Most of the 250 species of brambles throughout the world have prickles. Some, however, are ornamental and, as they grow in the poorest of soils, have become valued garden plants. This deciduous bramble is especially attractive in winter when its purple, arching stems with their brilliant white bloom can be seen to best effect. Its fern-like leaves are attractive, but its purple flowers and black fruits are undistinguished. Rubus cockburnianus will reach about eight feet with a similar spread and will grow in any moderately fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Its old flowering stems should be cut to the ground each year after flowering.
Propagation: Root greenwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in winter. |
Rosa sericea f. pteracantha is a deciduous species rose that is quite unlike any other, as it has gorgeous translucent crimson thorns. The thorns are especially noticeable on a sunny winter's day when they glisten. Rosa sericea f. pteracantha's youngest stems have the most prominent thorns, so bushes should be pruned annually or biannually to encourage growth. The flowers appear in late spring and early summer and are single, yellowish white blooms. Its fern-like leaves are carried all along the stems in summer. An open site, in full sun, in moderately fertile, humus rich, moist, but well drained soil, is its best situation. It will become about eight feet tall with a seven foot spread when mature.
Propagation: Root hardwood cuttings in autumn. |
Among the dogwood family, there are a number of shrubs which are grown mainly for their colourful winter stems. Cornus alba 'Sibirica', with its bright crimson shoots, has become a firm favourite in this country. It looks particularly attractive growing beside water. It is an upright shrub with dark green leaves, and two inch white flower cymes which are followed by small white fruits. If left uncut, Cornus alba 'Sibirica' will make ten feet with a ten foot spread, but to ensure winter stem colour, it should be pruned back to within a few inches of the ground every spring. It may be grown in any moderately fertile soil but its colouring is best if grown in full sun.
Propagation: Take hardwood cuttings in autumn. |
