Jasminum

By John Hills

 

No climber does more to lift the grey pall of February than Jasminum nudifforum. The yellow flowers on a north or west wall brave snow or arctic frost with equanimity Over a low wall, on a trellis, clipped as an ornament to the front lawn, few soils or situations reduce Winter Jasmine to despair. Each flowering shoot should be cut back in April to within 2 shoots of the base.

There is an old elm nearby clothed in ivy which confirms my regard for this climber. It makes a perfect sanctuary for nesting birds in summer, a column of polished green to lighten the dark days of winter. Some older buildings would be stark ruins without a softening mantle of ivy. No matter that the soil is dry to the point of aridity, or dark with the shade of forest trees, the ivy grows to mask the nakedness of inhospitable earth with quiet efficiency.

The common species, Hedera helix, has no equal as a self-clinging climber or for all-round adaptability. Fortunately, it shows no reluctance :o sport new varieties to such an extent that the choice is becoming bewildering in its diversity. Buttercup, as the name implies, is a good yellow form, which dare I whisper it, always has the same effect on me as flat lemonade. Congesta is slow growing with small grey-green leaves. It is a fine plant for a terraced corner or a large stone in the rock garden.

Polygonum baldschuanicum is a heaven-sent climber for those unfortunate gardeners with ugly buildings to cover, chain-link fences to hide, or air-raid shelters to disguise. My particular bete noir is a tarred shed.

In three years the Russian Vine has covered it completely, even growing through the cracks amongst the tools hanging on the walls inside. White flowers tinted pink open throughout the late summer into autumn. Grown up an oak or similar sturdy support it becomes a curtain of white flower and pale green leaf. Cuttings of the short side branches taken during July - August root without difficulty.

Hydrangea petiolaris is often recommended for a north wall, and while it will admittedly tolerate shade it responds with such alacrity to a position in full sun that I rather pander to it in this respect. The white flowers open in July above the heart-shaped leaves which themselves turn at the first touch of autumn frost to soft yellow. A clematis or the eccremocarpus will add a colourful overtone to the self-clinging hydrangea. Cuttings or layers offer the best results if further plants are required.

About the Author:

In garden planning, a bench, an arbor, and statute can be garden focal points.