STEPHEN'S BLOG
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BROWSE CATEGORIES
Cyclamen rohlfsianum
If you want a truly rare and exquisite plant it would be hard to find a better one. This species hails from a small area in Libya and is actually easier to grow than most of the books would have you believe. Its flowers are produced in autumn and are the only ones in the
Stephen Ryan
Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Golden Sun’
I love Liquidambars for all sorts of reasons. They are tough and have not only done remarkably well through the long years of drought but also came up with flying colours (quite literally!) after the very wet summer we had a couple of years back when Cherries and Smoke bushes drowned. They will colour in
Stephen Ryan
Cercidiphyllum japonicum
This stunning large tree from Japan and China is rarely seen or planted in Australia and I guess that it would be all but impossible to grow in most districts due to heat but anyone who lives in the cooler hill station parts of Australia should consider getting one (or several for a copse or
Stephen Ryan
Picea abies ‘Reflexa’
If you are looking for something a bit different for your garden then perhaps this vegetable version of “Cousin It” from the Adams Family could be just the ticket! It is a weeping form of Norway Spruce and will trail along the ground or spill over a bank unless trained up a stake. It can
Stephen Ryan
Otatea acuminata
This has to be one of the worlds most beautiful bamboos, at least in my humble opinion! and what a good doer it is. It is a clumping species although the clump can get quite wide and the arching stems can grow to 3metres long or more. the leaves are very fine and the whole
Stephen Ryan
Acis autumnalis
They can’t get much daintier than the autumn snowflake! Once included in Leucojum this tiny bulb will suddenly erupt out of the ground as the days shorten and if in large enough clumps will be quite telling in a rock garden or ornamental pot. A small clump will soon become a good sized one and
Stephen Ryan
Corylopsis sinensis
Winter is just round the corner and what better time to consider and plant something that will give colour and joy in the late winter? This tall arching shrub exudes elegance with its soft green hazel nut like leaves that turn yellow in autumn and it is even better in late winter when its drooping
Stephen Ryan
Parthenocissus henryana
This climbing relative of the humble grape vine has it all in my humble opinion so why haven’t you planted it yet? Its summer foliage is a rich green with a burgundy reverse (you always see the back through the window so it is important). If it is growing in semi to full shade the
Stephen Ryan
Clerodendrum chinensis var. chinensis
Yes I know I’ve done this Genus twice before but I promise this will be the last time unless I find some more cold hardy species! This one is a suckering shrub up to 1.5metres tall in my climate and it will wander quite a distance (you have now been warned!) but it wouldn’t stop
Stephen Ryan
Acer palmatum ‘Shishi Gashira’
The autumn is on the way and before long the leaves will start to turn so don’t be left out make sure you have some lovely Japanese maples in you garden. Even a tiny plot or a cool balcony would be enough for this restrained cultivar so there are no excuses! It will slowly make
Stephen Ryan