Another Stunning Plant Combination

The Alstomeria 'Friendship' was selected as a BEST BUY Alstomeria by Which?.  These are a brilliant source of sparkling colour (grows to 100 x 50cm - it is available from Viv Marsh Postal Plants).

Pair it with the deep salmon pink evergreen perennial, Diascia personata (grows to 60-90 x 45cm - it is available from Hopleys).

Another great companion is Ferula communis.  This is a tall fennell with long-lasting cascades of acid yellow flowers and mounds of lacy light-green leaves (size: 250-400 c 50-100cm - available from Beth Chatto Gardens).

Try also Digitalis purpurea f.albiflora.  Some maintain that there is nothing more beautiful than these wild foxgloves.  These are usually biennial (size 250 x 50cm - available from Crocus).

Finally: Clematis x durandii.  This is an unusual clematis; it doesn't clime but wanders aimlessly through adjacent plants.  It doesn't get clematis wilt and flowers for months.  It is described as a non-climbing sub-shrub (grows to 150 x 150mm - available from Burncoose Nurseries).

All these plant like sun or partial shade and need well drained soil.  Although the Digitalis doesn't like the soil too dry.

One rose I would like as a present is "Absolutely Fabulous"

People often give roses as presents.  Unfortunately, lacking the necessary knowledge, what they give are frequently second class citizens of the rose world.

One rose I would like as a present is "Absolutely Fabulous".  Voted Rose of the Year in 2010 it bears gorgeous scented flower non-stop from June to September.  It has strong stems and is also extremely healthy.  Indeed, everything about this plant is attractive.

Garden Pond Designs, Layouts, Questions Answered

The correct landscape design and the right materials are imperative, but what is also crucial is the placement of each stone and planting to produce the desired effect. The art of creating beautiful water falls landscapes involves the ability to artistically place the natural boulders and plantings in such a way that it looks as if Nature had done the work instead of a human. Garden Pond designs may vary from small bird bath types to large garden ponds. The information on this page will make it easy for you to install a pond in your garden. Even the birds will think they are in paradise. Garden Pond Design Aspects The sound of running water relaxes the mind It's a good idea to have some form of water running into your pond Running water blends in with the noise of traffic, it's like music to the ears and it calms the soul. A garden pond will create a peaceful welcoming atmosphere. Before you begin, decide on what type of garden pond design you want Integrate the pond design into your over all garden design. The pond design must fit in harmoniously with the rest of the garden design.

The size and location of your pond is not just dependent on the design principles. An often overlooked item is the natural flow of water on the garden site To look natural, you need to adapt your design to this. In a very formal garden design this aspect becomes less important. Remember that you must not fight against nature. If you are thinking of having a river or a waterfall into your pond, Remember, this simple rule: Downhill. This also means taking the natural slope of your garden into account. Different types of ponds influence the garden pond design. The size, purpose and durability required often determine the type of construction. There are different types of ponds: Concrete Ponds made with an inside plastic liner Pre formed ponds: Include fish in your garden pond design. Provide adequate shelter for the fish against birds. One way of doing this is by placing some broken pots in the pond. Their curved surfaces make an excellent hideaway. You must never be able to see the source of the water comes. For example, a large leaf plant could be placed in the area where the river comes from. The start of the river may also be hidden in some other way, for example a large pot or by another focal point. Provide this through plants close to the pond, and water plants that spread across the surface of the water.

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Parsley

Whilst most gardeners will at one time or another planted parsley for use as a herb, few look upon it as a vastly under used foliage plant with serious ornamental potential.

It provides a soft, billowy, bright-green contrast in pots, for example, with things like bright-red pelargonium - a plant frequently mis-describes as geraniums, for reasons that have never been clear to me because geraniums are a completely different plant.

You can often purchase fresh parsley plant from your local supermarket that are every bit as good as what you will buy from garden centres and usually much cheaper.

Superb New Honysuckle

Lonicera periclymenum 'Fragrant Cloud'

Lonicera periclymenum 'Fragrant Cloud' is a stunning new introduction which is well worth owning.

It is a strong, very fragrant honeysuckle with purple and white flowers and light green foliage.

The new leaves have a wonderful blue/green colour, and the scent has been described as "heady and delicious" by an independent laboratory.

This plant survived the severe winter of 2012/2013 and reached a height of 2m in two years.

It will flourish in full sun or partial shade.  It peak flowering period is July to August, but it will produce a decent display of berries once the flowers have faded.

It is available from Thorncroft Clematis.