Cambridge Botanic Garden revisited

Last twelvemonth I wrote a position about the Winter Garden at Cambridge Botanic Garden . I wo n’t repeat myself here , but I would like to show you some thing which captivate my eye last calendar week . First , a wonderful winter -flowering tree which was n’t in bloom last January . It is new to mePrunus mume‘Omoi - Noi - Mama ’ .

Prunus mume‘Omoi - no - momma ’

It is a blanched mannikin of the fantastic Nipponese Apricot , Prunus mume . I have had the rich pinkPrunus mume‘Beni - Chidori ’ in flower for some metre now and it is gorgeous . I shall for certain be expect out for this lily-white one . I do n’t like copying other hoi polloi ’ planting combinations , as I much prefer to project my own , but I guess this combination just ca n’t be improved upon . The adorable red stem ofCornus alba‘Sibirica ’ are set off to idol by the glistening crimson farewell ofBergenia‘Bressingham Ruby ’ and behind there is a mass of the Malus pumila green flower ofHelleborus foetidus . I bang the idea of implant snowdrops amongst thisBergeniatoo . In another part of the garden was thisMuehlenbeckia astonii . I thought it would be a fantastic addition to the wintertime garden .

Prunus mume‘Omoi-no-mama’

Muehlenbeckia astonii

This amazing plant which comes from New Zealand looks like Cu conducting wire netting .

The Botanic Garden has a National Collection of species tulips so I was interested to go and see the Alpine section of the large glass house . I love the heap of tinyTulipa dasystemon .

Prunus mume ‘Omoi-No-Mama’

Prunus mume‘Omoi-no-mama’

Tulipa dasystemon

I love any form of Primula and the single here were so pretty .

Dionysia tapetodes

I wonder if Saxifragas are any easier to grow . I would love to try growing some alpines in my second , unheated greenhouse which just domiciliate an apricot Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , a grape vine , Dahlia imperialisand numerousAgapanthusbabies at the mo . I suppose it could be the beginning of another expensive compulsion though . But see at these high-priced little saxifrages .

Ranunculus calandriniodes

And how about a carpet ofGymnospermum allenii ? In his ledger ‘ Buried Treasure ’ Janis Ruskins says he has a lot of these growing outside in the sun . I have the Widow Iris , Hermodactylus tuuberosusbut mine is rather a blue matter . I love the mystifying purple contrasted with lilac of this one . TheBongardia chrysogonumis quite new to me . I looked it up and saw that it ’s common name is ‘ Ladies Night Cap ’ . How can something so rare have a common name ? And how rude to treat something so uncommon and beautiful with such familiarity . It ’s a second like calling the Queen , Lizzy .

46 Responses toCambridge Botanic Garden revisited

The Cornus and the Bergenia make a brilliant combination . I love it !

I copy combinations from everyone and everywhere . I have no imagination . They have some fabulous plant life there , thanks for sharing them .

Loving Gymnospermum allenii . Mike and I were talking about ‘ proper ’ glasshouses today too and then , in the short term , black eye proofing our existing greenhouse . If I ca n’t grow bulb and these finespun alpines in the earth I ’m planning on starting a solicitation in pots . It ’s definitely the start of an obsession , but an investiture I can take with me if or when we move .

Muehlenbeckia astonii

Muehlenbeckia astonii

Oh my , that Bergenia / Cornus combining is stunning ! A glass theatre with an Accho of space would do nicely !

Thanks for the tour ! I ’ve always been astonished ( like everyone else , I guess ) by the beauty of Bird of Paradise . That Cornus / Bergenia / Helleborus combination is mythologic – no wonderf so many people arrange those plants together . Oh , yes , the Palm House at Kew would be fantastic to have in one ’s backyard ! 😉

Tulipa dasystemon