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A published garden

The Martineau’s garden (Green Claws creator)

37 plants

Outdoors

Dahlia

Dahlia pinnata

In flower now

Dahlia

Dahlia pinnata

Tuberous perennial from Mexico, usually grown here as a summer-flowering plant. Most plants sold as D. pinnata are garden dahlias or hybrids rather than the wild species. Frost blackens the top growth; winter wet is often as troublesome as cold for the tubers.

Watering

Water thoroughly in dry spells, particularly while plants are making buds and flowers. Let the soil drain; persistently wet ground encourages tuber rot.

Rose campion

Silene coronaria

Rose campion

Silene coronaria

A short-lived perennial with a low rosette of woolly silver-grey leaves and loose stems of vivid magenta flowers. It is best treated as a self-seeding presence rather than a permanent clump: let a few plants seed about, then remove unwanted seedlings in spring. It wants sun and sharp drainage; winter wet is more troublesome than ordinary frost.

Watering

Water newly planted specimens until rooted in; established plants usually manage without extra watering in ordinary garden soil.

Hollyhock

Alcea rosea

Hollyhock

Alcea rosea

Hollyhock is a tall, short-lived perennial usually grown as a biennial, making a basal rosette in its first year and flowering on upright stems in the second. It is useful against a sunny wall or at the back of a border, but needs staking in exposed gardens. Rust is its regular nuisance: remove affected leaves promptly, keep plants spaced for air movement, and do not grow successive crops in the same patch if it becomes persistent. It often self-seeds, though named double forms will not come true from seed.

Watering

Water newly planted plants and during prolonged dry spells; water at soil level rather than wetting the foliage.

Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla

Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla

Deciduous shrub grown for broad leaves and large summer flowerheads. Most garden forms flower on shoots made the previous year, so exposed frost can remove the display before spring begins. Give it shelter from east winds and a moisture-retentive soil; dry, hot positions produce scorched leaves and poor flowers. Flower colour in pink and blue cultivars is affected by soil acidity and available aluminium; white cultivars do not reliably change colour.

Watering

Water deeply in dry spells, particularly from spring through flowering. Keep the root zone mulched to hold moisture.

Penstemon

Penstemon barbatus

Penstemon

Penstemon barbatus

An upright, short-lived perennial with loose spikes of narrow scarlet tubular flowers above narrow leaves. It needs an open, sunny place and sharply drained soil; a cold, wet winter is more of a problem than ordinary frost. Do not cut it down in autumn: the old stems help protect the crown. Cut back in spring, once new basal growth is visible.

Watering

Water newly planted specimens in dry spells. Once established, water only during prolonged drought, and avoid winter-wet ground.

Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla

Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla

Deciduous shrub grown for broad leaves and large summer flowerheads. Most garden forms flower on shoots made the previous year, so exposed frost can remove the display before spring begins. Give it shelter from east winds and a moisture-retentive soil; dry, hot positions produce scorched leaves and poor flowers. Flower colour in pink and blue cultivars is affected by soil acidity and available aluminium; white cultivars do not reliably change colour.

Watering

Water deeply in dry spells, particularly from spring through flowering. Keep the root zone mulched to hold moisture.

Dog rose

Rosa canina

Dog rose

Rosa canina

Native deciduous hedgerow rose with single, pale pink flowers followed by red hips. Useful in a mixed native hedge or rough boundary, where it will make a prickly, spreading thicket rather than a neat shrub.

Watering

Water in its first growing season and during prolonged drought; established plants generally manage without routine watering.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

Tender crop grown as an annual. Plant outside only after the last frost, in the warmest open site available; cold, wet summers delay fruiting and encourage blight. Cordon types need a cane and regular removal of side-shoots; bush types do not.

Watering

Water deeply and regularly at the root, keeping the compost or soil evenly moist but not saturated.

Morning glory

Ipomoea tricolor

In flower now

Morning glory

Ipomoea tricolor

Tender, fast-growing annual climber with blue, purple, pink or white trumpet flowers that open in the morning. In an exposed UK garden it needs the warmest full-sun position available and a substantial support; a cold, wet summer can mean late or scant flowering. It is usually more reliable from seed started under cover than from direct sowing outdoors.

Watering

Water regularly while establishing and in dry spells, especially in pots. Keep the soil evenly moist but not sodden.

Zonal pelargonium

Pelargonium × hortorum

In flower now

Zonal pelargonium

Pelargonium × hortorum

Tender, upright pelargonium grown for rounded heads of red, pink, salmon, white or bicoloured flowers and often marked, zoned leaves. Usually treated as summer bedding in the UK, but plants can be kept for years if brought under cover before frost. It is not a hardy geranium.

Watering

Water when the top of the compost has dried; water thoroughly, then let surplus drain. Containers need more frequent watering in hot weather.

Japanese anemone

Eriocapitella × hybrida

In flower now

Japanese anemone

Eriocapitella × hybrida

Japanese anemone hybrids are late-flowering herbaceous perennials, making wiry stems of pink or white flowers above a basal clump. They suit the back of a border in soil that does not bake dry. Give them room: once settled they spread slowly by shallow rhizomes and are awkward to remove completely. Leave the old stems over winter; cut them down in late winter, not autumn, when they help protect the crown.

Watering

Water while establishing and during prolonged dry spells, especially in sunnier positions. Established clumps tolerate ordinary summer dryness better than newly planted ones, but flower less well if repeatedly parched.

Clumping bamboo

Fargesia

Clumping bamboo

Fargesia

Clump-forming, non-running bamboos grown chiefly for their fine evergreen canes and leaves. They suit a UK garden better than running bamboos where a contained plant is wanted, but are not small: give the eventual clump room rather than putting one in a narrow border. Best in moisture-retentive soil in partial shade; exposed sun and drying wind scorch foliage, especially in late winter. Fargesia flowers only rarely and irregularly. After flowering, whole clumps may decline or die, so it is not a useful flowering feature.

Watering

Water newly planted clumps regularly for their first two growing seasons and during dry spells. Keep the root run cool and evenly moist, but do not leave it waterlogged.

White spruce

Picea glauca

White spruce

Picea glauca

White spruce is a large, cold-hardy conifer with short blue-green to grey-green needles and a neat conical outline when young, broadening with age. The species is a tree, not the compact dwarf often sold as Picea glauca 'Conica': allow roughly 15–25 m eventually, rather than planting it as a permanent small feature. It suits a sunny, reasonably moist but freely draining soil. Cold is not the difficulty in most UK gardens; winter-wet, compacted ground is.

Watering

Water newly planted trees well during dry spells for their first two or three growing seasons. Once rooted in, it normally needs no routine watering except in prolonged drought.

Japanese aralia

Fatsia japonica

In flower now

Japanese aralia

Fatsia japonica

Evergreen architectural shrub grown chiefly for its large, glossy, deeply lobed leaves. It suits the shady side of a house and copes with urban conditions, but exposed sites can shred and scorch the foliage. Small cream-white flower heads appear in autumn, followed by black berries if the weather is kind.

Watering

Water regularly while establishing and in dry spells, especially in spring and summer. Established plants tolerate some dryness but look better in moisture-retentive soil.

Baby sage

Salvia microphylla

In flower now

Baby sage

Salvia microphylla

A small, aromatic, semi-evergreen shrubby salvia with red to deep pink flowers over a long summer and autumn season. It needs full sun and sharp drainage. In an open UK garden, winter wet is usually more damaging than frost; avoid a heavy, damp soil and do not cut it hard in autumn.

Watering

Water while establishing and during prolonged dry spells in summer. Avoid keeping the root zone wet in winter.

Verbena

Verbena bonariensis

In flower now

Verbena

Verbena bonariensis

Tall, airy perennial with square stems and small violet-purple flower heads held from midsummer into autumn. Useful for threading through other plants rather than making a solid block. Often short-lived, but usually maintains itself by self-seeding; leave a few spent heads if you want seedlings. It needs sun and drainage: winter wet is more likely to finish it than ordinary frost.

Watering

Water while establishing; thereafter it copes with ordinary dry spells in open ground.

Japanese snowball

Viburnum plicatum

Japanese snowball

Viburnum plicatum

Deciduous Japanese snowball viburnum, grown for its strongly pleated leaves and rounded heads of sterile white flowers. Viburnum plicatum is often confused with V. plicatum var. tomentosum: the latter is the doublefile viburnum, with flatter, lacecap-like flower heads arranged along horizontal branches. Give either a reasonably moist soil; established plants sulk in a dry spring.

Watering

Water regularly for the first two growing seasons and in prolonged dry spells thereafter. It prefers moisture-retentive but freely draining soil.

Sweet Pea

Lathyrus latifolius

Sweet Pea

Lathyrus latifolius

A vigorous, herbaceous perennial climber for a fence, obelisk or rough hedge. It carries sprays of pink pea flowers through summer, but is usually far less scented than annual sweet peas. Give it room: it spreads by creeping roots and self-seeds on favourable ground.

Watering

Water while establishing and during prolonged dry spells, particularly on light soil.

Sweet pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Sweet pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Sweet pea is a cool-season annual climber grown for scented cut flowers. It needs a support from the outset and a deep, reasonably rich soil that does not dry out. Long stems come from regular picking: leave pods to form and flowering soon tails off.

Watering

Water deeply in dry spells, particularly once plants are in bud and flower. Keep the root run evenly moist rather than giving frequent light drinks.

Japanese anemone

Eriocapitella × hybrida

In flower now

Japanese anemone

Eriocapitella × hybrida

Japanese anemone hybrids are late-flowering herbaceous perennials, making wiry stems of pink or white flowers above a basal clump. They suit the back of a border in soil that does not bake dry. Give them room: once settled they spread slowly by shallow rhizomes and are awkward to remove completely. Leave the old stems over winter; cut them down in late winter, not autumn, when they help protect the crown.

Watering

Water while establishing and during prolonged dry spells, especially in sunnier positions. Established clumps tolerate ordinary summer dryness better than newly planted ones, but flower less well if repeatedly parched.

Sweet pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Sweet pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Sweet pea is a cool-season annual climber grown for scented cut flowers. It needs a support from the outset and a deep, reasonably rich soil that does not dry out. Long stems come from regular picking: leave pods to form and flowering soon tails off.

Watering

Water deeply in dry spells, particularly once plants are in bud and flower. Keep the root run evenly moist rather than giving frequent light drinks.

Hybrid tea rose

Rosa × hybrida

In flower now

Hybrid tea rose

Rosa × hybrida

Hybrid tea roses are upright, repeat-flowering garden roses, usually grown for their large, high-centred flowers on long stems. They need an open, sunny site and decent air movement; planting them against a warm wall can encourage black spot rather than cure it. Choose cultivars with good disease resistance where possible.

Watering

Water newly planted roses regularly for their first two growing seasons, then soak in prolonged dry spells rather than giving frequent light waterings.

Morning glory

Ipomoea tricolor

In flower now

Morning glory

Ipomoea tricolor

Tender, fast-growing annual climber with blue, purple, pink or white trumpet flowers that open in the morning. In an exposed UK garden it needs the warmest full-sun position available and a substantial support; a cold, wet summer can mean late or scant flowering. It is usually more reliable from seed started under cover than from direct sowing outdoors.

Watering

Water regularly while establishing and in dry spells, especially in pots. Keep the soil evenly moist but not sodden.

Dahlia

Dahlia pinnata

In flower now

Dahlia

Dahlia pinnata

Tuberous perennial from Mexico, usually grown here as a summer-flowering plant. Most plants sold as D. pinnata are garden dahlias or hybrids rather than the wild species. Frost blackens the top growth; winter wet is often as troublesome as cold for the tubers.

Watering

Water thoroughly in dry spells, particularly while plants are making buds and flowers. Let the soil drain; persistently wet ground encourages tuber rot.

Hairy alumroot

Heuchera villosa

In flower now

Hairy alumroot

Heuchera villosa

A late-flowering heuchera with a loose mound of large, softly hairy, often heart-shaped leaves and airy stems of small pale flowers. It is more tolerant of sun and summer dryness than many named heucheras, but does best in moisture-retentive, well-drained soil. Do not let mulch or heavy soil bury the crown: winter wet is more troublesome than cold.

Watering

Water while establishing and during prolonged dry spells, especially in sunnier positions. Established plants cope with some dryness but grow better in soil that does not bake hard.

Indoors

Monstera

Monstera deliciosa

Monstera

Monstera deliciosa

Large evergreen aroid grown indoors in the UK for its glossy, cut and perforated leaves. It is not a plant for an unheated conservatory through winter: cold, wet compost and draughts cause more trouble than ordinary indoor shade. Young plants often make whole, heart-shaped leaves; the splits and holes come with age and adequate bright light, not with extra watering.

Watering

Water thoroughly when the upper few centimetres of compost have dried, then let excess drain away. Water much less in winter.

Christmas cactus

Schlumbergera × buckleyi

Christmas cactus

Schlumbergera × buckleyi

Christmas cactus is an epiphytic cactus, not a desert one. Grow it indoors in a free-draining, humus-rich compost, in bright indirect light. An unheated greenhouse, porch or outdoor position is too cold in a UK winter; frost and cold wet compost are the usual ways to lose it. It commonly flowers around Christmas, provided it has had cooler nights and long, uninterrupted nights in autumn. Once buds form, do not keep moving it or letting the compost swing from dry to sodden, as buds may drop.

Watering

Water thoroughly when the surface of the compost has dried, then let excess drain away. Keep slightly drier after flowering and during the low-light winter period.

Chinese money plant

Pilea peperomioides

Chinese money plant

Pilea peperomioides

Compact Chinese houseplant with round, peltate leaves held on long stalks. Best kept indoors in a bright position; an unheated UK garden is not suitable except for short summer spells once nights are reliably mild. Rotate it occasionally or it will lean hard towards the window. Mature plants make small, insignificant flowers and usually produce offsets around the base.

Watering

Water thoroughly when the top few centimetres of compost have dried, then let excess drain away. Do not leave the pot standing in water.

Mikado snake plant

Dracaena bacularis

Mikado snake plant

Dracaena bacularis

An upright, slow-growing snake plant from Madagascar, with narrow, stiff, dark green leaves marked with faint horizontal bands. It is a houseplant in the UK, not a plant for an unheated garden. Plain leaves and a slightly stretched habit usually mean insufficient light; watering more will only make matters worse.

Watering

Water thoroughly, then allow the compost to dry almost completely before watering again. Water much less from autumn to early spring.

Rubber plant

Ficus elastica

Rubber plant

Ficus elastica

Evergreen tropical tree usually kept as a houseplant in the UK. It will not live through a British winter outdoors, or in an unheated greenhouse that falls below 5°C. Large, leathery leaves collect dust; wipe them occasionally rather than using leaf-shine products. Leaf drop is usually a response to cold, a sudden change of position, or persistently wet compost.

Watering

Water thoroughly when the upper few centimetres of compost have dried, then let surplus drain away. Water much less in winter.

Jade plant

Crassula ovata

Jade plant

Crassula ovata

A long-lived succulent usually kept as a houseplant in the UK. It can spend summer outside in a sunny, dry spot, but must be brought in before cold, wet autumn weather; frost and a sodden rootball are the usual causes of loss. Mature plants may flower after a cool, dry winter rest, but young plants and those kept warm indoors often do not.

Watering

Water thoroughly in spring and summer, then allow the compost to dry substantially before watering again. Water very sparingly in winter.

Moon orchid

Phalaenopsis amabilis

Moon orchid

Phalaenopsis amabilis

A warm-growing epiphytic orchid with broad, leathery leaves and long-lived white flowers. It is not for an unheated greenhouse or a cold conservatory: keep it indoors, above 15°C, with bright filtered light. Flowers are carried on arching spikes and may return from a still-green spike.

Watering

Water when the bark mix is approaching dry and the exposed roots look silvery rather than green. Soak thoroughly with tepid rainwater or low-mineral water, then let it drain completely; never leave the pot standing in water or allow water to sit in the crown.

Flamingo flower

Anthurium andraeanum

Flamingo flower

Anthurium andraeanum

Evergreen tropical houseplant grown for its glossy, heart-shaped leaves and long-lasting coloured spathes surrounding a central spadix. It needs warmth year-round; an unheated UK conservatory or porch is usually too cold in winter.

Watering

Water when the surface of the compost has dried, then let excess drain away. Keep lightly moist in active growth but never leave the pot standing in water.

Flamingo flower

Anthurium andraeanum

Flamingo flower

Anthurium andraeanum

Evergreen tropical houseplant grown for its glossy, heart-shaped leaves and long-lasting coloured spathes surrounding a central spadix. It needs warmth year-round; an unheated UK conservatory or porch is usually too cold in winter.

Watering

Water when the surface of the compost has dried, then let excess drain away. Keep lightly moist in active growth but never leave the pot standing in water.

Areca palm

Chrysalidocarpus lutescens

Areca palm

Chrysalidocarpus lutescens

Usually sold now as Dypsis lutescens, though Chrysalidocarpus lutescens remains common in plant labels. A clumping feather palm for a bright indoor position; it is not a plant for an unheated UK greenhouse or outdoors. The several ‘stems’ in a pot are commonly separate seedlings planted together. Older fronds naturally yellow and can be removed at the base; do not cut into green canes.

Watering

Water thoroughly when the upper few centimetres of compost have dried, then let the pot drain. Keep compost just moist in active growth, never saturated.

Chinese money plant

Pilea peperomioides

Chinese money plant

Pilea peperomioides

Compact Chinese houseplant with round, peltate leaves held on long stalks. Best kept indoors in a bright position; an unheated UK garden is not suitable except for short summer spells once nights are reliably mild. Rotate it occasionally or it will lean hard towards the window. Mature plants make small, insignificant flowers and usually produce offsets around the base.

Watering

Water thoroughly when the top few centimetres of compost have dried, then let excess drain away. Do not leave the pot standing in water.

Flamingo flower

Anthurium scherzerianum

In flower now

Flamingo flower

Anthurium scherzerianum

Compact tropical houseplant with glossy leaves and a waxy red spathe around a distinctive curled orange-red spadix. It needs warmth, bright filtered light and an open, free-draining compost; cold, wet roots are the usual cause of failure in a UK home.

Watering

Water thoroughly when the top 2–3 cm of compost has dried, then let excess drain away. Keep lightly moist in active growth, but never leave the pot standing in water.