Buying a gift for a gardener is fairly simple. Being a practical sort of person if anyone bought me a tub of fertiliser, some compost or some propagation pots I would be very grateful. But such utilitarian items may not be what you want to give – it is bit like when dad would buy mum a toaster or a stick-blender for Christmas. I am sure few husbands would dare to do such a thing these days.
But every gardener would welcome a new plant and a winter-flowering or evergreen shrub is a good choice. If you want to dress it up with some baubles or ribbon and wrap it in festive paper so much the better.
Knights have lots of super shrubs in stock and all those I am going to mention should be available at various prices. All these are growing in my garden so I can assure you that they tolerate avarage growing conditions and a rather heavy soil, if you prepare the planting site well.
Sarcoccca (often called Christmas box) is a neat evergreen that thrives in part sun or shade and is always attractive. (photo at top) It is so good that I actually have about 100 in my garden, used as a circular hedge, plus others around the garden. The foliage is lovely but it is the flowers that really impress, though not visually! They are tiny and have no petals but in the depths of winter they open and fill the air with a gorgeous, sweet perfume. According to the variety, the flowers are followed by red or black berries. These berries can lead to seedlings under the plant which is how, after a few years of growing them on, I had enough for a hedge! Altogether these are delightful and hard-working shrubs.
If you want to spend a bit more and give something really special, the daphnes are a wonderful choice. They have a reputation for being tricky to grow and this is ‘almost’ deserved. Some can be difficult to please and they can die for no apparent reason. But others are more dependable. Among the best loved is Daphne bholua (below) which is semi-evergreen and flowers from Christmas till March. It grows to about 2m high and the pink buds open to paler flowers with the most delicious fragrance. It can be tricky for nurseries to propagate and demand always outstrips supply so snap one up when you see it for sale. There are several selected forms and ‘Jacqueline Postill’ is the most popular, but all are good.
The first daphne I grew was Daphne odora, which has amazing fragrance but can be slightly frost tender. These two daphnes were brought together to make ‘Perfume Princess’ (below) and it is a marvellous plant. It has survived really bad treatment in my garden and still grows and flowers profusely. It is the perfect gift, and will be starting to bloom now and will continue till March. Mine is already in full bloom and will continue for months. What makes it so good is that it not only blooms at the tips of the shoots but lower down along the new stems. Buy one for a friend and treat yourself too.
Aucuba (spotted laurel) has had a bad rap in the past because it survives in deep, dry shade, where it often looks a bit sad. But when given better treatment it can be a wonderful plant. They are evergreen, often have spotted leaves and, according to the variety (you need a female), have large, red berries. Their real value is that they are tough evergreens that will grow in deep shade and in the dry shade under trees. Avoid dry, hot sun and waterlogged soil. They are suitable for pots in shade.
Many viburnums are evergreen and Viburnum tinus is the most popular. But Viburnum davidii is useful alternative that is low-growing and the foliage has an interesting texture. It will grown in or shade and makes good ground cover. Books will tell you that it has beautiful blue berries but these are not often produced and the main value is the evergreen foliage. The flowers are small and white and are not very exciting.
If you are feeling optimistic or have a sheltered garden or a west- or south-facing wall it is worth trying mimosa (Acacia dealbata). Ultimately a medium-sized, evergreen tree with pretty, ferny foliage, it produces delightful, fluffy, fragrant, yellow flowers in spring. The buds are produced in autumn and they are damaged by winter gales and frost so a sheltered spot is essential. But when it blooms all the effort and risk is repaid. Small, bushy plants in bud are lovely to enjoy on a cool windowsill when in bloom and then plant out in the garden.
Lastly, one of the most effective evergreen shrubs is Fatsia japonica. With huge, bold leaves it makes a real statement in the garden, best in a partly shaded or shaded, sheltered spot. It looks best in an urban environment, such as a patio or courtyard and grows well in large pots. In autumn and early winter, mature plants produce large clusters of tiny white flowers.
Happy Christmas from everyone at Knights Garden Centres.