|
 |
 |
|
| Go greener |
|
| With a growing number of gardeners eschewing chemicals in favour of natural alternatives, we can suggest some effective products from our organic gardening selection |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Relax and refresh |
|
| Good food freshly prepared daily, aromatic coffee, chilled wine and a grassy play area for the children. What more could you need? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Food heaven |
|
| Our Farm Shop is heaven for food lovers! Delicious handmade food, top quality groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables and stylish cookware and gifts. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| The Discovery Walk |
|
| As thousands of daffodils herald the spring, stroll or stride around our Walk while the youngsters enjoy the Nature Trail |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
|
It’s a jungle out there!
|
| Thursday, 21st August 2008 |
|
|
|
IN THE GARDEN WITH PETA MARSHALL
We all aspire to warmer climes and a touch of the exotic. Foreign travel has broadened our outlook with so many new and glamorous locations having opened up.
The perceived image of the tropics is of hot, steamy jungles with bromeliads growing along moss-laden branches high in the tree canopy. And of brightly coloured orchids, and huge swaying banana leaves dripping with moisture from the hot, humid and dank atmosphere.
For many people the tropics evoke images of sun-kissed beaches and palm trees swaying in the breeze, with crimson-red hibiscus flowers edging the cool marbled foyer of an old colonial hotel.
Well, the good news is that we can create a little bit of the jungle life in our own back gardens, even with our cold British weather. You need to focus on plants with large leaves, for big-leaved plants are often associated with the tropics. They will help to create the backbone of the ‘exotic’ looking garden.
As for the plants, I have to say that the banana clan must surely be the most influential and tropical looking of all the architectural impact foliage plants. The giant paddle-shaped leaves are instantly recognisable as those of the tropical banana fruit, of which there are about 50 species and several hybrids. For gardens in our part of the world the choice is rather more limited, yet there are several species that are proving to be reliably hardy.
Musa basjoo has the ability to withstand several degrees of frost, although in cold sites it is worth mulching the roots and wrapping the main stems in hessian sacking. Cutting the leaves by half and slotting a plastic drain pipe over the shoot, filling with straw and capping the top is another technique.
The hardy banana is best grown in a sheltered site away from the wind, with regular liquid feeding in summer to help growth. Large, globular green-yellow flowers may hang down on mature 2-3m (6–10ft) stems, often resulting in the stem dying off after the flowers have dropped.
More tender (requiring bringing into a greenhouse for winter) is the larger banana relative – Ensete ventricosum. It’s makes a real drama in a tropical border, but sadly for most of us it will just be too much trouble to look after.
Spiky leaved plants are very architectural. Various forms of cordyline are instantly recognisable, with their long narrow leaves, in dense clusters forming on trunks. There are many different coloured leaf forms and cultivars .The impressive spikes of scented, white flowers arch out in immense plumes.
In cold weather the crown of leaves should be tied up into a bunch, to protect the growing point. However, cordylines do have the ability to re-grow from the base should they be severely frosted and defoliated.
Cordyline indivisa is a real beauty and the largest in the family. Its leaves can reach up to 1.5m (5ft) in length and 15cm (6in) across. They are green above, often with red veins and a glaucous grey beneath, giving a very attractive and exotic appearance. Cordylines can be a little tricky to establish and resent any root movement. They do not recover from dryness at the root and hate summer drought (OK this year then!).
Cordyline kaspar has the broadest leaves of this species at up to 10cm (4in) across and 40–100cm (16–36in) long.
Fatsia is a familiar plant. It is frequently used in parks and gardens, yet it really does have a jungle look about it. The large hand-like leaves of polished dark green really can create a sub-tropical effect, or a bold architectural statement.
Fatsia grows well in any warm humid environment with shelter. It succeeds in part-shade or full sun in any moisture retentive soil and can grow up to 5m (15ft) in height if left to its own devices.
In early autumn milky white, round flowerheads appear, held well above the bold foliage.
Tree ferns are really impressive as specimen plants with their huge green fronds to 2m (6ft) long and 90cm (3ft) wide. The hairy trunks, 1–3m (3–10ft) tall, are made up of matted roots, looking rather like coconut matting.
These ferns require semi-shade, moisture, good humidity, and preferably a sheltered site to protect their brittle fronds. In cooler temperate gardens they will take several degrees of frost for short periods. Protect the crowns with dead bracken or even wrap the trunks with old carpet for protection if a cold spell is forecast. In dry conditions it is important to water the trunks to encourage root growth through the stem. Dicksonia antartica is the most reliable for our climate.
When using large foliage plants it is always a good idea to break up the overall design by planting an opposing leaf form and shape for added contrast.
In Chinese culture Yin and Yang are the symbolic terms for the characteristics of opposing, yet complimentary forces. In planting designs, this could perhaps be applied to upright forms being planted against horizontal; broad leaf against linear.
Large leaved grasses and bamboos can be used for this effect, where they will add a sense of drama along with a touch of the tropics to any mixed exotic border. Selecting only the largest leaf forms has narrowed down the choice of species to ones that have a more sub-tropical effect.
For the rest of the day I’m going to be annoying the plant centre staff by singing I’m the king of the swingers…ooh…the jungle VIP! And maybe I’ll put aside that banana plant I’ve had my eye on, for my own garden!
Happy jungle-making!
This week in your garden
You can still sow quick-maturing salad crops such as summer lettuce, radish and sweet rocket.
Finish harvesting second early potatoes, especially if your soil is heavy and wet as slugs will be more active and the spuds will be at risk.
Tie in new growth on blackberries and hybrid berries.
Cut back flowered herbs, such as marjoram, to encourage a second flush.
Peta Marshall is the plant centre manager at Priory Farm in Nutfield. Website: www.prioryfarm.co.uk
NEXT WEEK: Pick and storing apples and pears
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
