New ways of gardening

This month the focus is on a new garden for people interested in plants. Read on also for new releases, new plants for 2004, and a new scientific discovery about another memory-saving herb.

A garden for a ‘plantaholic’

The most impressive garden, for its size and type, that I visited this summer was certainly unique. The overall success had been achieved through the harmonious use of space and unusual plants. The owners – an architect and his wife – kindly treated me to a guided tour. I followed them through the small hallway into the conservatory.

The wonderfully light building extension, with its wide view of the garden, was the making of the house. The extraordinary number of plants in the smallish area immediately struck me as distinctly different. Surprisingly, the plants didn’t appear to be suffering from overcrowding – on the contrary they were thriving and healthy. The luxuriant foliage and flowers brought to mind Kew Gardens. Exotic plants had been used with native plants, without the combination appearing false or incongruous.

There were no petunia, pelargonium, busy lizzy or lobelia displays. And strangely, for small gardens, no patio paving or path – the entire space had been used for grass, foliage and flowers. The tall shrubs and climbing plants covering the perimeter fences and walls provided almost complete privacy.

A cloud of tiny mauve-purple flowers of a 5ft-border perennial, Thalictrum dalavayi, attracted me. I was then directed to an informal pool, which was greatly enhanced by a purple cotinus. Cotinus is a shrub that might be considered too large for the small garden, but I was assured that pruning kept it confined to the back of the border. A hardy fuchsia with grey-green foliage contrasted subtly with the dark curtain of cotinus leaves.

The pool contained goldfish and immaculate water lilies in full bloom. A small urn on the lawn side of the pool was home to metallic-looking sea holly (Eryngium bourgatii) – a dainty perennial with wiry stems and lavender-mauve bracts. The thistle-like flowerheads can be dried for flower arrangements.

Camellias, lilies, bamboo, palms, lemon trees, tall dahlias and hibiscus also flourished. Among numerous plants, passiflora, clematis and honey suckles were carefully woven into the living tapestry of flowers, foliage and stems. Hardy geraniums and lavenders found ground space, between the larger plants and the lawn.

Heart-shaped leaves of the Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrata) were said to be in need of a trim. Also known as Chinese Dove Tree, this tall woody plant is grown primarily for the white handkerchief bracts that appear in May. Meanwhile, the leaves obscured most of the borrowed view of a cornfield.

At lunch, we enjoyed the juice of one of the large, yellow lemons. We dined in the conservatory, where we could continue to admire the garden. The architect’s wife, who called herself a "plantaholic", said the lemon trees in their giant pots were moved into the conservatory for winter. More on the conservatory plants coming soon.

New releases

Scientists believe that by eating lots of vegetables and fruit we can become healthier. Five pieces of different fruit and veg per day are recommended. Thompson & Morgan have launched a Healthy Eating multi-pack, which contains an exclusive selection of five fruit and vegetable seeds: "Broccoli Annual Sprouting, Brussels Sprout Topline F1, Carrot Healthmaster F1, Pepper Californian Wonder and Tomato Harbinger". A donation of 50P of every packet (price £2.99) is promised to Cancer Research UK.

Unwins Seeds are promoting three beautiful clematis plants, which can either be bought singly or as a money-saving collection. All three are ideal for growing up a wall, trellis or a tripod in a large patio container. Dr Ruppel – rose with dark pink bar; Lady Northcliffe – deep blue, and Niobe – black on opening, turning deep ruby-red with yellow anthers. The last named is claimed to be the best red clematis.

No chemicals

August to October is the time to look out for leatherjackets (the larvae of daddy-long-legs), which can be a problem for gardeners who look after turf and lawns. Chemicals have been banned for home use in the control of chafer grubs and leatherjackets. For some gardeners, nematodes in the Nemasys range of biological control products provide the only solution.

According to Becker Underwood Europe, which produces the Nemasys range of nematode pest controls, the nematodes used for control are natural organisms that are present in the soil of the country in which they are sold. The gardener simply adds more nematodes in his area so that there is a sufficient number to attack the pests. Becker Underwood Europe claims Nemasys is safe for children, pets and wildlife.

Nemasys Chafer Grub killer and Nemasys Leather Jacket Killer come in packs of varying sizes. Nemaslug Slug Killer and Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer are also available.

New perennial introduction

Thompson & Morgan’s unusual perennials for 2004 include Erythronium revolutum. This woodland Dogs Tooth Violet bears lilac-pink blooms, which rise above low-growing, mottled foliage on slender stems. Flowers should appear 2 to 4 years after sowing. More perennials coming soon.

A smart exterior to the house

Brick-shaped block paving is still being laid in driveways up and down the country and huge metal gates are going up daily in the suburbs. More soon.

New flower varieties

Fleuroselect Gold Medal Awards went to Celosia argentea plumosa ‘Fresh Look Red’, Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Heliot’, Lavatera trimestris ‘Novella’ and Phlox drummondii F1 ‘Grammy Pink/White’. These uniform bedding and container patio plants are especially suitable where reliable plants and patches of compacted colour are required.

Stop Press

New discovery announced regarding sage herb for memory and long-term health. Does homegrown sage tea help to preserve memory? Which species is best? Results coming soon. Watch this space.