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A Winter Trough |
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by Sandy Leven We all know that rock plants look good in spring and early summer. Even in autumn gentians and cyclamen can be used both for their foliage and flowers. As autumn turns to winter however, there are fewer obvious choices, especially for gardeners who suddenly want a 'winter trough'. With this as the challenge I resolved to come up with an easy solution. I went to B&Q to see what was there. No difficult plants, just interest and colour. The result - I bought one Astelia 'Westland', three Pernettya mucronata plants which had berries of different colours and a spreading Juniperus repanda. Now I know that these plants will all get much bigger in time but at the moment they are just right in a polystyrene trough. The Pernettya berries are white, pink and maroon. I already had a small Astelai chatamica 'Silver Spear',with light green leaves. Astelia 'Westland' has wonderful silver leaves with a red tinge up the centre. How hardy it will be will find out in time but I would maintain that B&Q has no right to sell tender plants at this time of year. If it dies I may have to speak to the manager. I arranged the plants with the bigger Astelia 'Westland' in the back left had corner, the silver Spear beside it and the juniper spreading across the front right corner. The Pernettyas were planted diagonally across the centre. Incidentally the pernettyas were really pot bound. A piece of wood helped 'landscape' the trough and I top dressed it with decorative bark. My early winter trough is looking quite Chrismassy. The plants cost about £20 and I will be able to use them later on in the garden. At this time of year cut flowers are expensive, as are wreaths at Xmas time. I enjoyed planting this decorative trough at this inclement time of year. The trough looks fine beside the front door. This simple exercise has extended my interest in small plants right to the end of the year. I am happy, the plants look happy and I am sure that even B&Q are happy.
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