Camellia japonica 'Desire'
camellia
- Position: partial shade (but not east-facing)
- Soil: moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acid soil (or ericaceous compost for container-grown specimens)
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: January to March
- Hardiness: fully hardy
The formal, semi-double flowers of this gorgeous variety are mainly a pale blush pink or white, but each petal has a darker pink edge, which gives them a distinctive bi-coloured effect. They look very pretty when in flower in late winter and early spring and they make a striking focal point in a seasonal planting scheme. Their glossy evergreen foliage also makes them a valuable garden shrub, which will provide structure and interest throughout the year. Alternatively find a large pot and fill it with ericaceous compost and you will have a super specimen for the patio. Garden care: To prevent damage to the emerging buds and flowers protect from cold, dry winds and early morning sun. Water established plants in dry weather to prevent bud drop. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser in mid-spring and again in June. Top-dress annually with shredded bark or well-rotted leaf mould. After flowering lightly trim or prune any branches that spoil the appearance of the plant.
Cyclamen hederifolium var. hederifolium f. albiflorum
sowbread
Pure white flowers and beautiful leaves
Cyclamen coum
sowbread
Pretty winter flowers
Viburnum × bodnantense 'Charles Lamont'
viburnum
Fragrant, bright pink flowers
Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica
fern-leaved clematis (group 1)
Graceful scented bell-shaped flowers
Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Purple Stem'
sweet box
deliciously scented winter flowers
Galanthus nivalis
common snowdrop bulbs
A favourite for late winter
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Symptoms Dried up buds fail to open then turn hard and brown. They are covered lots of tiny black bristly growths, which are full of spores. The plant is healthy in all other respects. Plants most commonly affected Rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias. Cause A fungus...
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Symptoms Buds form, sometimes to their full size and then drop off with no apparent reason. Cause A period of dry weather while the buds are forming causes this. Camellia and rhododendrons are more susceptible and a few days of drought at the...
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