STEPHEN'S BLOG
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Ulmus parvifolia ‘Frosty’
If someone was to ask me for a list of my favourite trees this one would have to be close to the top of the list ! Why I hear you ask and the reasons as one would expect are multiple, from the elegant form of the tree , its attractive bark, its speed of
Stephen Ryan
Dysosma delavayi
This has to be one of the most sumptuous foliage plants around so if you have a cool moist aspect in the garden or even for a pot plant then perhaps this Asian beauty will find a home at your place.In case you think you know what it is but the name means nothing it
Stephen Ryan
Acis tingitana
The true snowflakes are often seen as the poor cousins of the Snowdrops (Galanthus) however this is quite unfair as although they may not have as many species and certainly no where near as many forms and hybrids they certainly have quite a lot of diversity and the Moroccan Snowflake is an interesting example. It
Stephen Ryan
Epimedium ‘Black Sea’
I have been busy potting this years supply of Epimediums all week and have many lovely ones to select from, so many in fact that selecting one to blog about was so hard that in the end it was almost close my eyes and point! E. ‘Black Sea’ is however something of a stand out plant
Stephen Ryan
Acer pentaphyllum
This is supposed to be the rarest maple in the wild coming from a very small area in China and only collected and then raised in the west a couple of times so that all cultivated plants come from much the same original material. Apart from rarity why grow it? Certainly it has proved to
Stephen Ryan
Sambucus nigra ‘Linearis’
If you hanker after a cut leafed Japanese maple but can’t have one due to climatic constraints then perhaps this is the plant for you. It is a hardy deciduous shrub to 1.5metres tall and wide with foliage so fine that from a distance it looks like green smoke! and it has clusters of tiny
Stephen Ryan
Mitraria coccinea
Something less like the ubiquitous African Violet would seem almost impossible but this South American trailing evergreen shrub is in fact in the same family. It will trail across the ground, grow up anything it is tried to or make an interesting hanging basket subject if you are into such things (I find they dry
Stephen Ryan
Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’
I have a love hate relationship with Lilacs I love the flowers but in general hate the bush. They are one week wonders and scruffy for most of the time. Sorry if I have offended anyone! What I would like is to have friends with lots of well established bushes that would kindly give me
Stephen Ryan
Ruscus hypoglossum
This has to be the ultimate plant for dry shade, in fact it will grow in the driest and darkest shade you can find so anywhere that almost no other plant will survive will be ideal for this one! It is in fact an evergreen perennial to about 1metre tall that acts more like a
Stephen Ryan
Magnolia macrophylla
When big is definitely better this Magnolia must be the record holder in lots of different ways. It can grow to 20metres tall with soft green paddle like leaves to 90cms. long and huge white flowers stained with purple and strongly scented. It can take some years to bloom but it is definitely worth it
Stephen Ryan