STEPHEN'S BLOG
RECENT POSTS
BROWSE CATEGORIES
Carpinus betulus ‘Pendula’
This small weeping tree is tough and elegant with its elm like leaves that turn yellow in autumn and its green pendulous flower clusters that age brown. Unlike most weeping plants this one will add quite some height over time so isn’t a mushroom shape. Will grow in most soils and aspects so why not
Stephen Ryan
oxalis species
Hated by many due to the weedy species many Oxalis make great rock garden or pot plants with attractive leaves and stunning flowers. The winter growing species are all on the move now and looking good so put aside your preconceived ideas and enjoy these stunning long flowering plants. Here are just a few
Stephen Ryan
Bartlettina sordida
This plant once known as Eupatorium megaphyllum is a soft wooded evergreen shrub to 2metres or so with huge heavily viewed leaves that are worth growing it for alone as well as bit heads of little fluffy deep mauve flowers. Shade tolerant and fairly drought resistant, a great understory plant that was once used far
Stephen Ryan
Disporopsis pernyi
This charming woodlander from Asia has glossy rich green foliage on arching stems rather like a small Solomons Seal below which it produces drooping white and green bells in spring which are then followed by blue-black berries. a cool moist aspect is the go in much the same way as you would treat a Hosta.
Stephen Ryan
Vitis coignetiae
The Chinese Glory Vine has huge heavily viewed leaves that turn glorious colours in autumn and is a first rate climber to cover pergolas and fences. it gives an exuberant almost tropical meets the Mediterranean! Can grow to 20 metres long and do it fairly fast in a well drained but not too dry aspect.
Stephen Ryan
ampelopsis aconitifolia
A Chinese deciduous climber in the grapevine family that makes an ideal plant to grow on an obelisk or post as it isn’t too vigorous. It is grown principally for its lovely leaves that turn yellow in autumn although its clusters of multicoloured berries are lovely in autumn. any sunny to semi shaded aspect with
Stephen Ryan
Clethra fargesii
This large Chinese shrub can reach 4metres each way and if you have the right aspect and enough space it certainly pays its way! Its white lily of the valley style flowers are produced in midsummer and are beautifully fragrant with a musky scent. the dead flowers hang like copper bangles and the autumn foliage
Stephen Ryan
Cornus kousa ‘Miss Satomi’
This pink flowered version of the Asian dogwood will slowly grow into a small deciduous tree to 4metres or so with flat tiers of branches on top of which sit the soft pink starry flowers in early summer. the Asian species don’t get the nasty Anthrachnose disease that attracts the North American forms and so
Stephen Ryan
Pittosporum tobira
I am not a fan of the usual plants sold in this Genus as most grow into decrepit old age and are used to cover fences and screen the neighbours in new houses that are to be sold post haste. I guess any plant can be ruined by overuse but I have to say ‘James
Stephen Ryan
Rubus cockburnianus
It is not every nursery owner that would recommend a Blackberry to their clients, but I am not every nursery owner! The Ghost Bramble is a thicket making arching shrub with grey green leaves and small white flowers which really comes into its own in winter when the plant is bare and its white coated
Stephen Ryan