Coblands Blog

Heavenly Hellebore - Winter maintenance

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

One of the most popular and sought after winter plants is without doubt, the Hellebore. This group of fifteen or so species of largely hardy herbaceous perennials are versatile garden plants growing in a range of different garden situations. With limited annual maintenance, you can get the very best from your plants and watch those beautiful winter flowers ligh up even the dullest days!

Here we have a short video of our nursery preparation of helleborus niger (Christmas Rose) in readiness for late winter flowering.

The video illustrates the removal of foliage to allow fresh new flower buds to push through from the base of the plant creating the very best of view of the flowers. Aside from the advantages of seeing the flowers clearly, removing the foliage helps to reduce the potential of health issues that dying leaves can create. This also makes it easier for you, 'the gardener', to mulch around the base of the plant helping with nutrition, weed suppression and winter plant protection.

Before After

Winter has come....

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Well, it has finally happened; winter has started in earnest! This morning's frosty start came as a surprise to us, with car windscreen scraping the first order of the day. Where last week, many of us on the nursery were in shirtsleeves, today jumpers and jackets have been donned as the cold weather has started.

Traditional November weather this year has largely been replaced, by mild and sunny days and while this is smashing for gardeners, it hasn't been great for the lifting of Bare Rooted plants in our nursery. Now that the temperature has dropped and we've had a bit of rain, the lifting of field grown hedging, trees and fruit trees has begun.

Over the past few days we have been stocking our plant centres and sending out hundreds of orders of mixed native hedging to customers around the country.

While hedging and deciduous trees are forming a substantial part of our orders at the moment, the real stars of the show are the heavily budded winter shrubs like Camellia, Skimmia, Daphne and Corylopsis as well as a great selection of grasses and herbaceous perennials showing off their winter seed heads on our nursery beds. The drying flowers of the fifteen or so varieties of Miscanthus that we grow are adding subtle colour and fluffy texture to our planted displays and our nursery stock beds. Spent flowers on Achillea and Rudbeckia remind us of how colourful they were a month ago, while injecting the very in vogue prairie feel to planting schemes. Finally, one of my personal favourites at the moment, Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’ (pictured), a very light and airy flower atop a bushy mound of evergreen foliage. Looking great with carpeting plants like Ajuga and a perfect partner for Allium and Gladioli bulbs.

A new website and a new blog post!

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Apologies that it has been a while since we last posted a blog, but we have had a very busy year with substantial developments to our nursery facilities, lots of show exhibiting and terrific sales.

I say ‘we’, but can’t take much of the credit, as I only joined the company in September as the new Retail Sales Manager and have been thrown deep into work developing our new website.

My name is Lewis Normand and I join Coblands having taught Garden Design and Horticulture at Hadlow College for the last 10 years, as well as designing gardens in the UK, Europe and in the Middle East. My background in design stems from a real passion for plants and I have worked in various nurseries and garden centres in my native Scotland and now in the South East for over 15 years building plant knowledge and feeding my plant addiction.

My new job here sees me in charge of all retail sales through the website and as the principle port of call for all queries and the occasional problem that customers have.

I am currently working with our growing team to bring lots of new plants to the website over the coming months, the first of which, Acanthus mollis ‘Tasmanian Angel’ is now available. As well as an increase in plants, a broadened range of garden tools, garden leisure and gifts will soon be available.

Don’t do all your Christmas shopping too early, as I’m sure we’ll have some offers to whet your appetite over the next month.

Catkin Explosion

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The mild south westerly winds that we have been experiencing last week, have woken up host of plants from their winter slumber. The Forestry Commision planted the area behind our house four years ago with a huge mix of native and some non-native trees and shrubs.

This weekend, while taking Finn and Molly for their walk, I noticed that, just in a week, the Corylus avellana ( Hazel- wheat coloured catkins ) and Alnus glutinosa (Alder --- black/purple catkins) have become smothered in catkins.

The difference in growth between these two plants is remarkable. All of the trees and shrubs were approximately 40-60cm (18”-2ft high) when planted. Four years later the Corylus are about 1.2-1.5m high, whereas the Alnus are about 4-5m high. This is the reason many farmers and land owners use Alnus as a windbreak, because they attain a tall hedge fairly quickly. However Corylus also makes a lovely hedgerow, with the added bonus of Hazelnuts. Both these can still be planted now as bare rooted plants until late March.

A minor horticultural triumph

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Today I am going to share a very minor horticultural triumph, back in the autumn of 2009 I sowed some Paeonia mlokosewitschii or as a mere mortal like me calls it Molly the Witch. My wife has been sceptical looking at pots in which seemed very empty but patience is rewarded and they have come good. I have 2 coming up so far. I must confess to some surprise that any have geminated, and no idea of how long until we have a flower if they survive. I feel slightly guilty about mentioning this variety as we have none for sale but there are alternatives such as Paeonia lactiflora Festiva Maxima that is a lovely white variety.

We are taking part in a garden at Hampton court this year that needs poppies, so we sowed some Ladybird Poppies on January 30th these are just beginning to geminate (Feb 9th) I’m amazed at the amount of root hairs showing so early on, as you can see surface sown as they are tiny seeds. I know that better photographers than me would have got a deeper field of focus with their macro lens but I’m a mere beginner at this game!

Annual poppies are fine for the effect we are looking for these are stunt doubles for the wild field poppy. For my garden I would always choose an oriental poppy these are perennial and come up year after year one of the best is Papaver orientale Bonfire which is a lovely dark red with black basal blotches at the base of the petal, one aspect of these plants that can throw you is that they disappear into the ground in the summer after flowering just leaving their seed pods to ripen.

Now would you look at that

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

If ever there was a lesson to be learned it’s not to buy cheap terracotta pots. No matter how lovely they look stacked up in the local garden centre decked out with dainty herbs – just don’t!!! This rather sorry looking display contained a lovely herb, Mentha x piperita Chocolate Mint. It’s wonderful added to a Mojito on a hot summers day. There’s a story there involving me, several Mojito’s and some furry dice, I wont go into details!. As I look around the garden I’m dismayed at the state of my lawn. “Great weather for ducks they say” but I can assure you its not. Three of my prize winning Teals dropped dead this winter from excessive cold. In my depression I stumble across a patch of crocus peeking above the quagmire and Snowdrops about to burst into flower. Little signs of spring that fill my soul with cheer but does nothing to generate the £500 needed to replace the aforementioned Teal. On a serious horticultural note my Veg seeds are organized in my special metal seed box, courtesy of my mum this Christmas ( its great!! and I’m very excited ). The Vegetable patch is to be dug over this weekend, spent grow bags added for extra bulk and a layer of well rotted manure added for those greedy veg.

A walk in my local woods

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

These musing are inspired partly by a walk in my local woods, it is always good to find nature moving in a time of year a lot of people consider to be the heart of Winter. On a south-facing slope I came across a hazel almost in flower but close enough to cheer me up! There are cultivated varieties to be had for the garden such as Corylus avellana contorta some times known as Harry Lauder’s Walking stick. Another variety to consider is Corylus avellana aurea which has soft yellow leaves, heavier cropping varieties have been selected such as Cosford cob and Hall’s Giant and are available if you want to grow your own nuts for Christmas. There are some close relatives like The red filbert Corylus maxima and the Turkish hazel Corylus colerna that makes an imposing tree. Further along on the walk I noticed that the Lords and Ladies are beginning to push up lush green leaves, this made me wonder how the Arum italicum pictum was doing in my garden so on my return home I had a look and they are looking in the pink so to speak!

Back at work on a pleasant February morning there is time for a quick look around the nursery, out on the beds there is not much sign of life just what looks like empty pots. But do not be fooled in a few weeks there will be new growth! One of the beds that caught my eye is the one that has an experimental group of plants with a topping of bark chips to suppress weeds and save on herbicides (This will make the nursery more environmentally friendly than ever.) So can the hawk eyed amongst you tell what the plants are ? If we look into the tunnels there are a number of plants that are showing signs of growth such as the Sedum Herbsfreude used to be Autumn Glory and as my dad would call it an Ice plant (If some one could tell me why its called that I would love to know!) the new leaves always look new and clean in the spring resembling baby cabbages Last but not least I was arrested by a scent wafting from one of tunnels and on investigation the origin turned out to be Sarcococca hookeriana humilis, what a mouthful of a name great for impressing non-gardeners. It is a very useful plant growing happily in the shade and giving a lift to the late winter with its highly fragrant flowers even if rather small! The fragrance gives it one common name of Sweet box and its habit of flowering around Christmas gives it another common name Christmas box.

Last weekend

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Last weekend was mainly a vegetable weekend. I managed to dig over half the patch, after clearing the bean canes from last year. Its amazing how quickly the weeds start to take over, even with the bad weather we have had over the last two months. I also put my seed potatoes into seed trays so that they could ‘chit’. This is done to ensure you get strong sturdy shoots at one end of the tuber. The varieties I am growing this year are Pentalin Javelin (first early) and King Edward (main crop). Also potted up my onion sets(Sturon) into small cells(usually used for cuttings or seed) in my greenhouse. I find that they establish faster if I can get some root on them, before they are planted out in the big wide world. Tops of bulb shoots are starting to appear in the flower garden. I noticed some tulips, (in a warm spot in the garden) and Iris reticulata, but these seem to be late this year? Snowdrops are still not fully up, but the best time for these is usually first two weeks of February.

Notes from the nursery

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

We begin a new year with a spring in our step now that the snow has gone, We will be repairing our tunnels that were firmly squashed by the snow a giant in large boots could not have done a better job. However looking around the nursery there are always sights to cheer one’s spirits such as the serendipitous combination of cornus sericea flaverimea (Yellow stemmed Dogwood) and Rubus cockburnianus (White stemmed Bramble). This is the time of year when coloured stemmed shrubs really make an impact so did you remember to prune the coloured dogwoods and willows last spring? Looking into some of our tunnels that survived the havoc of the snow there are promises of the spring ahead like the good old Primrose just beginning to flower. Another favourite more likely to found this time of year in the garden is Mahonia x media Charity. Although a fine plant my favourite Mahonia has to be japonica for the delicious near lily of the valley scent of its flowers.

The beginning of spring?

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

I`ve noticed the beginning of spring in my garden this weekend. Two yellow winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) are pushing their heads above the ground, a few snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are starting to show flower buds and the Daphne bholua (seedling ) lovely pink flower buds are just starting to open. Daphne bholua is a really difficult plant to propagate, cuttings are rarely successful. I`ve found that seedlings self sow in my garden (I noticed three around the main shrub last weekend) however seedlings usually are not identical to the original. This means that over time the strain could become weaker, which in turn can mean plants that maybe are not as floriferous or hardy or diesease resistant.

Jacksons - Best of Kent Celebration

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Meet the Designers at the Jacksons Best of Kent Garden Event See how the show gardens have matured since their opening in May and grab a chance to meet the professional designers behind these inspirational exhibits, to discuss your personal garden issues. Saturday 16th October from 10am - 4pm Jacksons are also celebrating the Best of Kent with stands showcasing some of the region`s finest garden related companies: Chilstone Coblands - Best4plants.co.uk Ponds by Design Lazylawn Eco-huts There will also be a chance to sample and buy fantastic food and drinks produced locally in the Garden of England - including mouth-watering cakes, artisan baked breads, delicious cheeses and preserves, traditional cider and much more... FREE admission FREE parking FREE light refreshments Jacksons Fencing Stowting Common Ashford Kent TN25 6BN 01233 750393 For more information please visit: The Jacksons Website

Hampton Court 2010 - Best4plants comes 2nd!

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Beyond the Garden Gate, our Hampton Court Flower Show 2010 garden comes 2nd in the plant plot exhibits. A massive thank you to everyone involved! More information including the planting plan can be found here: Best4plants Hampton Court Garden Get the look! Click below to buy plants from your favourite Hampton Court Show Gardens. - Work Rest Play Garden *Silver Guilt - Birchfield Garden *Silver Medal - Tyrrells Harvest Celebration Garden *Silver-Gilt - Legoland Pirates Landing Garden" *Silver Medal - Sadolin Refresh & Revive Garden *Silver-Gilt - Reflections of Thailand Garden *Gold Medal

Best4plants on The BBC @ Hampton Court

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

On Friday 9th July the Best4plants Plant Plot Gargen and display tent will be featured on BBC2`s coverage of the Hampton Court Flower Show 2010. Below, left: Jo Swift during filming Above, right: The film crew capture our beautiful garden in all its glory. Below: The layout of the inside of our selling area creates quite an impact. Our plants are displayed in sections for hassle free planting. Click here to watch Episode 3 of the BBC`s coverage of the Hampton Court Flower Show. More information about our Hampton Court Garden can be found here

Hampton Court 2010 - Garden mock-up

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Beyond the Garden Gate, our Hampton Court Flower Show 2010 garden gets it`s first mock-up! Right: Our handmade gate looks great. Hopefully it will stand up on it`s own once it`s in our garden! Above: Our post and rail fence starts it`s life. Insert: What it will look like when it`s finished! Above: Our Mock-up starts with the woodland area over the fence. We use black crates to reflect the different heights in the garden. Some of our favourite plants in this years garden. Left: Spiraea japonica Little Princess. A deciduous shrub with a compact mound forming habit 50-60cm tall, small green leaves. Flowers rose-crimson from July to August. Good hardy, reliable shrub for summer colour. Requires full sun, neutral moist soil. Top right: Astrantia major Roma. A lovely pink Astrantia noted for its floriferous habit 80-100cm tall. Herbaceous perennial preferring moist soils in sun or partial shade. Bottom right: Sedum Purple Emperor. A herbaceous perennial with dark plum purple foliage and dusty pink flowers July to September. 50cm tall. Requires full sun, very tolerant of drought once established.

Hampton Court 2010 - Just the beginning...

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The plans are in! Our Hampton Court Flower Show 2010 garden begins to take shape! A traditional cottage garden setting with a range of herbaceous perennials. The path leads the viewer down to the woodlands beyond. The first batch of plants are hand picked from our nursery stock. Beyond the Garden Gate - Plant list Herbaceous & Grasses Achillea Red Velvet Actaea simplex Brunette Agapanthus africanus Agapanthus africanus albus Alchemilla mollis Anthemis Sauce Hollandaise Astrantia Abbey Road Astrantia Roma Coreopsi verticillata Moonbeam Coreopsis Ruby Red Cosmos atrosanguinea Delphinium Galahad Delphinium Summer Skies Digitalis mertonensis Echinacea Fatal Attraction Echinacea Harvest Moon Echinacea Sundown Echinacea Tiki Torch Echinacea Tomato Soup Gaura Whirling Butterflies Geranium Rozanne Stachys Humelo Hemerocallis selection Heuchera Berry Smoothy Heuchera Caramel Heuchera Green Spice Heuchera Midnight Rose Heuchera Obsidian Heucherella Sunspot Hydrangea paniculata Kyushu Knautia macedonica Mars Midget Leucanthemum Sonnenschein Liatris spicata Liatris spicata Alba Lupinus yellow Oenothera fruiticosa Fyrverkeri Origanum Compactum Penstemon Huskers Red Penstemon Strawberry and Cream Phlox Chattahoochee Phygelius Funfare Wine Potentilla thurberi Monarchs` Velvet Salvia Hot Lips Salvia Tricolour Sanguisorba officinalis Tanna Scabiosa Butterfly Blue Sedum Purple Emporor Sidalcea Little Princess Stipa arundinacea Verbena bonariensis Veronica Rotfuchs Veronicastrum virg. Album Shrubs Buddleia davidii Pink Delight Hydrangea macrophylla Pink or White Potentilla fruticosa Pink Delight Perovskia Blue Spire Trees Prunus serrula multistem

Silver gilt at Chelsea 2010

Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

`The Naturally Fashionable Garden` by Nick Dexter is awarded Silver gilt at The Chelsea Flower Show 2010. Coblands best4plants would like to congratulate Nick on his fantastic garden. `The Naturally Fashionable Garden` was created using plants supplied by Coblands Best4plants.co.uk, and to celebrate we will be offering a 15% discount on all of the plants used in his design. Exhibited by BrandAlley.co.uk, Nick`s garden is inspired by fabric textures, fashion design and the work of artist Sonia Delaunay (1885-1979). She was noted for her use of overlapping, abstract blocks of colour which the eye would intermingle to create a harmonious composition. The white boundaries highlight the strong colours seen in leaf, stem, flower and material selection. Every element contrasts and relates to other elements in the garden. The texture of textiles viewed under an electron microscope inspired the concept for the stumpery. How the design started This bold and contemporary urban garden, beautifully constructed from sumptuous and luxurious natural materials, makes a powerful style statement. By combining a defined geometric pattern, with natural elements, Nick has created an exciting composition. For more information about Nick and his Naturally Fashionable Garden please visit him online Sources: www.ndg.de.com www.bbc.co.uk/chelsea/ www.brandalleysales.co.uk

Best4Plants.co.uk Launches New Gardening Blog

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Hello! We’re very excited to launch our first official gardening blog, The B4P Blog! Best4plants.co.uk is the retail section of Coblands Nurseries, which is a division of Glendale Horticulture Limited. It’s all very complex but basically means we are part of a large company, not a small, one-man band selling plants from the garden shed, so we can offer reliability and continuity. Founded in 1963, Coblands grow a wide range of shrubs, herbaceous, grasses, ferns and trees in the "coblands" of Kent. Our production nursery extends to over 100 acres on a number of sites in and around Tonbridge, growing approximately a million plants at any one time. We encourage you to get involved in the discussions in this gardening blog by submitting replies to the posts. If there are any additional topics you would like to see covered in this blog, please let us know. (Email us at info@best4plants.co.uk) We will be continuously adding new articles, so please check back on a regular basis or subscribe for our new articles. You can subscribe to this blog by clicking on the "subscribe" icon on the right hand side of this page.