Thalictrum delavayi.

Wishing everyone a happy Chinese New Year.



Thalictrum delavayi, "Chinese Meadow Rue".
(Herbaceous perennial.)

Planting: Early spring.
Flowering: Summer.
Aspect: Partial shade. Moist soil.
Hardiness: Very hardy.


Notes: The home of Thalictrum delavayi is the Yunnan province of China. Hidden within its mountains are over seventeen thousand species of plants, as well as snub-nosed monkeys and even tigers.

Rhododendron schlippenbachii.

Having spent a lot of time on Wednesday entangled in Bodnant's large shrubs, I want to say that I know rhododendrons and azaleas like the back of my hand. However, that is not entirely true! From what I gather, azaleas are within the rhododendron family, but look a little different to a typical rhododendron? Hmm...

Rhododendron schlippenbachii, "Royal Azalea".
(Deciduous shrub.)


Planting: Autumn or spring.
Flowering: Late spring to early summer.
Aspect: Partial shade, well-drained soil.
Hardiness: Hardy.

Notes: Azaleas are as poisonous as they are beautiful, thus to receive a black vase of azaleas
                is to receive a death threat.

Twitter.

Following some good advice, I, Josh Hackett, have staggered into the 21st century...

It hadn't necessarily been something that appealed to me, but everyone has been very welcoming.
I'll be using it to post up a few sketches, thoughts and anything encountered that has inspired me that day.
So far, so good!

Cardiocrinum giganteum.

Whilst we were clearing the Dell of leaves yesterday, Ruth was telling me of the most beloved plants at Bodnant. One is the Cardiocrinum giganteum, which she told me takes seven years to reach the point of flowering. I am now at home gazing at pictures ~ it truly is stunning. The Cardiocrinum giganteum comes from the Himalayas, yet it looks like it comes fresh from 'the Lord of the Rings' or another otherworldly dream. Seven years of patience, a beautiful bloom and then death, there is something deeply poetic about this plant.

Cardiocrinum giganteum, "Himalayan Lily".
(Monocarpic perennial.)

Planting: February to July. Moist but well-drained soil.
Flowering: June to July, after seven years.
                        Monocarpic (dies afterwards).
Aspect: Partial shade, sheltered.
Hardiness: Fairly hardy.

Notes: The cardio of its name is derived from the heart-shaped leaves it produces.
               Giganteum is an equally apt title, given it can reach up to ten foot in height!

Silene latifolia.

Although the geraniums have proven a stocky infantry in the battle at the bottom of the garden, we've given other plants a chance to prove their pluckiness. Surely white campion, of the wasteland and the wild, will be a success?

Silene latifolia, "White Campion".
(Annual, biennial, herbaceous or evergreen perennial.)

Planting: Autumn.
Flowering: Summer. Dioecious.
Aspect: Full sun or partial shade.
Hardiness: Very hardy.

Notes: Found around graves and tombs, the white campion is sometimes known as 'the Flower of the Dead'. Indeed, they are even pollinated at night, by moths.

Geranium maculatum.

Walking to the bottom of the garden, a beautiful view of fields beyond comes into view. Last year, my family could sit there and watch the foxes running around on sunny evenings.
However, the shady patch between the bottom and the fields has been entangled with nettles and brambles. Slowly, we've been trying to loosen their grip by introducing other plants- it is geraniums which have given us most hope so far!

Geranium maculatum, "Wild Geranium".
(Herbaceous perennial.)


Planting: Spring.
Flowering: Summer.
Aspect: Full sun or partial shade. Well-drained.
Hardiness: Hardy.

Notes: A plant native to North America, the wild geranium was used by the Mesquakie tribe to cure tooth ache and nerve pain, brewing it in tea.

Leucojum aestivum.

The weather of Britain is always gloriously or infuriatingly unpredictable, and to expect anything is somewhat ludicrous. However, snow has tended to appear in recent late winters and early springs- shall we see any this year? There are already some "snowflakes" at Bodnant.


Leucojum aestivum, "Summer Snowflake".
(Bulbous perennial.)


Planting: Autumn. 10cm deep in moist soil.
Flowering: Spring.
Aspect: Full sun, south- or west-facing.
Hardiness: Hardy.

Notes: According to Perseus, a marvellous classical resource, leukos does not merely mean "white"; it implies a brilliant, shimmering white glow.

Pinus halepensis, myrtus communis.

Having touched upon one artist, I must mention one that I am far more fond of - my mother. Much of her work is inspired by beautiful wild places (especially the remote Isle of Jura), and thus it is no surprise that she is expressive in gardening as well. One of her paintings has a beautiful verse from Isaiah, and this is how I have come upon the next two plants.

'Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree...'

Pinus halepensis, Aleppo pine or Jerusalem pine.
(Evergreen tree.)

Planting: Spring.
Flowering: Spring, monoecious (both male & female flowers on a single plant.)
Aspect: Full sun.
Hardiness: Mediterranean plant, -10°C limit.

Notes: An Aleppo pine that inspired artist Paul Cézanne can still be found in his garden to this day.



'and instead of the briers, the myrtle will grow.'

Myrtus communis, common myrtle.
(Evergreen shrub.)

Planting: Late spring.
Flowering: Late summer.
Aspect: Full sun, south- or west-facing. Sheltered.
Hardiness: Protection required to flower.

Notes: Myrtle has been admired for centuries for its perceived virtues, especially as a force of love, masculinity, health - and even immortality. It is perhaps because of this that mirto is drunk in the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sicily.

Dogwood.

Having just done a little research into cornus, or dogwood (other historic names include Hound's Tree and whippletree), I came across a painting titled 'Dogwood' by Bierstadt. The natural archway formed by the trees is beautiful, especially with the soft lighting and colours.

Cornus alba.

 A short while ago, I was taken under the wing of a great landscape architect and his welcoming family. It was a really brilliant experience, and very much worthwhile. The most memorable thing I learnt was that northerners are better, more hospitable and harder-working - but I also had a few lessons in plants & design! For instance, he explained to me that variegated foliage can be very important visually - and I've chosen to look at variegated dogwood here.


Cornus alba, "Siberian Dogwood".
(Large suckering shrub.)




Planting: Spring.
Flowering: Spring and summer.
Aspect: Part shade or full sun.
Hardiness: Very hardy.

Notes: If kept in full sun, cornus plants will have strikingly colourful stems in winter - consequently some have been given vivid names such as 'Winter Beauty' and 'Midwinter Fire'.

Dracaena draco.

As my journey into horticulture continues, I will make no secret of the fact that I have been greatly aided by family & friends. Richie has a degree in biology, and told me about ARKive - an online resource dedicated to endangered flora & fauna. The first specimen I came across was the fantastic dragon tree.

Dracaena draco, "Dragon Tree".
(Subtropical evergreen tree.)

Planting: Spring
Flowering: Summer
Aspect: Full sun, sheltered.
Hardiness: Recommended indoors/greenhouse.


Notes: (Using ARKive~) The dragon tree is in decline, possibly due to the extinction of germinating birds or contact with rats & livestock which damage saplings.

Myosotis sylvatica.

Very aptly, Charis chose the forget-me-not as her favourite plant - clearly, she has the same quick wits as her brother! Contrary to what I have repeatedly told both Charis and Flora, I'm sure I won't forget them while they're away...

Myosotis sylvatica, "Wood Forget-me-not".
(Herbaceous biennial or perennial.)


Planting: May to September.
Flowering: April to June.
Aspect: Full sun or partial shade, ideally near water.
Hardiness: Hardy.




Notes: Of course, there is no shortage of tales explaining how the forget-me-not acquired its name. My term of the day, however, is "nectar café": a generous selection of bee-friendly flowers, which The Wildlife Trust would like every garden to have.

Rosa.

It certainly has been an busy week and, with my two little sisters heading back to university, it feels like the holidays really have ended at last. I'll miss them! They both told me their favourite plants, so that I could mention them here.
Flora chose the 'Bobby James' rambler rose; it looks stunning once it is in bloom, and it is the first thing people see when visiting our house. Flora's flora!

Rosa 'Bobby James'.

(Rambler rose.)

Planting: Late autumn or spring if bareroot, otherwise any season.
Flowering: Summer.
Aspect: Full sun.
Hardiness: Very hardy.

Notes: The vigour and life in this plant is such that it only suits large, wild structures to ramble over, rather than small ornamental designs.

Alliums.

Taking a bold leap back into the waves of confusion, the term "allium" can encompass all onions, yet it normally refers to a specific ornamental group. It is the latter that I focus upon now. They are beautiful, and what they lack in kitchen capability they make up for in elegance.

Alliums, "Ornamental Onions".

Planting: Autumn.
Flowering: Spring to midsummer.
Aspect: Sun.
Hardiness: Borderline.


Notes: The Allium cristophii has the charming title of "the Star of Persia".

Allium cepa.

For many of my posts thus far, I've given a little of my reasoning for selecting a particular plant to focus upon. With onions, however, I can only say that I find them delicious, and that is a worthy enough cause in my eyes.

Allium cepa, "Onion" (or "Shallot").
(Biennial or perennial bulb.)

Planting: Spring or autumn.
Harvest: Mid to late summer.
Aspect: Sun, well-drained.
Hardiness: Hardy.

Notes: According to the eternal source of wisdom and truth, wikipedia, "onions contain phenolics and flavonoids that have potential anti-inflammatory, anti-cholesterol, anticancer and antioxidant properties".

Quercus robur.

Having seen plants of overwhelming diversity, it is time to look at something that is reassuringly recognisable. Its acorns, leaves - even its stature - make the English oak unmistakable.


Quercus robur, English oak.
(Deciduous tree.)


Planting: Autumn (many authorities advise keeping acorns/seedlings indoors until the following spring).
Flowering: Mid-spring.
Aspect: Full sun or part shade.
Hardiness: Very, very hardy.

Notes: The most famous oak in Britain is the Major Oak of Sherwood Forest. It is perhaps as old as a thousand years, and is reputedly where Robin Hood and his merry men made camp!

Clematis.

Socrates famously said: "All I know is that I know nothing." As I look into the baffling and befuddling amount of species and variants of Clematis, that is the phrase which emerges out of the fog. My illustration is of "Helsingborg", and it is but the tip of the iceborg.

Clematis.
(Perennial shrub.)

Planting: Spring or early autumn.
Flowering: Winter to late summer.

Aspect: Sun or partial shade.
Hardiness: Mostly full hardiness.

Notes: Much like the plant itself, the names for Clematis are many- including "old man's beard", "traveller's joy" and "virgin's bower".

Anemone hupehensis.

Anemo... ane... anenome? I have spent twenty two years of my life without having pronounced it correctly. Anemone. Anemone. 


Anemone hupehensis, "Japanese Anemone".
(Herbaceous perennial.)

Planting: Between April and August.
Flowering: Midsummer to autumn.
Aspect: Shade, avoiding both dry and waterlogged areas.
Hardiness: Hardy.

Notes: Although they have been loved for centuries in Japan, this plant originated from the Hupeh province of eastern China.

Viburnum.

Continuing with our walk, Mum introduced me to viburnum. Like holly, they require cross-pollination (I think)... basically a bit of plant-on-plant romance. The tiny pale flowers are beautiful, especially at this time of year when so little else is in bloom.

Viburnum.
(Deciduous or evergreen shrub.)

Planting: Autumn.
Flowering: Varies.
Aspect: Ideally full sun, but not essential.
Hardiness: Average, or hardier.

Notes: Cavemen once used viburnum shoots for the shafts of their arrows.

Euphorbia.

A curse upon man-flu! The family trip to Ireland was cancelled courtesy of Dad's laryngitis, and alas now I too have been stricken with illness.
However, New Year's Day was beautiful in Chester, and a lovely family walk across neighbouring fields meant that I even learnt about a few more plants. Euphorbia are fantastic; they all have a recognisable shape, and yet their variety is still so rich.

Euphorbia, "Spurge".
(Annual or perennial tree, shrub or herb.)

Planting: Spring or summer. Easier as plants, rather than from seeds.
Flowering: Spring.
Aspect: Full sun.
Hardiness: Fully hardy.


Notes: No, no, no, I am seemingly mistaken here - after some online research, it seems that some types are utterly unrecognisable in shape as Euphorbia. Must try harder next time Hackett!