Only a handful of the more than 750 species of Indigofera (mainly tropical and subtropical) will survive in the open in the UK, and of these only a small proportion are worth growing as ornamentals. But those that are worthwhile are excellent shrubs for any garden, flowering for months through summer into autumn if givenContinue reading “Indigoferas: an overlooked treasure”
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The humble fuchsia: or how to make summer last until November
The heat and drought of this summer has seen some rather unexpected successes. For example, here we are in mid-October with both fuchsias and indigoferas still effective in the garden, having excelled themselves since June. I’ll write more on indigoferas later, but the humble hardy fuchsia is making such a splash at this time ofContinue reading “The humble fuchsia: or how to make summer last until November”
The variety and versatility of Philadelphus
Along with an estimated 65 other genera, Philadelphus is a genus split between Asia and the Americas, with elements migrating north from Eurasia when the continents divided. Species developed independently, with good ability to adapt to the changing climatic and geological conditions. New species of Philadelphus are still being discovered today in the mountains of northernContinue reading “The variety and versatility of Philadelphus”
White House Farm Open Day on Hydrangea aspera
“Per aspera ad astra“ That quote punningly just about sums up this season for Hydrangea aspera: translated as roughly ‘Through asperities (hardships, adversities, rigours) to the stars.’ The ‘aspera’ in H. aspera is usually taken to refer to the rough texture of the underside of the leaf, but I have not since 1976 experienced suchContinue reading “White House Farm Open Day on Hydrangea aspera”
Deutzias: the WHF collection
There will be an IDS Deutzia Study Study here on Saturday May 24th. Book here. I’ve been surprised this year how robust our early Deutzias have proven to be, with the driest March and April on record for Kent followed by some weeks of daily sun and temperatures over 20C. It’s a new discovery toContinue reading “Deutzias: the WHF collection”
Magnolia sargentiana var robusta, et alia
Maurice is on last week’s ‘Gardening WithThe RHS’ podcast, talking about hydrangeas: listen here. In Asiatic Magnolias in Cultivation (1955) G. H. Johnstone OBE VMH wrote: “ This magnolia [sargentiana var robusta] is certainly one of the most spectacular of all those introduced into our gardens and in the running maybe for inclusion in a listContinue reading ” Magnolia sargentiana var robusta, et alia”
‘Go east young man’ – the Magnolia campbellii Mollicomata group
Join us for our spring Open Days to see our 200+ magnolias, 140 camellias and other spring-blooming genera on Mother’s Day, Sunday March 30th and Wednesday April 9th. (£15). To reserve a space, email whitehousefarmarb@gmail.com Magnolia campbellii occurs right along the Himalaya, from Nepal to SE Tibet. Moving further east, into W. China, in theContinue reading ” ‘Go east young man’ – the Magnolia campbellii Mollicomata group”
Mahonias: mainstays of the garden from September to March
One of our main occupations at present is to review all genera in the collection here at White House Farm, with a view to completing an accurate database, and creating permanent labels. Trustees Chris Sanders, Jack Aldridge and Rod White have all recently been trawling through the Mahonia collection in a valiant attempt to sortContinue reading “Mahonias: mainstays of the garden from September to March”
Four super-performing tree-climbing roses at WHF
Yunnan in Western China is probably the epicentre of rose species – and many of them, such as members of the Synstylae group, have huge vigour, which they seem to pass on to their various hybrids. The best known is probably Rosa filipes, of which the remarkable ‘Kiftsgate’ is a form or hybrid. The typeContinue reading “Four super-performing tree-climbing roses at WHF”
Cherry-picking for bark
WHF Trustee Chris Lane, who holds the national collection of prunus at his Witch Hazel nursery suggests some Prunus worth growing for their beautiful trunks alone, with flowers the icing on the cake (or cherry on top….) Reproduced with the kind permission of the RHS Plant Review (March 2024). Upcoming events at White House FarmContinue reading “Cherry-picking for bark”
White House Farm Garden and Arboretum 