Quercus ilex
holm oak
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: deep, fertile, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: slow-growing
- Flowering period: June
- Flower colour: golden-yellow male catkins
- Other features: useful as a windbreak in coastal gardens
- Hardiness: fully hardy
A rounded, evergreen tree with lance-shaped, dark green leaves and smooth dark grey bark. In June the new, silver-white leaves appear, along with the golden-yellow male catkins, followed in autumn by rounded acorns, either singularly or in bunches. An attractive tree which tolerates salt spray and strong winds, and is often seen planted as a windbreak or along avenues in coast towns. - Garden care: When planting incorporate plenty of well- rotted organic matter in to the planting hole. Minimal pruning is required.
Geranium phaeum 'Lily Lovell'
dusky cranesbill
Iridescent saucers of purple flowers. Good for shade
Fuchsia 'Riccartonii'
fuchsia
Delicate, scarlet and dark purple flowers
Elaeagnus × ebbingei 'Limelight'
oleaster
One of the toughest evergreen shrubs
Cotoneaster horizontalis
cotoneaster
Excellent groundcover with red berries
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 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 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 articleOctober pruning of trees, shrubs and climbers
October sees the start of the dormant season which is the best time to prune lots of deciduous garden trees. You can prune newly planted trees to remove any damaged growth and help balance the shape of the canopy as...
Read full article