Gardening
December
Sarcococca confusa (Christmas Box)
A versatile low growing evergreen shrub, related to common box. From
December until March the plant bears deliciously scented white flowers. Excellent
as a structure within borders it can also be grown in a pot. We would recommend
growing this in a front garden where you will often pass by it in the winter. At The
Garden we have this grown in pots in front of the Pavilion Café where the scent
will be marvellous on a sunny winter’s day.
January
Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose)
The Christmas rose, generally flowers from January to March, though
occasionally earlier hence the name. This Hellebore offers pure white, though
green eyed flowers in our winter months, above pedately lobed dark green leaves.
Place
in a Susan,
sheltered spot, removing damaged foliage as flowers appear. A real treat
Left
to right
for this time of year.
Audrey and Jaci are
February
Lobelia cardinalis ‘Queen Victoria’
Outstanding vibrant spikes of red flowers populate the stems of the cardinal flower at
this time of year. Standing up to 3 feet tall above reddened foliage, which is attractive in
itself. Excellent as an individual or planted on mass, in a mixed border, a bog garden or
marginal by a pond, as it thrives in wetter soils, as well as a long lasting cut flower. Look
out for this one outside the gardener’s cottage or within the Plant Centre.
The Plant Centre
During the late summer to early autumn The Plant Centre will still be open for plants. As always there
will be no garden ticket required for entry. Here we will showcase the finest
plants from our own nursery, grown sustainably using peat free compost.
We will also have plenty of roses, climbers and alpines from other suppliers
including David Austin Roses and Kevock Garden Plants, who sell rare plants
from around the world.
The autumn is a great time to plant: there is enough warmth in the soil to get
the plants set up well in advance of next spring and summer. It is also great
in terms of design, as the locations of all the other plants are still fresh in the
mind, and these can be moved as well. On top of this, many plants from the
Plant Centre will be discounted to allow space for next year’s stock. The Plant
Centre is always well worth a visit.
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*T&Cs: only one voucher per transaction. £1off when you spend £20 or more on hot fruity sauces. Valid Christmas Market days only in 2016. Not to be
used in conjunction with any other offer.