Plant Calendar
January: Winter flowering heathers - Erica carnea varieties provide a splash of colour during these short winter days. From white, through pinks and purples to all shades of red, there is a huge selection to choose from. Golden foliage forms such as Erica carnea ‘Aurea’ add to the palette.
Other plants to look out for this month - Many shrubs which flower during the winter months are very fragrant. Plant them near a path or in a pot by the door to get the best from them.
Our favourites include Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) and Viburnum x bodnantense ’Dawn’
February: Camellias are delivered to the Tree Shop early this month. There will be flowers on display from now until May. These hardy, evergreen shrubs thrive in neutral to lime-free soil. They are best planted where the early morning sun cannot reach frosted flowers i.e. in a west facing situation or with light overhead shade from trees.
Other plants to look out for this month - Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’, Garrya elliptica, Jasminum nudiflorum and Lonicera fragrantissima.
Early spring bulbs will now be flowering - Crocus, Snowdrops, Narcissus.
March: Rhododendrons & Azaleas will fill our covered plant area with colour for the next three months. From the smallest of the dwarf hybrids to the large leaved species we have something to suit every type of garden. They all require lime-free soil but can be grown successfully in pots or raised beds containing ericaceous compost. Many of the deciduous Azaleas add another dimension with their fragrant flowers and brilliant autumn colours.
Other plants to look out for this month include Corylopsis pauciflora, Forsythia ‘Lynwood’ and Magnolia stellata.
April: Pieris are deservedly popular slow growing evergreens. In early spring they bear lily-of-the-valley type flowers which are pink or white and lightly scented. Beautiful young growth is produced in varied shades of red. Requiring lime-free soil, they can happily be accommodated in pots and provide long seasons of interest.
Other plants to look out for this month - Amelanchier (Snowy Mespilus), Cytisus (Broom), Malus (Crab Apple), Prunus (Flowering Cherry) and Primula - many suitable for damp or shady areas.
May: Clematis montana is a vigorous climber bearing masses of flowers this month. Colours range from white to all shades of pink and some are scented. They quickly cover fences, walls, pergolas and old tree stumps.
Other plants to look out for this month include: Ceanothus (Californian Lilac), Crataegus (Hawthorn) and Crinodendron (Chilean Lantern Tree). .
June: In the herbaceous border, Heuchera in all it’s forms provides foliage colour in many shades from silvery-green and purple to yellow, orange and tan. Varieties include H. ‘Palace Purple’, H. ‘Melting Fire’ and H. ‘Mint Frost’. Hardy Geraniums are invaluable, flowering throughout the summer. Some, such as G. macrorrhizum ’Ingwersen’s Variety’ are semi-evergreen and make excellent ground cover.
Other plants to look out for this month include Callistemon (Bottlebrush), Cornus kousa (Flowering Dogwood), Hebe, Laburnum x watereri ‘Vossii’ (Golden Rain Tree) and Lavendula
July: Roses from the renowned grower David Austin are filling the plant area with colour and scents. We stock Fragrant English varieties, climbers and ramblers, old and shrub roses. We will also have specimen plants of repeat flowering English shrub roses and fragrant repeating English climbers in 15 litre pots.
Other plants to look out for this month - Buddleia davidii varieties (Butterfly Bush), Cistus (Rock Rose), Hardy Fuchsias, Philadelphus (Mock Orange) and Penstemons (semi-evergreen herbaceous perennials flowering from now until autumn).
August: Hydrangeas are at their best during the summer and autumn months. Many thrive in coastal gardens. Mopheads and lacecaps are the most popular, the climbing Hydrangea petiolaris is excellent on north facing or shady walls and H. quercifolia (the Oak-leaved Hydrangea) gives magnificent autumn colours.
Other plants to look out for this month include: Desfontainea spinosa, Lonicera (Honeysuckle), Agapanthus and Sedum. .
September: Ornamental trees such as Malus (Crab Apple) and Sorbus (Rowans). The fruits of these trees provide rich colour throughout the autumn months. As well as being ornamental they can be used to make crab apple and rowan jelly preserves.
Other plants to look out for this month include Calluna vulgaris and Erica cinerea (Heather), Eucryphia x nymansensis and cultivars and Crocosmias (‘James Coey’, ‘Lucifer’, ‘Mrs. G. Howard’).
October: National Conifer Week is this month. Conifers are a wonderful way of adding colour and shape to your garden. The majority are evergreen, so the effect lasts all year round. There is an amazing selection of different shapes, colours and sizes from which to choose, from the tiniest dwarfs suitable for sinks and troughs to magnificent parkland trees.
Other plants to look out for this month - Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’ (violet-coloured berries) and Parrotia persica (Persian Ironwood - brilliant autumn leaf colours).
November: Fruit Trees ( bare root ) & Soft Fruit bushes are available from the Tree Shop from the end of this month. A wide range of varieties is stocked and special orders can also be taken.
Other plants to look out for this month include: Mahonia x media ‘Charity’ and Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnanlis’ (Autumn Cherry). .
December: Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ and Skimmia japonica subsp. reevesiana are small, compact, evergreen shrubs. ‘Rubella’ bears panicles of red buds throughout the winter which open to white flowers in spring while reevesiana is covered with crimson-red fruits which usually last until the white flowers appear in May.
Other plants to look out for this month include Sarcococca (Christmas Box) and Viburnum tinus.
