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Oxalis flava
Posted on July 6, 2018 by stephenryan in bulbs, Collector Plants, winter interest
This complex species conglomerate consists of various coloured flower forms as well as different leaf types that are often so different from each other that it seems hard to reconcile them all as a single species when so many Galanthus as an example look so similar and yet are given species status. Be that as it may […]
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Dendriopoterium menendezii
Posted on April 4, 2018 by stephenryan in beautiful bark, Collector Plants, drought tolerant, evergreen, Foliage plants, self seeds, Shrubs, winter interest
This mouthful of a name belongs to a very hardy evergreen shrub from the Canary Islands that grows to a couple of metres tall and wide. It has an open framework of branches with coppery bark and it produces spikes of tiny pink flowers with green sepals in spring. It is however for its attractive […]
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Ampelopsis aconitifolia
Posted on March 26, 2018 by stephenryan in autumn colour, berries, Climbing plants, Collector Plants, Deciduous, drought tolerant, Foliage plants
This rarely used deciduous vine from China is one of my favourite foliage climbers with its deeply cut bright green leaves it always makes a statement. It flowers are tiny and of no consequence but the tiny orange berries are pretty. The leaves turn yellow before shedding. I grow it on a metal tripod that […]
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Mahonia gracilipes
Posted on February 19, 2018 by stephenryan in berries, Collector Plants, drought tolerant, evergreen, Foliage plants, Good Pot Plant, shade tolerant, Shrubs, winter interest
This is definitely the exception to the rule when it comes to this Genus. It is summer flowering instead of autumn winter as with most others, and isn’t yellow! An extremely slow growing evergreen shrub from China that was described in 1887 but only got to Australia via me in 1998 or there about. This […]
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Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Aureomarginatus’
Posted on January 30, 2018 by stephenryan in drought tolerant, evergreen, Foliage plants, Good Pot Plant, perfumed, shade tolerant, Shrubs, winter interest
As the national collection holder of the Genus Osmanthus I thought it about time to feature at least one and the one I’ve chosen is the above as I have a half good picture of it. It is a hardy evergreen shrub to about 2metres with handsome gold variegated holly like leaves that would be […]
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Erythrina crista-galli
Posted on January 28, 2018 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, Deciduous, drought tolerant, Foliage plants, Shrubs
The hardiest of its Genus the coral tree adds quite a touch of the exotic to any garden with its thick spine covered branches and brilliant red pea flowers during the warmer months. The trifoliate leaves are also telling in the garden, and it will grow well in full sun in any well drained site. […]
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Euonymus cornutus
Posted on January 28, 2018 by stephenryan in autumn colour, berries, Collector Plants, drought tolerant, Foliage plants, Good for cutting, Shrubs
This Chinese shrub will grow to about 2metres or so with narrow semi-evergreen leaves and a light airy framework. the leaves are bright green and willow like and those that do shed in autumn turn soft pinky-orange. It has small chocolate coloured flowers in spring that for this Genus are quite showy and then the […]
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Euonymus fortunei ‘Colorata’
Posted on January 24, 2018 by stephenryan in autumn colour, berries, Climbing plants, drought tolerant, evergreen, Foliage plants, Good for cutting, Ground cover, shade tolerant, Shrubs, winter interest
This has to be one of the most indestructible plants I grow so could be something everyone should plant except it would then be as common as muck which it is in Europe and America! It can be grown as a lax shrubby ground cover , trailed over a large bank or espaliered along a […]
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Chionanthus retusa
Posted on January 3, 2018 by stephenryan in autumn colour, berries, Collector Plants, Deciduous, Foliage plants, shade trees, Trees
You rarely see the Chinese fringe tree (or its American counterpart) planted in gardens and it is due to the fact that their are quite difficult to propagate so are rarely offered or asked for! This is a true shame as it is a hardy and stunning late spring flowering small tree ideal for a […]
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Parthenocissus henryana
Posted on December 11, 2017 by stephenryan in autumn colour, Climbing plants, Deciduous, drought tolerant, Foliage plants, Ground cover, shade tolerant
The Chinese silver vein creeper has to be one of the most useful climbers I grow for all of the following reasons. It will grow well in sun or shade and is about the only autumn colouring plant I know that will turn stunning shades in either. The leaves in shade will however have the […]
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Oxalis flava

Dendriopoterium menendezii

Ampelopsis aconitifolia

Mahonia gracilipes

Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Aureomarginatus’

Erythrina crista-galli

Euonymus cornutus

Euonymus fortunei ‘Colorata’

Chionanthus retusa

Parthenocissus henryana

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