Plants and news 2026

[charlie]

Despite the recent blowy weather trying to knock them off we are getting our first flowers on our Lonicera calcarata, its super vigorous makes even hilderbrandiana look well behaved!

DSC_0026 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Going to be a good year for Lapageria seed, given I didnt do any hand pollinating I am surprised, especially as winter was a bit rubbish for pollinators.

DSC_0027 by charliepridham, on Flickr

[charlie]

Liz and I have have just been on a short jolly to see Roses at Mottisfont (nearly over) and Moorswood the national collection of rambling roses (Open for the NGS this weekend) looking much better but still at least 2 weeks ahead of normal (as are ours)

On the way home we called in at Pan Global, its been a good few years since I was last there, amazing selection as always although I could do with someone to tell me what half the stuff is! Good to see a proper nursery thriving and Nick was in good form

[AndyC]

Good to see a proper nursery thriving and Nick was in good form

I couldn't agree more. We always try and pop in if we returning from having been up country.

In the garden at the mo.


I must remember to buy a tin of custard.

[charlie]

Spent the morning peace keeping! trying to persuade Lardibazala that the Akebia longiracemosa needs no help in covering that area. I can see a few days with the shedder in the autumn will be required

[AndyC]

Cordyline obtecta 'Superstar'.



I haven't seen many butterfles in the garden this year but those that are here are attracted by it's subtle scent.

Has anyone else noticed how few butterflies seem to be around ?

[charlie]

Earlier on we had the odd peacock but now nothing at all, you would think the sunny weather would be to their liking. when we do get them a clear favourite plant is what was Eupotorium ligustrinium

[MartinNicklin]

Yes this time last year I had seen more butterflies than any had for quite a few years. This year, nothing. Had a few blues in the garden in late spring but the Buddleja is all out all over the place and I haven’t seen anything on it. It’s so disappointing because a Buddleja swarming with butterflies, like used to be the case, brings a garden to life. What have we done to our world!

[charlie]

Been a good year here for the various Abutilons

DSC_0106 by charliepridham, on Flickr

The Schizophragma have also done well except integrifolia which has never flowered particularly well here (and yes I know they have decided that they are all Hydrangea)

Schizophragma Moonlight by charliepridham, on Flickr

and although I know Roses are hardly pushing the borders! but we grow a lot of less common/older varieties of ramblers and they too have been having a good year if a month earlier than normal

Rosa Kew Rambler by charliepridham, on Flickr

[charlie]

The rather lovely Rosa bracteata has recently started flowering

rosa bracteata 015 by charliepridham, on Flickr

does anyone know of a reliable propagation method / timing? I seem to get a very poor strike rate compared with pretty much all the other roses

There is a splendid one at Trellisick

[Chad]

Rosa bracteata is stunning.  Would it grow as a free standing shrub, or does it need the heat of a wall to ripen the wood in Cornwall?

I've done some hunting through the literature.  Softwood in May/June under mist seems to be the most popular.  Autumn hardwood has the caveat 'takes longer to root than most'. Rooting hormone is universally recommended. 

Incidentally, I asked John about callous and no roots as you have been getting on Lonicera calcarata, and checked that with the literature too.  He explains it better.  The literature says 'incising' the callus may help.  John's comment was to 'carve the callous to look like small roots', which I think is the same thing more clearly explained.  The theoretical background is that the irregular surface lets the endogenous growth factors  concentrate [it 'disrupts the gradient'] and encourages true root formation.  A second dip of rooting hormone does not help. 

Chad