Looking round the Garden Centres this week I am rather taken with the Rhododendrons. These evergreen shrubs pass most of the year unnoticed but give a good green backdrop to show off more colourful plants. In the late spring however they reveal a beauty all of their own as their flowers begin a show that is truly unforgettable. Originating from hostile environments such as the Himalayas they were highly prized by the intrepid Victorian plant hunters who risked life and limb to bring plants back to show off in their gardens. Seeing them at their blowsy best at this time of year you can see why these horticulturalists went to great lengths to secure sometimes just a handful of plants.
Despite the weather being so awful to us the plants are having a lovely time. There’s plenty of fresh rainwater available to them, longer daylight hours and its even a few degrees warmer. This week I have noticed plants everywhere really putting on a spurt of growth and as usual we are spoilt for choice. Polemonium (Jacobs ladder) is just starting to flower. This is such a pretty little perennial with Forget-me-not flowers above ladder like foliage. My favourite variety is ‘Stairway to Heaven’ which has the added benefit of variegated foliage with a delicate rosy pink tinge around the edges of the leaves. Planted with the contrasting leaves of Heucheras (the deep purple or rusty oranges work best) you’ll get a fantastic display worthy of a place in any garden.
