Our Garden Ideas, Tips & Guides

Thalictrum Aquilegiifolium Album is particularly robust

Even if annual plants are not quite your thing, I think you may find Osteospernum purple sun hard to resist.

Iris Reticulata Harmony

This shrub Viburnum Plicatum Mariesii has to be one of the most outstanding shrubs which you will find for that very special sunny position in your garden.

We all love the Holly bush, however it is extremely frustrating when they don’t form the berries which we have been eagerly awaiting. Try Holly JC Van Tol.

Clematis Perle d Azur from the Jackmanii group is simply sensational.

Three years ago we came across a short variety of Aruncus named Aethusifolius

Hamamelis Mollis revisited today when at its very best

Since publishing this post Blotanical is no longer active

Helleborus Party Dress Picotee

Alchemilla Mollis also known as Lady’s Mantle.

Monarda cambridge scarlet is one of those hardy perennials which give a brilliant show every Summer. The RHS has given this popular old variety Bergamot it’s prestigious Award of Garden Merit.

Carex Buchananii, love it or hate it, I think its here to stay in our Aberdeen garden.

Pampas Grass Pumila

The Himalayan Birch (Betula) Jacquemontii has attractive bright white bark and dark green leaves

What is the The Environment and I all about. Well its just me banging on about stuff that’s on my mind at this moment. Probably at a later date when I check this out I will think what the heck am I saying and quickly delete the post.

Not so long back I posted a profile on the Begonia Flamboyant. Today I am looking at one of the other Royal Renaissance varieties, Begonia Helen Harmes (Harms), an excellent tuberous Begonia with small single and semi double flowers.

Hypericum, its, well let’s face it, a common shrub which we generally wouldn’t look twice at.

Its time I tried the Scottish Bluebell in the garden, Bluebell  (Campanula rotundifolia) (Harebell)

Astrantia Maxima.   Of all the Astrantia’s of which there are many, Maxima in my opinion is the most striking of all.

If you happen to be searching for a narrow growing conifer and feeling a little undecided in your choice, I think I have found just what you are looking for. Taxus Baccata Fastigiata Robusta Many gardeners opt for the Italian Cypress, however in my experience here in Aberdeen it simply is not hardy enough.

Rhododendron Taurus, one of the best reds available.

The Beginner.

OK, so its not a hardy plant, but its not half a show off. Begonia Firecracker one of those tuberous upright Begonias which looks great in containers or for bedding out

The Rose Remember me an excellent hybrid tea rose which is very beautiful as a specimen or for bedding. Bred by Cockers in 1984, parentage=Alexander x Silver jubilee.

Schizostylis Coccinea Major is a total eye catcher in the garden at a time when perhaps, you think its all over. Possibly the star of all the Autumn flowers, it is a vigorous clump forming perennial with erect sword shaped leaves and single red flowers.

Rodgersia podophylla , likes positioned in a semi shaded position with soil that does not dry out.

Alstroemerias a beautiful hardy perennial  not a plant grown for its foliage, but makes up for this with masses of gorgeous flowers.

The Toad Lily Tricyrtis Hirta is a most unusual plant with small exotic looking flowers and hairy green leaves.

What a beauty is the Oriental Lily Muscadet.

Adam Messerich a bourbon shrub Rose bred in Germany in 1920 by Peter Lambert.

Meconopsis Sheldonii a truly magnificent hardy perennial. Planted in the woodland garden it always grabs the attention of visitors.

Fothergilla Monticola a shrub which I was not familiar with

Surprisingly, even way up north in Aberdeen the garden still holds on to a Summer look at the very end of September, and with an improvement in the weather, lets hope for an Indian Summer.

The Snowdrops are blooming

Lilium Tigrinum Splendens, how showy is this plant. Last Summer was the second year that Tigrinum Splendens graced the main border of the back garden.