ARTHUR PARKINSON
Arthur is a gardener and writer, who co-hosts the Grow, cook, eat, arrange podcast with Sarah Raven @arthurparkinson_
The romance of scattering seeds around the garden and pots is valuable mental child's play for gardeners.
1 Myosotis sylvatica 'Bluesylva' A self-seeding biennial but it is therefore a helpful weed suppressant; the more, the merrier for flower beds that are to be planted with tulip bulbs. I like that once they are over, it's a job of seconds to just pull the old plants out. 20cm x 20xm. AGM*. RHS H6, USDA 3a-8bt.
2 Echium vulgare Starts out its biennial life as a hairy, green, star-fish seedling that can appear from the tiniest of patio cracks. The following year, beginning in late June usually, come the towers of flowers of royal blue set alive by neon, electric-light-like stamens and anthers of pink. 75cm x 50cm. RHS H7, USDA 4a-8b.
3 Linaria maroccana Little Sweeties mixture Germinates like mustard and cress so sow lightly by the pinch. The flowers are like miniature snapdragons, and thrive on little attention, so are ideal seeds to gift to children for them to try. 45cm x 30cm. RHS H5, USDA 4a-9b.
4 Helleborus argutifolius A must-have, late-winter plant with lime-cordial-toned flowers. Does well in places many plants would not cope - in dry and dappled shade among equally thuggish cottage garden perennials, and directly under trees. 50cm x 90cm. AGM. RHS H5, USDA 6a-8b.
5 Foeniculum vulgare I'd be happy to reach old age and have an entire garden all a-fizz with fennel. For a more cultivated charm, 'Purpureum' with its brown ostrichlike foliage is a favourite froth of welcome clumping in my garden. 1.8m x 45cm. RHS H5, USDA 4a-9b.
Bu hikaye Gardens Illustrated dergisinin April 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Gardens Illustrated dergisinin April 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
LAZY DAYS
Alice Vincent has had a hectic 2023, but for next year she's come up with a cunning plan to give herself more time and reduce her carbon footprint
SCULPTING THE LANDSCAPE
Charlotte Rowe's elegant design for a country garden in Hampshire fuses modern and traditional styles and captures the Zeitgeist for naturalism with a contemporary edge
Flavour of the seasons
Smallholder and former chef Julius Roberts suggests three easy, warming recipes for a winter feast with seasonal produce
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
There is a biodiversity loss crisis, but research into the wildlife found in gardens has made it clear just how important these spaces are as habitat. Discover how much you can learn, and gain, by identifying and documenting what you find beyond your back door
YOUNG AT HEART
The garden of the late, great landscape architect Jacques Wirtz, which is more than 50 years old, is now being renewed by his children
Festive flourishes
Entertain in style this Christmas with ideas for natural decorations from Swallows & Damsons
LUKE SENIOR
A former Ruth Borun scholar at Great Dixter, Luke is now one of the garden's full time gardeners
Change of view
Designer Katie Guillebaud updated the Cotswolds garden of a garden photographer to make it picture perfect all winter
DIGGING THE DIRT
As Ken Thompson explains, the key to a good soil lies both in its structure and in the life it sustains. But is any of it improved by digging?
Forward thinking
When your front garden offers a better aspect than your back garden, it makes sense to make this your primary space