My Climate Change Garden

As promised here are a few excellent plant ideas for architectural interest in your winter garden. All of the following will retain their leaves throughout the year and have been suggested by Angus White who has a deep passion for this type of plant .His nursery in Horsham, West Sussex stocks hundreds of Architectural Plants but I managed to narrow him down to his favourite 6 for versatility and impact.We both hope that the following might inspire you to explore more interesting and “brighter green” plants rather than the traditional evergreen shrubs usually found in UK winter gardens.

In the next few days, I will reveal plants that withstand any condition in celebration of the huge range of weather conditions that the UK has experienced over the past few months.October/November saw exceptionally mild temperatures of around 11-14c in the South East followed by absolutely freezing conditions over the past week with temperatures down to -4c in some rural locations.

First choice is a delightful long leaved plant with a gorgeous emerald green colour called HEBE PARVIFLORA ANGUSTIFOLIA

Apparently this plant is not named after Angus, although I reckon it has the same versatility and long-lasting qualities as it bears the strap line of:

IF YOU KILL THIS, GIVE UP GARDENING.

These plants are ideal for screening if planted together as can grow up to 6ft .They bear attractive small flowers in Autumn and Angus describes them as “simply the most useful and one of the prettiest plants in the nursery. Happy anywhere – including dry shade where nothing else will grow.”

http://www.architecturalplants.com/plant.html?code=HPAC