A mouthful of name for such a simple flower; a plant that takes me back to the late 1970s.
Exochorda x macrantha 'The Bride' was one of the first shrubs I bought when I moved into Orchards (the home and garden of the late Arthur Hellyer and his wife Gay). I remember bringing a tiny pot with a twiggy growth back from a show at RHS Vincent Square. It was planted on the top terrace at Orchards in full sun; in this position it thrived. By the time I left Orchards it had matured into a glorious mound with weeping branches that had to be trimmed back to stop it smothering smaller plants beneath.
It has the potential to grow 6ft high and spread to 10ft.
It has the potential to grow 6ft high and spread to 10ft.
In my new garden I was delighted to recognised a well clipped specimen, planted in a sunless corner between the wall of the house and the boundary wall. I identified the seedpods before the flowers and leaves emerged...
Seeing the plant must have been like meeting an old friend.
ReplyDeleteIt was Patsy...I was surprised to how many seed pods were on the plant, given how closely clipped it was and I must admit, prided myself in the fact that I recognised it from those pods...it being nine years since I've seen one... I think it thrives in this sunless corner because the boiler flue is just above it!
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