Gardening with Gael - Plant diversity covers all the bases

 

There are many reasons behind plant choice. Sometimes it is a gap in the garden, something to cover an unexciting fence, maybe a colour to draw the eye, shelter or as in the case of the plants that caught my eye recently, the excuse that it is for friends who do ikebana or Japanese flower arranging.

My flower arrangements are more of a ‘gather up a load of flowers and greenery and stuff them into a vase or jug’ variety but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate other art forms of arranging flowers. The two friends I have who do ikebana have opened my eyes to a wider range of plant diversity and form. Branches and stems that I would overlook now present interesting possibilities. With this awareness in mind, a plant from Ces’s stall at the market captured my attention. The striking red stems I could immediately imagine framing an arrangement. 

Cornus alba, a smaller variety of dogwood also known as tatarian dogwood, is completely bare of foliage at this time of year bringing attention to its bright red stems, ideal I thought for ikebana. It also turns out to be just the plant I need for a border between my hydrangea panniculatas and the tea plantation at the bottom of the hill. 

A small multi-stemmed shrub, the stems radiate from the base of the plant and have a tendency to sucker, which helped them form a compact plant. The plant prefers full sun to part shade and tolerates most conditions. Because dogwoods generally do well in cooler climates I plant them in the lower portion of the garden where they can get a bit frosted. During spring small flat-topped clusters of tiny white/cream flowers appear which fits in with my white wall. Last year they were quite insignificant. I’ve planted a group this year, which I hope has more impact.

Ces recommended that to promote new growth, every couple of years the old stems need to be cut right back. I am reluctant to do this although I know that’s what makes them form a beautiful red thicket. Maybe that’s when I can call on Marg and Barbara to take plenty for their ikebana.

Opposite Ces at the market is another plant stall run by Helen. She and I met when we both had shops at the Heads.
“She’s got a Canton Lace,” said Ces. “You’ll need that for your white garden.”

“Never heard of it.” I replied. 

Thank goodness for phones and Google. Radermachera sinica, also known as Canton Lace or China Doll tree, is just what I have been looking for to put in a gap in the white wall. There is a small bay where the Manuka meets the tea plantation. Surrounded on three sides by Manuka and kanuka I hope these bushes provide the protection it needs from winds and frosts while it is young. This fast growing medium sized tree produces large white trumpet-like flowers which provide evidence that it belongs to the Bignonia family, also evident in the attractive lacy glossy green foliage. It is still sitting in its container. I am a bit nervous to plant it until all frosts have passed.

Cornus Alba and its bright red stems are without leaves or flowers at this time of year.