Camellia japonica 'Silver Anniversary'
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
From late winter to early spring, large white, peony-form flowers with a golden boss of stamens, appear on this handsome, evergreen shrub. The leaves emerge a bright green and gradually darken with age providing a great backdrop to the luminous flowers when they appear. For the rest of the year, they provide essential structure, which becomes invaluable during the winter months when so many other plants have died right back. This reasonably fast-growing plant has an upright habit and can be used as a stand-alone specimen, or incorporated into a mixed or shrub border. It will also make a fine, informal hedge or screen. 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.
Asarum europaeum
wild ginger
Lustrous foliage for a shady corner
Magnolia stellata
star magnolia
Masses of starry white flowers in spring
Epimedium × youngianum 'Niveum'
barrenwort
Heavenly pure white flowers
Sarcococca confusa
sweet box
Sweetly scented, pure white flowers December to March
Pachysandra terminalis
Japanese spurge
Evergreen ground cover with white flowers. For sun or shade
Japanese
Make the most of over 3000 years of gardening tradition by creating an oriental-style garden. Originally designed as a place for intellectual contemplation and meditation, they are an ideal sanctuary from...
Read full articleBud blast
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...
Read full articleBud drop
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...
Read full articleApril pruning of trees, shrubs and
climbers
Many shrubs, trees and climbers are showing signs of growth and so it is an ideal time to check them over for winter damage. If you feel they need a little care and attention, here are a few notes to...
Read full article