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’ combining with the yellow daisies of Helenium autumnale and the large clear yellow daisies with yellow centres, Rudbeckia ‘Herbstonne’, makes a cheerful combination. The large grass with the green strap leaves is Miscanthus sinenesis.
Going through the Garden Gate and turning right, on the left is The Calendar Bed (2)
This steppe border combines a dry range of plants and has primarily an early focus with a late flush of interest supplied
by the dark red fleshy leaves and dark pink flowers of Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ and the pink daisies of Echinacea purpurea. The large white daisies under the apple tree are Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’.
Steppe Planting (3)
Linked to the adjacent planting, Miscanthus Sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ provides rhythm, the French lavender Lavandula soechas provides a cheery unusual presence with its curious purple flowerheads almost like tiny pineapples and the soft white grass at the front is Pennisetum orientale.
The Annuals (4)
The aim of our annual borders, containing a mix of annuals, tender perennials and perennials, is to create natural looking contemporary plantings demonstrating a more unusual way of using these interesting plants. The tall transparent purple headed Verbena bonariensis provides rhythm, and Cosmos tetra ‘Versailles’ is a lovely selection with suffused pale purple petals with a yellow centre. Elsewhere the dark purple flowers of Heliotropium x ‘Hybrid Marine’ combine with the fluffy flower heads of the tender grass Pennisetum villosum.
Traditional Border (5)
Here Persicaria amplexicaule ‘Firetail’ combines with Anemone x hybrida and the curious dark purple flowers of Strobilanthes atropurpureus under the apple tree. The blue daisies of Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’ are highly recommended. The upright white flowers are Sanguisorba canadensis.
The Moist Area (6)
Past its best by September, the Moist Area is enjoying a well earned rest.
Cut Flower Area (7)
The tall pinkish purple heads of Eupatorium purpureum combine with Miscanthus sinensis ‘Malepartus’ and the pale pink spikes of Persicaria amplexicaule ‘Rosea’. The tall bleached upright forms of Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ and the shimmering oatlike Stipa gigantea catch the wind and light. The small yellow daisies with the dark centres are Coreopsis ‘Sterntaler’ which has been flowering all summer.
Woodland Border (8)
It is quite a quiet month for the woodland border with an emphasis on foliage and a second flush of flower with Tricyrtis and Cimicifuga.
Mixed Border (9)
The interesting red flowers of Monarda didyma ‘Cambridge Scarlet’ combined with the yellow ball like flowers of Scabious ochroleuca, asters and Lacecap hydrangeas bring some late season interest to this border which is just in its first year.
Early Flowering Border (10)
This area is very diffused and natural in character. Recently completed, it demonstrates how the naturalistic style can be translated into smaller gardens and beds. This area is perhaps the hardest working in the garden, providing interest from May to February and including textures, form and seedheads.
Potager (11)
This year sees a radical departure from our usual more mingled potager with 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 throughout. 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. The dark red plant in both beds is Monarda didyma ‘Adam’, and the giant orange spike is Kniphofia ‘Prince Igor’.
Double Prairie Borders (13)
The rounded purple flowers of Monarda didyma ‘Aquarius’ supply late season interest, the white daisy is Aster umbellatus, the red, pink and white spikes are Persicaria amplexicaule, the white plumes Artemisia lactiflora and the tall purple flat heads are Eupatorium purpureum. The grasses such as the arching buff Stipa calamagrostis and the fine Stipa tenuissima blend with the upright Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’.
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