IN THE GARDEN
A new twist on an old favourite coneflower, with numerous fragrant clusters of finely quilled, light-yellow petals, surrounding brown central cones above strong, upright clumps of scented foliage.
A great plant for the back of the border where it reaches 1.2m (3’11”) in height. Plant in sun or partial shade and moist but well drained soil.
A compact and bushy Michaelmas daisy that carries huge, loosely branched sprays of small, purple-pink flowers right into mid-November. Butterflies love it and can often be seen on the flowers late in the season. H 90cm (2’11”), S 30cm (12”).
An architectural, low-domed shrub with glossy evergreen, ribbed leaves and red petioles. It has white flowers followed by metallic blue berries on female plants in winter.
Plant in light shade and moist soil where it will continue to look good throughout the year. A really beautiful addition to the garden when covered in frost. H 1.2m (3’11”), S 1m (3’3”).
This clump-forming Silvergrass is both graceful and architectural and well worth growing in the garden: many have eye-catching flower heads and superb autumn colour; some make a real statement in the border with their broad leaves and statuesque form, while others are more elegant and petite.
It prefers full sun and well-drained soil but is tolerant of light shade, although perhaps not flowering as well.
This large conical shrub or small tree has brilliant autumn colour when the leaves turn a bronzed purple-red. Red fruits with protruding seeds that have an orange fleshy seed coat appear in late autumn, brightening up the garden. Plant it in any well drained soil in full sun or light shade. H 3m (9’10”), S 3m (9’10”).
This Siberian dogwood is a great plant, often used to negative effect on roundabouts and road verges. Properly maintained, it provides bright-scarlet stems in winter. Clusters of ivory-white berries appear in autumn and contrast beautifully with the last of the autumn coloured leaves still on the plant. Coppice in April. H 1.4m (4’6”), S 2m (6’6”).
Plants at Quercus Garden Plants are propagated and grown, peat-free, at 850 feet (259m) and stay outdoors all year, so are tough and acclimatised to Scottish growing conditions. Most of them can be seen growing in wildlife and environmentally friendly, inspiring demonstration gardens.
You can hear Rona talk more about cultivating tough plants for Scottish gardens on the Scotland Grows Show.
Quercus Garden Plants is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am-5pm from March until the end of October at Whitmuir Farm, Lamancha, EH46 7BB.
