by John on February 11, 2010
Dubbed with the tongue-twisting botanical name of Abeliophyllum distichum, it’s a seldom-seen gem that will transform a warm, sunny wall.
Enchanting us with slender stems thickly sleeved with small white and almond-scented blooms, it brightens early spring
Easy to grow – it’s best fan or espalier-trained against wires or trellis – it repays feeding with blood, fish and bone meal or Vitax Q 4 in April, June and August.
Pleasingly, it needs little attention apart from occasionally shortening old, flowered shoots by around two thirds their length when blooms fade. Additionally, drape stems with several layers of fibre fleece if hard frost is forecast.
Fancy growing it? Forest Lodge usually stocks it or will order it for you.
by John on February 11, 2010
Action Stations!
Finish planting deciduous trees and shrubs, working bone meal into soil you firm around the roots.
Prune Hydrangea paniculata and Spiraea ‘Anthony Waterer’ by cutting back stems to within 10cm (4in) of the base.
Check apple and pear shoots for canker, characterised by elliptical brown lesions. If found, cut out infected wood and paint wounds with Cheshunt Compound.
Plant shallots, such as Mr Fothergill’s bolt-resistant ‘Yellow Moon’, in manured soil. Set bulbs 15cm (6in) apart in rows 30cm (12in) distant.
Greenhouse: On mild days, open ventilators in the morning but close them in the late afternoon.
Position cheering Cape primrose (streptocarpus) on a gloomy north or east-facing windowsill to colour it all year round.
