COTONEASTER FRANCHETII
A semi-evergreen shrub with a graceful, arching habit. In early winter the branches are laden with scarlet-red fruits, until the blackbirds move in for a feast. The foliage is small and greyish-green in colour, with a pale, downy underside, giving this cotoneaster a lighter effect than some of its relatives. Elsewhere in the gardens, we have the larger C. lacteus, its decorative fruits borne in large, drooping clusters. Planted as specimen shrubs, rather than as a hedge, they're only pruned occasionally, in early spring, to retain the shape and size. Unfussy and tolerant of exposed sites.
Height and spread 2.5-4m x 2.5-4m.
Origin Southwest China.
Conditions Most soils; full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness RHS H6. USDA 6a-9bt.
Season of interest Autumn to winter for berries.
CORNUS SANGUINEA 'MIDWINTER FIRE'
In early winter this shrub holds on to its autumn foliage, but once the leaves drop, the vibrant-coloured stems continue to glow like a beacon through winter. Deeper orange towards the top, with a redder tint on the sunny side of the branches. It's slower growing than C. alba and C. sericea, so we only cut plants back every two to three years. C. sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange' is bolder in colour and doesn't grow as tall. It spreads by suckering.
Height and spread 2.5m x 2m (if left unpruned).
Origin Garden (species Europe and western Asia).
Conditions Moist but well-drained soil; full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness RHS H6, USDA 5a-7b.
Season of interest Winter.
CLEMATIS CIRRHOSA
Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Field of Dreams - The naturalistic gem Hans Gieszen has created in former meadowlands near Utrecht in the Netherlands is the culmination of a lifelong passion
Ever since his mother gave him seeds as a small boy, gardening has been a passion for Hans Gieszen. He is completely self-taught, relying on garden visits and books for instruction, with one book in particular, Dream Plants for the Natural Garden by Henk Gerritsen and Piet Oudolf, influencing his style. “It was fascinating,” says Hans, remembering his first encounter with the book. “All those photos – pictures with mists and these tall and low plants and grasses. I realised I couldn’t do it in my small garden, but I kept dreaming and reading about it.”
WORLD OF POSSIBILITY
This superb tour of the world's botanical gardens highlights their vital role in saving the planet's flora, says Claire Masset
THE FEMININE TOUCH?
Does your garden have masculine or feminine style, and does it even matter? Head gardener Benjamin Pope unpicks gardening's gender stereotypes
'If you emulate nature, you're on to a winner'
Gardener, television presenter and author Carol Klein talks about her new book, the books she loves, her current challenges and what she's up to next
FRIENDLY ADVICE
When tasked with creating a garden for her friends, designer Neive Tierney found the project came with challenges - not least the need to include a wheelchair ramp and squeeze in a saltwater swimming pool
Passing the baton
The celebrated nursery and garden at Marchants Hardy Plants in East Sussex is now being managed by a new team, who continue to inspire visitors with innovative planting
My sweet gourd
Clark Lawrence, an American living in the heart of Italy's pumpkin province, loves growing different cultivars of pumpkins and ornamental gourds for their sweet flavours and fabulous looks
ANDY JASPER
The new CEO of the Eden Project on his excitement about a new chapter, the legacy he's left at the National Trust and his joy at heading home to Cornwall
Bedding in
In just under nine years, the owners of Arvensis Nursery in Wiltshire have created a mature garden that displays their high-quality perennials
Late summer dreams
From cool pastels and foliage to hot colours, designer Jo Thompson creates three stylish container combinations for autumn