SG OPEN FOR FRIENDS OF TREBORTH BOTANIC GARDEN

Here is our blurb we handed out to about 50 visitors on 29 May.  We have had about six weeks of dry weather then rain on the 29th but fortunately it dried up before we opened at 2pm and only drizzled from time to time in the  afternoon.  We had spent the morning laying the turf on the new garden with Dave G and Corbie at last managed to reclad the tunnel on the Friday so things were not looking too bad for THE DAY

Siambra Gwynion 2010

A Penrhyn farmhouse, it was probably built after 1850 on the site of a previous farm house. It was renovated in 1950s and again, by us in early 1970s. The Bangor by-pass arrived in 1984 making wall building essential to reduce noise. The garden is very exposed so we have allowed trees and shrubs to multiply to provide some shelter. The cottage garden of the 1950s has evolved but we have tried to retain its magic. We strive for low maintenance but are trying to give the garden a strong, underlying design. The less-thuggish, self-seeding perennials are tolerated and some are positively encouraged. We inherited some excellent fruit trees (Lord Lambourne, Lord Derby and Charles Ross apples and the local damson-plum) and have planted pear and Victoria plum.

The garden is managed using an integrated rather than an organic system with minimal use of chemicals. Wildlife is increasing, some is encouraged, some is tolerated and some is exterminated in the interests of food production. Wild birds are not fed. The biggest pest is the grey squirrel which takes all kinds of fruit and strips bark from beech, hornbeam and sycamore.

The drive Trees and shrubs, mostly native, have been planted in the last few years. It provides a home for banished garden plants. The wilder kind of rose gives lots of pleasure here (Rosa spinosissima Altaica - flowering now - R. macrantha Daisy Hill, R. glauca, R. californica plena, R. persetosa, R. polyantha grandiflora, Max Graf, Scintillation, Smarty).

Front of house Climbers on house are Clematis macropetala and rose Phyllis Bide, both good on a north wall. Rose on fence and scrambling into ash tree is Brenda Colvin, a seedling of Kiftsgate; Brenda is a big girl and, like her mother, needs space. Clematis montana Elizabeth uses Brenda as a host.

East side of house is often wind blasted. The box hedging with that weatherproof South African, agapanthus solves a problem here. The tougher roses are mainly rugosa crosses; Agnes, Roseraie de L'Hay, Sarah van Fleet with Paul Masson. On the rustic arch is an old French Boursault rose, Morletii, thornless and with scarlet leaves in autumn. Watch your head on the low arch crosspiece!

Rhododendron border - a jumble of species and hybrids flowering from February until July. Favorites are Rh. augustinii, Rh. davidsonianum, Rh. edgeworthii, Penjerrick and Lady Alice Fitzwilliam.

Woodland Wych Elm did not survive Dutch Elm Disease in the 1970s. Mainly sycamore has taken over but there are some nice old turkey oaks, beech and hornbeam. We planted Western Hemlock for shelter. Soon after we fenced out the cattle and sheep in the 1970s, the bluebells returned and also herbs like ground ivy, muscatel, navelwort, pig nut and sanicle. We planted snowdrops, daffs and natives, woodrush and anemone. These have increased well. Archangel, hellebores and arum cope with the dry shade. A small clearing has a few ancient blueberries and remaindered roses that we could not bear to part with. Birds include bullfinches, tree creepers, goldcrests, and buzzards that help keep the rabbits in check. Occasional visitors include badger, polecat, stoat, fox and once only, a roe deer.

Returning to garden, veer left, up towards hedge On the left is a patch under contruction. It was recently a derelict corrugated iron hut. The former ‘Wendy house’ survives, but not for long. The plan is to produce a sheltered, sunny garden with a spot for watching the sunset. Passing back through the bluebells, roses include Penelope, Windrush and Complicata. Apple buds have been badly damaged by birds this year. This area has spring bulbs and comfreys with Rh. pachysanthum showing silver indumentums soon turning to rust. The border along the back wall is north facing and is held together by woodruff and woodrush. Ferns, epimediums and hesperis grow up through the groundcover. Camellias are Magnoliflora and Glen’s Orbit. Tough climbing roses are Alberic Barbier, American Pillar and Albertine, all already long-time residents when we came in 1968.

"Island Bed" Dominated by ancient Viburnum plicatum Mariesii. Clematis Perle d'Azur gives summer colour. Roses include Blush Noisette (super-healthy) R. glauca and China rose Mutabilis that never fails to delight but likes warm weather. R. gallica Versicolor flowers once but is irresistible. Hemerocallis and kniphofia give continuity. An Iris sibirica seems happy here.

Take the path between the apple and the tree paeony (P. delavay ludlowii – seedlings for sale) past the old ty bach to new and improved Garden Shed with loud tulips in front. The polytunnel houses ‘everbearing’ raspberry Glen Moy and a few tomatoes. Potager has mainly salad veg and herbs. Propagation happens here in the shade of the hedge but in competition with mice.

Turn right through the hornbeam hedge to terrace lawn (a bit rough) with roses, primroses, geraniums, potted hostas, hydrangeas and clematis (Alba luxurians). Scented Rh. Fragrantissimum and lilies provide aromatherapy by the seat after grasscutting. Roses are Little White Pet, Cornelia, Phyllis Bide, Ispahan, François Juranville, old rose commemorating Joan Morgan, Madame Alfred Carrière, Tuscany Superb, Stanwell Perpetual and Celestial. By conservatory are Perle d’Or, Dainty Bess and Irene Watts. Potted plants of Old Blush China (the monthly rose) flower in the conservatory in winter

Conservatory - frost-free. Essential in this climate as a dining/sitting room. Cool-house vine, Chasselas, and tree tomato (Solanum betaceum) are highly productive fruits. Shade is provided by drought tolerant Leucaena.

Continue to back door of house to see “hot”, dry planting around patio with lavender, potentillas, borage (Borago. pygmea), Algerian iris, Gladiolus byzantinus and geraniums. January hellebores and white honesty with hydrangeas to follow brightens the view of the garden from the breakfast table.

Back to terrace lawn and turn right towards The Millenium Tower. This folly is still not quite finished. It started life as an anaerobic digester (tub of liquid muck) built on an old midden. Go up the stairs but Max Headroom is small so watch your head! Views from the top include mountains, Burger King, lilacs (Esther Staley, Michel Buchner, Souvenir de Louis Spaeth, and Firmament) and rose Violette (a kind of rambling Tuscany Superb).



Favourite Plants
Rose Tuscany Superb, rose Mutabilis, bluebells, lilac Esther Staley, Daffodil Mrs R 0 Backhouse, Welsh poppy, Iris unguicularis, common yellow azalea

So much to do

Corby is laying paving in the lilac garden and the sleepers arrived today for the levelling of the new wood garden - still lots to do there. Corinne came to help one day this week and tore around pulling dandelions and weeds until she nearly froze. What an effort!

Corby's shed is now decorated with a bed of stupendous tulips.  The bulbs went in in December - mixed pastels from Tesco, Antoinette, the spray flowered yellow etc.  We have a pot of Marilyn left over from last year which have been translocated to a bare spot near the conservatory, surrounded by the thuggish alkanet.  They have been blooming now for 4 weeks or so.

A Slice of May

We need rain.  We have not had a decent drop for four or five weeks.  Yes, we have had sun and blue skies but all this high pressure has given us north wind - oh, and volcanic ash.  So the garden is stuck in early Spring and some plants have remained in flower for ages instead of being over in a trice.  Polar Ice daffs out with all the rhodos.  The garden will be open for the Friends of Treborth on the 29th.  Will the primroses still be stunning and will the Viburnum plicatum be blooming with the tree paeony? And what about the bluebells in the woods - will they hold on long enough?

The rhododendrons are going full blast and are nicely framed by that thug, Euphorbia robbiae.  The old clump of scented Narcissus 'Polar Ice', Jean Shaw's favourite and transplanted from Lesmahagow make a great foreground.

The rhodos are tightly packed but their struggle to survive ensures they adjust their spread and always look good.  All we do is pull out brambles and water a bit if things get too dry.                                     The shady border along the top of the garden is beginning to gel.  The sweet woodruff took off a few years ago and suppresses most weeds.  It makes a calm green carpet with tiny wee accents of white flowers.  But will it prove to be a liability?  The ferns are erupting from the carpet in a most pleasing way, ditto solomon seal and Blethin's giant chrysosplenium.

Long trip home

It took us four days to get back, thanks to the volanic ash.  Sailing up the Adriatic past the Greek islands was not at all bad

As soon as we got back, it was Treborth early plant sale and all the veg seedlings that Corbie raised had to be ferried to Treborth, labelled and priced. it was all very worth while as we made £1300 (net).


It has been cold but dry here at SG for the last three weeks. It rained a bit for the first time in ages today. The grass was cut for the first time and weeding is a top priority (hairy rock cress is the worst at this time), followed by seeding dandelions. The Camellia "Magnoliflora" was frosted while we were gone.  We don't have long to go before we have the garden open to the Friends of Treboth Botanic Gardens at the end of May.  I wonder if the primroses and bluebells will last until then.