Landscape and horticulture expert

The National Trust plant archive

Thirty years after they first attempted it, the National Trust is to archive all of the plants and trees within the boundaries of the properties on it's register.

Back in the seventies, the National Trust wanted to collate a map of every specimen that has been collected by the great plant hunters of the Victorian era and before, in order to establish what existed and where it came from.

However, using just paper and the Royal Mail, the task proved too difficult and the scheme was abandoned - Run the time clock onto 2008 and we have a different story.

Spectacular variegated wild nettle

Take a look at this wonderful variegated wild stinging nettle that I have discovered. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it; especially with the intense spring sunshine highlighting the colours.

The centre of the leaf is a mint green with a yellow to cream outer and on the newer leaves, the margin is a fantastic salmon pink.

Iberis sempervirens - best viewed in twilight

I recently wrote about the joy of the Amelanchier lamarckii - or Snowy mespilus - in March. I also mentioned Iberis sempervirens but I didn't have a picture to share with you.

Well, on my way back from Duras this week, in the warm spring sunshine, I passed this fantastic specimen at the side of the road.

A New Clematis Hybrid for 2008

Having featured Brian Collingwood and his wonderful Clematis site here on Landscape Juice, I want to keep up to date on what is going on so I was pleased to get an email from Brian this morning pointing me to his latest success.

It is a seedling cross between (G177A) of Clematis patens x Clematis coactilis.

Amelanchier lamarckii - Snowy mespilus

I am not sure if the Amelanchier gets it's common name 'Snowy mespilus' because is has brilliant white flowers or because it is not uncommon to see it in flower when there is snow on the ground.

There are two plants that I love to see in March, one is Iberis sempervirens - Iberis is mesmerising in the twilight as the flowers do not close up and stay bright right until you can see no more - and the other is Amelanchier.

The first of the Spring Blossom

Continuous warm days are starting to stir the countryside into life.

I could not resist taking a photo of this Prunus which is just about to pop out into full bloom. The scent was also quite powerful too and boy did it all seem to make the grey of winter disappear!

The sun was late in the sky and it made the tree glow as it basked in the final rays of the day.

I want to be buried in a basket coffin

I promised you that I would get a picture of the Willow that is growing in the vineyard near our house.
I popped up there yesterday but unfortunately, the weather was overcast by the time I arrived at the site which spoils the effect somewhat.

Is this the rare Salvia pratensis?

I have been visiting my round of gardening sites this morning to try and find a few interesting snippets to feature on Landscape Juice this week.

Popping into the BBC gardening website I noticed the headline 'Endangered plant stolen from farm'.

Disease tolerant Elm set to make British comeback

If you look at the RHS website on their information about Dutch Elm Disease it is evident that this disease caused widespread damage and depletion from as far back as the 1960's.

Elm is a tree that grows freely in the hedgerows in Oakhanger where I used to live but, unfortunately, this attractive tree, with cork like deep veined bark, barely lived beyond about eight years without succumbing to a slow death.

Delamore Young Plants - for trade bedding plant orders

Getting hold of good bedding stock to stack the garden centre shelves is a tough ask for garden centre managers.

Delamore young plants - which has just been sold, to it's own management by owner Peter Wood - offers a fantastic online service offering delivery or collection from ten UK cash and carry centres.

Rare Teloschistes chrysophthalmus Lichen found on Guernsey

In recent years, we have all become accustomed to plants being added to the Red List of endangered species. With this in mind, it comes as a pleasant surprise that a rare plant has made a comeback in an area that it has not been seen for over 140 years.

The lichen is called Teloschistes chrysophthalmus and was last seen growing on Guernsey in 1867.

The alternative Poinsettia advice

It is the time of year, that the biggest selling plant in the US at this time of the year, is adorning Christmas tables and shady shelves around our homes.

However, and I am stilling trying to stop laughing, The Garden Monkey has some alternative advice for non [emphasis on NON] Poinsettia lovers.

Well grapple me soap nuts, the Sapindus mukorossi tree seems set to revolutionise wash day

The Sapindus mukorossi tree has been a source of free and natural detergent for the washer women of Himalayas.

The fruit of the Sapindus mukorossi contains a chemical called saponin which is a natural detergent and by adding it to your normal washing machine it is possible to avoid potentially environmentally damaging chemicals.