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”
Tag Archives: nature
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”
Hydrangea serrata: a lesson from Japan
A few spaces are left for our Open Day on Wednesday June 25th, with a focus on hydrangeas – serratas, but many other hydrangea species too. Coffee and intro talks at 10.30, tours at 11am and 2pm – tea and Q & As at 4.30pm. Bring your own picnic lunch, we provide biscuits and drinks TOContinue reading “Hydrangea serrata: a lesson from Japan”
Wild roses in the garden
For those like William Robinson whose taste is inclined away from ‘fat, complex and overbred roses’, rose species can be a very satisfying contrast. Where there is space for them to flourish, they are a good enough reason on their own to justify a remark allegedly made by one of the Rothschilds, that ‘every garden,Continue reading “Wild roses in the garden”
Melliodendron xylocarpum
It has been a very good year at White House Farm for Melliodendron xylocarpum, which has lived up to its reputation as an outstandingly attractive newly introduced small tree. A quiet, warm, sunlit spring, and cool at night has meant the flowers have lasted well, and the trees have been effective for two months. WeContinue reading “Melliodendron xylocarpum”
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”
The majesty of Magnolia campbellii
Archibald Campbell was a political officer at Darjeeling in N. India at the time of Joseph Hooker’s celebrated 1849 visit to the Himalaya, which he helped to expedite. He was perhaps fortunate to have the most spectacular flowering tree yet discovered – the pink type species of Magnolia campbellii – named for him by Hooker.Continue reading “The majesty of Magnolia campbellii”
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”
White House Farm Garden and Arboretum 