English Woodlands Burrow Nursery Blog

Overnight rain has refreshed the nursery. There is a plethora of foliage shapes and colours to be seen. This is worth considering when planning and planting a garden. Depth of interest can be achieved by using the shape, colour and texture of foliage as well the overall shape of the plant itself to achieve the effect you want.

Feathery delicate leaves like Japanese Acers contrast well with large matt green leaves; blue needles of pines contrast with purple or dark red deciduous trees such as purple beech; leaves can be heart shaped, star shaped, tiny and crinkly, or large and hairy. New growth can be a different colour to older growth - like Photinia Red Robin, or a leaf can had a different colour underside like Magnolia grandiflora. All these characteristics can make for an interesting planting palette.

We all know flowers are fabulous but don't forget foliage, and fruit can be ornamental too!

Take time before the planting season to enjoy it all.

There are certainly some extremes of weather in the UK at the moment: while storms and flooding are occurring in the north, in the south there is a drought and heatwave. I am sure those of you who have planted trees and shrubs this year have been watering through a warm dry spring and on through the summer. Trees have been doing quite a bit of growing since spring and the conditions mean that they may well be showing some stress and even going into autumn early. Shallow rooted trees like birch particularly, can show 'heat stress' with some leaves turning yellow in late summer.

In the South East of England gardeners are being encouraged not to use hosepipes and we hope that wise use of watering cans and water butts mean that trees and shrubs can still be watered. 'Grey water' saved from baths and washing up can be used in the garden if necessary. Water butts may well be empty now but make sure you have some for future use when it rains!

Remember - watering early morning and evening is the most effective as there is less evaporation at these times. Some leaves 'droop' in the mid-day heat, don't automatically assume they need more water - they often perk up in the evening and morning with cooler conditions - it is possible to over water as well as under water - the symptoms are similar.

Do read our 'Guide to watering newly planted trees and shrubs' - we may well get some rain soon but it has to be steady and prolonged to soak in after a drought so do check the soil moisture as recommended in the guide.

Scented plants can really enhance a summer garden, especially planted around a seating area or near patio doors at the entrance to a house.

Philadelphus shrubs - also called 'mock orange' -have lovely scented flowers in early to mid-summer. Some varieties reach 3m in height others are more compact. Philadelphus 'Belle Etoile' is a compact variety with arching stems and highly fragrant white flowers with a purple centre. They look equally good as single specimens or in mixed borders with roses and herbaceous plants. They suit most well drained soils and a sunny or partially shaded site.

Also scented and in full flower now Trachelospermum jasminoides - also called Star Jasmine - a lovely climber to place near a seating area or entrance. It has the bonus of being evergreen too.

There are many trees and shrubs looking great on the nursery just now, one little star is Cornus 'Milky Way' - as its name suggests it has an abundance of creamy white flowers (bracts) indicative of stars in the Milky Way. It grows from a multi-stem shrub into a vase shape tree approximately 6m in ultimate height. Red fruits follow the flowers and in autumn it has orange red leaves. It tolerates partial shade and most well drained but moist soils.

A lovely climber with white flowers - Trachelospermum jasminoides or Star Jasmine is budding up to flower shortly. It has white, fragrant, jasmine like flowers and glossy green leaves. A great plant for a sunny seating area where you can enjoy the fragrance.

Come and browse for more bright ideas and inspiration this summer.

Great weather and lush spring foliage means the nursery is looking great at the moment ! Here are a few highlights...

Adhering to the governments guidelines on plants centres re-opening, social distancing and health & safety, we have re-opened our nursery!

Thank you for your understanding at this time and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Following Government Guidelines we are temporarily closed.

For any queries please telephone 01435 862992.

We thank you for your understanding in these difficult times. We hope to see you soon.

There is something lovely about seeing blossom on trees at the end of a wet dreary winter. One of the earliest is Prunus Okame or the Okame cherry. It has carmine pink flowers in March - and sometimes late February depending on the weather.

Prunus Okame thrives in an open sunny site and in most moist well-drained soil including chalk. It grows 5-8m tall and wide ultimately.

Another early flowering cherry is Prunus cerasifera nigra - dark leaved cherry plum which has single pale pink flowers followed by deep burgundy leaves. Available as a single or multi-stem tree. A great tree for early forage for bees!

Come and visit!

January need not be dreary with the availability of so many plants to give colour, form or flower in the winter months.

There is a lovely cherry tree that flowers on and off during mild spells from November to March called the autumn cherry or Prunus subhirtella Autumnalis, it has small white flowers flecked with pink and there is a variety 'Rosea' which has pink flowers. Both have good autumn colour too.

Evergreen shrubs Viburnum tinus Eve Price and Skimmia both show pink buds throughout winter and have white flowers in spring. Viburnum tinus Eve Price can be grown as a shrub or as a topiary half standard - great for outside a doorway or as a centre piece in a formal garden. Skimmia Rubella prefers a shady site, it will also look good in a container.

Conifers - particularly dwarf conifers can add colour and form to a winter garden and contrast beautifully with some evergreen shrubs. Choose a blue needled conifer such as Picea pungens glauca globosa to contrast with red leaves such as Leucothoe Zeblid. Dark green conifers contrast well with burgundy foliage such as Pittosporum Tom Thumb. In hedges beech keeps it's rusty brown leaves to great effect throughout winter, evergreen variegated plants such as holly offer a stunning contrast.

Hamamelis and Sarcococca are among the flowering shrubs looking good now that have fragrant flowers.

Winter doesn't have to be bleak, choose wisely and a garden can give alot of pleasure during the dreariest of months - even just from inside looking out !

Wishing all our customers a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year !

We re-open at 8am Thursday January 2nd

then from 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday

and 8 am to 4 pm Saturday