks pretty, supports wildlife and I use
them all year in my cooking.Small bay lolly pop trees under planted with
thyme sage and marjoram or pots of simply rosemary or mint these are
plants we really need in abundance.
Cottage Garden favourites
The
spring cottage garden plants are also just waking from their winter
slumber. The hellebores which we were all admiring last month are still mainly in
full flower and the orientalis varieties in the deeper colours are also now out.
The perennial forget me not Brunnera is one of our most popular early spring perennials for its beautiful ffoliage and blue flowers.
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| Brunnera Jack Frost |
The
big oval heart shaped leaves, a little similar in size and shape to the
reliable spring lungwort’s hairy leaves, edge the borders in my shady
beds. I feel the dramatic frosty silver veining that decorates the
leaves of my favourite varieties Jack Frost and creamy leaf margins of
Hadspen Cream, justifies its planting even before the mass of blue.
These are excellent easy ground cover plants in shade or dappled shade
as are the Pulmonaria (Lungwort). If I had to recommend my favourite
pulmonaria it would definitely be the vivid Blue Ensign given
the Award of Merit by the RHS. Blue plants are much sought after in my
garden and this blue is magnificent though the opal white is equally lovely.
Early alpines make it possible to plant some lovely alpine bowls topped with alpine grit to adorn the doorstep. The aubretia, ibris and saxifrages and many alpine friends are right on cue for Mothers day.
