From Tuesday 4th May to Sunday the 9th The Lost Gardens of Heligan will be putting on a display of its National Collection of pre-1920 Camellias & Rhododendrons. The display details the adventures of significant Victorian Plant Hunters and reveals the extraordinary stories behind some of the plants that bloom across Heligan’s gardens and estate.
This months pick of the Independent Nurseries
Camellias are just coming into prime flowering season, so it is the perfect time to go and choose one for your garden. Coghurst Camellias is a specialist grower, between Hastings and Rye in East Sussex, with a wonderful range of camellias to choose from. They have plants in a range of sizes, depending how impatient you are, and at this time of year they are all in polytunnels so that the flowers will not be spoiled by extreme weather. My favourite purchase from them has been ‘Quintessence’ a slow growing spreading variety with wonderful fragrant flowers. www.rotherview.com
The first crocus tomassinianus are in flower today but I will resist photographing them until there’s a more impressive display. Hellebore buds are breaking through the leaf litter, camellias are on the point of bursting into flower and one way and another there’s more than a hint of spring in the air.
Buds are fattening up nicely on the camellias
Beautifully patterned cyclamen leaves emerge from the leaf litter
Despite the approach of winter Zantedeschia (Arum lilies) always get a growth spurt at this time of year
The mimosa tree is covered in flower buds right now but they will wait until February to open
The myrtle is covered with blue-black fruit – they can be used (moderately) as a flavouring.
