It is satisfactory to reflect that while on the one hand we are busy destroying our woodlands and our hedgerow timber, on the other hand a watchful Ministry is issuing leaflets for the guidance of local authorities and committees. #gardening gov.uk/government/org…

27 April ‘52 A public activity is afoot which is bound to have a very considerable effect upon the future appearance of our country. I refer to the scheme for tree and hedge planting both in urban areas and along roads and bypasses. #gardening forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-reso…

—-which is perhaps not saying much: Ceanothus impressus. This somewhat resembled the pretty powder-blue Ceanothus rigidus but had a touch of reddish-purple in the bud which made it more varied and more interesting. Humbly, I shall try that. #gardening burncoose.co.uk/site/plants.cf…

Not for me in south-east England, I fear, and not for me the extraordinary lushness and exuberance of vegetation in this tender climate, but I did observe one unfamiliar ceanothus which would probably in a sheltered corner prove as hardy as the rest of the family— #gardening

I remember especially a grove of tall myrtles with a curious patchy bark, something like the markings on a plane tree, that had caused someone to describe walking through the grove as walking through the legs of giraffes: Myrtus luma for anyone who wants to attempt it #gardening

And among them was the promise of things to come: pyramidal eucryphias; embothriums that would presently display scarlet; Davidias that would hang out their strange white rags. #gardens visit.caerhays.co.uk/the-estate/the… architecturalplants.com/product/emboth…

Rhododendrons the size of cottages; blue lithosperum tumbling over grey rocks—all these were in full flower. #gardening

Enormous clumps of blood-red or orange berberis, flaming in the sun; fluffy yellow acacias (mimosa) trained against white-washed walls. #gardening duchyofcornwallnursery.co.uk/plants/acacia-…

Towering magnolias lifting their heads of white or pink against the soft dark green background of Pinus insignis. #gardening countrylife.co.uk/gardens/19th-c…

Huge bushes of Camellia reticulata, saluenensis, donckelaarii, J C Williams, Donation; #gardening visit.caerhays.co.uk/the-estate/the…

I have just spent two days wandering round some of the great gardens of Cornwall. #gardening greatgardensofcornwall.co.uk

They may arouse envy, but they certainly destroy self-satisfaction. Moreover, the contemplation of such accomplishment far from producing discouragement urges us on toward further effort. It is so supremely worthwhile. #gardening theguardian.com/environment/20… visit.caerhays.co.uk/visit-us/the-g…

—or at shows or in nursery gardens or in gardens such as Kew or the RHS’s place at Wisley. There is no better way of judging what plants really look like and what really appeals to you.
#gardening #gardens theticketfactory.com/rhs/online/ kew.org/home

26 April ‘55 Let us now praise famous gardens. It is salutary sometimes to move away from one’s own little plantings and to study the ambitions of the past, now arrived at maturity. #gardening greatbritishgardens.co.uk/england/catego… visitcornwall.com/gardens

Planting for effect must include a recommendation of the ornamental cherry Pandora. What a lovely thing this is! A puff of cloud, a tuft of tulle. #gardening rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/prunu…

The ice-green shades that it can take on in certain lights, by twilight or moonlight, perhaps especially by moonlight, make a dream of the garden, an unreal vision, yet one knows that it isn't unreal at all because one has planted it all for effect. #gardening

I love colour, and rejoice in it, but white is lovely to me forever. #gardening theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/g…

There comes a moment at twilight when white plants gleam with a peculiar pallor or ghostliness. I dare to say of white, that neutral tint usually regarded as an absence of colour, that it is every bit as receptive of changing light as the blues and reds and purples. #gardening

I can, however, imagine that Spiraea arguta would associate very happily with the Japanese ornamental cherry Tai-Haku whose huge white flowers should emerge at the same time. #gardening alnwickgarden.com/the-garden/che… theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2…

Obviously the pure candour of its [Spiraea arguta] whiteness would look best against a dark background of a yew hedge or any dark shrubs If yew is not available. #gardening theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2…