Winter Berries
I don't generally approve of plants in houses - they never look quite comfortable, not in my home, at least. I've been lucky enough to travel to places where Ficus benjamina are the size of oak trees and Monstera deliciosa are climbing towards a forest canopy. For me it just doesn't feel right to grow them next to the TV.
But it's a plantaholic's prerogative to change their mind. So I must confess I was secretly delighted to discover at Tatton what could become my ideal houseplant.
The Hawaiian palm (brighamia) is not so much a jungle escapee desperately pining for the rainforest - it's more of an endangered species in need of fostering. Raised from seed by Dutch nursery Plant Planet, these beautiful plants can be grown happily in your living room. And as there are only seven specimens left in the wild, the IUCN is desperate to bring attention to them.
That's a pretty good reason to grow one. They need little watering and have the added bonus of flowering in deepest, darkest winter. I think I have the perfect spot in mind.
Camilla Phelps, Gardening Editor
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beetography
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Asim Shah posted a photo:
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beetography
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This year's Tatton soundtrack might have to include: It only happens when it rains, raindrops keep falling on my head, singing in the rain... I could go on, so please let me know if you have any less clichéd suggestions. But, there's no getting away from it, the weather for the build up has been truly appalling. It's been a challenge for the show organisers, garden designers, nursery folk and TV crews alike. High-vis jacket-wearing was extended the full duration of press day yesterday as conditions got muddier.
But against such odds, they have all delivered a fantastic flower show, sunshine bright with colour. And somehow, against the wet, slate-coloured skies, the plants of high summer seem all the more vibrant. From show gardens to nursery stands, the stars of the show are easily gem-like crocosmias in a glorious range of orange shades from tangerine to gold; flat heads of raspberry ripple achilleas are also stand out performers.
But my favourite plant combination today was the gorgeously delicate Agrostis nebulosa with Astrantia 'Roma' - a fuzzy cloud of bronze grass with jewel-like blooms just peeping through, unfazed by the downpours, raindrops glistening prettily as the sun re-emerged.
Camilla Phelps, Gardening Editor
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