From the Archive: Microclimate

Q1 – “What are the best plants for a coastal dry-stone wall?” (Penzance, Cornwall, 2023)

James Wong

• Sedum spp., stonecrop• Sempervivum spp., houseleek• × Semponium cultivars, semponium• Aeonium spp., aeonium

Chris Beardshaw

• Blechnum spicant, hard fern• Polypodium vulgare, common polypody• Anthemis cupaniana 'Nana', anthemis 'Nana'• Tulbaghia spp., society garlic• Viola odorata, sweet violet 

Feature – Microclimates at St Michael's Mount (Penzance, Cornwall, 2023)

Jack Beasley

East Terraces

• Aloe polyphylla, spiral aloe• Restios (Restionaceae family)• Protea spp., protea• Gazania spp., gazania

Walled Garden

• Medicago arborea, tree medic

Sheltered Garden

• Strelitzia reginae, bird of paradise 

Feature – Tresco Abbey Garden (Isles of Scilly, 2017)

Mike Nelhams

• Melaleuca quinquenervia, Paperbark tree • Eucalyptus spp., eucalyptus• Sparrmannia africana, African hemp• Luma apiculata (syn. Myrtus luma), Chilean myrtle• Clethra arborea, lily-of-the-valley tree• Metrosideros excelsa, New Zealand Christmas tree 

Q2 – “My tropical-style plants were damaged by frost. What should I do?” (Isles of Scilly, 2017)

Question context (Mike Nelhams, Bob Flowerdew, James Wong)

• Melianthus major, giant honey flower• Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex', rice-paper plant 'Rex'• Paulownia tomentosa, foxglove tree 

Q3 – “Can the panel suggest street trees for London?” (Brockley, London, 2017)

James Wong

• Olea europaea, olive• Pittosporum spp., pittosporum• Albizia julibrissin, Persian silk tree

Christine Walkden

• Koelreuteria paniculata, golden rain tree• Crataegus persimilis 'Prunifolia'., plum-leaved thorn• Spathodea campanulata, African tulip tree• Albizia julibrissin, Persian silk tree

Pippa Greenwood

• Pittosporum spp., pittosporum 

Q4 – “What can I plant with roses for autumn and winter interest?” (Black Country Living Museum, 2019)

Question context

• English roses (Rosa cultivars)• Salvia spp., salvia• Nepeta spp., catmint• Achillea spp., yarrow

Matthew Pottage

• Callicarpa 'Imperial Gem', beautyberry 'Imperial Gem'• Cotinus obovatus, American smoketree• Colchicum 'Atrorubens', autumn crocus 'Atrorubens'

Pippa Greenwood

• Autumn-flowering crocuses (Crocus spp.)• Colchicum spp., autumn crocus• Echinacea spp., coneflower• Rudbeckia spp., rudbeckia• Sedum spp., stonecrop 

Q5 – “What should I grow in urban street planters?” (London)

Marcus Chilton-Jones

• Euonymus japonicus 'Aureus Pictus', golden euonymus• Cordyline australis, cabbage palm• Malus spp., apple/crab apple• Agapanthus spp., agapanthus• Choisya ternata, Mexican orange blossom• Aucuba japonica, spotted laurel• Camellia spp., camellia

James Wong

• Echium spp., echium• Brugmansia spp., angel's trumpet• Citrus spp., citrus• Citrus junos, yuzu

Connell Maguire

• Monarda spp., bee balm 

Feature – Derek Jarman's Garden at Prospect Cottage (Dungeness, Kent, 2017)

Amanda Cottrell

• Rosa canina, dog rose• Santolina spp., cotton lavender• Cistus spp., rock rose• Wild valerian (Valeriana species not confirmed)• Crambe maritima, sea kale• Eschscholzia californica, Californian poppy• Ulex spp., gorse 

Q6 – “Can baby sweetcorn be grown successfully?” (Norfolk & Norwich Horticultural Society, 2004)

Pippa Greenwood

• Baby sweetcorn cultivars• Zea mays, sweetcorn

Bob Flowerdew

• Saccharum officinarum, sugar cane 

Q7 – “What can I grow in a shady, wet frost pocket?” (Tadworth, Surrey)

Quesition context

• Malus domestica, apple

Bob Flowerdew

• Dianthus 'Mrs Sinkins', pink 'Mrs Sinkins'

Bunny Guinness

• Rosa 'Jacqueline du Pré', rose 'Jacqueline du Pré'• Agapanthus spp., agapanthus• Ilex spp., holly• Taxus baccata, yew• Buxus sempervirens, box• Pulmonaria spp., lungwort