Choisya ternata
Mexican orange blossom
- Position: full sun to partial shade
- Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: fast-growing
- Flowering Period: May, often with a second flush in late summer or autumn
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Wonderfully scented, star-shaped, white flowers appear in late spring among glossy, aromatic, dark green leaves. This handsome, compact and easy-to-grow shrub is a valuable garden mainstay for a protected site in sun or part shade, although in shade it may not flower. The glossy, evergreen leaves provide an excellent backdrop for medium-sized perennials and pale-grey or purple foliage plants. - Garden care: Prune established plants in spring immediately after flowering, removing 25-30cm (10-12in) of the flowered stems. This encourages a second flush of flowers in late-summer and autumn. At the same time, remove any frost-damaged stems to the base.
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Skylark'
Californian lilac
A haze of bright blue flowers in early summer
Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'
smoke bush
Magnificent smoke-like plumes
How to get more flowers
Many flowering plants can be encouraged to produce better and longer-lasting displays with the minimum of effort. A plant produces flowers in order to reproduce and ensure the survival of the species. Once a plant has flowered and fertilisation has...
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Prevention is better than cure with diseases in the garden so keep your plants growing as strongly as possible – allowing them to fight off infections naturally. A weak plant is much more likely to fall prey than a good,...
Read full articleHoney fungus
Symptoms There are different symptoms which point to honey fungus, some or all of them may be present at one time. Also, death can take years or be virtually instantaneous with plants being suddenly stopped in their tracks, half-opened leaves just...
Read full articleMay pruning of trees, shrubs and climbers
Most shrubs, trees and climbers are in full growth at this time of the year, but don’t be in a hurry to put away your secateurs because there are still pruning jobs that can be carried out this month....
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Perfect for a hot, sunny mixed border or to add an exotic touch to a shady border; very effective as an informal flowering hedge also useful for city gardens as it is tolerant of pollution
Lucy Summers - Greenfingers Guides