RHS Garden Bridgewater by The Royal Horticultural Society

Author:The Royal Horticultural Society
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Published: 2022-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

The soft billowing mounds of frothy flower spikes on the ornamental grasses look glorious in the early evening sun.

Hydrangea aspera ‘Peter Chappell’ is a beautiful shrub with dark green leaves, sometimes appearing almost grey, and producing pale mauve lacecap blooms in midsummer. Plants grow to around 2m/7ft high and thrive in fertile soil and with slight shade – think of a woodland setting with a thick natural mulch of leaves retaining moisture in the soil. In such conditions this hydrangea will grow for years. The leaves will drop in autumn, and late hard frosts in spring may nip at the fresh growth, but plants are tough and hardy. At RHS Garden Bridgewater ‘Peter Chappell’ grows against the gentle protection of a wall in the Paradise Garden. Pruning is easy: in spring remove only overly long stems or any that have died. Otherwise it’s a case of finding the correct location, planting it and standing back and enjoying the display year after year.

Red barrenwort (Epimedium × rubrum) is one of the most undervalued plants grown in the UK. It’s tough, is quite happy growing near or beneath trees, and all it requires is a partially shaded site and some moisture in the soil. It is deciduous but occasionally holds on to leaves throughout winter until new growth emerges in spring. The young leaves are tinted with red, and in autumn the whole plant colours up beautifully. Bowl-shaped, crimson flowers, 2cm/¾in wide, with creamy yellow spurs appear in mid-spring. Red barrenwort spreads by means of rhizomes, and these can be used to propagate new plants. In autumn simply ease out an established clump and tear off new rhizome sections complete with shoots and roots. Once replanted nearby, they will soon merge with the parent, producing vigorous displays. One plant will reach around 30cm/12in high, with a similar spread.

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