Sarcococcas

Sarcococcas are slow growing evergreens that have sweetly scented flowers in the winter. They grow best in shade or part shade and will grow in any soil, thriving particularly on chalky soils. S. hookeriana Digyna has long narrow matt leaves, does not produce berries reliably but is the most sweet smelling. S. confusa and S. ruscifolia (presumably ours is the form chinensis) are extremely alike with dark green, glossy, wrinkled leaves and they will berry reliably with S. confusa having black berries while S. ruscifolia ultimately has dark red berries, although they do go through a black stage. Hort Week’s recent feature was wrong on these two. On the nursery shade is essential, as with Skimmias, to avoid producing chlorotic plants.

Wisterias

There is a full range of Wisterias available in May and, if grown under protection, these will make substantial plants this season. We have grafted a good number of the two most popular varieties (Black Dragon and Macrobotrys) but have tried to offer a wide range as well. There may well be some more varieties, that aren’t listed as yet, which have been grafted from a well-known collection so please let us know if you want to go off the scale with your Wisteria offering, and we can keep you informed.

Availability

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.

More springy availability.

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.

New Availability

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.

More Availability

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.

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.

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.

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.

Catalogue 2009

Our catalogue 2009 is now available on our downloads page www.jackdawsfield.co.uk

Bushel boxes

Any of you lucky enough to far enough away from us to have received orders packed in bushel boxes on pallets should google “bushel boxes” and see just how mad people can be. If you burnt them you will be cross!

robinssalvias.com/

If you want something to while away a dark afternoon in the winter try www.robinssalvias.com. It is a well illustrated mine of information about a group of plants we want to grow more of. If you have no web access then I can’t help you with this one, but I am curious as to how you now cope with the world without this tool (or prop).  

Colocasia ‘Black Magic'

I really should write about something truly hardy at this time of year but I won’t. Colocasia ‘Black Magic' needs to be treated like Cannas or Dahlias but it is a stunning plant in the summer with huge black leaves. www.hardytropicals.co.uk/Aroids/Colocasia/Colocasia_Black%20Magic.php. The species is cultivated for its edible roots so there’s a fall back position.

Holboellias & Stautonia

I have never been quite so confused as when trying to ascertain whether we had our Holboellias and Stautonia correctly named. When I realised the books not only contradicted each other but themselves I gave up; I think we are correct. All (H. latifolia, H.coriacea and S. hexaphylla) are Z9, vigorous, twining climbers with large waxy, white flowers with an overpowering fragrance. The unisexual flowers may be flushed green or purple or may indeed be purple if they are the other sex, and are borne on either the upper or lower parts of the plant, accordingly. Whatever, sometimes you get two-inch long blue fruits that are edible. 

A Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all our readers.

A Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all our readers. 

Miscanthus ‘Etincelle’

I mentioned before, in passing, Miscanthus ‘Etincelle’ as being a new, golden-banded variety and it has since shown one claim to fame in that it flowers freely which the other banded varieties do not in my experience. 

Sambucus racemosa ‘Sutherland Gold’

Sambucus racemosa ‘Sutherland Gold’ is a real improvement on S. r. ‘Plumosa Aurea’ (which we no longer grow). Both are vigorous, soft, golden-leaved shrubs but ‘Sutherland Gold’ has much more finely divided foliage, and, most importantly, will not scorch in hot sun. It will grow anywhere (well, it is an elder), including shade, and is tolerant of hard pruning when necessary.

Dodonea viscosa ‘Purpurea’ & Olearia macrodonta

Dodonea viscosa  ‘Purpurea’ is hardy for many of you (Z9) and wind tolerant, including salt wind. It is a vigorous evergreen shrub (or even a small tree) with long purplish leaves, inconspicuous flowers followed by attractive, hop-like, pink capsules. Also salt-wind tolerant is Olearia macrodonta which has large, grey, leathery toothed leaves and can be used to make an informal hedge or windbreak. It is a Z8 which means that it is unlikely to succumb to a modern English winter. If you have lost (tut, tut) the hardiness rating cribsheet it is on the website or I can send you a fresh one. 

Stipa ‘Wind Whispers

Stipa ‘Wind Whispers’ is not another marketing name for Stipa tenuissima but a subspecies which is slightly different. It is slightly less smooth to the touch and will grow to 36” while S. tenuissima will never make more than 24”, so it could more suitable for some situations. (By the way if anybody is offering you Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’ ask them if they are propagating a selected form by division. If they are not, what they are offering is Stipa tenuissima and that is it. Pony Tails is the common name)

New Catalogue

Our new catalogue will be sent out early in the New Year and that shows most of what we are planning to grow next year. There are things in the catalogue that will never appear on the availability list (because they are very popular or so unpopular that we never actually propagate them) and things will appear on the availability list that aren’t in the catalogue. That is just the way it for us, but it does mean that you cannot use just one or the other if you want to take full advantage of the range we offer. 

Communication over the holidays

We are closed for two weeks from after Friday 19^th – starting again on Monday January 5^th, but we will be checking e-mail and fax and making sure that any orders received can be dealt with in rotation when we resume. We don’t have an answering machine on the telephone, so if you want to phone in an order you may or may not get an answer through this period.

The Christmas Availability List

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.

Website fixes

A number of fixes have been completed on our web site www.jackdawsfield.co.uk

These include fixing the bugs that stopped the downloading of availability lists for some people .

All should be well now so if you've had a problem in the past give it another go, it will work now ;)

Availability updates

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.

Next Availability list is ready

A new Availability list is done. Go tohttp://www.jackdawsfield.co.uk/ to Download it or e-mailnick@jackdawsfield.co.uk and ask to be sent one automatically as soon as a new list is done each week.

Availability List

A new Availability list is done. Go to http://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.

Anisodonta x hypomadara

Anisodonta x hypomadara is an attractive hybrid with larger, more intensely coloured and veined flowers than those of A. It is vigorous when well fed, but like Cistus it will still grow and flower in poor soil as long as this is well-drained, and it will also prove more hardy if grown hard with some shelter.

Viburnum tinus ‘Israel’

Viburnum tinus ‘Israel’ is a distinct form which offers a change from the more well known types The leaves are larger and glossier than the other varieties and it grows more vigorously, but most importantly it flowers very late – with the flower buds not appearing until early spring (as long as you don’t prune it at the wrong time). Although we seem to have forgotten it in recent years the roots of Viburnum tinus in containers are not tolerant of much freezing, as they are thick and fleshy, so be aware of the potential for damage should there be a proper cold spell this winter. Once in the ground this ceases to be a problem.

Availability List time

A new Availability list is done. Go to http://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.

Olearia virgata var. lineata “Dartonii”

Olearia virgata var. lineata “Dartonii” suffers with its name, but is a worthwhile plant. It is a vigorous, with fine, silvery foliage and would be good at the back of a border to set off brightly coloured flowers. It is tolerant of hard pruning so won’t get too big. A good alternative to Salix exigua – it has the silveriness without being a willow. Completely hardy and clay tolerant.

Piptanthus nepalensis

Piptanthus nepalensis (formerly P. laburnifolius) makes a large shrub, and although it is traditionally regarded as slightly tender ours are grown from seed from a garden in Yorkshire so it certainly justifies the classification of Z8. It is semi-evergreen, with large yellow laburnum like flowers in spring and large trifoliate leaves. Can be grown as a single stem or multi-stemmed – which our current batch will have to be as they have been pruned. Being leguminous it needs good drainage and is best with some shelter from wind.

Caryopteris incana-yellow foliaged varieties

Caryopteris incana ‘Sunshine Blue’ is probably the best yet of the yellow foliaged varieties. It is a deeper yellow than ‘Worcester Gold’, the flowers are bright blue rather than pale blue because it is a C. incana (rather than C. x clandonensis) and for the same reason it should be hardier, although neither should suffer in well-drained soil – but they don’t thrive on our heavy clay. The other new golden Caryopteris (C. ‘Hint of Gold’) seems to be less golden than ‘Sunshine Blue’. Both are subject to PVR. I am going to do a Caryopteris cribsheet before next spring.

Euphorbia griffithii

Euphorbia griffithii types are always popular with their showy flowers in spring, red foliage through the summer and golden autumn colour. Although they are all similar, there are differences in nursery performance and garden worthiness. E.g. ‘King’s Caple’ (named after the village where it comes from) is taller and bushier than the standard ‘Fireglow’, and the flower heads are larger, better coloured and earlier. E.g. ‘Wickstead’ has darker foliage (like ‘Dixter’ which will we grow again one day, if we can find clean stock) so the contrast between the flowers and foliage is very striking.

Watsonia pillansi

Watsonia pillansi is an iris-like plant with tall stems of slightly drooping, red, funnel-shaped flowers. It is hardy to Z7.

Delospermas

Delospermas are low growing South African plants with thick fleshy leaves, and long-lasting daisy type flowers in summer. D. cooperi has purple/red flowers, is a sub-shrub hardy to Z6; and is known as the Trailing or Hardy Ice Plant while D. sutherlandii is a non-woody perennial, hardy only to Z9 and has violet-pink flowers.

Passiflora

You will see that we have a number of new Passiflora and there will be more. Like our Fuchsia expansion not all the varieties will prove worth growing, but we are looking for varieties with healthy foliage, good coloured flowers and hardiness. There will be a full cribsheet in time, but for the moment suffice it to know that ‘Simply Red’ is named after the band and not the colour of its flowers. What a stupid use of a good name.

Availability

A new Availability list is done. Go to http://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.

Availability list

A new Availability list is done. Go to http://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.

Availability List

A new Availability list is done. Go to http://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.

Availability List

A new Availability list is done. Go to http://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.

FAQ - When is the best time to order for next year?

Q. When is the best time to order for next year?
A. As soon as you can. I could write reams about this but those five words are succinct.

FAQ - Why does my backorder include items that have already been delivered?

Q. Why does my backorder include items that have already been delivered?
A. Because we have mistakenly sent you the ‘Order Confirmation’ rather than the ‘Back Order Confirmation’ (which one you have is written at the top of every page). Contact us for the correct printout.

Panicum Shenandoah

Panicum Shenandoah is an excellent variety and will still make a saleable plant this year. The foliage is glaucous blue and as the summer goes on this becomes progressively more marked with red and purple, before the whole lot finally dies down for the winter. They will also flower and Panicums make very good dried flower heads – very open airy flowers.

Hellebore orientalis

We are having to change our sources of Hellebore orientalis and there are, and will be more, interesting new strains and, for the first time, vegetatively propagated varieties. Hellebores are notoriously difficult to micropropagate, hence the price of H. ori ‘Swirling Skirts’. I can’t find a good picture of this, but a poor one I found shows broad outer petals with many shorter inner petals, all in clear white with red spotting. It could be lovely. H. ori ‘Metallic Blue’ will be like our previous ‘Smokey Purple’. H. ori. ‘Double Queen Mixed’ derives from Elizabeths Strangman’s breeding work and is said to flower 100% double. I am a little dubious of this claim (because of the company who is making it), but we may yet be happily surprised.

Miscanthus

The new crop of Miscanthus is starting to appear on the list and one good newcomer is M. ‘Hinjo’. This is one of many smaller varieties with golden bands (like the larger Zebrinus) and this one looks a distinct improvement on some of the older forms (like Punktchen) which were slow to colour up and not very striking when they had. Hinjo also has the advantage of not being patented. We also have another banded variety called ‘Etincelle’ about which I know nothing as yet, except it means ‘spark’

Olea europea

Olea europea is variably hardy depending on its origin. Ours are cutting raised from stock which originated from a tree that has thrived in Shropshire for many decades, so I think we can be confident of giving it a Z8 if not a Z7 which means ours are not only a lot cheaper than the Italian specimens but also a lot hardier. Olives won’t fruit (yet and arguably) in this country but it is an attractive tree with a Mediterranean look about it.

Isoplexis canariensis

Isoplexis canariensis also (See yesterday's post) doesn’t look hardy, and this time you would be more correct, only Z9. It is a sub-shrub with strongly vertical flower spikes, where the individual flowers are orangey-brown and reminiscent of Acanthus. Very architectural.

Availability list - ready now

A new Availability list is done. Go to http://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.

Paradisea lusitanicum

From the same regions as yesturdays post comes another perennial, Paradisea lusitanicum , also hardy although it doesn’t look it, but deciduous. The tall flower spikes bear lots of white, funnel-shaped flowers and are very pretty in early summer – just gone over and I didn’t get a picture.

Asphodeline lutea

Asphodeline lutea (ass-foe-de-line) is a hardy perennial, Z7, from the mountains of Southern Europe. It has evergreen, strappy leaves and the flower stems grow to 1.3m bearing numerous pale yellow flowers in early summer. Asphodel of mythology was the undying flower that grew in the Elysian fields, so that’ll be useful.

Vitis coignetiae ‘Sunningdale’

Vitis coignetiae ‘Sunningdale’ is a selection of the species that, I think, is superior in all respects to the other clone we grow and in time it will displace it. However the moment it is still in short supply, as it is more difficult to propagate. The leaves are more noticeably serrate and, when young, not only have a reddish hue but the veins are raised giving an attractive texture. Most importantly the autumn colour is reliable, long -lasting and bright scarlet; the original plant from which these derive grew over a silver birch in the propagating yard at Sunningdale Nurseries and it was stunning.

Availability List

A new Availability list is done. Go to http://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.

Availability List

A new Availability list is done. Go to http://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.

Availability List

A new Availability list is done. Go to http://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.

Download difficulties

We have had reports that our downloads page on the website is misbehaving! If this is the case for you please drop us an e-mail as the exact cause is being a little elusive. karl@jackdawsfield.co.uk

Thanks

What is it?

Short notes on items we have only have a few of:

• Dianella nigra has narrower, more upright leaves than D. tasmanica or caerulea but is most distinguished by the showy bright red bases to the rosettes. Flowers and fruit are similar to the others
• Euphorbia characias ‘Portugese Velvet’ is a compact form with soft, almost furry leaves. Good sized flower heads typical of the species.
• Caryopteris clandonensis ‘Ferndown’ is a variety which should be grown in the mix of Caryopteris varieties, as it starts flowering about six weeks after most of the other varieties, thus greatly extending the flowering season.
• The name of Rhus ambigua would not lead one to expect a climber with lobed and trifoliate leaves (not unlike the young growth of Lonicera japonica types). It forms aerial roots, so presumably has self-clinging ability and is noted for its scarlet autumn colour.
• Eccremocarpus scaber is really an annual climber, but it does perenniate and I have seen a thickly woody plant in flower in January. However, even so, it is not long-lived, but in the garden this often goes unnoticed as it freely self seeds. The form we have at the moment has red flowers.

Availability lists

A new Availability list is done. Go to http://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.

Cistus Blushing Peggy Sammons

Cistus Blushing Peggy Sammons has flowers of an indescribable and un-photographable shade of pink. I am not sure I like it, but what a colour. Like all the sports of Peggy Sammons it is relatively upright with greyish foliage, and like all Cistus flowers best in poor conditions, as long as it well drained. On our heavy soil most Cistus are short-lived but it appears that Cistus ladanifer types are more able to cope in these conditions which is odd given where they originate from. They could be worth promoting if you are selling in an area with clay soil.

Echium pinniana

Echium pinniana is not a plant that is widely seen outside Cornwall and is generally thought of as biennial, but it is perennial and thrives here in West Sussex (at Nymans). The stems that flower do die off but the rootstock and some stems overwinter. The flower stems can reach 5m or more and carry innumerable small blue.

Helleborus

We still have some liners of double Hellebores (H. Party Dress Hybrids) available and a good proportion of these will flower this winter if potted into a one litre under shade. They are not as true to colour as the singles and the forms vary greatly but few are disappointing. There are a few pics on the website www.jackdawsfield.co.uk. The plugs (of which we have a greater colour range) will not flower this winter.
We also have good liners of H. sternii Blackthorn Strain which have variously marbled leaves and should bear heads of pink flowers this winter. We still obtain these from Blackthorn nursery and the plants are distinctly more showy from H.sternii which does not appear to be true of some continental supplies. These would fill a two or three litre without difficulty

Lonicera tragophylla

Lonicera tragophylla is the most beautiful of climbing honeysuckles, but it does grow and flower better in some shade, and, if you have the option, a weaker potting mix is a good idea. It is difficult to propagate and needs to sell at a premium price.

Cantua buxifolia

Cantua buxifolia is known as the ‘Sacred Flower of the Incas (or of the Andes)’ so you now know where it comes from and may fairly deduce that it is only marginally hardy (Z9). However giving it the protection it needs is worth the effort as it has the most spectacular tubular red flowers more than 2” long; at least it should have, but the form we have at the moment has white flowers with a yellow tube. Equally nice, but not what we were expecting, so if you have the red-flowering form we would like obtain some stock.

Dieramas

If you are using our plants for immediate sale then we can supply reasonable numbers of Dieramas which are in flower. Currently it is D.riparia and D. mossii which are the most colourful, both are the ‘standard’ deep pink and stand about 1m overall.

Primary colours an update.

I knew my musings on genera which have pure-coloured flowers in all three primary colours would produce an informed response. One customer scored with Primula, Meconopsis and Corydalis (google ‘red corydalis’ under images if you are sceptical), and two pointed out that Penstemon pinnifolius has pure yellow flowers. Nobody, however, has identified the Vinca http://jackdawsfield.blogspot.com/2008/04/help-vinca-major.html

Availability

A new Availability list is done. Go to http://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.

Also a new Highlights sheet is also at www.jackdawsfield.co.uk/down.html

Cordyline Southern Splendour

Two pictures of a new pink Cordyline - Southern Splendour.

It is priced on the availability list but this is negotiable forlarge quantities. At the moment there are several thousand available. We look forward to hearing from you.

Availability time!!!

A new Availability list is done. Go to www.jackdawsfield.co.uk to Download it.

New Availability list ready

A new Availability list is done. Go to www.jackdawsfield.co.uk to Download it.

Availability time again.

A new Availability list is done. Go to www.jackdawsfield.co.uk to Download it.

Why do I not get through on the phone to you when I use 1471 (or return your call on a mobile)

A. Our phone system dials out on our fax number (01403 891113) in order to reduce the chances of the phone number (two lines on 01403 891473) being engaged. It hasn’t been a big problem so far this year but it does make a difference when things are busy. We have just modified the phone layout as well, so that we are not so dependent on our cordless extension. This can only handle one call at a time, so a second call can go unanswered, but this shouldn’t now happen except in very rare circumstances.

Clematis

Clematis armandii, C. a. ‘Apple Blossom’and C. a. ‘Snowdrift’ can still be booked for delivery in April 2009. £2.30 for 200+, £2.35 for 60-199 and £2.40 for 20-59.

Bearded irises

We are thoroughly enjoying the flowering of our stock plants of bearded irises – such a range of colours and forms with the benefit of scent. You may have missed the boat for this year’s flowering, but there is plenty of time to grow some for next year! We will have a complete set of images should you need them. Is there a group of plants that have the full range of colour including the three pure primary colours? Irises don’t do pure red: roses, dahlias and tulips don’t do pure blue (despite claims to the contrary), penstemons don’t do yellow. No prize offered but correspondence welcome.

Viburnum

For years I believed that the Viburnum x bodnantense varieties were an improvement on their parents but experience here doesn’t bear that out. V. farreri flowers from October right through the winter and its flowers are fragrant, plentiful and frost resistant. Although it could eventually become enormous it responds well to hard pruning keeping a narrowly erect form that will fit in a small space.

Salix babylonica ‘Annularis’

Salix babylonica ‘Annularis’ is a curious plant, which people want to touch, and then, hopefully, buy as its leaves are curled like rams horns. It will make a tree, but is best if cut down hard every year, which also reduces the chances of anthracnose affecting it, although it is not particularly prone. It is a willow, so will grow anywhere that its not dry.

Coronilla glauca Citrina

We have grown Coronilla glauca Citrina for a long time, but because those customers who have tried it tend to come back for a lot more we have struggled to produce enough for it to appear on the availability list. There are two particular reasons why it is popular; firstly it is very seldom not in flower at least in the nursery situation where it grows continuously. Secondly the flowers are a delightful lemon yellow set against slightly sage green foliage. Being leguminous it resents poor drainage, but does not need fertile soil to flourish. Rated as Z9 so it needs some protection from the winter in colder parts of the country.

New Availability list

A new Availability list is done. Go to www.jackdawsfield.co.uk to Download it.

Help!!! Vinca major?

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We have a very good Vinca, which are going to propagate but we don’t know what it is. It is probably a form of V. major but the flower is more violet than blue, it only grows to about 20cm and the leaves are smaller than most forms of Vinca major. It is not V.m ‘Oxyloba’ (syn ‘Dartington Star’) because the leaves petals are too broad and not pointed; and I don’t think it is ‘Jason Hill’ which I don’t know, but which is supposed to have broad but pointed petals which ours has not. Can anyone help? nick@jackdawsfield.co.uk

New Availability

A new Availability list is done. Go to www.jackdawsfield.co.uk to Download it.

Availability List

A new Availability list is done. Go to www.jackdawsfield.co.uk to Download it.

Stock plants for sale

• 20 Lonicera tragophylla 7.5 litre Heavily furnished on a 75 cm cane, £5.00 will carry flower
• 3 Solanum rantonetti 20 litre £4.00
• Hydrangeas 20/25 lt Very heavy plants £5.00

5 Ami Pasquier

15 Geoffrey Chadbund

15 Nigra
there will be more varieties

FAQ - What is the white deposit on the leaves of your plants

Q. What is the white deposit on the leaves of your plants?
A. It is primarily Thiram (Thianosan) which is a broad-spectrum fungicide that has the very useful side-effect of killing (or preventing) moss, liverwort and general green gunge. Because we water all our crops from underneath the deposits do not get washed off and although in the growing season the plants tend to shed the deposits as the leaves grow this does not happen in the winter or with the oldest leaves. If you are using overhead irrigation the deposits will quickly disappear.

FAQ - What colour is Hellebore Guttatus x Cosmos?

Q. What colour is Hellebore Guttatus x Cosmos?
A. It is white with heavy dark red spotting. I wouldn’t blame anyone for selling it as ‘White Spotted’

Can I have your opinions please?

Can I have your opinions please? We carry on the traditional business practice of not showing prices on our delivery notes because that is the traditional way of doing things. However I know that some customers would find it more convenient if the prices were shown, which we can easily do, but we will have to do the same for everyone (or we’ll get it wrong sometimes). Prices or not prices – do you mind one way or the other?
nick@jackdawsfield.co.uk

Lathyrus nervosus

Lathyrus nervosus (Lord Anson’s Pea) is a rare, perennial sweet pea, which has blue flowers in early summer. Unfortunately it is not fragrant but the colour is very striking and will scramble over other plants. Its degree of perennialness has been a matter of debate, but it is now officially perennial (according to something I read and trusted); however I doubt it would survive in cold wet soil, but only in that much vaunted well-drained fertile soil in full sun. It is desirable and sought after.

Hardy Fuchsias

As you will see we have greatly extended the range of hardy Fuchsias we grow and of the 20 or so we added last year the majority are still in the running and some have become favourites with some customers. If you want to try some new varieties we will supply one of each as samples free of charge, or five of each at 50p per plant. We have a cribsheet available by post, fax, e-mail or on the website.

Hedychium gardnerianum

Hedychium gardnerianum ‘St. Martins’ is a Ginger Lily, which has clumps of broad green foliage not unlike that of Cannas. It looks exotic and tender but in fact the rootstock is hardy in most parts of this country (Z8), but a generous mulch is recommended. The fragrant yellow flowers, with orange filaments appear in late summer although plants that have been overwinted under protection will flower earlier. These are supplied with a generic colour label.

Euonymus alatus

In accordance with our normal way of working we are never satisfied with offering juts one variety of something so we have three forms of Euonymus alatus. All are easily grown , trouble-free deciduous shrubs with attractive, fine foliage that turns shocking pink and red in the autumn. The curiosity of them is the corky wings that grow along the length of the stems- hence the name, which means winged. The species grows slowly to two or more metres high and wide while ‘Compactus’ only reaches about half that size as does ‘Apterus’ which, even more curiously, lacks the wings ( so its name is Euonymus with wings ‘Without Wings’)

Amsonia tabernaemontana

We are offering the perennial Amsonia tabernaemontana for the first time. This is a larger ‘Blue Star’ than A. orientalis growing to 90cm height and spread rather than 45cm. It bears the same starry pale blue flowers in early summer and has reliable golden autumn colour. It is very hardy (Z3), tolerant of a wide range of soils and will grow in sun or partial shade. Ours are cutting raised (not seed), so batches will be uniform.

Clematis

We are now booking orders for Clematis armandii, C. a. ‘Apple Blossom’ and C. a. ‘Snowdrift’ for 2009. Please do forward order these – they will not appear on the availability list so if you don’t order during the next couple of months you won’t get them. Do it now, otherwise you will forget. Prices, as this year, £2.30 for 200+, £2.35 for 60-199 and £2.40 for 20-59.

Availability list and Highlights

a new Availability list and new Highlights, all available from www.jackdawsfield.co.uk