Salix myrsinifolia

We catalogue Salix myrsinifolia as ‘to order only’ because nobody buys it if we grow it on spec. However this is a shame as it is the best of the willows for black stems in the winter – they are glossy and truly black; it would look stunning with a golden willow or Cornus stolonifera Flaviramea. If you want to try some let us know soon as this is the time for us to propagate them.

Datisca cannabina

We first grew Datisca cannabina for the fun of it (because it is vaguely cannabis like) but “hardy planters” rate it as a fine foliage plant for the back of a bed (it grows to 2m). It is hardy and entirely deciduous.

Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum

Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum is a beautiful grass but it is no use pretending that it is anything other than difficult to overwinter in this country. It has traditionally been grown from divisions imported form warmer climes but this year we are experimenting with seedlings (also imported), which will be available as liners in early June. It doesn’t leave a very long selling season, but they do sell on sight. These are not on the availability list yet, but I would prefer to sell them in advance so that there is no delay in shipping them out.

New Availability List

A updated Availability list is ready.
A new Availability list is done. Go to www.jackdawsfield.co.uk to Download it or e-mail nick@jackdawsfield.co.uk and ask to be sent one automatically as soon as a new list is done each week.

Bearded Irises

In our pricing review this year we reduced the price of bearded irises (I. germanica) and coupled with a better balance of varieties,. in terms of the range of colour, our offering is much more attractive. Although some will flower in 9cm pots they are difficult to handle like this, so if you want them for show selling you need to plan ahead by one year and have show plants flowering in larger pots. If you are simply growing them on for sale they are best in full sun and should flower next year. We have a complete list of descriptions available and pictures of most varieties.

Hoheria sexstylosa ‘Crataegifolia’

Hoheria sexstylosa ‘Crataegifolia’ is a (clumsily named) juvenile form of the species with small, dark green, toothed leaves. Its growth is vigorous and upright, making an attractive foliage plant, which is happy to be trimmed. I do not know if it will ever mature into the adult flowering form, the books imply that it does not, but are not too specific.

Ugni moliniae

Following on from the pink and white variegated Ugni moliniae ‘Flambeau’ (which is all right if you like that sort of thing, and fortunately the public do) we have the more restrained species, U. moliniae, in plain green. Its claim to fame, apart from being a neat little evergreen with myrtus type flowers, is its small, dark red, edible fruits that taste not entirely unlike strawberries. Just the thing for these grow your own food times. 

New on the website

Newly uploaded to the website we have a crib sheet for Irises and Notes for February.

Caryopteris

Over the last 15 years a lot of new varieties of Caryopteris have appeared and where we once grew all there were we no longer can. They all need well drained soil (not Sussex clay) and thrive on chalk. Of the traditional varieties C. x clandonensis ‘Arthur Simmonds’ is the typical pale blue that you expect and it flowers from late July making plants about 1.5m high with long, silvery grey foliage. Compared with this, C.c ‘Heavenly Blue is very similar but the flowers are a slightly deeper blue, and then all the other varieties are much deeper in colour and the foliage is less grey. ‘incana’ is a long established type and is much more compact while ‘Ferndown’ is also compact and starts to flower a month later than all the others. ‘First Choice’, ‘Dark Knight’ and ‘Grand Bleu’ are all larger growers with darker blue flowers.

Yellow foliaged varieties are proliferating – we are currently offering ‘Sunshine Blue’ which is a sport of C. incana so has shorter, broader leaves which are lobed rather than serrate and the flowers are deep blue. The foliage is a true gold rather than the lemony colour of ‘Worcester Gold’, which we could grow if anybody wanted us to. If the hardiness of Caryopteris is an issue for you then ‘Sunshine Blue’ should do better than the C. clandonensis types. This sport arose on a plant we had supplied and has netted good royalties for the nurseryman who noticed it, so keeeeeep looking! 

Epimediums

We have grown a limited range and quantity of Epimediums for the first time. Although they will grow in sun or shade they are really woodland plants and will do best in a cool position. In order to appreciate the flowers, which are borne on wiry stems in the spring, it is best to remove all the foliage in the autumn. The colour range is white, yellow, pink and red and after flowering the new foliage is delicately attractive.

New Availability list & GAN

A updated Availability list is ready.
A new Availability list is done. Go to www.jackdawsfield.co.uk to Download it or e-mail nick@jackdawsfield.co.uk and ask to be sent one automatically as soon as a new list is done each week.

And

Nick will be attending GAN so if you want a chat you know where to find him.