Easy, Difficult and Impossible?

13 comments

A couple of weeks ago I visited a National Trust garden in Gloucestershire. It’s the famous one created by Lawrence Johnston. As ever, I was on the lookout for good or unusual plants for my own plot.

The first was this blue veronica. It’s probably ‘Shirley Blue’ which is fairly readily available (easy).

Next was this yellow lily. As there are no labels, I asked on the way out and was given an e-mail address to send the photo to. A few days later I received a reply, identifying it as lilium monadelphum. This does not appear to be for sale in this country, but I have seen it listed on the website of a specialist bulb nursery in Latvia from time to time (difficult).

Finally was this shrub, about six feet tall, and carrying pale yellow flowers. I didn’t recognise it at all, so I posted the photo on a Facebook group of professional gardeners; they were all stumped.

Again the reply from the garden identified it as lonicera chaetocarpa. Again, it is not for sale in the UK – in fact I can’t find it for sale at all (difficult).

The joys (and frustrations) of being a plantsman!

5 Jul, 2015
8 likes

Comments

Lori

Found this with a quick search https://www.rhs.org.uk/.../Lonicera-chaetocarpa/Details?
.but their pics had pink flowers..... have you tried Canada and the USA? http://www.rogerstreesandshrubs.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~9236~gid~~source~gallerydefault.asp

6 Jul, 2015

Bjs

particularly like the lily

6 Jul, 2015

Andrewr

Yes, I managed to flower it one year but lost it in the winter (it was the bad one a few years ago).

6 Jul, 2015

Spritzhenry

I gather that you visited Hidcote - one of my favourite gardens, Andrew. What an intriguing and very attractive shrub - a great shame it isn't available in the UK! I ask myself 'why'?

7 Jul, 2015

Andrewr

I asked myself the same question. Six feet at maturity, and it was that size at Hidcote so had obviously been growing there for some time. I believe it also grows at Marwood Hill in North Devon, and in the Cambridge Botanic Garden.

7 Jul, 2015

Spritzhenry

Well, I like it...

11 Jul, 2015

Seaburngirl

Have you thought of going back and speaking to the head gardener about the possibility of having some cutting material? I did this years ago [cant remember what for] and he said to follow him to their greenhouses where he gave me a rooted cutting for free!!

asking often produces such gifts as they appreciate you asking rather than you just taking. [which as you know is technically theft and a problem for so many people who open their garden to the public]

15 Jul, 2015

Andrewr

Sbg - via the wonders of modern social media, I have been sent six cuttings which I am now attempting to get to root.

15 Jul, 2015

Spritzhenry

I wish you success, Andrew. :-))

16 Jul, 2015

Seaburngirl

so do I.
and if they do go into business propagating and selling. I'd certainly go for one. :o)

16 Jul, 2015

Andrewr

I think they have their hands full just looking after the garden. I was disappointed with one or two parts of it this time.