Plant theatre
On a day out at Greys Court last year, my Mum admired a plant theatre, filled with pansies and violas. In the gift shop, she picked up a leaflet that … Read more
winter interest
The Courts Garden in winter
The last time I went to the Courts Garden it was my birthday, high summer and sunny. This time, six months later, the weather was grey and freezing, and we … Read more
Winter aconites
I spotted these winter aconites in the grounds of Cheltenham College yesterday, and made a mental note to plant some soon, so that I have something to look at next … Read more
Weekend inspiration: Garrya elliptica
I’ve never been much of a fan of Garrya elliptica, but this one caught my eye. The long, silvery catkins really caught the low winter sunlight, and the whole plant … Read more
The Chalice Well Garden
The last few days in the West Country have been cold but beautifully sunny and yesterday it felt almost spring-like. To blow some cobwebs away, we walked up Glastonbury Tor … Read more
Anisodontea ‘El Royo’
Now here’s a plant that I hadn’t seen before – Anisodontea ‘El Royo’, or Cape Mallow. Its hibiscus-like flowers persist throughout winter on this west-facing wall in Olive Mason’s garden, Dial Park – … Read more
My conservatory
There’s a clash of the seasons in my conservatory at the moment. Some paperwhite narcissi have flowered way earlier than I was expecting, and some pelargoniums (including the wonderfully named … Read more
Viola + crocus
A few weeks back I posted a picture of my violas (Viola deltini ‘Rose Pink’), which had been blooming their socks off for weeks come rain or shine (mostly rain). I had … Read more