Part 3: Grow something different

IT’S certainly been a better start to the New Year than it has been for the past two years. No snow, the temperatures are still above what they should be and plants are still growing and flowering unseasonably early.

Trachycarpus wagnerianus

This is the final part in our short series highlighting a few of the more unusual and exciting plants that are worth growing in our gardens. All are easy to grow and all a little bit different. Here’s the last four;

1.Trochodendron aralioides – Cart Wheel Tree

This is a really elegant shrub/small tree that originates from Korea, Japan and Taiwan. It has handsome, glossy, evergreen leaves and unusual green flowers. Trochodendrons are great plants for awkward places as they are just as happy in dappled shade as they are in full sun. Preferring neutral to slightly acid soil, they will eventually reach a height of about 10 metres but can be clipped to restrict the growth. There’s a really great specimen growing at Great Dixter.

2. Jubaea chilensis – Wine palm

If you fancy growing a hardy palm then try Jubaea chilensis; hardy down to an incredible -15 degrees C. This is a handsome, slow growing palm that is threatened in the wild due to the tree being harvested to make wine from the sap. Grow in well drained fertile soil in full sun and protect with fleece in particularly cold winters.

3. Rhapidophyllum hystrix – Needle palm

For another truly hardy palm, try growing Rhapidophyllum hystrix, hardy to -20 degrees C and some say even -29 degrees C.  This really is the ultimate tough palm for the UK. It’s a clump forming palm reaching 1.5 to 2 metres in height, with a similar spread. Originating from coastal swampy areas in South Eastern USA, it’s quite surprising just how hardy the needle palm is.

4. Trachycarpus wagnerianus – Miniature Chusan palm

Jubaea chilensis - hardy to minus 15 Celcius

Another super palm for the UK originating from the foothills of the Himalayas. Hardy to -20 degrees C, this palm is relatively fast growing, producing a trunk covered in course, brown fibre. Large hand shaped leaves radiate out on long, tough stems. A favourite in Europe where it has proved to be tougher than its cousin Trachycarpus fortuneii. It’s also more elegant with nicer, neater leaves that don’t get damaged by the wind as much. This could be the next big thing in hardy palms and if you want to make a statement in your garden then this is the one to get. Better still, get two.

These are all really great plants to try and are quite widely available from larger garden centres, online suppliers or specialist nurseries so there’s no excuse not to ‘grow something different’.

For January gardening jobs check out our website: www.woolcottandsmith.com.

Chelsea Chat

I’m not sure that it’s sunk in yet that we are doing another garden at Chelsea this year. Just five and a bit months to go before the garden is judged, and it’s making us feel a bit sick at the thought of it. That’s normal, if we weren’t anxious then there’s something wrong.

We are deep into the planning stage at the moment and we have already ordered the vast majority of plants that we need. We have found some lovely Southern Marsh Orchids from a specialist in Lancashire who is growing them for us. I must admit this was our biggest worry as I didn’t think we would be able to find them. We’ve also reserved some fantastic dog roses and got most of our trees sorted. I’m particularly pleased with the sweet chestnut, it’s a great looking specimen.

Until next time, onwards and upwards, more things to organise.