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July issue of BBC Gardener's World Magazine
In the July issue of Gardeners World Magazine Monty Don looks at the plants that have become the backbone of British Gardens giving them a sense of identity and place.
“The British gardening tradition is based on a wide range of flowering plants from all over the world”
Many species have been brought to us by plant hunters over the centuries from China, Aftrica and new Zealand, not to mention the diverse collections brought over by the romans.
Monty says that “our British gardens are invariably a rich tapestry of colours textures and fragrances, and with our enviably mild climate, the range of plants we can grow in a sheltered garden is greater than anywhere else in the world. This gives our gardens a sophistication and depth that can make them endlessly fascinating, whatever the season”.
Included in Monty’s pick of natives for the garden are Crab Apple, Silver Birch and Wild Cherry with flowering plants including native Bluebells, Lilly of the Valley, Sea Holly and Wood Anemone. For those shady areas, look out for ferns such as Hart’s Tongue and Lady Fern.
For a list of plants native to your local area, log on to the Natural History Museum’s POSTCODE PLANTS DATABASE.
Growing your own cut flowers can be quite inexpensive and does not have to take up too much time or space.
A couple of packets of sweet peas will provide arm fulls of blooms and can be grown against a sunny wall, fence or obelisk.
Cosmos are excellent value for money providing blooms from June through September and even October. Ranging from white, many shades of pink and even yellows and oranges, there is one to suit every arrangement. Their delicate feathery foliage form a feathery backdrop to other flowers in the garden and give softness to floral displays.
Garden Pinks are the wonderfully fragrant, more delicate version of the mass produced large carnation and can last up to two weeks in the vase. Perennial versions which flower year after year are normally bought as young plants, but can be raised from seed.
Annual versions which flower for only one season are grown from seed.
There are literally hundreds of flowers to choose from, saving a small fortune in bought flowers and providing blooms that are not only diifferent and seasonal, but many of them have a magnificent perfume so often lacking in commercial imported blooms.
Fill your house with British organically grown cut flowers or why not find something unique and fragrant for that wedding or special event.
On the Herefordshire border, a few acres of hillside burst into glorious colour where Charlie Ryrie can be found picking arms full of blooms ready for market, to send out to customers and to create stunning natural arrangements for weddings.
Herbaceous perennials are the mainstay of
The Real Cut Flower Garden, all the old favourites that can rarely feature in florists’ shops, aong with traditional and less usual annuals, bulbs, shrubs and even climbers. Many flowers are specifically chosen for their perfume.
Charlie Ryrie grows all the flowers at home in her garden and surrounding acres, gradually expanding into former pastureland as windbreaks take root.
The Real Cut Flower Garden does not buy in flowers from wholesalers and redistribute them. Flowers are grown on site and sent out directly. Available flowers therefore depend on the time of year. You will not get lilies or delphiniums in March or Dahlias in May, you may never get chrysanthemums, but you will get beautiful and often unusual seasonal varieties in stunning combinations. The season starts with wonderful robust tulips in April in an amazing range of colours.
The small business developed from the desire to provide a beautiful and sustainable alternative to mass produced, imported, refrigerated blooms.
Flowers are grown outdoors, without chemicals and are transported with the minimum of cost and no air miles.
