Category: Winter interest
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Cyclamen repandum
My favourite species is probably the one that is in flower at the moment! And C. repandum is just coming out as the spring approaches and so is my favourite at the moment. Its flowers are usually a strong carmine pink with long elegant curled petals and the perfume is divine, although it is best
Stephen Ryan
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
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
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
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
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
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