Gardening For You

As small trees go, the Japanese maple is a winner, offering intricately shaped, colourful foliage and luminous autumn tints as well as clusters of small purplish red flowers and winged seeds. These elegant Orientals grow well in containers and can transform a small plot. However, while not exactly difficult to grow, they do need some understanding. Being fussy about picking the right spot for them can make the difference between a thriving, long-lived tree and a poor specimen that’s constantly at risk of die-back. There are two species commonly known as ‘Japanese maples’ but we will put A. japonicum to one side and concentrate here on A. palmatum. This variable, somewhat rounded tree reaches up to 20ft (6m) high in cultivation but it can be twice this in the wild. Leaves are lobed into five or seven sections and can be intricately subdivided and almost fern-like, or coloured orange, gold or red throughout the growing season. The Japanese have enjoyed this and its many vari...

They smell delicious and flower for weeks. Pinks should definitely be on your summer wish-list. FEW things encapsulate the smell of the English garden better than pinks (latin name Dianthus). On still, summer days the rich clove scent of their flowers is unleashed by the warmth, and hangs heady upon the air. In the ancient world Dianthus were highly regarded. The word comes from the Greek dios (divine) and anthos (flower); and the Romans and the Greeks made drink, food, medicine and perfume with their petals. These days, the plant group Dianthus encompasses florists’ carnations (D. caryophyllus), sweet williams (D. barbatus) and pinks (D. plumarius). The modern garden pinks that we treasure for their flower power and fragrance are largely descendants of D. plumarius crossed with the perpetual blooming carnation. Much-loved old garden pinks, such as ‘Doris’ and ‘Mrs Sinkins’ are traditionally planted in cottage gardens in front of small shrub roses. They shine where the scent ...