Here at Woodside we have decided to stock water plants, after so many customers have asked us to, so I thought I’d tell you a bit about water gardening and how to choose plants for your pond

Wildlife Habitat

Ponds make a wonderful addition to the garden – as well as creating extra habitats for wildlife, it also provides different planting conditions for a whole host of plants. The most successful ponds tend to have a boggy area next to them to allow moisture loving plants to grow there and to make a smooth transition from pond to garden. Not only that, but the sound of moving water is very relaxing, and the presence of fish in the pond gives an extra dimension to your enjoyment of your garden. Ponds are generally sited in sunny spots, which makes plant growth stronger, but also encourages algae growth.

Water Lilies

Ideally a pond should have 30-40% of its surface area covered with plant leaves, using plants such as Water Lilies, and other deep water marginals like the very pretty Water Hawthorn (Aponogeton) and the Yellow Fringed Lily, which isn’t strictly speaking a lily at all, but a close relative (Nymphoides Peltata). This will help shade the water from the sun and reduce algae growth. Water lilies prefer still water to moving water, so be sure to site them away from fountains and inlet streams, and read the label carefully to make sure they are at the right depth within the pond. Miniature Water Lilies can be submerged in large water-tight containers if you don’t have space for a pond.

Oxygenators

Oygenators and floating plants are vital for the health of the pond. Oxgenating plants grow and photosynthesise under water, releasing oxygen into the water which is essential for water dwelling animals as well as for keeping the water full of healthy bacteria to help keep it clean. Crystal Confetti (Hydrocotyl) is one of the most attractive oxygenators and should be submerged in the pond. Floating plants, such as Water Soldiers (Stratiotes) can simply be thrown into the pond, making them the easiest plant in gardening to actually plant!  Barley straw products also help keep pond clear and they act as an algae inhibitor – the product we currently have in stock treats up to 2000 gallons and last approx. 6 months.

Height and Structure

A selection of tall, grass like plants are useful for height, structure and for allowing emerging larvae of dragonflies to hatch. Recommended varieties are Lesser Bulrush (Typha Angustifolia) and any of the water loving Irises. Other marginal plants provide colour and texture.

Bog Garden

By creating a bog garden you give yourself the opportunity to plant a whole range of plants from the beautiful green foliage of Hostas and Ferns to the bright colourful flowers of Candelabra Primroses.

We have a good selection of water plants available, so why not drop by if your are planning to create your own pond from scratch or re-stock your existing one.

The most colourful of all climbing plants are Clematis. They give a delightful extra dimension to the garden and with a good selection of different varieties can provide colour throughout the summer.

They are easy to grow if you have the right conditions and prepare the ground well. Clematis dislike a waterlogged soil, so make sure drainage is adequate, particularly if planting in a pot, and take care not to overwater. Remember the golden rule “Feet in the Shade, Heads in the Sun”, meaning the roots enjoy shade, and the stem and foliage need sun. Clematis require a support of some sort, and a common mistake is to plant too close to a fence, wall or tree, so be sure to leave a minimum of 12” distance. If growing up an obelisk then you can plant directly against it.

Planting Tips

When planting dig the planting hole much bigger and deeper than the size of the flower pot; 18” diameter and depth is ideal. Break up the soil in the bottom of the planting hole and add compost. The best compost for clematis is John Innes No.3. Sprinkle a good handful of Bonemeal into the hole and mix into the loosened soil. Add a scoop of Rootgrow and sprinkle at the bottom of the planting hole (don’t mix it in). Remove the pot the place the plant carefully in the hole making sure that the top of the root ball is buried about 3” (8cm) deeper than it was in its pot and re-fill the hole with a mixture of soil and compost, firming down well. Lean the cane towards the support.

You can also plant clematis in a pot, which needs to be at least 20”deep and with good drainage holes. If growing in a pot you may need to provide additional shading for the roots, and remember not to over-water, particularly in winter.

Provide Shade

Clematis planted by a wall, fence, tree or shrub, may need regular watering especially in its first year but be careful not to overdo it if planting in the autumn.

If your clematis is planted in a hot position, where the base of the plant will be baked by the sun for a large part of the day, place bark chippings or mulch around the base to provide shade for the root system.  This will help to keep the roots cool and moist, avoiding the plant drying out so quickly.

Choose your clematis with care

Choose your variety with care – montana types are early summer flowering and very vigorous. These are suitable for covering large expanses, such as house walls. The macropetala and alpine types flower in spring and are good for scrambling through summer flowering shrubs or climbing roses. The texensis and viticella varieties are later flowering and look good growing up an obelisk or trellis. My favourite of all is Clematis texensis “Princess of Wales” which has slender rich pinky-red flowers, but the popular variety “Nelly Moser” also takes some beating.

I’d strongly advise keeping the label of the clematis once it is planted, as this will remind you of it’s pruning requirements. Some need cutting down to about 18” each year, and some are best left alone, with just a bit of tidying up. The label will tell you the precise instructions for the variety you have purchased.

We currently have a good selection of clematis and other climbing plants in stock.

Winter may have just crept back again this week, but here at Woodside it’s spring all the way! We’ve just taken delivery of our first potted roses of the year, and we’re delighted to introduce a range of Peter Beale’s Roses (World leaders in Classic Roses).

Here’s what Peter Beales Roses have to say about themselves –

“Since 1968, Peter Beales Roses have grown millions of roses, from shrub, climbing to modern hybrid and floribunda roses that are now growing all over the world, from small city gardens in London to hundreds of acres in Japan. All roses and plants are lovingly cared for by hand by our East Anglian based rosarians over two years before they are sold.

Many growers of roses, outsource the growing of their roses to Eastern Europe, or keep their roses in cold store late into the spring and early summer – both practises, we believe, lead to inferior roses and disappointing results. Peter Beales’ roses are all grown in East Anglia tended for by local, expert nurserymen with many years’ experience.”

We are very pleased to be stocking the following roses from the range: Sandringham, St Ethelburga (pictured), Countess of Wessex, Evelyn May (pictured), Raymond Carver, Grosvenor House (pictured), McMillan Nurse, Dunholm Massey and Churchill Rose (pictured).

Experience has taught us that although the David Austin Roses are stunning, they don’t always do so well in our cold Northern climate. Because Peter Beale’s don’t use the practice of cold storage, we have found that they do much better in this area. So, if you’ve previously tried and failed to grow Classic English roses, this could be the year to try again!

We also have lots of other roses available now, including the popular varieties English Miss, Peace, Margaret Merrill, Buff Beauty, Iceberg Climbing and American Pillar which can be seen gloriously adorning the swags in the walled garden of Floors Castle each July.

Pop into Woodside to see our full range of roses. We’re open every day 10am – 5pm.

Rose Grosvenor House
A richly fragrant hybrid tea style rose in a rich honey colour fading to creamy white at the edge of the petal.

Rose Evelyn May                                              Named after Peter Beale’s mother, this rose produces scented blooms in shades of peach and salmon.

The Churchill Rose
A repeat flowering rose with a lovely perfume to it’s soft apricot blooms, with good disease resistance, so suitable for organic growing.

Rose St Ethelburga
Often regarded as a superior choice to the popular Gertrude Jekyll, this rose has an old fashioned, classic appearance, with scented flowers of soft pink.