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Plant of the Week: Callicarpa

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 18:39:10 GMT

Considered one of the most attractive ornamental fruiting shrubs, Callicarpa bodinieri is a hardy, medium-sized (up to 2.5m high), deciduous shrub that is often referred to as Bodinier's beautyberry. It is native to West and Central China, mainly around the provinces of Szechwan, Hupeh and Shensi, but it was named after Émile-Marie Bodinier, a French missionary and botanist who was stationed in Peking during the 19th century. Broken into its individual Greek words, Callicarpa means beautiful (kalli) fruit (karpos).

Callicarpa is best known for its large clusters of highly distinctive metallic purple berries. These enchanting berries, which appear in autumn, remain on the bare stalks long after the plant has lost its leaves. They provide an important source of food for wildlife, particularly birds, during the harsh winter months as they are not damaged by freezing, although they will typically not be eaten until other sources of food have been depleted.

The young foliage is often bronze-purple, becoming dark green in summer before turning light yellow to orange in autumn. In midsummer, Callicarpa bodinieri blooms tiny lilac-coloured tiny star-shaped flowers in the leaf axils.

Callicarpa plants tolerate pruning well and can be pruned lightly straight after flowering to keep them in shape. After pruning, Callicarpa will sprout new growth. However, it will not bear flowers and fruit again until the following year on older wood.

Overall, it is a great garden plant for beginner and expert gardeners alike as it is low maintenance and generally disease and pest free. Callicarpa 'Profusion' is a self-fertile form, but it will produce more berries if planted in small groups of several plants.

Callicarpa bodinieri will thrive in full sunlight where you will see maximum flowering and berry production although they will tolerate dappled shade, stems can become leggy in too much shade. They can even be grown in containers where they can be placed on patios, balconies and gardens without grass. However, this plant prefers an even water supply and should never be left to dry out completely.

Callicarpa bodinieri suits a variety of planting locations and will tolerate a little lime in well-drained soil, but conditions which are too alkaline will cause leaf yellowing. Adding a mulch layer of bark can help prevent this. Over time, organisms in the soil will break down the bark which will help keep the soil acidic.

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Plant of the Week: Mahonia

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 18:11:02 GMT

Mahonia x media ‘Winter Sun’ is a UK-hardy, evergreen shrub with glossy holly-like leaves and bright yellow bell-shaped flowers that appear between November and March. It is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a shrub with year-round ornamental value, particularly when placed towards the back of a mixed border, where its prickly spines may help to deter unwanted intruders. Its spherical dark violet berries ripen in the Summer and attract a variety of songbirds, including robins and sparrows.

The plant is easy to grow, requires very little maintenance, and will tolerate most soils that aren’t waterlogged, including heavy clay. It does particularly well if placed in a shady and sheltered location but will also tolerate full sun. Encouraging your Mahonia to bush out by pruning back after flowering will lead to more profuse growth next season.

Mahonia x media was created by crossing Mahonia japonica and Mahonia oiwakensis (previously known as Mahonia lomariifolia ), which are native to Japan and China. In 1818, Thomas Nuttall, an English botanist and zoologist, identified the Mahonia genus and named it after his friend, Bernard McMahon, an American horticulturist who was also friends with Thomas Jefferson. Media is derived from the Latin word medium , meaning ‘middle’, which is a reference to this plant being a cross.

The Mahonia x media ‘Winter Sun’ cultivar was first selected at Slieve Donard Nursery in Ireland in 1966 for its more fragrant flowers and compact growth habit.

Mahonia berries are edible and have been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. These fruits are packed full of vitamin C and antioxidants and grow in attractive clusters that match the appearance of the Mahonia flowers. These berries are covered in a whitish coating, which if touched will leave a visible mark. This is a natural wax coating that the plant itself produces to deter pests and trap moisture.

Mahonia berries are only fully ripe when they’ve gone through a couple of nights’ worth of freezing. At subzero temperatures, the chemical compounds that make the fruit taste bitter and acidic begin to break down, sugar chains are shortened, and the fruit becomes sweet. Rinse them thoroughly to remove any dirt, insects or foliage, and eat fresh or use them to make delicious jams, syrups, or even wines. However do beware, the dark-red juice will taint and stain anything it touches!

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Plant of the Week: Dogwood

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 21:03:41 GMT

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ is a species of dogwood native to most of Europe and western Asia, where it thrives in damp woodland edges and hedgerows. It is a deciduous broadleaf shrub with small, creamy-white flowers that bloom in May and June. It is typically grown for the brilliant, flame-coloured bark of its stems, which is bright orange-yellow at the base and red at the tips.

Dogwood looks particularly stunning when planted with evergreen shrubs and among spring flowers, as they loose their leaves in winter which exposes the attractive stems.

To achieve the brightest stem colour, it is recommended to leave the plant unpruned for the first year after planting in full sun and to then cut the stems back approximately 5-7cm from the ground before the buds break in March. Once pruned, apply a generous mulch around the base of the plant using well-rotted garden compost or horse manure.

If left unpruned, dogwood will grow to a height of around 6 metres, but most gardeners prune every year to improve the stem colour, which results in a height of around 2 metres. Direct sunlight allows the deep colour of the stems to fully develop.

Dogwood really loves damp soil beside water and will tolerate being submerged for most of the winter. The plant can quickly form dense groves, which make it effective at filling empty areas of boggy land. However, once established, dogwood will tolerate dry soil and even mild drought, provided a good amount of direct sunlight is available.

Dogwood is also known for attracting bees, birds, butterflies, moths and other pollinators. The leaves are eaten by the caterpillars of the case-bearer moth and its clusters of small black berries are eaten by many bird species, including finches and thrushes. While not suitable for human consumption, the berries are mentioned in historic texts as being used to make primitive inks and oils.

The genus name, Cornus, means "horn" in Latin. This references the hardness of the wood. The species name, sanguinea, is also Latin and means "blood red." Other names for this plant include European Dogwood, Blood-twigged Dogwood, Dogberry, and Common Dogwood.

The origin of the name ‘dogwood’ comes from its smooth, hard, straight twigs that were traditionally used to make butchers' skewers known as 'dags' or 'dogs' by the Saxons. Dogwood timber has also been historically used to make crucifixes, herding poles, and arrows.

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Plant of the Week: Viburnum

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 16:09:05 GMT

Viburnum are versatile, easy-to-grow shrubs native throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere. Sometimes referred to as cranberry bush, viburnum are often used as ornamental fixtures in home gardens.

There are over 150 species of viburnum . They can be deciduous or evergreen, with some varieties reaching up to 6 metres in height.

The name viburnum comes from the Latin ‘viere’, which means to weave or braid. This refers to traditional woven baskets made using the plant's long, straight branches. Since prehistoric times, viburnum branches have also been used for making arrow shafts. In 1991, ancient arrows fashioned from v iburnum wood were found in the Ötztal Alps by two German tourists… along with a 5,000 year old Bronze Age ice mummy!

Viburnum x bodnantense

Commonly referred to as “Dawn” or “Charles Lamont,” Viburnum x bodnantense is a hardy and strong-growing deciduous shrub with dark green, ovate leaves, which turn a dusty pink-gold in the autumn. It has densely packed clusters of pink or blush white, sweetly scented flowers, which make it perfect for growing in the front garden or near a footpath where the fragrant blooms can be appreciated between November and March.

It grows well in a sheltered position with full sun to partial shade and moderately fertile, well-drained soil. It is tolerant of frost and snow, generally pest-free, and has no reported toxic effects, making it safe for planting in an area used by children and animals, unlike other varieties that can be mildly poisonous.

Viburnum x bodnantense originates from a cross between Viburnum farreri and Viburnum grandiflorum made by Charles Puddle, head gardener to Lord Aberconway at Bodnant Garden, Wales around 1935. However, according to some records, Charles Lamont, an assistant curator at the Royal Botanical Garden in Edinburgh, was actually the first to successfully cross Viburnum farreri with Viburnum grandiflorum in 1933.

Viburnum tinus

Viburnum tinus , also known as laurustinus , is one of the toughest shrubs known to gardeners and a dependable winter essential. It is dense, evergreen, with dark and oval, glossy leaves, fragrant pinkish-white flowers, and dark black fruit. It is often used for hedging but may also makes an excellent specimen shrub in a mixed border. In the Nothern Hemisphere, the flowering period is from October to June.

Viburnum tinus should be grown in moist but well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. It is recommended to mulch annually with well-rotted manure or compost and cut back plants to retain their shape in early summer. Similar to the Viburnum x bodnantense , Viburnum tinus is tolerant of frost and snow, but may attract Aphids, viburnum whitefly and viburnum beetle.

Depictions of Viburnum tinus can be found in the ruins of Pompeii. The English name, laurustinus, combines the old Latin name tinus noted by the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder and its wrongful association with laurus, the bay.

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Plant of the Week: Hydrangea

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 17:03:47 GMT

Climbing Hydrangea ( Hydrangea petiolaris ) is a hardy, low-maintenance, climbing vine plant ideal for north or east-facing walls and other shady areas of the garden.
It is deciduous, which means it loses its leaves in the winter after its dark green foliage gradually turns an attractive yellow in the autumn.

In late spring and early summer, climbing hydrangea provides an attractive bloom of fragrant white flowers in domed-shaped clusters, which will attract beneficial pollinating insects such as bees.

H. petiolaris is native to woodland in parts of Japan and Korea, where it grows on trees and rocks. The plant has been cultivated in Asia for many thousands of years but first appeared in Europe around 1830 when German doctor and botanist Philipp Franz von Siebold arrived in Antwerp harbour after two historic trips to mainland Japan.

The genus name ‘Hydrangea’ is derived from the Greek word hydor meaning ‘water’ and aggeion , meaning ‘vessel’, which is a reference to the shape of the plants vase-like seed capsules. The species name ‘petiolaris’ is a reference to the plant's long petioles, which are the stalks that join the leaves to the stem.

H. petiolaris prefer moist but well-drained soil but will not take well to exposed locations and young growth is prone to frost damage. Initially, train the shoots using wire mesh or trellis along a wall or sturdy fence for a season of growth before the self-clinging aerial roots begin to form.

If provided with ample space, the plant can reach a maximum height of 12 metres and a spread of 8 metres, although this may take up to 15 years. If grown directly on masonry walls, it will not damage the surface of the wall but may leave behind a sticky residue if removed. However, its aerial roots are not as strong as some other wall-climbing vines so it is often anchored with supplemental gardening ties.

Overlong shoots may be cut back to a new pair of buds immediately after flowering but pruning should be kept to an absolute minimum, especially towards the top of the plant, as this will also negatively impact the number of flowers produced.

Do not feed either, as this will encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers but do remember to mulch annually in spring with well-rotted manure or compost to keep your hydrangea healthy. The best time to plant them is in spring or autumn when the soil is warm and there is plenty of moisture available.

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Plant of the Week: Thyme

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 14:11:47 GMT

Thyme is an attractive and wonderfully fragrant evergreen herb that can be harvested all year round. It provides excellent ground cover and is used in a wide range of delicious recipes; it makes a particularly good seasoning for poultry, fish, carrots, parsnips, and roast potatoes.

Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Common thyme is a low-growing hardy perennial that originated in southern Europe and northern Africa. The origin of the word, "thyme," is thought to be derived from the Greek word, thumos, which means "courage" or the Greek word, thymos, meaning "perfume." The species name, vulgaris, is Latin and means "common" or "widespread."

Thyme performs best in dry, sandy, or rocky soils, like those found in the Mediterranean. It prefers full sun and requires good drainage.

The plant is frost and drought-tolerant but should be trimmed whenever it gets leggy and cut back in early spring and summer to reduce its woody growth. It is also an excellent container plant for those with limited outdoor space.

Archers Gold (Thymus citriodorus)

Archers Gold is known for attracting beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies as well as other pollinators. It is a “caterpillar food” plant and has nectar-rich flowers. Historically, there has been some confusion over the plant's correct name and origin but recent DNA analysis suggests that it is not a hybrid, but a distinct species that was reportedly first discovered in 1811 by Bill Archer in Somerset.

Archers Gold is a mat-forming lemon-scented thyme, bearing golden-yellow-green leaves and pink flowers in summer. It is generally pest and disease free, making it ideal for growing at home in the garden. It can be planted along walkways or between paving stones so that the lemon scent can be enjoyed whenever the plant is disturbed. Under ideal conditions, it will spread up to 45cm across.

In winter, as the weather becomes colder, the gold colour intensifies and they look particularly attractive planted in containers with tiny dwarf daffodils or crocus, to give an early spring display.

Caraway Thyme (Thymus herba-barona)

Caraway Thyme has dark green small leaves which have a scent similar to caraway seeds. If you are looking for a fast-growing ground cover thyme, then Caraway Thyme is an excellent choice. It is regarded as quite a rampant grower and should be used where space is not an issue. In summer it is a profusion of rose pink flowers entirely carpeting the plants.

Caraway Thyme can also be used as a substitute for real Caraway in many recipes. It is especially nice in bread or cooked with meat. The species name herba-barona means “herb of beef” and refers to medieval times when herbs were frequently used to spice meat.

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August Garden Checklist

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 08:51:57 GMT

Garden Jobs to do in August...

It's the time of year that the bedding, baskets, and containers need to be well fed with a high potassium feed such as a tomato feed to keep the flowers going. Don't forget to keep dead heading and during the hot spell they may need watering twice a day.

Applying a mulch to the borders can help to reduce the water loss. remove any dead flower heads, and feed and water regularly. Cut back any perennials that have finished blooming.

Plant of the Week: Pansies

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 08:51:56 GMT

Pansies are vigorous, fast-growing flowers with almost heart-shaped, overlapping petals in bright colours or bi-colours patterns. They are excellent for containers, borders, and as ground cover, and in areas with moderate temperatures they may come again in spring, especially if they were mulched to protect the roots.

A g ardener named William Thompson is credited with the discovery of a Viola cross that began this attractive species. In 1839, he found a bloom that no longer had lines of dark colour on the flower but huge blocks of colour on the lower petals. His pansy and its progeny quickly became popular with gardeners and breeders in Europe.

Pansies do best in a fertile soil in sun or part shade: in pots, use a peat-free multi-purpose potting compost, and in the ground improve soil with well-rotted organic matter before planting.

Avoid overhead watering that keeps leaves wet, as this can provide an environment for diseases such a Mildew and Leaf Spots to flourish.

Pansy ( Viola x wittrockiana)

Pansies are surprisingly hearty in cold weather and will often bounce back from even single digit temperatures and light frost.

If the blooms wither in the cold, the plants will often stay alive to bloom again, which makes them a great flowering plant for fall and early winter colour.

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Meet our Community: Gus

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 08:35:34 GMT

Say hello to Gus...

Gus came to placement at Sunderland Home Grown with his mam (Debbie) 4 years ago. He soon settled into the position of resident trouble maker and little stinker.

Winning the hearts of everyone that visits the site, Gus now thinks he is the main attraction of the project and loves to sit on everyone's knee who visits.