AUSTIN AND TIM’S FAVOURITE PLANTS
Sicilian honey garlic, Nectaroscordum siculum: “This allium smells very strongly of garlic and was a gift from Lady Serena James, owner of St Nicholas Gardens in Richmond. It has now seeded all over the garden,” says Austin. The ornamental onion plant produces an umbrella of bell-shaped flowers in May and June, and grows to 39in (1m) in height.
Hostas: “Many of our hostas have been bought from Sue Proctor Plants in West Yorkshire. Last time we were there, we bought 38 in one go,” says Austin. Hostas are brilliant foliage plants, offering a wide variety of leaf colour and form, some better for shade, and others more suited to sunny spots. Slugs love them though, so it pays to be vigilant and encourage blackbirds and thrushes into the garden to chomp them up. The grey-green hostas seem to be a little less tasty.
Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’: “This lovely cow parsley was popular at the Chelsea Flower Show a few years ago and has seeded everywhere in the garden,” says Austin. “It is a show stealer in May.” The foliage is chocolate-maroon in colour and grows to just under 39in (1m) tall.
Magnolia wilsonii: “The leaves of this magnolia come out in mid to late April, and it flowers in mid to late May, producing a crushed lime scent,” says Austin. Growing to 20ft (6m) tall, this deciduous tree has saucer-shaped white flowers, with crimson hearts, absolutely at its height in May.
Viola ‘Myfanwy’: “We inherited some old stone troughs and filled them with viola ‘Myfanwy’, which is very good for pots,” explains Austin. This perennial viola is striped with pale purple and flowers from April to October.
for the job, and Niwaki ladders to reach the top of taller trees. It is equipment that he describes as “light, sturdy and safe”, and well worth the money.
Accessed by steps and gravel paths, the garden has a theatrical feel, with every plant seemingly chosen for its star quality as it leaps out from the wings, season by season. “We treat the garden a bit like a stage set; there’s year-round interest,” confirms Austin. In mid to late May, a scented Magnolia wilsonii enjoys the limelight in the lower garden; a bejewelled treat to view from the first floor balcony and the steps leading down from the upper garden. “Its nodding white flowers hang downward and smell like crushed lime,” says Austin. “It’s a wonderful flower, and afterwards, the petals fall off to reveal acorn-shaped seed pods.”
Show of hostas
May is hosta time too, with approximately 350 varieties planted in the garden. Many are displayed in pots so that they can be strategically moved to add interest to flower beds before the roses and herbaceous perennials kick in. The accent on fresh green foliage is delivered by a sequential procession of plants, including ‘Devon Green’ and ‘Chinese Sunrise’, followed by ‘Great Expectations’, ‘Sum and Substance’, ‘Abba Dabba Do’ and ‘Whirlwind’. And, to the envy of any would-be hosta grower, they flourish here, unbothered by hungry slugs. This is down to pure vigilance on the part of Austin, who goes on a nightly slug hunt as soon as the plants emerge, and he reckons they have the cleanest hostas anywhere in England as a result. “Slugs love pots, so you’ve got to lift them to find one lurking,” he adds.