Eaglestone Landscape Design

I’ve just discovered this extraordinary carrot, ‘Purple Haze’. The traditional orange remains inside the carrot whilst the amazing purple is seen on the outside. Rich in Vitamin A and antioxidants it is ideal for children to grow as it is so unusual. They are especially sweet when eaten raw in salads.

These carrots closely resemble the original colour of carrots, until the Dutch growers of the 17th century came up with bright orange carrots as a tribute to William I, Prince of Orange. Think I might well try growing this one myself this season.

We all know planting for wildlife and biodiversity is a hot topic at the moment. The idea of plant guilds is not a new concept, being part of permaculture gardening since its beginnings.

It is essentially a technique of planting in combination’s. The plants that you choose will be beneficial to each other and their micro-climate. It is exactly the same notion as the widely known companion planting. Like the forest garden plant guilds take advantage of processes that will take place in the natural world i.e. nitrogen fixation; mycorrhizai fungi; plants that attract insects and birds for natural pest control, and plants that may provide wind and frost protection.

Plant guilds can be constructed from annuals however using perennials is far more productive. Designing a guild will require a lot of thought. Also as your guild matures monitoring it’s progress is crucial. Some plants may become too vigorous overcrowding lesser species or other plants may not be long lasting bringing into question their worth. Getting a balance throughout the seasons is crucial. For example in winter you will want plants that will provide shelter and food for wildlife as well as providing visual interest. These plants will fill the gap as we wait for plants to burst into life in the spring.

Be patient – plant guilds will take time to establish and mature. Also things will need adjustment as you will not succeed in creating a harmonious first time every time.

Everyone should grow rhubarb, its so easy! Rhubarb is a perennial and is one of the first crops to harvest. There are many varieties but the one we most commonly see and eat is the red-stalked rhubarb. As delicious are the green and speckled pink stalked rhubarbs.

Rhubarb, believed to originate from the river banks of Volga in Russia, is extremely nutritional, is cathartic and disturbingly so has been used as a laxative for over 5000 years. The leaves are toxic and so avoid these at all costs.

In warm climates (which ours certainly isn’t) rhubarb can be grown all year round. We however, have been forced to grow it under pots i.e. in darkness and in warmth. This encourages the shoots to search for light subsequently sprouting early. Only in a matter of weeks shoots are ready for harvest. Even rhubarb farmers in this country still have to hand pick it like it was back in the Victorian days.

Cultivating rhubarb is relatively easy. Pick a fertile free-draining site in partial shade. Before planting dig in well rotted manure (organic of course) and plant with the bottom of the plant just below the surface of the soil. Once established rhubarbs do not enjoy being disturbed. Anyway there is no need to do that, just eat it!

Check out www.rhubarb-recipes.com for 150 rhubarb recipes.

Check out this stunning new white Echinacea. It was selected by the legendary Piet Oudolf and offers better performance compared to the older white Echinaceas. Furthermore, it is fragrant and they do not require staking. The flowering period is from mid-summer through to autumn, and with deadheading it will bloom for longer. Leave the dead flower heads as they will provide food for birds throughout winter.

Achieving colour in the garden throughout the autumn months is easier than you think. There are many perennials, shrubs and roses that will provide late colour for enjoyment. Days are shorter bringing with them softer light and colder evenings, however this brings out the best in many flowers and foliage. Below are some examples of late bloomers for you to look into. Firstly we will look at how to extend flowering periods.

Deadheading many perennials, roses and annuals will prolong their flowering periods. Making an effort deadheading is really worth while as you could get a month or more of colour. As well as deadheading, both regular watering (which at the moment is easy with all this rain) and feeding enhances plants (always use an organic feed). Liquid tomato fertiliser (which contains potash in abundance) is ideal for all late bloomers. This will give plants a really good boost to help them get though those cold winter months. Furthermore cutting back weak flimsy stems and seedheads throughout summer and early autumn will also encourage strong growth and extended flowering periods. Here are some of my favourites.

Rudbeckia fulgida – Extremely common herbaceous perennial. Ignoring that fact this is still a beautiful late bloomer, a worthy addition in any planting scheme. The striking golden yellow flowers are prolific stretching from late summer through to early autumn.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’- Many grasses are low maintenance and will last well into the autumn. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ is one my favourites. It is a deciduous clump-forming perennial with an an tall upright form. Silky-hairy spikelets are borne in the autumn.

Aster x frikartii - Upright perennial with profuse long-lasting lavender blue flowerheads. This plant will brighton up any border and is extremely easy to grow.

Hydrangea quercifolia - This plant patently gets its name from the fact that the leaves clearly resemble oak leaves (Quercus). Not only are the leaves stunning in their form but also with their colour in the autumn. The deep red/purple leaves are extremely impressive.

Penstemon – Many Penstemon will continue flowering well into the autumn if looked after throughout the year. Furthermore many are semi-evergreen which is a bonus in a predominately herbaceous border. They produce panicles of tubular bell-shaped flowers in mid-summer through to mid-autumn. Colours range from white to magenta-purple.