The Mill Garden Centre top five plants for May 2012
May in Scotland is the month where we finally begin to see things happen in the garden. The grass starts to grow, plants start to fill out and at long last the gaps in the flower beds start to disappear.
1. Exochorda x macrantha The Bride : arching branches covered in white, single rose-like flowers with fresh green foliage make this a great plant to add to the back of a border. It is similar in appearance, at first glance, to Spiraea Arguta (bridal wreath) but has more substantial flowers.
2. Viburnum x burkwoodii Mohawk. Another fabulous large shrub with buds just opening now. The buds are pink opening white and the scent is intoxicating.
3. Clematis Montana types : this climber is ideal for areas suited to a climber which grows rapidly and we have a good choice of varieties this year eg. var. Grandiflora – white, Broughton Star – double red-pink, Odora – scented shell pink, Marjorie – double pink. Also Clematis Pixie which is a dwarf clematis with beautifully scented lemon yellow flowers.
4. Picea abies Rydal. This dwarf variety of Norway spruce is a real eyecatcher at the moment with stunning dark red new growth and produces abundant cones even on fairly young plants.
5. Convallaria majalis. Lily-of-the-Valley is great for growing around shrubs or at the base of trees. A cottage garden favourite, beautifully fragrant and lovely to pick and bring indoors for a real scent of spring.