Pieris 'Flaming Silver'
lily-of-the-valley shrub
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained acid soil or ericaceous compost
- Rate of growth: slow-growing
- Flowering period: April and May
- Hardiness: fully hardy
A pretty, small, variegated, evergreen shrub with bright red, young leaves which develop silvery-white edges, contrasting beautifully with the older leaves. In mid and late spring, clusters of pretty, white, nodding bell-like flowers, resembling lily-of-the-valley appear. This compact shrub looks wonderful in a shady shrub border with well-drained, acid soil or in a container in a patio or courtyard garden. - Garden care: Add composted pine needles or peat when planting. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of composted pine needles or peat each year around the base of the plant in early spring. Remove the faded flower heads in late spring along with any frost-damaged foliage.
Cyclamen hederifolium var. hederifolium f. albiflorum
sowbread
Pure white flowers and beautiful leaves
Asplenium scolopendrium
hart's tongue fern / horse tongue
A handsome evergreen fern for a shady spot
Rhododendron 'Kazuko'
evergreen azalea (syn. Geisha Red)
Striking red flowers
Enkianthus campanulatus
enkianthus
Outstanding plant with pretty flowers and stunning autumn tints
Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Garnet'
Japanese maple
Finely cut red leaves and brilliant autumn colour
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 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 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 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