August and September are key flowering months at Cambo and with the planting pressure off, the gardeners can spend more time tending their plants and learning from the plantings.
Starting at:
The front of the Potting Shed - number 1 on the map
The red spikes of Persicaria amplexicaule ‘Firetail’ combine with the yellow daisies of Helenium autumnale together with the tall strap like leaves of Miscanthus sinensis which form the backbone of the planting. The ball forms of Echinops bounce through alongside teasels.
Going through the Garden Gate and turning right, on the left is:
The Calendar Bed (2)
This natural planting is very diffused in character, the plants having been selected for their transparent qualities. Key plants this month include Lithrum virgatum which is reminiscent of our hedgerow Willowherb. The red and cool pastel buttonlike flowers of Knautia thread their way through the planting which also includes the black stems and white daisy flowers of Aster divaricatus.
Steppe Planting (3)
This planting brings together plants from drier habitats. The jagged upright purple flower of Acanthus spinosus and Achillea ‘Moonshine’ dominate this month and nearby the white balls of Echinops sphaerocephalus ‘Arctic Glow’ contrast with the softer textures of the grasses.
The Annuals (4)
These colour-themed annual plantings were finished last month and we are now looking forward to seeing how they will turn out. We plan a different display each year, enjoying the creativity and opportunity to try out new ideas. The white daisy is Argyranthemum foeniculum, the purple-headed plant Verbena bonariensis (which grows on rubbish tips and waste ground in Brazil) and the larger red spike with purple leaves is Amaranthus.
Traditional Border (5)
Pink flowers come to the fore this month with the soft foamy plumes of Filipendula rubra ‘Venusta’ giving way to the Anemone x hybrida and the umbels of Eupatorium cannabinum.
The Moist Area (6)
This leafy jungle of a planting is getting a little overgrown and is due for redevelopment but it is still fun. Here foliage predominates with a wide range of moisture loving plants enjoying the space. Rodgersias, the large round leaves of Podophyllum hexandrum, hostas and the pink and white plumes of astilbe create a vigorous community. Look out also for the massive leaves of Gunnera manicata from Chile, which has the largest leaves of any plant grown in the temperate regions of the world.
Cut Flower Area (7)
The planting in this area is quite young as it was only recently adjusted. The tall upright fine-headed grass is Stipa gigantea, the tall yellow spikes are Verbascum chaixii ‘Sixteen Candles’ and the achillea are ‘Terracotta’ and ‘Walter Funke’. The red and yellow daisies with the distinctive central cone are heleniums.
Woodland Border (8)
It is quite a quiet month for the woodland border with an emphasis on foliage. However next month will see a second flush of flower with Tricyrtis and Cimicifuga.
Mixed Border (9)
This new border has been designed by Elliott and Andy and is already starting to show promise in its first year with bold drifts of red Monarda didyma ‘Cambridge Scarlet’ with phlox and the dark blue spikes of Agastache. We have tried to incorporate some traditional plants together with prairie perennials and grasses to give it a modern twist.
Early Flowering Border (10)
This recently finished area offers many ideas for smaller gardens, showing how the naturalistic style can be adapted to smaller beds. The showy pale blue branching spike is Salvia sclarea var. turkestanica, the white daisy is Anthemis tinctoria ‘Alba’ and the purple foliage is supplied by Aster ‘Lady in Red’.
Potager (11)
This year sees a radical departure from our usual more mingled potager with these large linear drifts based on natural shapes such as the grain in wood and shells. The yellow flat heads of Achillea filipendulina ‘Gold Plate’ provide a strong rhythm through the planting. Texture is supplied by Stipa tenuissima and Kale ‘Redbor’ whilst the exotic purple leaves of Ricinus communis ‘Impala’ help to enclose the planting.
Potager Entrance Beds (12)
The potager entrance beds have the task of binding the potager with other plantings. Here, Monarda combines with chrysanthemum and the blue spikes of Veronica longifolia.
Double Prairie Borders (13)
This area peaks in August and September with Lythrum ‘Rosy Gem’ bouncing through. At the back are the pale smokelike plumes of Maclaya Cordata, the white foamy flower is Eryngium x zabelli ‘Forncett Ultra’. These double borders are the gardeners’ favourites.
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