Phyllostachys bissetii
bamboo
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: fast growing
- Leaves: mid-green
- Canes: dark green, sometimes stained with purple
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Vigorous and hardy, this decorative bamboo is one of the first to produce new canes each year. These canes appear in late spring or early summer and have a mainly upright habit, but do arch slightly. Their colour is green, but will sometimes have a purple flush, but over a period of several years, will fade to a yellow-green. They have a glossy finish and are clothed in rich green leaves, which cope well with adverse weather conditions. Initially forming really dense clumps, this bamboo is ideal for screening, but will spread with age. - Garden care: Plant in a large container or surround the roots with a non-perishable barrier that restricts the plant's spread.
Athyrium filix-femina
lady fern
A delicate, graceful fern
Rodgersia pinnata 'Chocolate Wing'
rodgersia
Rich chocolate brown leaves in the spring
Ageratina altissima ‘Chocolate’
white snakeroot (syn. Eupatorium)
A late-flowering perennial with lovely, dark foliage
How to control diseases
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 articleHow to create a wildlife-friendly garden
An organic garden should also be a wildlife-friendly garden. Not only is it wonderful to see nature at work, but many creatures will help you achieve better results. The ponds in my garden act as a magnet to dragonflies and...
Read full articleJungle
The trick to achieving the tropical effect is good preparation and dense planting, vivid foliage, fiery flowers and striking contrasts. The jungle garden is a place for theatrical planning and planting. If you don't have room or the inclination...
Read full articleJapanese
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 article