Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2011/January 2012 | Page 84

Gardening with Tina Hughes Tina trained as a professional gardener after leaving school and spent a summer working in Tuscany as an English Gardener. She has a National Diploma in Horticulture. After the jolly riot of summer, the somber colours and subtle shades of winter bring new ways to enjoy our gardens. Fading seed and flower heads of plants such as Agapanthus, Cardoons, Hydrangeas and ornamental grasses look wonderful rimmed with morning frost in late autumn and the early weeks of winter, if you can resist the temptation to tidy everything up. The hollow stems and curled leaves offer refuges for many beneficial insects to over-winter and these and the seed heads provide food for foraging birds. Plants that bloom in the winter are another source of delight, winter aconites Eranthis hyemalis are great for brightening up a dull area under a deciduous tree or shrub, they can be a challenge to get growing but I have found that soaking the tubers for a short time until they are nice and plump before planting really helps. Hardy cyclamen C.coum are useful for naturalizing, the elegant marbled foliage is particularly attractive and the flowers appear continually throughout the winter in shades of pink and white. When they are established they will self seed happily, I have seen them recently growing thickly along a flight of stone steps which made it possible to enjoy the intricate details of the leaves and flowers at eye level. Winter flowering shrubs are often overlooked because they can be rather dull during the summer, but if you have the space they can be rather a special addition as many are beautifully fragrant. There are more varieties than you might expect, If you have a question, need some advice or even a suggestion for an article then please email: [email protected] Mahonina, Daphne odorata and Cornus mas to name a few. One my personal favourite is V x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ with clusters of pink flowers on the bare branches, lovely against a bright blue winter sky. Shrubby honeysuckles Lonicera x purpusii do not climb but give off the same delicious scent from miniscule flowers. One of the best ways to enjoy these shrubs is to pick a few twigs before they have come into flower and bring them indoors. As a finale to this collection of winter beauties you could add the evergreen clematis C.cirrhosa ‘Balearica’ on a south or west facing wall where you can enjoy the attractive fern like glossy leaves and the fragrant, creamy red speckled flowers. gardening gardening gardening JRR FENCING Ltd STEVE CAWTHORN STEPHEN PEACHEY We specialise in agricultural, equestrian and garden fencing, gates, railings, decking and stable matting. Domestic & commercial work undertaken. Free estimates. All our work is guaranteed. Please feel free to call us for further advice. A beautiful garden. It's your dream and my profession. Whether you have a small town garden or a countryside acre, I will endeavour to create a garden you will cherish and be proud of. Due to recent relocation, I can now offer my considerable experience and expertise to Isle of Wight residents. All you will need for your garden, from Stihl power tools to Viking Lawn Mowers, down to secateurs, gloves and protective clothing. Large stock held and good deals to be had, call into my showroom to see whats on offer. The Island's Approved Main Agent for Sthil and Viking Sales - Servicing and Spares. Est 1994. Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone] www.jrr-fencing.co.uk 84 HAVE A QUESTION? www.visitislandlife.com Please contact me to discuss your particular requirements. Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone] Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone] Highwood Farm, Main Road, Rookley, IW