Gardens Illustrated 04.2022

PLANTING IDEAS • BEAUTIFUL GARDENS • EXPERT ADVICE BeautifulFrom wild TULIP spaces gardening PARADISE to smart blooms for city design colour and calm EXPERTS’ CHOICE OF cut flowers to grow and arrange DESIGN GREEN SOLUTIONS PEACE how to nurture a for a family link with nature friendly garden 13 of the best polygonatums

îî î îî Oî Call 01604 770711 Visit haddonstone.com

Welcome JOHN CAMPBELL Green shoots and colourful flowers are much needed in our lives, and now that spring is in full swing, we can once more revel in gardens and plants galore. It’s Easter this month and for many this is the moment we venture into our gardens for any length of time and plan for the seasons ahead with a sense of optimism and intent. To help us nurture new shoots, we begin a new practical series with head gardener Benjamin Pope (page 24). His seasonal advice spans the kitchen, flower and ornamental gardens. Green is the colour when it comes to our cover garden. This small courtyard, designed by George Cullis (page 68), uses a palette of green tones, textures and plant types to enfold and soothe. On a larger scale, it is about working with your surroundings rather than against them. At Nant-y-Bedd in the Brecon Beacons, owner Sue Mabberley works alongside nature to create an organic garden and woodland that features a natural swimming pool, potager, forest garden, meadow and more (page 78). And we focus on key design solutions when it comes to creating a garden that means the whole family can enjoy being outside (page 100). We couldn’t let April go without a celebration of tulips; we visit the Cambridge Central Mosque to consider their cultural relevance and jewel-like exuberance (page 60). To add to your inspiration we are delighted to announce our online Masterclass series for 2022. We have three expert speakers who will be covering a range of topics in their talks and we invite you to join us live online or on demand (see page 26). STEPHANIE MAHON, EDITOR JASON INGRAM Jewel-like tulips in the gardens of the Cambridge Website gardensillustrated.com Central Mosque, page 60. Instagram @gardens_illustrated Twitter @GdnsIllustrated APRIL 2022 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM 3 Facebook @gardensillustrated

Contents APRIL 2022 Places People JASON INGRAM 20 Events and shows 2022 Our 51 Gardening talent Meet former round up of this year’s best Dixter scholar Ed Alderman, now flower shows and festivals head gardener at a private garden 40 Aged to perfection Ian and 66 Who’s who Chris Crowder, head Caroline Bond have spent gardener at Levens Hall on why almost half a century perfecting a creative eye keeps the garden their Cotswold garden looking picture-perfect 60 Glorious colour Designers Adam 108 Sculptor of flowers Discover Hunt and Lulu Urquhart’s spring the three-dimensional flower planting plan for the garden of pressings of Shannon Clegg Europe’s first eco-mosque brings a burst of bold colour to this Design peaceful space 93 Design update Including news 68 A space revived How landscape of London’s first office building architect George Cullis with an urban rooftop forest overcame the limitations of a small London garden to 100 Designed for living Design ideas create a serene, green space for creating a stylish garden the whole family can enjoy 72 Walk on the wild side In an extract from her new book, 107 Sourcebook Nine of the best designer Marian Boswall garden edging explains how to transform your garden into a natural Regulars and nurturing space 3 Welcome 78 Into the woods Designer Sarah 6 Contributors Price explores a garden in the 13 Dig in This month: news of Brecon Beacons that is guided by nature and surrounded by the 2022 RHS Botanical Art mature coniferous forest and Photography Show 24 The constant gardener Plants Benjamin Pope sets out the essential April jobs to ensure 30 Plantsperson’s favourites your garden looks great all year Gravetye Manor’s head gardener 28 Subscription offer Tom Coward chooses his top Save money when you ten plants and trees for April subscribe to the digital edition of Gardens Illustrated today 52 Plant profile: Polygonatum 37 Kitted out For a sustainable Plantsperson Jimi Blake and wild garden recommends the best of one of 117 Books New books on gardening his favourite woodland plants, sustainably and drying flowers better known as Solomon’s seal 123 Crossword and back issues 129 Next issue What’s coming 86 Take seven flowers Three up in our May edition expert flower growers suggest 130 A gardener’s weekend in… Paris a selection of plants to combine the parks and other pleasures for three fabulous floral of the city of light arrangements, using plants you can easily grow at home 4 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM APRIL 2022

Subscribe & save take out a digital subscription to Gardens Illustrated SEE PAGE 28 COVER IMAGE Small London garden by Katharine Peachey ON THE COVER Beautiful spaces, pages 40, 60, 68, 78 Polygonatums, page 52 Tulip paradise, page 60 Green peace, page 68 Cut flowers, page 86 Design solutions, page 100 EVENTS AND OFFERS • Get a first look at the lineup for our 2022 Masterclass series and save 20% when you book all three – page 26 • Save money when you subscribe to the digital edition of Gardens Illustrated – page 28 Among the coniferous forests Our packaging of the Brecon Beacons, organic garden Nant-y-Bedd is a welcome Subscriber copies of Gardens oasis of natural planting, page 78. Illustrated are now delivered in paper wrapping instead of recyclable plastic polywrap. This paper wrap is 100% recyclable and made from sustainably sourced paper. Please recycle in your kerbside recycling bin. We would love to hear your feedback, please contact us at [email protected]

Contributors Design: Louisa Savage ANDREW MONTGOMERY SALSABIL MORRISON GARDEN DESIGN TRAINING FOR Benjamin Pope Cel Robertson Joanna Kossak PROFESSIONALS Benjamin begins Cel recommends Joanna photographs Find out more about our a new seasonal plants for a cutting a family-friendly inspirational training at Royal gardening series, garden, page 86. “I garden, page 100. Botanic Gardens Kew, RHS Garden page 24. “The loved choosing this Wisley and online. seasons are what keep selection of cut flowers; “While photographing gardening fresh. I love colour, texture and this harmoniously how each month brings scent come together connected space over new plants to grow and produce to pick.” for a considered two levels I felt I had as arrangement.” much fun as the kids playing around.” CONTRIBUTING EDITORS ANDREW MONTGOMERY ANDREW MONTGOMERY Our Diploma and Professional James Basson Development programmes are available online in real-time classes as James lives in the South of France where he runs Scape Design, a practice well as at our home in Royal Botanic specialising in low-maintenance and dry gardens. He is a fervent advocate Gardens Kew. In 2022 we also have short courses for professionals and for creating sustainable landscapes. The winner of four Chelsea Gold garden enthusiasts at RHS Wisley medals, he was awarded Best in Show in 2017. Garden, Denmans Garden and online. Visit our website lcgd.org.uk to hear Fergus Garrett how our students are creating successful garden design careers and Fergus was appointed head gardener at Great Dixter by Christopher Lloyd discover an ever-changing range of in 1993. He is passionate about passing on his knowledge through student courses for the garden enthusiast. programmes at Dixter and worldwide lectures. He was awarded an RHS Associate of Honour in 2008 and an RHS Victoria Medal of Honour in 2019. +44 (0)1483 762955 [email protected] Anna Pavord Anna’s books include her bestseller The Tulip and most recently Landskipping. For 30 years she was The Independent’s gardening correspondent. In 2000 the RHS awarded her the Veitch Memorial Medal. She lives and gardens in Dorset. Dan Pearson Dan is one of the UK’s best-known garden designers, familiar to many through his gardening columns in the Observer magazine. Eight of his gardens, including the Tokachi Millennium Forest in Japan, have won awards and he was awarded Best in Show for his garden at Chelsea in 2015. Sarah Price Sarah is one of the UK’s most sought-after garden designers who gained worldwide recognition for her designs for the 2012 London Olympic Park. She won Gold at Chelsea in 2012 and 2018, and was GMG Garden Columnist of the Year in 2016 for her design series in Gardens Illustrated.

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US 10% OFF* Subscription enquiries and back issues Your next purchase Use code GD22 UK 03330 162114 USA/CANADA 1 866 464 8103 (TOLL-FREE) *Terms apply REST OF THE WORLD +44 1604 973722 No more UK buysubscriptions.com/contact cold, wet legs buysubscriptions.com/gardensillustrated Waterproof & insulated gardening USA/CANADA [email protected], britsubs.com/garden trousers with integrated kneepads UK/REST OF THE WORLD Gardens Illustrated, PO Box 3320, LIFE SIZEANIMALSCULPTURE 3 Queensbridge, Northampton NN4 7BF. Free UK delivery USA/CANADA Gardens Illustrated, PO BOX 37495, Boone, IA 50037-0495 USA. www.andrewkaysculpture.co.uk Advertising enquiries 07740 306412 +44 (0)117 300 8805 [email protected] Editorial enquiries +44 (0)117 300 8622 [email protected] Gardens Illustrated, Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company), Eagle House, Bristol BS1 4ST. Syndication & Licensing Gardens Illustrated is available for licensing and syndication. +44 (0)117 300 8787 [email protected] App support For App support please visit apps.immediate.co.uk/support We abide by IPSO’s rules and regulations. To give feedback about our magazines, please visit ourmedia.co.uk, email [email protected] or write to Katherine Conlon, Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company), Eagle House, Bristol BS1 4ST. MAGAZINE CONTACTS EDITORIAL Stephanie Mahon Editor Sorrel Everton Deputy editor David Grenham Art director Niki Goss Deputy art editor Juliet Giles Production editor Daisy Bowie-Sell Digital editor Veronica Peerless Commissioning content editor Molly Blair Editorial and digital assistant Dr James Compton Botanical adviser Katriel Costello, Jodie Jones, Rosanna Morris Thanks this issue ADVERTISING Laura Jones 0117 300 8509 [email protected] Group advertising manager Heather Golden 0117 300 8805 [email protected] Advertising manager Sophie Keenan 0117 300 8804 [email protected] Business development manager Phil Wallington 0117 300 8807 [email protected] Senior brand sales executive Olivia King 0117 300 8809 [email protected] Brand sales executive James Beckett 0117 300 8526 [email protected] Brand sales executive Ava Holdstock 0117 300 8224 [email protected] Brand sales executive Mica Enwright 0117 300 8756 [email protected] Classified sales executive Parvin Sepehr Advertising designer INSERTS +353 (0)876 902208 Laurence Robertson CIRCULATION, MARKETING, PROMOTIONS, PRESS & PR Newstrade manager John Lawton Subscriptions director Jacky Perales-Morris Direct marketing manager Aimee Rhymer Buyer Karen Flannigan Press & PR Emma Cooney [email protected] MANAGEMENT THIS MAGAZINE IS OWNED AND PUBLISHED BY Chief executive officer Tom Bureau Group managing director Our Media Andy Marshall Managing director Our Media Home and Gardens Marie Davies Head of brand marketing Rosa Sherwood Publishing assistant Lara Von Weber SYNDICATION & LICENSING Director of licensing & syndication Tim Hudson PRODUCTION Sarah Powell Production director Louisa Molter Group production manager Georgia Tolley Production co-ordinator Standard subscription rates: UK £64.87 per annum; Eire and Europe £74.87 for 13 issues; rest of the world £79.87 for 13 issues. Distribution Frontline, Peterborough. US distribution Source IPD/Speedimpex. Email [email protected] Printed in the UK by William Gibbons Ltd. Gardens Illustrated (ISSN 0968-8920) (USPS 015-608) is published 13 times a year (monthly with a Special issue in July) by Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company), Eagle House, Bristol BS1 4ST, UK. Distributed in the USA by NPS Media Group, 2 Corporate Drive, Ste. 945, Shelton, CT 06484. Periodical postage paid at Shelton, CT and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Gardens Illustrated, PO Box 37495, Boone, IA 50037-0495. Unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or transparencies are accepted on the understanding that the publishers incur no liability for their storage or return. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without permission. The Gardens Illustrated cover is printed on 250gsm FSC Amadeus produced in Belgium Jan-Dec 2021 by Burgo. The Immediate Media Company Limited is working to ensure that all of its paper is sourced from well-managed forests. This magazine can be recycled for use in newspapers and packaging. Please remove any gifts, samples or 49,146* wrapping and dispose of it at your local collection point. All prices are correct at time of going to press. © Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company) 2022. Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. ISSN 0968-8920. *Combined print and digital sales

above the noise with an investment trust that’s built for long-term peace of mind When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investment may rise or fall as a ǢūǪǿƧ￿чƼƃчưŀǢƤū￿чɰч ǿŜ￿ǿŀ￿ƐƼƲǪчŀƲțч￿ƼǿчưƐƄƋ￿чƄū￿чśŀŜƤчƧūǪǪч￿ƋŀƲч￿ƼǿчƐƲȖūǪ￿ūțϯ TWIM is the authorised Alternative Investment Fund Manager of Alliance Trust PLC. TWIM is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Alliance Trust PLC is listed on f «. « r« £ £ Court, 5 West Victoria Dock Road, Dundee DD1 3JT. Alliance Trust PLC is not authorised and E

Alliance Trust’s multi-manager global equity portfolio is designed for the long term. Our structure allows a mix of managers to take complementary approaches, reducing the risk of over-reliance on a particular style, sector, or ǢūƄƐƼƲчМчƄƐȖƐƲƄч￿ƼǿчśǿƐƧ￿ЙƐƲчțƐȖūǢǪƐɯчŜŀ￿ƐƼƲч￿ƋǢƼǿƄƋч changing market conditions. That means we can focus on hand-picking the best companies, not following short-term market trends. Allowing you to rise above the noise of an unpredictable market. Rise above the noise with Alliance Trust. alliancetrust.co.uk/rise

Set sail on the adventure of a lifetime Rewards PROGRAMME There are some journeys that have earned iconic status in the REDEEMING SAVE travel hall of fame, and a trip on Hurtigruten’s Norwegian Coastal Express is one of them. Dubbed ‘the world’s most 10%YOUR OFFER beautiful voyage’, this trip takes you past hundreds of ords and thousands of mountains, stopping at 34 ports along the To claim 10% o a trip on way. Started in 1893 in order to transport people and goods along the north Hurtigruten’s Norwegian Norwegian coast, the voyage is now an intrinsic part of Norwegian culture. It Coastal Express, head to still acts as a vital transport link, where locals share the ship alongside tourists hurtigruten.co.uk/destinations/norway looking for the Northern Lights in winter, or enjoying 24 hours of daylight and use code HRG-GIL at checkout, in summer. ere’s a wide choice of excursions, plus coastal guides who lead or call 020 3553 1644. activities and interpret the cultural and natural treasures seen on the voyage. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Discount applies to new bookings only. Discount will only be applied to the cruise. Any flights, transfers, shore excursions, other pre and post arrangements, and extras (meals, supplements, gifts, cruise cards, on board credit, name changes, admin fees, fuel surcharges) will not be discounted. Cruise duration must be 5 nights or more to qualify. Not combinable with 1893 Ambassador scheme. See website for full itineraries and further details. O er can be withdrawn at any time and without prior notice. Booking terms and conditions apply and are available online at www.hurtigruten.co.uk ABTA (V7545) & ATOL (3584) protected.

THE GARDENS ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TSOPECIANLEIWSSUE CONTAINER GARDENING 35 planting recipes for beautiful pot displays ONLY £9.99 inc p&p* In this special edition, discover colourful flower combinations and seasonal planting schemes for pots, all designed by leading plantspeople. Each simple planting recipe features a plant list, steps on how to achieve the look, and suggestions for stylish planters. You’ll also find top tips on container growing from the experts, practical advice on how to grow your own food and cut flowers in pots, and inspiration on how to display your containers for the best visual impact. It’s the perfect guide to brightening up your outdoor space, from a compact balcony, small patio or larger garden. Order your copy today Order online at buysubscriptions.com/containergardening or call us on 03330 162114† and quote ‘container gardening special’ *Price applies to UK orders only. Overseas prices, including postage, are £12.99 for Europe and £13.49 for Rest of World. All orders subject to availability. Please allow up to 21 days for delivery. †UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed-line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free-minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff). Outside of inclusive or free-call packages, call charges from mobile phones will cost between 3p and 55p per minute. Lines are open 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am-1pm Saturday.

A NATU R AL LOVE OF STRI PE S AN OBSESSION WITH STRIPES SINCE 1921 W W W. ATCO.CO.U K

JOHN SHEPHERD, LIBBY ELLIS, KONRAD COX, ANNIE CHEN / ALL SAATCHI GALLERY DIG IN What’s new, what’s growing and what’s going on this month Clockwise from above left John Shepherd’s painting of a double Paeonia lactiflora cultivar, titled Botanical Rainbow 1; American artist Libby Ellis’s black-and-white image of Cosmos bipinnatus; Kings Hat 25 by Konrad Cox is one of a series of stereographic panoramic photographs of the New Forest; Aechmea setigera by Annie Chen. Life works From intricate botanical illustrations of bromelaids found high in the Amazonian rain forest to stereographic panoramas of the New Forest in Hampshire, the 2022 RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show at the Saatchi Gallery in west London features a diverse range of images that capture the beauty of the natural world. Alongside paintings of garden favourites and macro photography, showing details such as tiny holly parachute fungi (Marasmius hudsonii), will be works that explore the ecological and economic significance of many familiar fruits and flowers. All entries for this annual exhibition, held in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, go through a rigorous pre-selection process that assesses each work’s scientific accuracy, technical skill and aesthetic appeal. 9-29 April. saatchigallery.com APRIL 2022 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM 13

News Dark secrets COMPILED BY MOLLY BLAIR Fermob has added a sultry new colour, Black Cherry, to its iconic range of outdoor metal Micro steps furniture. Find it as an option on most styles, including the flagship Bistro collection, as We can all feel a little powerless in the face of climate well as the low, round Lorette table and change, but focusing on tackling changes to your own Bellevie dining table shown below. Browse garden’s microclimate can be less overwhelming. To the full range online or in the new UK store emphasise the point, London’s Chelsea Physic Garden in Chiswick, west London. fermob.com has declared a microclimate emergency based on its own experience. For more than ten years, its garden DAVID AUSTIN ROSES team has kept detailed records of weather patterns to help plan its gardening year, and these have chronicled a changing climate.“It used to be that the rain we collected would last us until late spring,” said head of plant collections Nell Jones.“Last year we ran out in early March.” As a response, the Physic Garden is encouraging us all to make small changes, such as collecting (more) rainwater, making compost or committing to going peat free, which it hopes will add up to make an impact. chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk FIT FOR A QUEEN To celebrate the Queen reaching the historic milestone of 70 years on the throne, rose breeder David Austin has launched a new sweetly scented rose to bloom in time for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Rosa Elizabeth (= ‘Ausmajesty’) is a shrub rose with delicate pale-pink flowers that have hues of apricot against dark-green foliage. It’s available as both a bare-root rose for £25 and a potted plant for £33.50. You can find more information on R. Elizabeth on the website or in David Austin’s Handbook of Roses, which itself has a big birthday this year with a special 60th anniversary edition. davidaustinroses.co.uk 14 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM APRIL 2022



DIG IN NEWS GRASSROOTS GARDENING Registration is now open for the Chelsea Fringe, the alternative garden festival that runs in tandem with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with events around the country and beyond. If you have a brilliant idea for an event for this year’s festival – which takes place 21-29 May – head to the website to register it now. Previous events have included tours of botanic gardens, workshops in creating miniature gardens, and an urban tree festival. chelseafringe.com Perfect GREEN GOALS combination If you’re planning a visit to the Crocus has a launched three new Netherlands over the next few months container collections – Chocolate then don’t miss the chance to visit Floriade Expo 2022, the Dutch Orange (right), Summer Nights horticulture exhibition that takes place and Ruby Starlet – that make once every ten years. This year’s Expo is based on the theme of Growing Green creating beautiful pots simplicity Cities and will showcase ideas from itself. Each is made up of two organisations around the world on how we can make our cities more fun, more complementary plants that flower beautiful and more sustainable. The from June, and all are available as Expo, which is taking place in the city of Almere, home to the green-walled plug plants delivered from April. Aeres University of Applied Sciences Prices start at 14.98 for ten large (above), starts on 14 April and runs until 9 October. floriade.com plug plants. crocus.co.uk 3 FOR THE GARDEN TROLLIES 16 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM APRIL 2022

Join the inner circle of garden design 0DQ\\ OHDGLQJ JDUGHQ GHVLJQHUV ZHUH DW ,QFKEDOG DQG KHOS RXU FXUUHQW JUDGXDWHV ZLWK WKHLU FDUHHUV Many of the world’s leading garden designers are They help our current students get on the road to 0UJOIHSK NYHK\\H[LZ HUK OH]L ILULÄ[LK MYVT [OL OPNO Z\\JJLZZ I` V LYPUN HK]PJL PU[LYUZOPWZ HUK VM[LU QVIZ standard of tutoring on which the school’s reputation is built. -PUK V\\[ TVYL ]PZP[ PUJOIHSK JV \\R [VKH` 6RPH RI ,QFKEDOG·V VWDU JUDGXDWHV Interior: /LUYPL[[H :WLUJLY *O\\YJOPSS :[H LU ;VSSNHYK 5PUH *HTWILSS 2LSS` /VWWLU :[LWOHU 9`HU .YHJH =P[LYIV Garden: 3\\JPHUV .P\\IIPSLP 4HYJ\\Z )HYUL[ 2HTLSPH )PU AHHS 7OPSPW 5P_VU (UN\\Z ;OVTWZVU 1VUH[OHU :UV^ 50 CREATING ESTABLISHED 1960 CAREERS YEARS 020 7730 5508 | [email protected] | inchbald.co.uk

DIG IN EVENTS 1 DIARY: APRIL BORDE HILL COMPILED BY MOLLY BLAIR AND ANNIE GATTI 3 1 Magnolia Tour COMMON FARM FLOWERS Join Harry Baldwin, head of horticulture at Borde Hill Garden in West Sussex for this guided tour of the garden’s magnolia collection. 5 April, 11am-12pm. Tour included in the garden 4DR HELENA CROUCH admission of £10.50. Borde Hill Garden, Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex 7 RH16 1XP. Tel 01444 450326, bordehill.co.uk NORFOLK SCHOOL OF DESIGN 2 Spring Flowering Perennials with Rosy Hardy 9 Learn about spring-flowering perennials and how to include them in planting combinations in this talk by Rosy Hardy at her Hampshire nursery. The day, held in 10 partnership with the RHS, will include a behind-the-scenes tour of the nursery. 6 April, 10.30am-2pm. £20. Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants, Priory Lane Nursery, Freefolk Priors, Whitchurch, Hampshire RG28 7FA. Tel 01256 896533, hardysplants.co.uk 3 Living Easter Wreath Get inspiration for an Easter wreath using living plants from the garden and hedgerows, and the know-how to make your own from scratch, on this online demonstration with Georgie Newbery of Common Farm Flowers. A recording will be available if you can’t make it live. 6 April, 4.30-5.30pm. £35. commonfarmflowers.com 4 Coastal Plants of Somerset Learn about Somerset’s varied coastal habitats and their associated plant species, on this online talk from Dr Helena Crouch, who has studied coastal plants in the county for more than 20 years. 8 April, 7.30-9pm. £3 (suggested donation). avonwildlifetrust.org.uk 5 Tulip Open Weekend Head to Lancashire-based nursery Brighter Blooms to see more than 50 tulip cultivars on display and buy a range of summer-flowering bulbs, including one of its specialities: Zantedeschia. 9-10 April, 10am-4pm. Free. Walton Flats Nursery, Gillibrand Street, Walton- Le-Dale, Preston, Lancashire PR5 4AX. Tel 07884 430732, brighterblooms.co.uk 6 Scotland’s Daffodil Festival Find daffodils galore at this weekend festival held at Backhouse Rossie, home to the Backhouse daffodils. The walled garden holds beautiful beds of more than 20,000 daffodils. 9-10 April, 10am-5pm. £6. Backhouse Heritage & Education Centre, Rossie Estate, Collessie Ladybank, Fife KY15 7U. Tel 0844 414 5803, backhouserossie.co.uk 7 Elegant Plants for the White Garden Learn how to plan, design and plant up a white garden with Marylyn Abbott at her Hampshire garden. 12 April, 11am-1.30pm. £57 (includes a garden tour and lunch with wine). West Green House, Thakham’s Lane, Hartley Wintney, Hook, Hampshire RG27 8JB. Tel 01252 844611, westgreenhouse.co.uk 8 Isle of Wight Spring Art and Garden Fair Browse plants from specialist nurseries and artwork from local artists in the beautiful surroundings of Northwood House and Park in Cowes. 15-16 April, 10am-5pm. £3. Northwood House and Park, Ward Avenue, Cowes, Isle of Wight PO31 8AZ. Tel 01983 293642, northwoodhouse.org 9 Introduction to Garden Design There is still time to book a place on this comprehensive eight-week introduction to garden design with the Norfolk School of Gardening. The course covers everything from site survey to final plan and includes a visit to an inspiring private garden to see design principles and features in practice. One day a week from 20 April, 10am-3pm. £650. Norfolk School of Gardening, Ketteringham, Norfolk NR18 9RS. norfolkschoolofgardening.co.uk 10 The Artfulness of Weeds Break Book now for this art break at the Angel Hotel in Abergavenny that will help you see weeds in a new light. Includes a half-day workshop at Nant-y-Bedd (see page 78) with artist and gardener Jacky Mills. 24 or 25 June (workshop on Saturday morning). From £405 (includes one-night bed and breakfast and three-course evening meal). Angel Hotel, 15 Cross Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 5EN. Tel 01873 857121, angelabergavenny.com All information is correct at time of going to press, but may be subject to change. Tickets for events may be limited and may have to be booked in advance. Please be sure to check all opening times and advice on any local restrictions before travelling. 18 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM APRIL 2022

Maintenance free 10% garden furniture ìÁÁ ´ ´ ÇËäÂ Ë Ç ©ì¯´ *3 Lazy Susan specialise in timeless sand cast aluminium garden furniture. Each hand-crafted At the heart of your garden® piece is powder coated to produce a lasting and GXUDEOH QLVK 5XVW DQG URW SURRI RXU IXUQLWXUH is maintenance-free and designed to live outside all year. 01243 71 71 97 lazysusanfurniture.co.uk Q ´ ´ä¯

Events and shows 2022 From the glamour and excitement of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show to the laid-back charm of the Great Comp Summer Show, here’s our round up of this year’s best flower shows and festivals COMPILED BY ROSANNA MORRIS AND MOLLY BLAIR LUKE MACGREGOR / RHS; JEAN-P ERRE DELAGARDE / CHANT LLY; JASON INGRAM / GW LIVE; JAMES BELLORINI / CHARLESTON.

APRIL 25-29 May Dorset Garden Festival, UK 20-24 July RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, Stalls with plants, tools, garden furniture and UK Plants and show gardens. 10am-5pm. 2-3 April Cornwall Garden Society Spring more. 10am-5pm. £12.50. Sculpture by the From £25.85. Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire Flower Show, UK Specialist nurseries. 10am- Lakes, Pallington, Dorset DT2 8QU. Tel 07720 WA16 6QN. Tel 0844 338 7501, rhs.org.uk 4pm. £15. Royal Cornwall Showground, 637808, sculpturebythelakes.co.uk Wadebridge, Cornwall PL27 7JE. Tel 07530 AUGUST 920585, cornwallgardensociety.org.uk JUNE 3-7 August RHS Garden Hyde Hall Flower 21-24 April Harrogate Spring Flower Show, 2-6 June Bloom, Ireland Show gardens Show, UK Flower displays and specialist plant UK Spring gardens. Thursday to Saturday, from top designers. 9am-6pm. From 22. nurseries. 10am-5pm. £12.95. RHS Garden 9.30am-5.30pm; Sunday, 9.30am-4.30pm. Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, Ireland. Tel +353 (0)1 Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Chelmsford, From £18. Great Yorkshire Showground, 295 8181, bloominthepark.com Essex CM3 8RA. Tel 01245 402013, rhs.org.uk Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG2 8NZ. Tel 01423 648212, flowershow.org.uk 3-5 June Hex Garden Festival, Belgium 12-13 August Shrewsbury Flower Show Top Floral displays and talks. Also in autumn exhibitors. 10am-10pm. Ticket prices to come. 29-30 April Toby’s Garden Festival, UK (10-11 September). 10am-6pm. Tickets from The Quarry, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 1RN. Annual garden celebration. 10am-5pm. From Tel 01743 234050, shrewsburyflowershow.org.uk £12. Powderham Castle, Kenton, nr Exeter, 9. Kasteel Hex, Hoogstraat, 3870 Heers, Devon EX6 8JQ. Tel 07561 261615, Belgium. Tel +32 (0)12 74 73 41, hex.be 13-14 August The Great Comp Summer tobygardenfest.co.uk Show, UK Gathering of plant specialists. 11 June Royal Windsor Flower Show Displays, 10am-5pm. From £7.50. Comp Lane, Platt, 29 April – 1 May Gardeners’ World Spring talks, classes. 10am-6pm. £6.York Club, nr Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 8QS. Tel 01732 Fair, UK Garden inspiration, advice and Rangers Gate, Windsor Great Park, Surrey 885094, greatcompgarden.co.uk shopping. 9.30am-5pm. From £15. Beaulieu, SL4 2HT. Tel 01753 449449, rwrhs.com New Forest, Hampshire SO42 7ZN. 19-21 August RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower bbcgardenersworldlive.com/spring-fair 16-19 June BBC Gardeners’ World Live, UK Show, UK Friday to Saturday, 10am-6pm; Show gardens, plant village and more. Sunday, 10am-4pm. £12.95. RHS Garden MAY Thursday-Saturday, 9am-6pm; Sunday, Rosemoor, Great Torrington, Devon EX28 8PH. 9am-5pm. From £24. The NEC, Birmingham, Tel 01805 624067, rhs.org.uk 5-8 May RHS Malvern Spring Festival, UK West Midlands B40 1NT. Tel 020 7150 5154, Gardens, flowers, food and crafts. 9am-6pm. bbcgardenersworldlive.com SEPTEMBER From £19.85. Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire WR13 6NW. Tel 0344 17-19 June Bingerden International 4 September Autumn Plant Fair, UK 338 5400, rhsmalvern.co.uk Specialist Nursery Days, the Netherlands Specialist nurseries. 12-5pm. £10. Sussex Top European nurseries. See website for Prairie Garden, Morlands Farm, Wheatsheaf 6-8 May Beervelde Garden Days, Belgium details. Huis Bingerden, Bingerdenseweg 21, Road, nr Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9AT. Renowned nurseries. 10am-6pm. From 12. 6986 CE Angerlo, the Netherlands. Tel +31 Tel 01273 495902, sussexprairies.co.uk Beervelde Parc, Beervelde-Dorp 75, 9080 (0)313 48 42 38, bingerden.com Beervelde, Belgium. Tel +32(0)9 356 81 82, 6-11 September RHS Garden Wisley Flower parkvanbeervelde.be 24-26 June Blenheim Palace Flower Show, Show, UK Specialist nurseries. Tuesday to UK Expert talks and more than 300 exhibitors. Saturday, 8.30am-6pm; Sunday, 8.30am- 7-15 May Temps de Flors, Spain Spectacular 10am-5pm. From £15.50. Blenheim Palace, 5pm. £15.95. RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, displays around the historic centre of Girona. Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1UL. Tel 01993 Surrey GU23 6QB. Tel 01483 224234, rhs.org.uk Tel +34 (0) 972 419 010,tempsdeflors.girona.cat 810530, blenheimflowershow.co.uk 16-18 September Harrogate Autumn Flower 13-15 May Les Journées des Plantes de JULY Show, UK Plants and displays at new venue of Chantilly, France France’s leading garden Newby Hall. From £20.50. Newby Hall & event. Also in autumn (13-15 October). From 4-9 July RHS Hampton Court Palace Gardens, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 5AE. Garden Festival, UK The world’s largest flower Tel 01423 648212, flowershow.org.uk 16. Domaine de Chantilly, 7 Rue du show. Monday to Friday, 10am-6.30pm; Connétable, 60500, Chantilly, France. Saturday, 10am-5.30pm. From £23.85. 23-25 September Malvern Autumn Show, Tel +33 (0) 3 44 27 31 80, journees-des- Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey UK Autumnal veg and floral displays. 9am- plantes.chateaudechantilly.fr KT8 9AU. Tel 0844 338 7501, rhs.org.uk 6pm. £18.85. Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire WR13 6NW. Tel 0344 20-22 May The National Flower Show, UK 14-17 July Festival of the Garden, Charleston 338 5400, malvernautumn.co.uk Annual flower show celebrating the best of Farmhouse, UK Garden celebration with talks, gardening. 10am-5pm. From £13. Hylands from experts, including Piet Oudolf, Tom 23-25 September Fête des Plantes House & Estate, London Road, Chelmsford, Stuart-Smith, Charlotte Harris, Hugo Bugg d’Automne, France See website for details. Essex CM2 8WQ. Tel 0333 242 7912, and Fergus Garrett. From 10am. From £10. Château de Saint-Jean de Beauregard, Rue de nationalflowershow.co.uk Charleston, Firle, Lewes, East Sussex BN8 6LL. Château, 91940 Saint-Jean-de-Beauregard, Tel 01323 811626, charleston.org.uk France. Tel +33 (0)1 60 12 00 01, 24-28 May RHS Chelsea Flower Show, UK chateaudesaintjeandebeauregard.com The UK’s premier horticultural show. Tuesday 16-17 July Belvoir Castle Flower & Garden to Friday, 8am-8pm; Saturday 8am-5.30pm. Show, UK Show gardens and talks. 9.45am- This is just a selection of shows for 2022. All From £35.85. London Gate, Royal Hospital 4.30pm. From £12.50. Belvoir Castle, information correct at time of going to press Road, Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3 Grantham, Lincolnshire NG32 1PE. but check details before booking or attending. 4SR. Tel 0844 338 7501, rhs.org.uk belvoircastleflowerandgardenshow.co.uk APRIL 2022 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM 21

Advertisement Money matters If you’re looking to invest with confidence, rise above market uncertainty with Alliance Trust, one of the oldest investment trusts in the UK Founded in 1888, Alliance Trust’s long-term approach to investment delivers real, inflation adjusted returns**

Images: Left – Photo © [Maria Sbytova] / Adobe Stock Advertisement Right – Photo © [PrettyAwesome] / Adobe Stock he return of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last September was a welcome celebration of garden creativity – from the small but perfectly formed container and balcony gardens to the more lavish spectacle of the show gardens – this glorious event was an inspiration to us all. We might well have had our lives put on hold in recent years, but there was much solace to be found in the natural world – whether on public display or closer to home in our own gardens. Despite the vagaries of the weather, the seasons kept turning and nature maintained its unhurried rhythm – for which we were all grateful. Whether flowers or vegetables (or both) are your passion, planning a garden is exciting – a scattering of bulbs in the autumn herald spring as their green tips appear the following year, while a slender sapling planted on a damp November day promises a harvest of sweet apples in a few years’ time. Every gardener knows it is a long-term process and preparation is the key. Investing should also adopt these same tried-and-trusted principles – and with more than 130 years of experience, Alliance Trust is one of the world’s oldest and largest investment trusts with assets in excess of £3billion*. Founded in 1888, Alliance Trust’s long-term approach to investment delivers real, inflation adjusted returns** while carefully managing risk, whilst being an investment trust means it has an independent board that makes decisions for the sole benefit of their shareholders. With a commitment to pay investors a dividend that increases every year, Alliance Trust has delivered this for 55 years thanks to its structure, putting the company among the top three ‘Dividend Heroes’ of the Association of Investment Companies***. Alliance Trust’s investment manager is Willis Towers Watson, a leading global investment group, drawing on the expertise of top- calibre managers to seek out the best investment opportunities from across the world. It is this multi-manager approach that aims to reduce risk, smoothing out the peaks and troughs normally associated with a single manager. With this resilience built into the strategy, Alliance Trust’s diversified portfolio is designed to withstand short-term market volatility to deliver steady, sustainable, long-term growth to their investors – and ensure their abiding peace of mind. Commit with confidence today and plan for your future with Alliance Trust. You can invest directly in Alliance Trust through an investment platform, or via a stockbroker or independent financial adviser. If you’re a first-time investor and want to know more, you’ll find all the information you need at alliancetrust.co.uk/rise *As at December 2021. **MSCI All Country World Index. *** theaic.co.uk When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investment may rise or fall as a result of market fluctuations and you might get back less than you invested. TWIM is the authorised Alternative Investment Fund Manager of Alliance Trust PLC. TWIM is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Alliance Trust PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is registered in Scotland No SC1731. Registered office: River Court, 5 West Victoria Dock Road, Dundee DD1 3JT. Alliance Trust PLC is not authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and gives no financial or investment advice.

THE CONSTANT GARDENER In the first of a new practical series, head gardener Benjamin Pope looks at what you need to be sowing and growing in April to make sure your garden looks great all year round WORDS BENJAMIN POPE ILLUSTRATION CLAIRE HARRUP pril is when the garden I like to use natural materials to offer plants support – jute string, coppiced hazel Areally shows its potential bean poles and pea sticks work well when for growth, gathering staked, tied and woven together, adding momentum as day natural interest before they disappear length, light intensity and among the growing plants. temperatures increase. In our garden, a row of It’s also a time to look forward, ancient multi-stemmed hazels come to life, planting and sowing seeds for the creating an edge-of-woodland setting that growing season ahead. The combination I feel is perfect for celebrating spring. of moist soil and warming weather make perfect conditions for planting hardy Underplanted with white bells of herbaceous perennials and ornamental Leucojum aestivum and cascading flowers of grasses, which will quickly establish. Ribes sanguineum White Icicle (= ‘Ubric’), For trees and shrubs, I prefer to plant a mixed carpet of blue and white Anemone a little earlier in the year or in autumn blanda is peppered with charming Fritillaria (especially for evergreens), to ensure meleagris. Brunnera macrophylla and its they have more time for root growth white-flowering sister Brunnera macrophylla before the summer heat arrives. ‘Betty Bowring’ complement the planting, while the zesty blooms of Euphorbia As always, soil conditions and local amygdaloides var. robbiae and Papaver weather will dictate when you can cambricum add spring vibrancy. complete tasks. Waiting to avoid any damaging late frosts will prove fruitful While refreshing, this month can be in the long run, though leaving planting busy for the gardener, and I concentrate until late spring can result in having on completing any last-minute jobs to do a lot of additional watering. It’s from late winter, such as vegetable-bed a balancing act, and, like your plants, preparation. If not already finished, then conditions can rapidly change from you should be staking and mulching now, one week to the next, making timing before border plants expand too much, and observation crucial this month. making these tasks more time-consuming.

What to sow and plant What to harvest and pick GARDEN JOBS Spring is all about sowing seeds. As night Known as the ‘hungry gap’, this time of temperatures can still drop below zero, it is year offers slim pickings as winter brassicas for April wise to restrict outdoor sowing to hardy and bolt and stored vegetables and fruit run half-hardy species. Annuals, such as Atriplex out or deteriorate. I find that beetroots, Weed prevention As garden plants come hortensis var. rubra, Calendula officinalis carrots, celeriac and Jerusalem artichokes into growth, so do weeds, and catching any and Cerinthe major ‘Purpurascens’, are great will keep fresh in a box of damp sand undesirables now will save you time later for sowing directly into borders along with or soil placed somewhere cold, as it in the year. Mulch or hoe borders and bare cornflowers, nigella and poppies. shelters them from damage caused by soil to prevent annual weeds, and hand hard frosts or ground slugs. weed perennial species. Broad beans, peas and mangetout can Feed containers To promote healthy also be sown direct into the soil, although In the vegetable patch, we gather the growth, top dress containers with fresh you may already have some growing from last of the purple-sprouting broccoli, kale compost or feed with an organic option autumn sowings. I also like to grow some on and chard along with numerous winter such as seaweed. Or make your own liquid in modules in early spring and plant them hardy salad leaves, including lettuce feed with comfrey and nettle. out now as I sow another row, guaranteeing ‘Valdor’, Japanese mibuna, lamb’s lettuce Prepare for summer containers Plan your a longer harvest. Beetroot, carrots, radish and hardy mustards such as ‘Red Frills’. I summer container schemes now, ordering and spring onion can also be sown, though start these from seed the previous August, any seeds or plants. I often use cuttings of it might be worth waiting until the end of planting out in September so they grow pelargoniums, plectranthus and salvias, the month to ensure soil temperatures and large enough to cope with winter weather. although small plugs can be bought now conditions are more favourable. Ideally, offer additional protection with a and grown on for planting out next month. fleece or polythene tunnel. Prune mophead hydrangeas To maintain Indoor sowing can include tender veg to shape and size, and encourage flowering, plant out next month, such as French and Unlike with vegetables, this is a good remove old flowers, lightly pruning to the runner beans, pumpkins and squashes. month to find cut flowers in the garden. first or second set of buds below. Also Tender ornamentals that I sow every year Interest and scent come from an array of remove a quarter of the oldest stems at indoors include Amaranthus caudatus shrubs including skimmias, osmanthus the base to encourage new growth. ‘Dreadlocks’, Coreopsis ‘Roulette’, Tagetes and ribes, as well as countless bulbs. Grow on plants for summer Prick out and ‘Cinnabar’ and Tithonia rotundifolia. Their In arrangements, I love to incorporate pot on seedlings into modules or larger vibrant hot colours work so well through stems of hazel with these flowers – their pots, so they become strong and vigorous summer in both the garden and a vase. emerging leaves glow like tiny emeralds. for planting out later in spring. Banana palms, begonias, cannas and dahlias you’ve been overwintering in a greenhouse should also be potted and lightly watered now to promote growth. APRIL 2022 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM 25

MasterclaONsLINsE Join us live or on demand for our 2022 series of Masterclass talks that give you the chance to learn from some of the UK’s leading gardeners and designers 6PM 6PM THURSDAY THURSDAY 23 JUNE 12 MAY £15 £15 How to create How to grow ANDREW MONTGOMERY, CRISTIAN BARNETT, MATTHEW J. THOMAS. long-season a year-round planting schemes productive garden WITH NIGEL DUNNETT, GARDEN DESIGNER WITH BENJAMIN POPE AND PROFESSOR OF PLANTING HEAD GARDENER AND COLUMNIST DESIGN AND URBAN HORTICULTURE, 6PM UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD THURSDAY BOOK ALL 14 JULY THREE £15 FOR £36 & SAVE 20% How to design a sustainable garden WITH JULIET SARGEANT GARDEN DESIGNER gardensillustrated.com/masterclass

ENGLISH ROSES SCAN FOR FABULOUS FRAGRANCES Boscobel® LONG FLOWERING SEASON English Shrub Rose davidaustinroses.co.uk

Save when you subscribe to the digital edition

A must-have read for passionate gardeners, Gardens Illustrated magazine provides a unique insight into the world’s most beautiful gardens, expert advice and planting ideas. ENJOY OUR PREMIUM APP EXPERIENCE NOW buysubscriptions.com/ gardensillustrated

TULIPA ‘BROWN SUGAR’ Hybrid tulips are a staple for spring colour in the flower garden. Their variety is their greatest charm and by using a mix of cultivars you can achieve a display from late March until the end of May. Most will only give a decent display for a year or two but a handful work well as perennials, performing reliably year after year. This is a particularly lovely Triumph tulip with a gorgeous scent, which we have used in one border at Gravetye for six years, and every spring it looks as good as the last. Best used in mixed borders among herbaceous perennials, its coppery-bronze colour works well with the purple of Tulipa ‘Negrita’. Height and spread 30cm x 10cm. Origin Garden. Conditions Well-drained soil; full sun. Hardiness RHS H6, USDA 4a-8b†. Season of interest April.

DIG IN PLANTSPERSON’S FAVOURITES April plants CHARLIE HOPKINSON Two very different tulips, a delicate daffodil and a profusion of blossom and early foliage dominate Tom’s selection of plants that are perfect for the April garden WORDS TOM COWARD PHOTOGRAPHS JASON INGRAM Tom Coward is head gardener at Gravetye Manor in East Sussex gravetyemanor.co.uk EUPHORBIA MELLIFERA At Gravetye this stately, easy-to-grow euphorbia has been evergreen for the past ten years. Only in the coldest winters will it die back and behave like a herbaceous perennial, although it will always perform better in a sheltered spot. Its slender, waxy leaves with a pale mid vein, give very good effect as a foliage plant. In April to May it flowers and has the most beautiful honey scent, from which its name derives. It is drought tolerant and an extremely useful plant for dry shade. AGM. Height and spread 1.5-2.5m x 1.5-2.5m. Origin Madeira and the Canary Islands. Conditions Well-drained soil in a sheltered position; full sun or dry shade. Hardiness RHS H3, USDA 8b-9b. Season of interest April – May (flowers), year-round (foliage). *Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Soc ety.†Hardiness ratings given where available. ACER JAPONICUM PRUNUS GLANDULOSA ‘ACONITIFOLIUM’ ‘ALBA PLENA’ A small, charming tree of year-round I first encountered this excellent small beauty. In late winter its spreading cherry tree at Great Dixter, where head silhouette is handsome with bright-red gardener Fergus grows it as a coppice. In young shoots. In summer it’s an spring its waving shoots produce an excellent foliage plant with deeply abundance of comparatively large, lobed and cut leaves that colour deep pompom-like, double-white flowers. As ruby-crimson in autumn. But it comes soon as these start to fade the entire plant into its own in spring when red flowers is cut back to a stool, about 15cm from the with tiny yellow anthers are borne in ground. At this point it is good to feed well dense clusters among the newly with bone meal, and the new shoots opening leaves. Grow in a sheltered quickly grow back with stunning autumn spot, protected from winds, and colour before next year’s flower. A tough regularly water new plantings. AGM*. plant that will grow in most conditions, it is also quite tolerant of drought. Height and spread 3.4m x 4m. Origin Japan. Height and spread 1.5m x 1.5m. Conditions Moist, well-drained, acid to Origin China. neutral soil; full sun to part shade. Conditions Moist but well-drained soil; Hardiness RHS H6, USDA 5a-7b. full sun to part shade. Season of interest April – May (flowers); Hardiness RHS H6, USDA 4a-8b. October – November (autumn colour). Season of interest April – early June. APRIL 2022 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM 31

Sky above, earth below CPF TG YKVJKP ELECTRIC GAS WOOD BURNING M U LT I - F U E L | |01952 200 444 OCTMGVKPI\"EJCTNVQPCPFLGPTKEM EQ WM YYY EJCTNVQPCPFLGPTKEM EQ WM

DIG IN PLANTSPERSON’S FAVOURITES NARCISSUS ‘PIPIT’ A particularly lovely cultivar of Narcissus jonquilla – one of the best scented daffodil species, which has been cultivated in France since the 18th century for the fragrant narcissus absolute oil used by the perfume industry. Each stem bears three to five soft lemon-yellow flowers that fade to white from the base. It flowers later than our native Narcissus pseudonarcissus, taking over the display and filling the air with a beautiful fragrance for almost five weeks. Excellent to establish in meadows but also lovely among deciduous shrubs where its pale yellow looks so good among the fresh green leaves. Height and spread 40cm x 10cm. Origin Spain and Portugal. Conditions Moist but well-drained soil; full sun to part shade. Hardiness RHS H6, USDA 4a-8b. Season of interest March – April. TULIPA SAXATILIS RHODODENDRON AUGUSTINII ‘LILAC WONDER’ SUBSP. CHASMANTHUM At Gravetye, we have naturalised this A lovely rhododendron first discovered excellent perennial tulip among by the famous plant collector George groundcover and shrubs through the wild Forrest in 1904. Its flowers range from garden. Stems can bear up to four white to violet blue, and this is a splendid pinkish-lilac flowers with rich-yellow pale lavender form. Works best as a centres, which work really well through woodland shrub under light shade in the fresh new growth of Epimedium. humus-rich soil. Its soft blue flowers A native of the mountains of Crete stand out especially well in the shade, and parts of Turkey, it grows best in looking stunning among bluebells and a sunny, free-draining spot. The bulbs the fresh greens of spring. Will also are stoloniferous, enabling it to form thrive in full sun and is quite easy to good-sized clumps in the right grow provided it has shelter and soil with conditions. The broad, glossy leaves come a pH between 4.5 and 6, but it can be shy out very early in the spring, making it less to flower in cooler gardens. dependable in colder areas. AGM. Height and spread 2m x 1.5m in ten years. Height and spread 20cm x 20cm. Origin China. Origin Crete, parts of Turkey. Conditions Moist but well-drained, acidic Conditions Well-drained soil; full sun. soil; light shade or full sun. Hardiness RHS H6, USDA 3a-8b. Hardiness RHS H4, USDA 6a-10b. Season of interest April – May. Season of interest April – May. Places For the past 12 years outlook” is inspirational at End, Hampshire RG20 0AA. grown and observed in to visit designer and plantsman any time of year but is malverleys.co.uk her own garden, resulting Matthew Reese has especially interesting in late in a collation of beautiful, Tom’s recommendations been head gardener at spring. Matthew uses tulips The plant lover’s reliable and truly for places to see Malverleys. Over that time so well, creating some of the treasure trove Special garden-worthy plants. seasonal plants he’s developed the 14-acre best displays I have ever Plants is situated in the She will only grow plants at their best garden into a horticultural seen. Tours of this private garden of author, gardener that she is in love with at masterpiece, blending garden can be arranged for and self-confessed that moment in time, Be sure to check opening beautiful architecture groups of up to 40 by plantaholic Derry Watkins. resulting in a continually times. Some garden visits with romantic informality. appointment and it also It is the result of a lifetime of shifting, and exciting stock may need to be pre-booked The planting style, which opens occasionally for the gardening, travel and study list. The nursery closes for Matthew describes as National Garden Scheme and on every visit you are the winter but opens at the “classical English flower including on 5 May. guaranteed to find a new beginning of March. The gardening with a modern Malverleys Gardens, East fascination. Every plant she garden opens on sells has been previously APRIL 2022 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM 33

DIG IN PLANTSPERSON’S FAVOURITES MAGNOLIA X LOEBNERI ‘MERRILL’ PRUNUS ‘TAI HAKU’ This striking hybrid, a cross between The great white cherry is one of the M. stellata and M. kobus, is one of the most beautiful and iconic Japanese toughest and showiest magnolias. There cherries. It has one of the largest of all the have been a number of good selections cherry blossoms, measuring up to 5cm since its introduction, displaying beautiful across, and also offers excellent autumn diversity, including this cultivar, bred at colour. A medium-sized, spreading tree the Arnold Arboretum in Massachusetts with a rounded habit, the large, pure- and named after the former director white blossoms open from pink buds and Elmer Merrill. Its large, scented, pure- look especially beautiful against its new white flowers are extremely abundant, bronze-coloured leaves. This ancient even on young plants. It’s also very hardy. cultivar had once vanished from Japanese In the frosts of April 2021 nearly all our gardens and was reintroduced and saved magnolias were damaged but this one from extinction by the Sussex plantsman remained completely unblemished. AGM. Collingwood ‘Cherry’ Ingram. AGM. Height and spread 4-6m x 4-6m. Height and spread 4-6m x 6-8m. Origin Garden (species Japan). Origin Japan. Conditions All moist but well-drained soils, Conditions Most fertile soils, appreciates including chalk; full sun to part shade. a little shelter; best in full sun but will Hardiness RHS H6, USDA 5a-9b. grow well in light shade. Season of interest March – April. Hardiness RHS H6, USDA 6a-9b. Season of interest April (flowers). VACCINIUM CORYMBOSUM ‘CHANDLER’ The blueberry crop is one of the most delicious harvests from the Gravetye kitchen garden but these small bushes also make the most beautiful plants. They drip with long racemes of pretty, bell-like, pink to white flowers in spring and have beautiful red autumn colour. Because they’re such lovely plants we grow them in the dappled shade of the wild garden (but we need to use a fruit cage in the kitchen garden). This cultivar is a long-standing favourite with large juicy berries. Height and spread 1.5-2m x 1.5-2m. Origin Garden (species Canada, USA). Conditions Acidic soil (can be grown in pots of ericaceous compost); full sun or light shade. Hardiness RHS H6, USDA 5a-8b. Season of interest April – May (flowers), August – September (fruit). Tuesdays from April cultivars of flowering Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 this 48-acre garden was who is responsible for its onwards. Greenway Lane, cherries – one of the largest 7LU. Tel 01795 843098, left to The Chanticleer design and development, Cold Ashton, Chippenham, in the world. When in full witchhazelnursery.com Foundation in 1990 and resulting in one of the most Wiltshire SN14 8LA. flower, they are the most has been through rapid inspiring and entertaining Tel 01225 891686, incredible sight, offering the As travel becomes development of innovative gardener’s gardens in the specialplants.net special opportunity to easier, I would certainly design and exceptional world. It’s open from March compare so many trees in recommend a visit to plantings. Today it is a true to October, and April is The fascinating Witch blossom on the same site. Pennsylvania. The US State pleasure garden that especially lovely, before the Hazel Nursery holds the As a wholesale nursery it has a wealth of iconic and entertains and inspires at extreme heat of the National Collection of isn’t usually open to the inspirational gardens that every turn. Broken up into summer, and while the trees Hamamelis and also has public but special open days every plant lover should seven areas that link are in blossom. 786 Church comprehensive collections are available to view the try to visit at least once. But together seamlessly to Road, Wayne, PA 19087, of Wisteria, Parrotia and cherries in early April. top of my list would be create a whole, each one USA. Tel + 1 610 687 4163, Amelanchier, as well as a Callaways Lane, Newington, Chanticleer. Originally part has a senior horticulturist chanticleergarden.org collection of more than 230 of the Rosengarten estate, 34 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM APRIL 2022

Rain, wind or storm – come what may, the garden still calls and the Rhino greenhouse weathers it all. We can’t predict the weather, but we can guarantee your Rhino greenhouse for 25 years. rhinogreenhouses.co.uk 0800 694 1929

Rewards PROGRAMME Say hello to hardy fuchsias ant to add some more colour to your late summer REDEEMING SAVE garden? is collection of hardy fuchsias from YOUROFFER £3.99 ompson & Morgan is just what you need to revive any fading borders and ensure you have beautiful To take advantage of blooms well into the autumn months. Comprising this blooming lovely o er Fuchsia ‘Shrimp Cocktail’, Fuchsia ‘Dollar Prinzessen’ and Fuchsia ‘Delta’s Sarah’, from Thompson & Morgan, visit this collection will provide a profusion of delicate and dainty blooms in thompson-morgan.com/TM_GI1, a variety of gorgeous colour combinations. Plant your hardy fuchsias in or call 0844 573 1818 to order your amongst shrubs or in containers, and they’ll continue to ower reliably for plants over the phone, years and develop a good bushy habit. You can buy nine Postiplugs for £9.99, or get 18 Postiplugs for just £11.99, saving you £3.99. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Postiplugs despatching from April onwards. Other items will be acknowledged by post or email advising dispatch and sent separately. Delivery to UK addresses only. Please note that your contract for supply of goods is with Thompson & Morgan, Poplar Lane, Ipswich IP8 3BU. All o ers are subject to availability. O er ends 1 May 2022. Images for illustration purposes only. Please note that Thompson & Morgan cannot deliver this product to the following postcode areas: HS, IV41-IV56, KW15-KW17, PA34, PA41-48, PA60-PA78, PA80, PH40-PH44, TR21-TR25, ZE1-ZE3. It is also unable to ship seeds or plants to EU countries and Northern Ireland.

DIG IN SHOPPING KITTED OUT For a sustainable and wild garden COMPILED BY NIKI GOSS 2 1 3 MAIN IMAGES DAVE CAUDERY 4 5 8 76 1. For Peat’s Sake Eco Coir Compost Blocks, 600g (makes 11.5L compost), £8.50 each, 01452 244040, forpeatssake.co.uk 2. Spear & Jackson Steel Watering Can, green and copper, 9L, £37.49, johnlewis.com 3. Coir Pots, 10cm, pack of 10, £5.48, coirproducts.co.uk 4. Green Smart Self-watering Pot, large, L 74cm x W 44cm x H 29cm, £39.99, greensmartpots.eu 5. Eco King Composter, 600L, £69.99, 01344 578000, crocus.co.uk 6. Twool Garden Twine, 100m, naked, green fingers and slinky minky, £6.85, 01364 654467, twool.co.uk 7. Bamboo Widger and Dibber Set, £3.49, haxnicks.co.uk 8. Niwaki Rubber Boots, £119, 01747 445059, niwaki.com APRIL 2022 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM 37

DIG IN SHOPPING 2 3 1 4 65 87 1. Bee Cell, charcoal, white or yellow, £12, 01872 858658, greenandblue.co.uk 2. Bee Friendly Seed Balls, £3.50, shop.thenewtinsomerset.com 3. Clip Gloves Bamboo Fibre Light Duty Gardening Gloves, £5.75, theglovestore.co.uk 4. Bacsac Baclong Fabric Planter, £127.70, finnishdesignshop.com 5. Hemp Gardener's Apron, £64, subpod.co.uk 6. Webb 30cm Hand Push Roller Lawn Mower, £100, screwfix.com 7. Classic Five-bar Pedestrian Gate, oak, from £366, 07813 760763, cleftwood.com 8. Bloom Pot and Saucer Set, made from recycled fishing nets, navy, 13cm, £20, oceanplasticpots.com 38 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM APRIL 2022

The World’s Finest Gardening Gloves Superior Deerskin Gardening Gloves by GOLD LEAF NOTHING COMPARES! Endorsed by ® The Royal Horticultural Society. The Royal Horticultural Society, and its logo, are trademarks of The Royal Horticultural Society (Registered Charity No 222879/SC038262) and used under licence from RHS Enterprises Limited. Telephone: +44 (0)23 8040 2025 Website: www.goldleaf-gloves.com DISCOVER • REVIEW • SHARE

IN BRIEF What Varied Cotswold garden regularly open to the public. Where Gloucestershire. Soil Neutral loam. Size Around 14 acres. Climate Severe winters (-15ºC is not uncommon) due in part to the elevation at more than 200m. Hardiness zone USDA 8. Seen in the foreground, the red and black border is situated at one of the highest points in the garden. In spring, its colour comes from tulips (including T. ‘Queen of Night’ and T. ‘Ronaldo’) and the burgundy shoots of Paeonia x suffruticosa, while later in the year, crocosmias and dahlias take their place. 40 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM APRIL 2022

AGED TO PERFECTION When Ian and Caroline Bond first came to Upton Wold, they knew it would be years before they would see the garden as they envisioned it WORDS NATASHA GOODFELLOW PHOTOGRAPHS JASON INGRAM

Caroline liked the use of garden rooms, a device now used extensively at Upton Wold where sturdy yew hedges conceal the many different component parts 42 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM APRIL 2022

an Bond remembers the moment he fell in love with a tree. “I grew up in Braemar, in the Highlands of Scotland, in a place where there were no deciduous trees,” he says. “When I was ten, I went to live in the south of England and there was a very beautiful tree outside my bedroom window. It was a walnut, Juglans regia, and that’s how it started.” Over Ithe years, his fascination has grown and he is now the keeper of one of the UK’s National Collections of walnuts at Upton Wold, his Cotswold home, where 18 of the 21 Juglans species and around 180 cultivars are to be found, alongside all eight of the species (comprising another National Collection) of the related Pterocarya genus, commonly known as wingnuts. The arboretum, like the rest of the garden, has been a long time in the making. Ian and his wife Caroline came to Upton Wold in 1973 when there was nothing but a field, a smattering of ancient yews and the most fabulous view over the meadows beyond. Though Ian was already interested in plants (his godfather and guardian was plantsman, politician and photographer Sir Peter Smithers, a renowned breeder of tree peonies and nerines), Caroline admits she “didn’t know a dandelion from a primrose”, and the couple called in Left The tranquil canal garden was designed in 1995 by water garden designer Anthony Archer-Wills and occupies – and cleverly disguises – a sloping bank to the south of the house. The sharp edges of the immaculately trimmed yew hedges contrast well with the four weeping white mulberry trees (Morus alba ‘Pendula’). Below The pleached hornbeam walk was inspired by Caroline’s visits to Hidcote and leads on to the Daisy Lawn and the arboretum – home to Ian’s walnut collection – beyond. The ornate gates were originally black but, when they were being repainted one year, Caroline noticed the white primer stood out so much better, and they have remained white ever since.

landscape designers Brenda Colvin and Hal Moggridge to help with the layout. While Hal and his team set to work with a digger shifting tonnes of earth in order to create the terraces, paths and banks that now form the structure of the space, Caroline started visiting other gardens – especially nearby Hidcote and Kiftsgate Court – to glean ideas that could be transplanted here. She liked the use of garden rooms, a device now used extensively at Upton Wold where sturdy yew hedges conceal, and sometimes reveal, the many different component parts – the herbaceous borders; the perfectly manicured East Lawn; the hidden garden, filled with magnolias and a fine Davidia involucrata; the burgeoning fruit and flower gardens bordered in June with a glorious ribbon of blue Iris germanica, and the wonderfully serene canal garden, designed in 1995 by Anthony Archer-Wills. Hidcote was also the inspiration behind the pleached hornbeam walk, while a visit to Château de la Mormaire in France was the genesis of the towering hornbeam hedge with its Gothic-style ‘windows’ providing glimpses of the Daisy Lawn beyond. Though the garden is just shy of 50 years old now, it seems much older. The dry-stone walls, buttressed hedges and York-stone flags Right Part of the kitchen garden is used as a cutting garden with rows of tulips including T.‘Ballerina’, T.‘Purple Doll’ and T.‘West Point’ surrounding the asparagus bed, edged with willow hurdles to protect against marauding rabbits. Single cherries, including Prunus x yedoensis, combine well with the old lichen- and moss-covered dry-stone walls. Below The walk of Malus ‘John Downie’ was planted in 1976, shortly after Ian and Caroline arrived at Upton Wold, and looks good all year round. In winter the mossy, gnarled branches form an interesting sculptural archway, followed by masses of white blossom in spring, fresh-green foliage in summer, and red and yellow crab apples in autumn. The trees are underplanted with Scilla siberica.

Just shy of 50 years old, the garden seems much older; dry-stone walls, buttressed hedges and York-stone flags complement the handsome 17th-century manor APRIL 2022 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM 45

Blossom, from Cornus mas and delicate white cherries, adds interest to the canopy layer, before crab apples and magnolias add to the crescendo 46 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM APRIL 2022

complement the handsome 17th-century manor and the extraordinarily large Pterocarya fraxinifolia behind the house is often estimated to be around 150 years old, when in fact it was planted only in 1984. The Pterocarya is unusual in its speed of growth, but it highlights what has been for Caroline one of the most interesting facets of the garden. “There was no instant gardening here,” she says. “Everything went in very small and it’s only in the past eight to ten years that the trees have really grown up to show their true structures.” These trees include a number of interesting specimens, not least the Davidia involucrata, whose first three ‘handkerchiefs’ were produced 20 years after planting; an evergreen aromatic Drimys winteri (which Caroline moved three times before it was happy), and a young Emmenopterys henryi, which Caroline doubts she will ever see flower. “Not that I mind,” she says. “I think you plant for the next generation.” That said, one of the joys of a garden is the many things that do flower year after year, especially those that bloom in spring when so much of the garden is still bare. At Upton Wold it is in the wildflower meadow in front of the house where the excitement begins with sheets of snowdrops and winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) giving way to naturalised daffodils Left To the other side of the hornbeam walk at the top of the garden is a white border and a large fruit cage, flanked by a dry-stone wall planted with swathes of Iris germanica – a ribbon of blue in June. An amelanchier and a fine pink Magnolia ‘Star Wars’ combine with Paeonia delavayi further along the border. Below The Emily Young border, named after the sculptor of the work seen here, features a rill inspired by the one at Rousham, which Caroline considers “one of the greatest gardens in the country”. Divided by buttresses of yew, the planting areas feature roses, euphorbias and a wonderful white tree peony, P. x suffruticosa ‘Tsuki-gekai’.

and the chequered bellflowers of snake’s head fritillaries. Blossom, from Cornus mas and delicate white cherries, adds interest to the canopy layer, before crab apples (an arched walk of Malus ‘John Downie’ in the kitchen garden and a line of M. transitoria in the meadow) and magnolias add to the crescendo, joined by countless tulips in the various borders. “The magnolias in particular have given us huge pleasure,” says Caroline.“Everyone said we wouldn’t be able to grow them here because they prefer more acidic soil, but we both thought, well let’s try.” It’s an apt approach for a couple whose family motto is Facta non verba (‘deeds not words’) and whose drive shows no signs of diminishing. Indeed, Ian is still actively on the hunt for his last three remaining Juglans species.“I’ve located a Juglans jamaicensis in Haiti,” he says excitedly,“and I’m in touch with someone who is very kindly making overtures.” n USEFUL INFORMATION Address Northwick Estate, Upton Wold, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 9TR. Web uptonwold.co.uk Open 10 April, 10am-5pm for National Garden Scheme, £14. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am-4pm, from April to October, and by appointment on other days. Below The snake’s head fritillaries (Fritillaria meleagris and F. meleagris var. unicolor subvar. alba) were added to the wildflower meadow in 1980 and are finally establishing after years of being decimated by pheasants. This area leads on to the pond garden which, with its relaxed, naturalistic plantings of hellebores, pulmonarias, rodgersias and gunneras, contrasts well with the more formal gardens elsewhere. Facing page In spring, the wildflower meadow bank in front of the house is a mass of naturalised daffodils including the white Narcissus ‘Mount Hood’ and the yellow N.‘King Alfred’. The trees, two Juglans regia, were planted in 1976, while the large yew tree beyond the hedge was one of the few existing trees when the Bonds arrived.

The excitement begins with snowdrops and winter aconites giving way to naturalised daffodils and the chequered bellflowers of snake’s head fritillaries APRIL 2022 GARDENSILLUSTRATED.COM 49

Stop the spread Clean your bird feeder weekly WILD BIRD NUMBERS GREENFINCHES DOWN ARE IN DECLINE 72 CHAFFINCHES DOWN 68 STOP THE SPREAD OF DISEASE MARTIN HUGHES-GAMES NATURAL HISTORY BROADCASTER AND WRITER (SOU RC E: RS PB BIG GARDEN BI RD WATC H) Finches Friend wild bird “We all want to help I NTERNATIONAL PATENTS PEN DI NG feeders are the only feeder our feathered friends, designed to be cleaned in but may have been minutes – helping to stop the inadvertently spreading spread of disease linked to a killer disease among wild bird decline. them. Finches Friend addresses this problem Learn more at finchesfriend.com head on.”