Mowgleys retreat

Characteristics

• FoliageEvergreen
  
  
• HabitBushy
  
  
• FragranceFlower
  
  
• ToxicityAll parts are highly toxic by ingestion
  
  
• Hardiness
  
  H2
  

Colour
Colour in Autumn

• 
  foliage
  
  
  

Colour in Spring

• 
  flower
  
  
  
  
• 
  foliage
  
  
  

Colour in Summer

• 
  foliage
  
  
  

Colour in Winter

• 
  foliage
  
  
  

Sunlight

• 
  Full Sun
  

• AspectSouth-facing or East-facing or West-facing or North-facing
  
  
• ExposureSheltered
  

Soil

• 
  Sand
  
  
  
• 
  Loam
  
  
• 
  Chalk
  

• MoistureWell-drained
  
  
• SoilSand, Loam, Chalk
  
  
• pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
  

 

@mowgley Although the books/experts say it's not hardy practical gardeners disagree. I've seen it in gardens all around the country and spoken to lots of head gardeners about it. The general consensus is that as long as it's not in a windy spot it will be quite happy in most parts of the country. Most of the gardeners said they would expect it to survive quite easily down to -5 to -9.

We did this research before putting one in our garden. It's reasonably sheltered but in our front garden which is north facing with the open field to the front. It's where the main lawn is in the front (if you remember) and half way down the bed with the long fence. I took this photo a few days ago. They can grow quite big.



This photo shows the bed it's in, fairly sheltered when in full bloom but quite exposed in the winter. It's just under two years ago and the Mellifera is just in front of the green conifer (skyrocket). It has grown about 2ft since then.

The acer in the front of the picture is, sadly, no more.

 

@mowgley Sorry for going off topic

@philomel It's Aruncus Sylvestris.

It grows to about 6ft high. When the plumes have finished flowering (end May to end June) we cut them off and the leaves still look good for another month or so.

 

Stunning garden @mowgley! I can only dream of mine looking like that.

In one of your autumn pictures last year, there is a tall dark leaved plant that looks a bit like a fatsia japonica in terms of leaf shape - - what is it please?