Daphnes are renowned for their beauty and their scent, so plant them where you can savour both to the full. Daphne bholua is an upright semi-evergreen that grows to about ten feet tall with a five foot spread when mature. Leathery, dark green leaves are carried on stout branches and, from mid to late winter, its flowers appear as terminal dusters. The half inch cylindrical tubes flare out into four lobes, deep reddish mauve in bud, but becoming white with a mauve reverse on opening. A moisture retentive, neutral or slightly acidic or alkaline soil that drains well is best. Daphne bholua 'Gurkha' is a hardy deciduous form.
Propagation: Sow seed in cold frame when ripe. Insert softened cuttings in early to mid-summer and semi-ripe cuttings in mid to late summer. |
Originally from the Himalayas and China, this erect prickly shrub has chalky white young shoots that are very conspicuous in winter. In fact, the stems are green, but carry a waxy, white bloom that gives them their frosted appearance. It is at its most impressive in winter, but is also attractive in summer when its saucer shaped white flowers appear, followed by spherical yellow fruits. A vigorous grower, but achieving no more than about ten by ten foot, Rubus biflorus should be grown in well drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun. Prune it back in early spring to two or three buds above the base or permanent framework.
Propagation: Root greenwood cuttings in summer and hardwood cuttings in early winter. |
There is nothing more cheering on a cold and dark day than the flowers of this winter flowering deciduous viburnum. Heavily scented, tubular, dark pink flowers age to become white flushed with pink. Borne in dense clusters up to three inches across over a long period, from late autumn to spring, the flowers are remarkably frost resistant. When the four inch ovate leaves appear later in spring, they are bronze, but change to a dark green as they mature. 'Dawn' will reach ten feet, with a six foot spread, within a few years. It may be grown in sun or partial shade in any moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil.
Propagation: Sow seed in a cold frame or a seed bed in autumn. Take greenwood cuttings in summer. |
