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.
hooligans
Garden
Some years ago I bought a new plant
from a garden show. It was a day I
won't forget; total strangers were
virtually rugby tackling me, warning
me of the perils of introducing this
new treasure into my garden. A few
were almost crying. The plant in
question was a Anemone x hybrida the
Japanese anemone, Honorine Jobert I
think. I was aware of its invasive habit,
and was prepared to take a chance with
it taking over the border.
All sorts of trouble can start from
growing a plant with a pioneering
nature and no respect for boundaries,
Japanese knotweed for example. By the
time you realise what's happening it’s
sometimes too late.
I did make the mistake of planting
the striking hardy perennial Macleaya
microcarpa, the plume poppy in my
garden. It marched boldly around
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popping up in the most unsuitable
places, and took me three years of
determined effort and swearing to
get rid of. Even small plants can be
described as rampers that cheerfully
take over. 'Give them an inch and
they'll take over the yard' describes
the Tiggerish periwinkle Vinca major
to a tee, relegate it to the worst patch
of soil, chop it down ruthlessly and
it will still bounce around the garden
smothering anything in it's path.
In the right place the uncouth
behaviour of these plants can be used
effectively. Areas of a garden with
poor soil, awkward banks or dry shade
under trees or hedges can benefit from
using these tough specimens to help
smother weeds and provide something
more interesting to look at. What of
the Japanese anemone? It would not
grow, and disappeared without a trace.
TINA'S TIPS
• Water strawberries, raspberries
and other soft fruit in dry spells to
ensure a good crop.
• Watch out for gooseberry sawfly
hatching now. Treat by picking
off or spraying with a suitable
pesticide.
• Garlic planted in the autumn
should be ready for harvesting
now. Allow to dry before storing.
HAVE A QUESTION?
If you have a question, need some
advice or even a suggestion for an
article then please email:
[email protected]