Latest news with #DavidAustinRoses
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
King presented with new rose grown in his honour by Shropshire company
King Charles has been presented with a rose at the Chelsea Flower Show, which has been named in his King's Rose was grown by David Austin Roses in Albrighton, Shropshire, and proceeds from sales will go to supporting The King's Austin Junior, the company chairman, said he selected the flower after recalling a conversation with the then-Prince Charles in the 1990s about the first roses they had men had nurtured the same striped hybrid perpetual rose, and the King's Rose is also striped. He met the King and Queen Camilla at Chelsea to show them the new flower and was said to be "delighted" with their Beddall, the company's senior rose consultant, said: "When he [the chairman] saw this striped seedling in the breeding trials he knew that he wanted to name it in honour of the work of the King's Foundation." The shrub rose can grow to about 4ft (1.2m) and "boasts delicately papery petals with distinct stripes in shades of fuchsia pink and white", according to David Austin Beddall said it was also very attractive to rose was seen on Monday when the Queen was given a posy, and former England footballer David Beckham wore one on his breeding programme for a new rose like the King's Rose is a lengthy process that can take about 12 Beddall said each year they cross about 40,000 roses, which are then whittled down through assessments, just to produce one or two new roses. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Gardens For Planet And Soul: RHS Chelsea 2025 Unveils A Regal Rose For The King, Climate-Conscious Gardens, Gardening For Wellbeing & Global Blooms.
King Charles views the Kings Rose with David Austin. Oliver Dixon A Royal Bloom for a Regal Cause At this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, King Charles and Queen Camilla unveiled the King's Rose, a new variety by David Austin Roses. Grown from one of 60,000 seedlings over 12 years, the rose is available at the Highgrove Gardens Shop, with proceeds benefiting The King's Foundation. The Highgrove stand also features designs by Shane Connolly, with artistic touches from Royal Drawing School graduate Helen Bullock and a Burberry trench coat as floral centerpiece. Since its inception in 1913, the botanical extravaganza that is Chelsea Flower Show has brought the best show gardens and breathtaking floral displays to London. Now in its 112th year, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show continues to be a platform for innovative design whilst featuring gardens designed around themes of environmental awareness and community engagement, offering visitors a glimpse into the future of horticulture. From dramatic landscapes to peaceful havens there is an inspiring mix of different planting trends on display. Chelsea Flower Show is the ultimate plant universe with almost 90 world class exhibits in the Great Pavilion. There's a sense in the Grand Pavilion of the horticultural people from around the world coming together. RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 debuts 31 new gardens curated by 49 garden designers as well as growers, nurseries and florists displaying the greatest that British horticulture and floristry has to offer. Now in its 112th year, highlights of the 2025 edition include the RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden designed by Monty Don. King Charles and Queen Camilla visited Chelsea Flower Show on VIP day where they spoke to David Beckham and unveiled the Highgrove stand and smelled the exquisite new King's Rose–grown by David Austen– at the Highgrove Gardens Shop where it's being sold to raise proceeds for the King's Foundation, the charity for which Beckham is an ambassador. The Highgrove stand features floral displays created by Shane Connolly–the designer behind the flowers at The King's Coronation–and a Burberry trench coat lined with fabric designed by Royal Drawing Show graduate Helen Bullock. King Charles pictured meeting David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show 2025 © RHS © RHS The King also made an appearance at David Austin's stand inside the Great Marquee to see the King's Rose, named for him and grown from one of 60,000 seedlings planted 12 years ago. This year's show features 31 new gardens by 49 designers, all highlighting themes of climate resilience, wellbeing, and artistic expression. From wild coastlines to rainforest revival, Chelsea's gardens reflect a world in flux. Here are some of the highlights to see at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. Hospitalfield Arts Garden – Climate Meets Creativity The Hospitalfield Arts Garden. Designed by Nigel Dunnett. Show Garden. RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. Site no. 325 © RHS © RHS Nigel Dunnett and artist Bob & Roberta Smith. © Lee Sharrock Designed by Nigel Dunnett and artist Bob & Roberta Smith, this sand-dune inspired landscape includes a sculptural 'artist bothy' and slogans championing art in education. After the show, it relocates to a Scottish primary school. Inspired by the sand dune landscape of Hospitalfield Arts in Scotland, landscape designer Nigel Dunnett has collaborated with artist Bob & Roberta Smith on a garden featuring a sculptural 'artist bothy' studio nestled among resilient coastal plants like Armeria maritima and Euphorbia mellifera. Designer Nigel Dunnett explores climate resilience through drought-tolerant plants and innovative use of sand and minerals. After the show, the garden will be relocated to a primary school in Arbroath to inspire creativity and connection with nature. The design emphasizes the intersection of art and nature, offering a space for creativity and reflection. I spoke to Professor Nigel Dunnett who told me: 'We're working with an arts organisation supporting artists in their careers. They're based on the East Coast of Scotland. The inspiration for the garden is very much tied to that. Hospitalfield are on the beach with sand dunes and it's really dramatic. This is the sand dune landscape as reinterpreted as reinterpreted through the eyes of an artist or a sculpture. What I've tried to do is make the whole garden a sculpture.' At the back of the garden, the 'artist bothy' created by Bob & Roberta Smith is full of the artist's instantly recognisable hand-painted slogans on placards, buckets and watering cans, emblazoned with statements such as: 'Schools should be liked gardens, nurturing every child with art, music, dance and poetry', and 'All Schools Should Be Art Schools'. Artist Bob & Roberta Smith told me that he is a keen gardener and has gardens at his houses in London and Ramsgate. 'I'm a bit more a Hollyhocks and Hydragea person'. The Wildlife Trusts' British Rainforest Garden – Zoe Claymore The Wildlife Trusts' British Rainforest by Zoe Claymore. All About Plants. RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. Site no. 340 © RHS © RHS Zoe Claymore © Lee Sharrock This lush, misty woodland garden highlights the fragile British temperate rainforest. With mossy boulders, waterfalls, and raised walkways, it aims to spotlight restoration efforts by The Wildlife Trust and Aviva. Designed by Zoe Claymore, this garden recreates the rapidly diminishing British Rainforest. A raised wooden walkway meanders through mossy boulders and a tumbling waterfall, showcasing the resilience of native temperate rainforests. The garden highlights the importance of restoring these habitats to combat climate change. The Wildlife Trust are working to reinstate the temperate rainforest along the West coast of the UK. Claymore is the youngest woman to design a garden at Chelsea, and she has created a peaceful haven with a tumbling waterfall evoking the lost enchanted woodlands that at one time covered much of the UK. Designer Zoe Claymore told me about the educational aspect of the garden: 'That is the point of this project is to raise the profile that we have these amazing, threatened habitats, and they are worthy of our protection. This garden is about celebrating them and the work The Wildlife Trust are doing in partnership with Aviva. We've been working on the garden for about the last 18 months.' Save for a Rainy Day Garden – Baz Grainger Killik & Co 'Save for a Rainy Day Garden'. Designed by Baz Grainger. Small Show Garden. RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. Site no. 288 © RHS © RHS Looking 25 years into the future, this climate-resilient garden features 3D-printed structures, water-saving designs, and hardy plants. The Futureproof garden designed by Baz Grainger and sponsored by Killik & Co. reflects the need for drought-ready gardening and is a vision of a British garden 25 years in the future, focusing on climate resilience and adapting to unpredictable weather. This modern family garden incorporates hardy plants, rainwater harvesting, and flood mitigation features, showcasing how gardens can be adapted to a changing climate. As our weather becomes increasingly unpredictable our gardens need to become more robust. Garden set 25 years in the future with a cantilever designed to collect water. Made using the first 3D printing used at Chelsea Flower Show. Monty Don's Dog Garden Monty Don, Jo Wiley and Scott Mills pictured on The RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this morning. The garden will live on at Battersea Dogs home following the show © RHS © RHS Gardener's World presenter Monty Don's debut Chelsea garden–designed with Jamie Butterworth–celebrates the bond between pets and people. With pathways designed by Don's dog Ned, this shaded space includes bricks bearing names of dogs belonging to RHS patrons—including Queen Camilla's rescue dog Moley. Monty Don't Dog Garden celebrates the UK's reputation as a nation of dog lovers and garden enthusiasts. The dog-friendly garden features grassy areas and shaded spaces, celebrating the bond between humans and their canine companions. This garden was revealed by Monty Don with BBC Radio TV Presenter Jo Whiley. Known for his beloved dogs–including Ned, who is a regular on Gardeners' World–Monty Don conveys his passion for dogs and gardens with a space designed for dogs and their owners to enjoy. Monty even enlisted the help of Ned to design the paths that intersect through the planting, by following his nose and forging the routes that can be seen in the final garden design. Monty Don described it as 'A garden that is inspired by Longmeadow and my own dogs but above all a celebration of the way that so many of us share our gardens with our canine companions.' The King's Trust Garden – Joe Perkins The King's Trust Garden: Seeding Success. Designed by Joe Perkins. Show Garden. RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. Site no. 324 © RHS © RHS Symbolizing growth from adversity, this garden evokes volcanic landscapes with towering black pines and screen-printed glass panels illustrating seed dispersal. All materials are recycled, and the garden will move to Uxbridge College post-show. Designed by Joe Perkins, The King's Trust Garden's landscapes symbolize resilience and transformation and celebrate the King's passion for gardening and transforming lives. The King's Trust has helped more than a million people since it was founded. The message of the King's Trust garden is one of hope and resilience and it features the largest tree ever bought into the Chelsea Flower Show. All the materials have been reclaimed and recycled to give a sense of hope and starting again. The garden features pioneering plants that thrive in harsh environments, representing the potential for growth and hope for the future. A series of screen-printed glass panels illustrate seed dispersal methods, highlighting the opportunities The King's Trust provides for young people facing challenges. The design includes basalt pathways, sculptural timber benches, and a sunken communal area beneath towering black pines, creating an immersive and reflective space. Sustainability is a key focus, with materials that are recycled, recyclable, or reclaimed, and permeable construction techniques to manage rainfall. Following the show, the garden will be relocated to Uxbridge College, where it will serve as a resource for young people and the local community. Saatchi Gallery Garden – Darcey Fleming & Naomi Frett-Cohen Artist Darcey Fleming pictured in the Saatchi Gallery garden © Lee Sharrock A collaboration between artist Darcey Fleming–a resident artist at the Sarabande Foundation–and landscape designer Naomi Frett-Cohen, this garden blends contemporary art with horticultural design, creating a space that stimulates the senses and encourages dialogue between art and nature. Titled Three Coverings, Fleming's larger-than-life, abstract sculptures occupy a garden evocative of the British countryside. The brightly coloured, hand woven works are made from discarded baling twine, donated by farmers living locally to Fleming in Oxfordshire and Berkshire. A winding gravel path guides visitors through the garden, with the main sculpture loosely referencing and evoking traditional celebrations connected to the land such as dancing round a maypole. her sculptures stand in a sea of wildflowers and soft grasses. Hazel wood fencing and climbing ivy surround the garden. Bright, woven sculptures made from farm twine animate a wildflower meadow in this art-meets-nature installation. Inspired by traditional countryside festivities, the garden is a sensory celebration of land and heritage. Artist Darcey Fleming talked me through the inspiration behind the garden and her process for creating the woven sculptures: 'I do it all by hand and work on a small loom and patch the pieces together to make larger works. Usually my way of working is very organic. I like the idea of all my material–bailing twine–coming from the countryside. We wanted it to be like a countryside hedgerow. I tend to photograph my works in nature anyway, so I'm recreating that with this garden.' Designer Naomi Frett-Cohen gave me some insights into the planting of the garden and collaboration with Darcey Fleming: 'What we were trying to create was Darcey's artwork presented in a natural setting. We tried to be as wild as we can make it for Chelsea.' Addleshaw Goddard 'Freedom to Flourish' Garden – Joe Carey Joe Carey pictured in the Addleshaw Goddard 'Freedom to Flourish' Garden. © Lee Sharrock Rooted in Norfolk's 'Slow You Down' ethos, this garden invites reflection with tidal water features, sandy plant palettes, and rhythms aligned with nature's pace. Inspired by the Norfolk landscape, the garden advocates for a slower pace of life, emphasizing the mental health benefits of spending time in nature. Features include gabions filled with natural materials representing coastal cliffs and a planting palette of sandy tones and wildflowers. Designer Joe Carey told me: 'Our garden is based on the narrative around the 'Slow You Down' way of life in North Norfolk. The whole garden is built from unhurried materials. We have a tidal rhythm to our water feature, that cuts of the main path in and out of the garden. So that you are invited to align your pace to nature's rythmn. So as you enter the space, the tide will come up, and that enforces a moment of rest and calm, and you have to wait for the waters to recede before you can carry on and exit the garden.' Japanese Tea Garden – Kazuyuki Ishihara Cha No Niwa – Japanese Tea Garden. Designed by Kazuyuki Ishihara. Show Garden. RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. Site no. 328 © RHS © RHS Renowned designer Kazuyuki Ishihara presents a traditional Japanese tea garden featuring a thatched-roof tea house set amidst a variety of Japanese maples. The design emphasizes harmony and communication, drawing inspiration from the art of Ikebana and traditional Japanese aesthetics. Ishihara's garden is a masterclass in the mantra that 'Less is More'. Minimalist elegance and serenity reign in this traditional tea garden, with Japanese maples, a thatched tea house, and the gentle philosophy of Ikebana. A Glimpse of the Past – Antigua & Barbuda Horticultural Society This garden offers a window into the rich horticultural heritage of Antigua and Barbuda, featuring native plants and traditional gardening practices that reflect the islands' cultural history. More like a horticultural art installation than a garden, 'A Glimpse of the Past' features chains made from strips of palm leaf in reference to slavery, sculptural Conch shells, Antigua Black Pineapples and pink sand from Barbuda. Native flora, black pineapples and pink Barbuda sand evoke the islands' rich and complex history, celebrating Caribbean heritage through horticultural artistry. Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden – Burton Hall Garden Design Down's syndrome garden © Lee Sharrock The Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden is designed by RHS Chelsea newcomers Nick Burton and Duncan Hall of Burton Hall Garden Design and was built on site with the help of a group of young adults with Down's syndrome. The garden is an immersive, semi-wooded space celebrating and reflecting the unique qualities that people with Down's syndrome bring to society. This project has been made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of Project Giving Back. After the Chelsea Flower Show, the garden will be installed at Watch US Grow in Palacerigg Country Park, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. The Pathway Garden – Allon Hoskin & Robert Beaudin The Pathway Garden © Lee Sharrock Symbolizing recovery from homelessness, this interwoven space is inspired by the work the Pathway charity does to support people who have experienced homelessness. The Garden has interconnecting spaces and features recycled materials and continuous paths—emphasizing growth through support. Boulders intersect the first section of path as a metaphor for the journey of an individual out of homelessness onto a healthier and happier life course. Karoo Succulent Garden – The Newt in Somerset Karoo Succulent Garden. Designed by The Newt in Somerset. Installation. RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. Site no. 115 © RHS © RHS Partnering with South Africa's Babylonstoren, this exhibit features 6,000 succulents including quiver trees and fan aloes. It celebrates xeriscaping and desert biodiversity. Children with Cancer UK's 'A Place to Be' Garden – Tom Clarke & Ros Coutts-Harwood Children with Cancer Garden © Lee Sharrock A serene space designed by North Yorkshire-based garden designer Tom Clarke–in collaboration with Ros Coutts-Harwood–to provide comfort and solace, this garden features calming elements and accessible pathways, supporting families affected by childhood cancer. Designed as a sanctuary for children whose daily routines have been upended by hospital stays and treatments, the garden offers a space where they can have fun and features a monorail, an innovation never seen before at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Sensory plants combined with soft-to-the-touch grasses like Melica altissima 'Alba' and Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails' are planted with playful bulbs like Allium 'Forelock' and Allium 'Hair'. The whimsical Garden offers joy and respite for children undergoing treatment. Designer Tom Clarke said: 'We wanted to create a space where children could use their imagination and immerse themselves in a joyful, colourful world that offers a welcome escape from the realities of treatment.' Global Blooms & Botanical Art David Austin Rose Garden – The King's Rose David Austen Rose Garden © Lee Sharrock This elegant rose garden features the newly unveiled King's Rose, a tribute to King Charles III. The garden also showcases sculptures by Pat Austen and celebrates the legacy of rose cultivation. The King visited the David Austin Rose Garden during the Royal Visit. The new rose was grown from one of 60,000 seedlings originally planted 12 years ago and developed by a team of 20 people. Ben R Storey Artist Benn R. Storey © Lee Sharrock Artist Ben R Storey presents a unique display of botanical art, featuring intricate floral prints that celebrate the beauty and diversity of plant life. Caley Brothers Mushrooms Caley Brothers Mushrooms. © Lee Sharrock This exhibit showcases the versatility and culinary potential of mushrooms, highlighting their role in sustainable food production and offering visitors a taste of innovative mushroom-based dishes. A Century of Horticultural Wonder Celebrating its 112th year, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 brings together nearly 90 world-class exhibits, uniting global growers, artists, and designers. The event runs until 24th May at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, reaffirming that gardens are not only aesthetic sanctuaries—but powerful agents of change. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London until 24th May, 2025.
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
5 plants to keep aphids away from your rose bushes
The strong scents of these blooms will deter aphids from destroying roses if you position them in close proximity Roses are considered one of the most beautiful flowers and it's easy to see why gardeners across the country love to have them growing in their outdoor space. Depending on the variety, roses will bloom from late spring into the autumn providing a colourful display for many months. But one thing that can quickly destroy your roses is aphids. Aphids are sap-sucking insects which can converge on rose bushes and harm them by weakening their growth and causing deformed flowers on buds. They can also spread plant diseases. While there are many ways to get rid of aphids, including shop bought sprays, there are a range of plants which can deter them from feasting on your roses in the first place. Some of them emit strong smells which will stop the aphids in their tracks and planting them next to your prized rose bush can offer it some natural protection from the critters. Ideal Home reports that these are the five best blooms to deter aphids from your roses, according to experts. 1. Lavender Article continues below Liam Beddall, senior rose consultant at David Austin Roses said: "'With its strong scent and essential oils, lavender acts as a natural repellent to aphids and attracts helpful pollinators like bees and hoverflies. "' Lavender and roses also thrive in similar growing conditions as they require plenty of sunlight throughout the day, making them a perfect pairing in borders or mixed beds." 2. Hardy Geraniums Gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh recommends this plant as it also deters slugs and snails. Lucie Bradley, expert gardener at Easy Garden Irrigation, said the geraniums will not only complement roses but its scent is a deterrent to aphids and Japanese beetles while it attracts ladybirds and lacewings which, themselves, help to control aphid populations. 3 Alliums Liam told Ideal Home: "Alliums are a fantastic companion for roses as they have an onion or garlic-like scent when their foliage or stem is cut or bruised, which deters aphids and other soft-bodied insects." A member of the onion family, they have pink and purple flowers, so are an aesthetic choice for the garden too. 4. Catmint Lucie revealed: "Nepeta (catmint) produces a chemical compound called nepetalactone which attracts cats and at the same time attracts insects which kill aphids, including ladybirds, lacewings and hover flies." Catmint is also known to help bumble bees and has the added benefit of helping to prevent weed growth. 5. Marigolds A superhero flower which has a strong scent, Liam explained: "These bright, cheerful flowers emit a distinctive aroma that confuses pests and helps keep insects like aphids at bay. They're also known to attract beneficial insects like ladybirds and lacewings, which feed on aphids, providing another form of natural pest control." He added that the orange blooms will give a stunning contrast against roses.
Telegraph
22-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
The nine best plants to give for Mother's Day
With Mother's Day fast approaching, if you haven't decided on a present already, you're probably starting to scan the internet for ideas for something a little special. When thinking of Mother's Day gifts, we often initially resort to cut flowers, or perhaps a flowering house plant; but this year, perhaps inspiration could come from the garden itself. A plant that will grow and survive year on year, as opposed to a cut bunch of flowers that will be lucky to survive the week, is a lovely and thoughtful gift. Your mum might be incredibly green-fingered, or perhaps she simply enjoys flowers of all shapes and sizes. Maybe she isn't into gardening very much at all and has a shaded garden, so she might want plants that are easy to grow and will come back year after year with little fuss or attention. Whatever her tastes, here is a list of plants, for gardens big and small, some better known and others to make this Mother's Day gift something a little more memorable – that will last for years. For the rose lover Rosa 'Tottering by Gently' Rosa 'Tottering by Gently', David Austin Roses Giving your mum a rose for Mother's Day might not seem like the most original idea in the world, but this thoroughly modern shrub rose stands out from the crowd and is easy to grow. Introduced in 2018, this relatively recent introduction boasts large yellow, single flowers that are a great attraction to pollinators, giving a very relaxed and naturalistic quality to the garden. Ultimately achieving about four feet in height and spread, it flowers throughout the summer. For the tea drinker Camellia sinensis var. sinensis Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, Jurassic Plants Forgive me for being presumptuous, but most mums love a cup of tea, and here's a plant that you can buy her so that she can make her own using the leaves. This camellia is a little more challenging to grow than most. It's best grown in a large pot of ericaceous soil, living outside during the summer and then given protection from the extreme wet and cold of the winter in an unheated greenhouse or porch. Pure single white flowers will appear during the summer. For the experienced grower Rhododendron 'Irene Koster' Rhododendron 'Irene Koster', Millais Nurseries Deciduous azaleas are botanically known as rhododendrons and make great garden plants. The flowers of 'Irene Koster' appear in June and are highly scented; following that display, the leaves take on a bonfire-like quality in the autumn, showcasing everything from deep cherry reds through to oranges and yellows. If your mum has lots of different plants and you're looking for something out of the ordinary, then try this deciduous azalea, but make sure that your mum has acidic soil – if not, these can be grown successfully in large pots full of ericaceous soil. For the flower arranger Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight', Sarah Raven Panicle hydrangeas are among the showiest shrubs in the garden and make wonderful gifts for Mother's Day. An easy-to-grow shrub, they should be pruned every spring, before a blowsy eruption of white bracts and flowers appear in late summer. These shrubs make perfect gifts if your mum is into flower arranging – particularly if she likes dried flowers, as once these flowers have matured, they can be cut and allowed to dry slowly in some water to then be used to decorate the house. They also make perfect Christmas decorations when sprayed silver or gold. For the jam fan Malus 'Red Sentinel' Malus 'Red Sentinel', Victorian Nursery If your mum's got a bit of space in her garden and she enjoys making crab-apple jelly, then this is one of the best crab apples that I've grown in a garden, and I would thoroughly recommend it. Crab apples make wonderful trees for small gardens because they're not too dominant and only achieve around 15 feet in height, depending on the rootstock. More importantly, they offer interest in the spring with beautiful blossom, followed by great autumn colour, then large red, rosy, bauble-like fruits that persist well into the winter – a great source of food for birds, too. For the statement-maker Albizia julibrissin 'Rosea' Albizia julibrissin 'Rosea', Burncoose Nurseries This is a wonderful tree for a sheltered garden or an urban setting, but worth avoiding if you've got a particularly cold or exposed plot. If your mum's garden fits the criteria, this is a rather unusual tree that produces exquisite pink, powder-puff-like flowers over feathery fern-like foliage. Ultimately achieving a height of around 20 feet, this light canopy doesn't feel oppressive in a garden and can quite happily grow in a large pot to keep it more compact in size. It's one for the more experienced gardener, but once in bloom it's certainly a statement and will make her garden the talk of the street. For the style-conscious gardener Magnolia 'Yellow Bird' Magnolia 'Yellow Bird', Ornamental Trees I've added another tree to this selection because the planting and the growing of a tree is an incredibly special journey that we can go on, and to give a tree as a gift makes that even more poignant. Recent breeding has produced several yellow-flowered magnolias which are truly show-stopping when in full bloom. Yellow Bird is probably one of the strongest-coloured yellow magnolias out there. It ultimately achieves a goblet-shaped large tree that flowers a little bit later than most magnolias, which makes it less prone to frost damage. Ultimately reaching a height of about 20 feet, it's perhaps one for those with big gardens. For the low-maintenance grower Trachelospermum jasminoides Trachelospermum jasminoides, Crocus If your mum dabbles in the garden but generally likes to enjoy it over a cool gin and tonic in the evenings, then this trachelospermum is great for covering fences and gazebos, and to fill the night air with its glorious gardenia-like scent throughout the summer. In sheltered gardens this climber will be evergreen, offering interest throughout the year; and as long as it has that touch of shelter it is very easy to grow. For the fruit aficionado Apricot 'Tomcot' Apricot 'Tomcot', Blackmoor This variety of apricot is not only incredibly prolific, producing lots of juicy, orange fruits during July, but it is also one of the easiest to grow, being at home in a greenhouse or grown on a south-facing fence or wall. These trees can be easily grown in a fan shape and don't take up much room. Apricots, like a lot of other stone fruits, flower early, especially when in a greenhouse, so they need to be hand-pollinated with a soft paintbrush, which can be a very mindful and enjoyable exercise. For those with smaller gardens, this apricot can also be grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock, which makes it perfect for growing in pots. In a moveable pot, this apricot can be given a little bit of extra protection in the winter in an unheated greenhouse and then brought out onto the patio for the summer.
