Winter into Spring Plants: Our November Evening Talk

For our November meeting,  Julie Ritchie from Hoo House Nursery entertained us with a walk-through of a fine variety of plants which give colour and interest throughout the winter months. This was another well-attended meeting of our group, with newly-joined members coming for the first time.

Here is a summary of the plant types which Julie presented. Details of these and many more are available on the Hoo House Nursery website.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemum “Goldengreenheart”

Included in this group was Chrysanthemum “Goldengreenheart with its bronze-yellow semi-double flowers up to 80cm (32in) from October to December and can grow to 60cm (24in) wide. “Goldengreenheart” is happy in most good garden soils in the sun. It is a fine, reliable plant with excellent weatherproof blooms.

Grasses

Miscanthus sinensis “Kleine Silberspirme”

Among the selection of grasses, we looked at Miscanthus sinensis “Kleine Silberspirme”. When in bloom, this has dusky rose flowers up to 120cm (48in) from August to October and growing 100cm (40in) wide. “Kleine Silberspirme” is happy in most good garden soils ( and including clay) in the sun. The name means “Little Silver Spider”, and all Miscanthus look good right through the winter, but they should be cut back to ground level in early spring.

Sedges

Carex oshimensis “Evergold”

We learned abut several varieties of sedge, and among these was Carex oshimensis “Evergold”, which has creamy green flowers up to 30cm (12in) from June to July and growing 45cm (18in) wide. “Evergold” is good in most garden soils in sunshine or light shade. Ornamental cultivars, such as this, were selected long ago by Japanese gardeners, and are attractive all year round. Included in the list of sedges were Carex oshimensis “Everest”, Carex oshimensis “Everillo” and Carex brunnea “Variegata”.

Ferns

Polypodium vulgare
Polystichum polyblepharum
Polystichum setiferum Divisilobum

“Polypodium vulgare” – this fern has dark green, wintergreen foliage up to 45cm (18in) and growing 60cm (24in) wide. It is a native fern, happy in most garden soils in shade, and so is highly adaptable and tolerant. It can even thrive in dry shade once established. “Polypodium vulgare” is evergreen, but new growth can emerge quite late in spring.

“Polystichum polyblepharum” – This fern has glossy dark green wintergreen leaves up to 60cm (24in) and growing 60cm (24in) wide. Again, it is happy in most garden soils in shade. Also known as “Japanese tassel fern”. it grows naturally in open woodland and damp grassland in Japan, China and Korea. In spring the new shoots appear with ginger scales, and then the tasseled fronds unfurl to form very dark green and glossy clumps.

Anther fern included was “Polystichum setiferum Divisilobum”, another wintergreen happy in most soils and shade.

Heucheras

Tiarella “Iron Butterfly”

Among the Heucheras were included Heuchera “Sugar Plum” and Heuchera “Venus”, and related to these is Tiarella “Iron Butterfly”, which has white flowers, pink in bud up to 40cm (16in) from April to July and growing 30cm (12in) wide. Again included in the presentation because it is happy in most good, ( but not not dry) soils in light shade. Also known as “Foamflower”, Tiarella “Iron Butterfly” has is an exceptionally good winter plant with highly decorative foliage. It is particularly good for underplanting shrubs and trees or in pots and tubs in shady situations.

More Plants for Good Winter Foliage

Arum italicum “Marmoratum”
Arum italicum “Marmoratum”with Berries

Another idea for exceptional winter foliage is Arum italicum “Marmoratum”. This has Pale green flowers up to 30cm (12in) from April to May and growing 45cm (18in) wide. It is happy in most garden soils in shade. The winter foliage has leaves which are good for floral arrangements. It copes with even dry shady corners but leaves get really large with moisture.

Birds loves the berries but may spread unwanted seedlings this way. Arum italicum “Marmoratum” is summer dormant. Other plants in this group are Arum “Chameleon” and Arum pictum

More Evergreens

Iris unguicularis “Mary Barnard”

Of particular note for flowering throughout winter months is Iris unguicularis “Mary Barnard”. This has rich violet-blue flowers up to 40cm (16in) from November to March and growing 60cm (24in) wide. Iris unguicularis prefers well drained soil in full sun. The flowers are particularly profuse during mild winter periods. Best maintenance includes pruning or cutting down old growth at the end of flowering in March.

Cyclamens – Good Drainage Needed

Cyclamen coum – magenta

Among the half-dozen or so Cyclamens discussed, we saw Cyclamen coum – magenta, with its magenta pink flowers up to 7cm (3in) from December to March and growing 12cm (5in) wide. This cyclamen prefers well drained soil in shade. It is a delightful winter flowering plant. It is one of the hardiest and easiest species, seeding themselves around freely in the garden once established. Among other plants in this group are Cyclamen hederifolium, Cyclamen coum “Tile Barn Elizabeth” and Cyclamen coum & Galanthus “Atkinsii”

Snowdrops

Galanthus “S Arnott”
Galanthus “Wendy”s Gold”

Again, we saw up to half a dozen fine varieties of Snowdrop, including a favourite – Galanthus “S Arnott” which has white flowers up to 15cm (6in) from February to March and growing 10cm (4in) wide. Galanthus “S Arnott” is happy in most garden soils in sun or light shade. It is named after the Scottish galanthophile, Samuel Arnott, and it can be seen naturalised in drifts at Colesbourne near Cheltenha. It has striking, classic proportions and a wonderful honey scent.

Also particularly striking in this group was Galanthus “Wendy”s Gold”. This has white flowers with gold inner up to 20cm (8in) from February to March and growing 10cm (4in) wide. It can take a little more time to establish the clump but well worth the wait.

Aconites

“Eranthis hyemalis”

In this group was included “Eranthis hyemalis” flowering from February to March with its bright yellow flowers up to 10cm (4in) and growing 10cm (4in) wide. “Eranthis hyemalis” is happy in most garden soils in sun or light shade. Equally good in grass or borders, naturalising quickly if planted in the green (i.e. not dry bulbs). In grass, they can be mown off when the foliage turns yellow. All requiring good drainage, other Aconites we saw were Eranthis hyemalis “Fiore Pleno” and Eranthis hyemalis “Tubergenii Group”

Hellebores

Helleborus x hybridus”

“Helleborus niger”, interestingly-named “Helleborus x ericsmithii” and “Helleborus Penny”s Pink” were among the many Hellebores we looked at, and in particular the many varieties of “Helleborus x hybridus”.

Some of these are illustrated here.

These can have red, pink, white or yellow flowers up to 60cm (24in) from February-April and growing 60cm (24in) wide. Happy in most soils in sun or light shade.

As a precaution against the spread of blackspot disease, it is advisable to remove all of the old foliage in November. A generous mulch does the world of good.

Epimediums

Epimedium grandiflorum “Crimson Beauty”
“Epimedium x warleyense”

“Epimedium x warleyense” have copper-orange flowers up to 50cm (20in) from April to May and growing 75cm (30in) wide. Happy in most garden soils in shade. The beautiful leaves are robust through the winter, but remove them in February to let the first flowers display to their best. In autumn the leaves take on a bronze hue.


Others in this group are Epimedium grandiflorum “Crimson Beauty” and Epimedium x versicolor “Sulphureum”

Anemones

Anemone nemorosa “Vestal”
Lathyrus vemus”

In this group was Anemone nemorosa “Vestal” which has white double flowers up to 15cm (6in) from March to April and growing 30cm (12in) wide. This Anemone refers humus rich soil in light shade.
It has the beautiful double form of the native “wood anemone” or “windflower”. It will increase in good conditions and associates well with small spring bulbs and forms of Lathyrus vernus.

Also included was “Lathyrus vemus” which has purple-blue flowers up to 30cm (12in) from April to May and growing 45cm (18in) wide. Happy in most soils in sun or light shade. It is a tough, bushy, early perennial that associates well with spring bulbs and hellebores.

Oxlips and Cowslips

“Primula elatior”
Primula veris

“Primula elatior” is a herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennial plant growing to 30 cm (12 in) tall by 25 cm (10 in) broad, with a rosette of leaves 5–15 cm long and 2–6 cm broad. It produces light yellow flowers in spring, in clusters of 10-30 together on a single stem 10–30 cm (4–12 in) tall, each flower 9–15 mm broad.

It can be confused with the closely related cowslip (“Primula veris”), which has a similar general appearance, although “Primula veris” has smaller, bell-shaped, bright yellow flowers (and red dots inside the flower), and a corolla tube without folds. The leaves of Primula veris are more spade-shaped than “Primula elatior”.

Bergenias

Bergenia “Bressingham White”

Known as “Elephant ears” , Bergenias have large, crinkle-edged, robust, polished-leather-looking leaves. Included in this group was Bergenia “Bressingham White, with flowers up to 40cm (16in) from April to May and growing 60cm (24in) wide.

Happy in most garden soils in light shade. “Elephant’s Ears” are of course evergreen plants, the foliage, possibly tinged burgundy in the winter, looks good for the whole year.

Lungworts

Pulmonaria “Blue Ensign” 

Among the Lunworts are Pulmonaria “Blue Ensign” which have bright blue flowers up to 30cm (12in) from March to April and growing 45cm (18in) wide. Happy in most soils, except dry, in shade. This is one of the earliest “lungworts” to flower, displaying the richest blue of any garden plant. Plants may die back in hot dry summers, but will soon recover as the weather turns cooler and moister.

Also included in this group are Pulmonaria “Trevi Fountain”, Pulmonaria “Lewis Palmer”, Pulmonaria saccharata “Leopard” and Pulmonaria “Diana Clare”

Brunnera

Brunnera macrophylla “Jack Frost”
Hacquetia epipactis “Thor”

Brunnera are some of the prettiest plants to include in the shady garden. Commonly called false forget-me-not, included in this group is Brunnera macrophylla “Jack Frost”, and Brunnera macrophylla “Betty Bowring”. This latter has blue flowers up to 45cm (18in) from March to June and growing 60cm (24in) wide. Happy in most garden soils in shade.
Often will self-seed and appear around the garden in other places. Makes for an attractive and versatile groundcover, particularly under shrubs.

Also good for ground cover are the neat, small Hacquetia epipactis “Thor” with its yellow flowers up to 15cm (6in) from February to April growing 20cm (8in) wide. This one prefers retentive woodland soil in shade. It is a rare variegated form of this charming woodlander. It is slow growing but worth a spot in a shady corner where the foliage will provide interest.

Furry “Pasque ” Flowers

“Pulsatilla vulgaris”

In this group were included “Pulsatilla vulgaris” which has purple flowers up to 25cm (10in) from April to May and growing 20cm (8in) wide. Prefers well drained soil in full sun. “Pasque Flower” is a rare native plant that has had many herbal and medical uses such as an antiseptic for skin infections including boils and acne. Always a favourite and, although uncommon, a large colony grows in Barnsley Warren near Cirencester.

Wallflowers

Erysimum “Parrish”s”

In this group we saw Erysimum “Parrish”s” with its red to purple flowers up to 60cm (24in) from April to July and growing 60cm (24in) wide. Prefers well drained soil in sun. Named after the originator by Hannay”s Nursery near Bath. Best in less fertile soils. Unusually for a “perennial wallflower” it will shoot from older wood. It is important to trim old flower stems down to keep good shape. Also in this group were Erysimum “Sunburst” and Erysimum “Apricot Twist”

… and finally Daffodils

Narcissus “Jack Snipe”

This group included Narcissus “Jack Snipe” – a distinct variety of dwarf daffodil that is an especially hardy and striking. The bold golden-yellow cup is delicately frilled. Narcissus “Jack Snipe” is a beautiful variety that’s very free flowering and suitable for pots, containers or the border, in gardens both big and small. Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit, its outstanding and reliable performance has made Jack Snipe a popular choice amongst British gardeners.

Text and images for this review include notes from the Hoo House website. Read more about Hoo House Nurseries here.