Open
from April to September – Tuesdays & Wednesdays – 2pm to 6pm
Helen
and her family moved to Tinnisburn, Canonbie some thirty years ago,having previously lived in Gloucestershire where the climate is dry
and the soil chalky. Tinnisburn proved a challenge with it’s 600’
altitude, cold / wet climate and deep boulder clay all swamped with
ground elder! So it is hardly surprising that Helen can vouch for her
“very hardy perennials”.
Initially
Tinnisburn’s sloping site was very exposed, allowing fabulous views
to the Lakeland Fells. With time, shrubs & hedges have grown up to
provide shelter belts; these are key to protecting plants from biting
easterly winds and the prevailing south westerlies.
Helen’s
knowledge is comprehensive. She is a regular garden speaker and has
marquee displays / sales at both specialist, local and RHS shows. She
shared with us some key information about many of her plants. Here is
a selection of them…
Geranium
senensis ‘Stephanie’
This
provides super ground cover under shrubs, flowering May/June. Bees
love these flowers - their petals are flat and blue (a colour bees
apparently can easily detect) and the veining provides ‘landing
strips’ directing towards the food source of pollen & nectar.
Brunnera
macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’
This
Siberian
bugloss is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with large, ovate or
heart-shaped basal leaves and sprays of small bright blue flowers in
spring. It provides superb ground cover, where the variegated silver
colour bounces light back. It grows best in fertile, humus rich,
moist but drained soil in a cold site with full or partial shade.
Lathyrus vernus ‘Alboroseus’ – Spring Vetchling
This
a beautiful little treasure for the spring garden that is both dainty
and robust. Dense lush foliage makes a 30 cm high hummock which is
covered with many small pea flowers. In this variety the flowers are
two-tone pink and white with a rosy red base to each one. It
is happiest in a little moist shade, planted in heavy clay.
Astrantia
major “Ruby Wedding”
All
astrantias all love shade & moist soils. They are super hardy and,
once dead headed will bloom all summer long.
Thalictrum
Rochebrunianum
This
meadow rue is
tall (6’) but with its dainty flowers provides a ‘see-through’
effect, so can be planted nearer the front of the border. It thrives
in moist but well drained soils when there’s partial shade. It
flowers mid to late summer.
Cephalaria
Gigantea
Another
tall (8’) border plant, this giant scabious is rich in nectar and
pollens, is hardy and copes well in damp conditions.
Aster
‘Little Carlow’
now Symphyotrichum
'Little Carlow'
This
award winning plant is a hybrid between A. cordifolius and
A. novi-belgii. Born on soft stems, this gentle lavender coloured
Michaelmas daisy blends with all other colours. It is healthy, blooms
late summer & thrives in full sun or part shade.
Hybrids of Primula
japonica
These
gorgeous plants love boggy areas. They look wonderful in large
swathes. They
hybridise with great enthusiasm so divide them after flowering if you
wish to keep the colour ‘true’.
Aquiligas
have the same habit of hybridising and self seeding, so consider
division if you wish to preserve colours! (PMR
– I’ve heard that some refer to aquilegias as ‘the trollops of
the garden’.)
 |
| So many choices to be made! |
Written
by PMR
Various
internet
reference
sources used
