Eucalyptus gunnii
cider gum
- Position: full sun
- Soil: neutral to slightly acidic soil that doesn't dry out
- Rate of growth: fast-growing
- Flowering period: July to October
- Flower colour: white to cream, but not often seen in Britain
- Other features: usually grown with multiple stems as it seemsto cope with strong winds better
- Hardiness: borderline hardy (may need winter protection)
A magnificent tree with flaking bark in shades of grey, cream, green and brown. It has silvery-blue, rounded young leaves which give way to long, glaucous, sickle-shaped adult foliage. It is probably the most well-known gum in this country as it is often seen in milder garden, where it is completely hardy except in abnormally cold winters. - Garden care: Requires minimal pruning if grown as a tree, removing any broken, diseased or crossing branches in late autumn or winter. For the best juvenile foliage, prune in early spring cutting back the stems to two or three buds above the base. When planting incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost in the planting hole and stake firmly.
Athyrium filix-femina
lady fern
A delicate, graceful fern
Rhododendron 'Cunningham's White'
hybrid rhododendron
Masses of stunning, white blooms. Suitable for most soil types
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...
Read full articleNovember pruning of trees and shrubs
By November the garden is well and truly dormant, so it’s a good time to prune many deciduous garden trees. As for October, prune newly planted trees to remove any damaged growth and help balance the shape of the canopy...
Read full articleMarch pruning of trees, shrubs and climbers
Use the following notes as a guide when pruning trees, shrubs and climbers in your garden during the month of March. I’ve included timely advice on Abeliophyllum, Artemesia, Brachyglottis, Brunfelsia, Buddleja, Ceanothus, Clematis, Colutea, Cotinus, Daphne, Eccremocarpus, Elsholtzia, ...
Read full articleFebruary pruning of trees, shrubs and climbers
The garden is at its most dormant right now, so it’s a good time to catch up on any pruning missed or forgotten since the autumn. If the weather isn’t favourable, you can leave it for a week or two,...
Read full article