Simply Thriving in the Garden in 2015
So many of the plants were simply thriving in the garden in 2015. The soil looks terrible, feels dreadful and doesn’t smell all that nice, and yet, the plants love it.
Todays post is all about taking a look back at the plants which exceeded our expectations last year. To be honest, I couldn’t really decide on which plant to feature this week, so just came up with a good few of them, so here we go, in alphabetical order.
Acer palmatum dissectum watnong Couldn’t come up with a spot in the garden for this one so just planted it in a tub in the meantime, well that was almost two years ago.
The Anemone September charm behaves so differently here in Cheshire compared to the habit it had in Aberdeen. Here it is compact, about 50cm/2ft tall. In our Aberdeen garden it reached a height of five feet and more.
Whats not to like about this ray of sunshine. Well I can only think that the Anthemis sancti-johannis does like a bit of support.
For a number of years we have favoured the dwarf varieties of Aruncus. However I am quietly pleased with this one above Aruncus dioicus kneiffii. Don’t tell anyone but I have cheated a little with the picture above, I intended letting you think it was planted in the border, but no, its in a tub.
The Asiatic Lilies may not have the fragrance of some but I came across these, named the Pearl series and they are quite magnificent. Planted in the main border of the back garden the Asiatic Lily pearl Carolina makes quite a statement.
Pearl Jennifer above was the first in the series to be introduced along with Pearl Stacey.
Asiatic Lily pearl justein
This final one in the main border of the back garden is named White Pearl. More of a creamy white.
Previously in the garden the Astilbes we had were all in pastel shades. This one Astilbe red sentinel is a welcome change, grows to a height of 80/90cm
I persevered for years with the Cala lily Zantedeschia aethiopica in our Aberdeen garden. It required the protection of the greenhouse in Winter and was reluctant to bloom. Taken with us from Aberdeen, I am extremely pleased with it, now planted in our front garden in Cheshire.
I published a post a while back on the Camellia x williamsii ‘Spring Festival. Definitely deserves its inclusion in this post of plants which thrived in 2015.
The Clematis Polish spirit in its second year has taken a real good hold.
A firm favourite of Myra’s planted at the same time is, Clematis Viticella alba luxuriance
Hard to ignore Crocosmia Lucifer
Echinacea Purpurea Magnus grows to a height of, about 3ft in one of the side borders in the back garden. In the main border we have the original Echinacea Purpurea, which reached about 6ft (rather tall) Echinacea is another one of those plants which struggled in our Aberdeen garden.
Echinacea White Swan also graces the side and main border. This one just reaches 70cm
The Geum Borisii bloomed from June right through till late September. Never really smothered with flowers but still very striking considering the colour.
Another orange flower that deserves a place in the garden is the Kniphofia Ember Glow.
laprocapnos spectabilis, well I haven’t really gotten over naming it Dicentra, not quite such a mouthful. One of the existing plants left by the previous owner of the house. Its here to stay, I like it.
Three medium sized plants of leucanthemum goldrush made quite an impact in the garden. Sturdy plants which appeared to require no support until a torrential downpour in mid Summer.
I have sung the praises of Nepeta Nervosa Blue Moon in the past. What a great alternative if you struggle with Lavender.
Philadelphus coronaries, an interesting form with variegated leaves. This one was in the garden when we arrived.
in our Aberdeen garden the Rudbeckia Goldsturm struggled to survive after its first season. Look how well it is doing in our Cheshire garden.
A good addition to the garden is the Salvia nemorosa east friesland. This year I will try to extend the flowering period by deadheading.
The Salvia pink friesland is not so tall, I suspect being planted next to the Heuchera Paris doesn’t do it any favours.
I felt ready to write off the Stachys monieri hummelo when it first started to bloom. However a couple of weeks later when it was showing at its best, I completely changed my mind.
Thalictrum hewitt’s double is a great airy looking plant and regardless of its height of over 5ft it never looks out of place.
Tiarella Pink Sky rocket, another of Myra’s favourites with a long flowering period.
Looking for a perennial for the front of the border, I think you will really like Veronica spicata ulster blue. Long flowering period which is extended by deadheading. This one didn’t come through the Aberdeen Winters, I tried several times. If I am making gardening sound challenging in Aberdeen, its not really true, we had an amazing garden up North.
We planted three of these Veronicastrum red arrow in the back garden, they didn’t do too well in their first season, hoping for an improvement this year, (unless!)
Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Album’ this one in the side border, I like.
Here is how the garden was looking in early November.
A couple of pictures above I cast a little doubt over the Veronicastrum red arrow. The plant is worth keeping, its just that it may have to be moved. We are adding a small conservatory to the back and suspect the shape of the boat border may require changing. Not rushing to make any hasty decision as yet.
I know that Clematis is one of your favourite plants Sunil.
Thanks for dropping by Nadezda, Northern garden, must take a look.
Hi, Alistair! I’m here through Helene’s blog and I love your plants they’re wonderful. Many of them I can’t grow, have no idea why and others are the same as in my garden although the soil here is turf. I have Thalictrum as well in two colors: dark red and purple.
Have a nice week!
Hello Alistair, there are some great plants in that long list and definitely a few I can see on the shopping list for this coming season – especially the clematis.
The Nepeta is also one of Myra’s favourites Carolyn.
Your garden in Cheshire looks so mature and beautiful. I love the plants you featured especially the nepeta that looks like lavender, which I can’t grow.
We have to keep on top of lily beetle here in Cheshire, didn’t get them in Aberdeen.
You really have a wonderful selection of blooms. I have Veronica spicata of a few varieties and find it a great plant, although in subsequent years it gets less and less uniform in shape and size. Love the lilies. My garden has lots of them too.
Pam, the few perennials which I have growing in pots do much better than I would have expected.
So many plants exceeded expectations in your stunning garden, Alistair. I love your Aruncus which is about the same size as mine. Mine is in the border — never thought of growing it in a pot. Maybe I’ll plant another in a container, then I can move it around to fill in gaps as needed. P.x
Hi Helene, the soil is very heavy and clay. I dug in loads of garden compost to free the soil up a bit, it still doesn’t feel good but as I say the plants seem happy enough. I used to do the same as you, prepare a planting hole and add compost to it, recently I have read that this is unadvisable as we are preparing a sort of sump which retains the water even more, cant really say I was aware of any problems. Plants that do better in Aberdeen. Well, starting with those which perform better in Cheshire, the fantastic Thalictrum Hewitts Double definitely does better here as does the Cala Lily. Camellia generally performs better here but the Rhododendrons were way better in Aberdeen, due to the acid soil, the Acers seemed to prefer Aberdeen. To be honest, most perennials settle in quicker in Cheshire and although I used to think our plants bloomed for longer in Aberdeen because of the cooler weather I have found this is not the case, in fact most plants flower for several weeks longer here and you are more likely to get a second flush by cutting back. Must emphasize our soil in Aberdeen was very acidic. Doesn’t half rain here though. Off to see if I can stop your much welcomed comments from going in the bin.
Got it Helene, they are actually going into the bin folder which is easier to find than the 100s in spam. I will have to sort it out. Will respond to your comment a little later, builders just arrived, getting a conservatory built.
I think I went into your spamfolder again!
Hi Alistair, lovely to see a round-up of your best performers. What kind of soil issues do you have? I realise now how spoilt I was with the soil in my previous garden, here in the new garden the soil would have been perfect for pottery, not so good for gardening….It is incredibly heavy to dig in and during the summer almost like concrete. Not sure how to garden in this yet!
Your list is a delight and I have made a note of several plants for my wish-list, Thalictrum delavayi ‘Hewitt’s Double’ was new to me and is now on the list, Nepeta Nervosa was already there from last time you profiled it.
I think I asked you last time (when my comment went into your spam folder) – but the question is even more relevant in this post I guess: have you found any plants that coped better and performed better for you in Aberdeen than in Cheshire?? Just being curious, now that you have been there this long and have had time to compare 🙂
Sarah, the Zantedeschia did put on a great show.
I think the plants love your garden! What a whopping Zantedeschia aethiopica! Clematis viticella Alba Luxurians is wonderful – I will be adding it to my garden this year.
Perhaps a couple that we didn’t like so very much and in a ruthless moment they will be replaced.
I am pleased at how well the plants grow here Donna, and the sun is shining at the moment with a little heat in it.
Fabulous…wow! So many plants thriving in your garden….aruncus and echinacea are native here and favorites of mine. And I was so happy to see all your fabulous lilies. But the Anthemis sancti-johannis is one I am less familiar with and really caught my eye!
Wow! So many plants did well; I wonder if you had any that were unsuccessful. I especially admire the red astilbe and the Kniphofia Ember Glow. You are a master at combining all the wonderful textures and colors. Congratulations on a fabulous garden!
Rick, I was surprised at how well the Aruncus performed in a pot.
Hewitts double does have a very different habit from other Thalictrums. I think clay soil holds a lot of nutrients even though it is terrible to work with.
Wow, looking good already! I love that Thalictrum hewitt’s double – I’ve never seen that before! Maybe some of those plants like poor soil? You never know!
The wind is howling and the rain is horizontal but looking at your pictures has really cheered me up Alistair. I am looking to introduce a few dwarf Acers in pots this year including the seedlings that have come off the established trees as I do love them but I am short of space. It’s great to see the Aruncus, I think they are underrated and I would never have thought of growing them in a pot.
Its very true, you cant depend on the plant label. Couple of years ago I sent away for a specific astrantia which was flavour of the month, it had a very distinctive feature. They just sent me maxima which had the same colouring.
I think reviewing plants at the end of a year is a good idea. Interesting comparing how they do in Cheshire compared to Aberdeen … as you say, it’s about getting a match between the soil and the needs of the plant. Sometimes you can get an unexpected result, good or not so good! Plant labels aren’t predictive, are they? Your garden is looking great, Alistair.
Thanks for dropping by Hazel. I can be the master of over planting.
Diana, I know Myra polishes the houseplant leaves, has she started on the outdoor stuff, hmm.
Hi Anne, I just rake it lightly.
Your garden is absolutely beautiful. How do you manage to keep your gravel so clean.Ours is covered in leaves and not so easy to tidy without removing some gravel too.
looks as if you polished the arum lily leaves for the photo op!
Thankyou Alistair for the inspirational photos, despite the glum weather outside, your website sure is cheering. Going to make a list and copy you, might have to some ‘shoe horn’ planting cos my garden is stuffed, I’ll manage tho!!!!!!
Well, maybe a little gem. Great to hear from you again Larry, hope you are keeping well.
Thank you Carolyn, drop by again sometime.
Just lovely and lush! You are a dedicated gardener and I wish I had the talents to create a border as lovely as yours. Thank you for your posts!
Wonderful photos Alistair…it would appear that once again you have created a gem of a garden! Larry