Amelanchiers
The fact that the redoubtable sycamore is a member of this noble clan may prove a cause for reflection amongst the more sober-minded gardeners. However, contained in this genus are some of the loveliest moderate-sized trees for foliage it is possible to cultivate.
Vines
The ornamental vines have for a long time been favourites of mine. Their leaves turn the most thought-provoking colours in the autumn from rose to deep wine purple. All leaves have a characteristic fragrance; those of the vine are positively alcoholic.
Camellia
Sooner or later the beginner is tempted by the very romance of the name to plant a representative of this genus. I succumbed some 20 years ago, and long since transferred my allegiance to rhododendrons as easily the best flowering evergreens.
Growing Herbs in Your Garden
These shrubs share with heathers their antipathy to an alkaline soil. They do, however, make splendid ground cover in shade for given a cool peaty soil they quickly colonise the available space with spreading underground stems. Gaultheria miqueliana from North America runs up the peat walls, hugging the ground with intimate affection. The white or pink, berries are conspicuous for only a brief period, due I believe to scrumping mice.
Clethra
Clethra alnifolia should be more widely grown. It is not fastidious except in the question of soil which must be free of any hint of lime. It associates contentedly with rhododendrons and in September, as the pulse of the garden slows, the cream-white spiked trusses open and fill the air for some distance with a delicate fragrance.
Alpina and Montana Hybrids
Clematis macropetala species with large violet semi-double blooms, was her favourite and it was always grown through a wisteria which flowered at the same time. C. montana is the robust, independent, ‘go out and conquer the world’ member of the clan, growing well in any position. I have seen it on walls, potting sheds, thatched cottages, Scots Pine, apple trees, even a ruined church. I grow the white form granditiora , the rose-purple flowered, bronze-leaved rubens and the pearl- pink, sweetly fragrant Elizabeth. All flower in May and some years a small second crop appears rather apologetically in August.
Garrya
The form of L. japonica known as aureoreticulata has proved more resilient in my line of a millstone grit boulder in the rock garden. L. periclymenum is the woodbine and its variety belgica makes the perfect company planting. The first crop of yellow-flushed dark red flowers opens early in June to be followed in September by a late indulgence of the same quality if not the quantity. Softwood cuttings in July root rapidly in the sand frame. To prune shorten back the side shoots to 4 buds after flowering in September.
Actinidia
Glorious in flower, on occasions regally temperamental, this richly endowed genus must surely lay strong claim to contain the most beautiful climbers ever to grace our gardens. As I stand each spring under a 30-ft. high hawthorn through which has intertwined a Clematis montana Elizabeth I would be the last to disagree. The white of the hawthorn and pink of the clematis intermingle to make the complete floral curtain.
Gardening Information
For several years I had the greatest difficulty in persuading Kalmia latifolia to grow until, more by accident than anything else, I underplanted it with Mahonia aquifolium. The kalmia grows and flowers above a blanket of dark green leaves.
Tips on Garden Training
My own views on the correct season for planting open-ground-raised shrubs fluctuate with the weather. In a wet season I have successfully moved rhododendrons, junipers, and laurel in June and July. However, pinned down to a single season I would settle: for early spring. Winters on my exposed garden can be brutal in the extreme and linked with a cold wet clay soil the shock is too much for all but the most robust genera. I prefer to let .the nurseryman carry my charges through the worst months, then as the soil warms give me the responsibility.