AJS Gardening · Your Garden

An Example Garden

📍 South Hams, Devon

Your garden through the seasons

☀️ Summer5 beds56 plants🌸 25 in flower

Right Now

Looking good in Summer

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Weigela

Late spring–summer

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Chinese Azalea

Mar–Jun

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Evergreen Rose

Summer

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Meadowsweet

Summer

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Small-headed Knotweed

Summer

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Hosta (Plantain Lily)

Summer

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Yellow Flag Iris

Early summer

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Rose

Summer

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Heuchera

Summer (grown for foliage)

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Sedum (Showy Stonecrop)

Late summer–autumn

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Spurge (Tree/Peking Spurge)

Spring–summer

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Common Comfrey

Late spring–summer

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Chameleon Plant

Summer (grown for foliage)

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Creeping Jenny

Summer

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Seep Monkeyflower

Summer

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Lupin

Early summer

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Sedum

Late summer–autumn

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Peony

Late spring–early summer

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Allium

Early summer

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Veronica (Speedwell)

Summer

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African Lily

Mid–late summer

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Nepeta (Catmint)

Summer (long)

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Iris

Early summer

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Sage

Summer

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Verbena

Summer–autumn

Your Garden in Summer

Beds & Planting

Annex Garden10 plants · 3 🌸

📷 Summer photo coming soon

Planted beds around the annex , a mix of fragrant and flowering shrubs.

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WeigelaWeigela florida

Deciduous shrub☀ Full sun / part shade💧 Moderate🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife

Funnel-shaped flowers late spring to early summer. Prune straight after flowering , cut back flowered stems and take about one in five of the oldest stems to the base. Mulch in spring.

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Chinese AzaleaRhododendron (Azalea)

Flowering shrub☀ Part shade💧 Moist (acid)🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife🌿 Acid soil⚠ Toxic

Flowers Mar–June. Acid soil , mulch annually with ericaceous compost, leaf mould or conifer bark. Deadhead spent blooms. Water with rainwater. Toxic to pets.

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Evergreen RoseRosa sempervirens (or evergreen climbing rose)

Evergreen rose☀ Full sun💧 Moderate🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife

Mulch and feed in spring. Prune climbers/ramblers after flowering, bush types in winter. Watch for black spot , see the watch list. (Confirm variety to fine-tune pruning.)

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Mexican OrangeChoisya ternata

Evergreen shrub☀ Sun / part shade💧 Moderate🌸 Late spring🐝 Wildlife

Fragrant white flowers in late spring, often a second flush later. Trim only to reshape or shorten leggy stems, just after flowering (early–mid summer). Mulch in early spring. Hardy to about -10°C.

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Japanese Maple (large tree)Acer palmatum

Deciduous tree☀ Part shade💧 Moist🌸 Foliage (autumn colour)

Easy. Shelter from cold drying winds and late frosts to avoid leaf scorch; keep roots moist in summer. Prune only when fully dormant (late autumn–winter) to avoid bleeding sap.

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Red Tip PhotiniaPhotinia × fraseri 'Red Robin'

Evergreen shrub☀ Sun / part shade💧 Moderate🌸 Grown for foliage

Fast growing (~30cm/yr). Trim lightly in spring and after each flush to keep it tidy and encourage the bright red new growth. Mulch in autumn or spring; water in dry spells if against a wall.

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Winter HoneysuckleLonicera fragrantissima

Deciduous/semi-evergreen shrub☀ Sun / part shade💧 Moderate🌸 Winter🐝 Wildlife

Sweetly scented cream flowers in winter. Prune after flowering in spring , thin out a few of the oldest stems to keep it open.

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Guelder-RoseViburnum opulus

Deciduous shrub☀ Sun / part shade💧 Moist🌸 Spring (autumn berries)🐝 Wildlife

White lacecap flowers in spring, red berries in autumn , excellent for wildlife. Minimal pruning, just after flowering; remove old or crossing stems.

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Japanese PierisPieris japonica

Evergreen shrub☀ Part shade💧 Moist (acid)🌸 Spring🐝 Wildlife🌿 Acid soil⚠ Toxic

Acid soil , mulch with pine needles, leafmould or bark to keep pH low. Remove faded flowers and frost-damaged foliage in late spring. Harmful if eaten , wear gloves when handling. Loved by bees.

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CamelliaCamellia japonica / sasanqua

Evergreen shrub☀ Part shade💧 Moist (acid)🌸 Late winter–spring🐝 Wildlife🌿 Acid soil❄ Frost-tender

Woodland plant , likes shade and shelter from wind and early-morning sun on frosted buds. Keep well watered Jul–Sep when next year's buds form; use rainwater. Deadhead browning flowers (optional). Fleece against hard frost.

Bog Bed20 plants · 10 🌸

📷 Summer photo coming soon

The damp bed by the stream , moisture-loving ferns, sedges, primulas and big architectural foliage. Has its own detailed month-by-month care notes.

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MeadowsweetFilipendula ulmaria

Herbaceous perennial☀ Sun / part shade💧 Wet🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife

Damp-loving native with frothy cream summer flowers. Cut back after flowering. Good for pollinators and wildlife.

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Small-headed KnotweedPolygonum microcephalum

Perennial☀ Sun / part shade💧 Moist🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife🚫 Invasive

Cut back old, damaged stems in spring as new growth appears; trim after flowering in late summer. Grows aggressively , prune regularly to keep it in bounds. Likes moist, slightly acidic soil.

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Hosta (Plantain Lily)Hosta spp.

Herbaceous perennial☀ Shade💧 Moist🌸 In flower now

Shade and consistently moist soil with good drainage. Trim frost-damaged leaves in spring; remove spent flower spikes in late summer. Prime slug and snail target , watch fresh growth.

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Yellow Flag IrisIris pseudacorus

Marginal perennial☀ Sun💧 Wet🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife🚫 Invasive

Moist to wet soil. Remove dead leaves in spring; cut back spent flowers and yellowing foliage after flowering. Divide every 3–4 years to prevent overcrowding , can become aggressive.

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RoseRosa

Shrub rose☀ Full sun💧 Moderate🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife

Unusual in a bog bed , make sure it isn't sitting waterlogged (likely on a drier edge). Mulch and feed; prune in winter. Watch black spot. (Confirm it's actually in the bog bed.)

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HeucheraHeuchera

Semi-evergreen perennial☀ Part shade💧 Moist🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife

Moist but well-drained , lift slightly if it's too wet. Remove tatty leaves in spring; divide every few years. Watch for vine weevil at the roots.

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Sedum (Showy Stonecrop)Sedum spectabile / Hylotelephium

Perennial succulent☀ Full sun💧 Low🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife

Prefers well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant , likely on a drier edge of the bed. Cut back old flowerheads in Feb/Mar as new rosettes appear; mulch. Bees love it.

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Spurge (Tree/Peking Spurge)Euphorbia (pekinensis?)

Perennial☀ Sun / part shade💧 Moist🌸 In flower now

Moist, well-drained soil. Remove dead/damaged stems in spring; prune spent flowers after flowering. Wear gloves , the milky sap irritates skin. (Confirm variety.)

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Common ComfreySymphytum officinale

Herbaceous perennial☀ Sun / part shade💧 Moist🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife⚠ Toxic

Cut to the ground after flowering in late autumn. Heavy feeder , mulch with compost. Spreads aggressively, so prune to contain. Harmful if eaten; handle with gloves. (A-Z list calls this Creeping Comfrey, S. grandiflorum , confirm which.)

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Chameleon PlantHouttuynia cordata

Perennial ground cover☀ Sun / part shade💧 Moist🌸 In flower now🚫 Invasive

Vigorous and can spread rapidly , keep contained and prune regularly to control. Moist, well-drained soil. Cut back to the ground if it spreads too far.

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CyclamenCyclamen

Tuberous perennial☀ Part shade💧 Moderate🌸 Autumn–winter

Heart-shaped marbled leaves; mostly flowers autumn and winter. Frost hardy. Watch for squirrels digging up the tubers.

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Ostrich FernMatteuccia struthiopteris

Fern☀ Shade💧 Wet🌸 Grown for foliage

Wet, shady conditions. Cut all dead fronds to ground level after the first frost (Oct–Nov); remove old fronds in spring before new ones unfurl. Divide gently in spring if overcrowded.

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CamelliaCamellia japonica

Evergreen shrub☀ Part shade💧 Moist (acid)🌸 Late winter–spring🐝 Wildlife🌿 Acid soil

Acid, moist, well-drained soil. Light prune of dead/damaged stems after flowering (late winter/early spring). Avoid heavy cuts into old wood. Mulch the base.

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Marrow SedgeCarex morrowii

Evergreen sedge☀ Part shade💧 Moist🌸 Grown for foliage

Moist but well-drained soil. Remove dead or damaged leaves in spring; divide gently in spring if too clumped. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.

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Striped Weeping SedgeCarex (comans/oshimensis)

Evergreen sedge☀ Sun / part shade💧 Moist🌸 Grown for foliage

Damp but not waterlogged. Cut ragged clumps back to 2–3in in winter; tidy dead foliage in spring before new growth.

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Cypress-like SedgeCarex (variety to confirm)

Sedge☀ Part shade💧 Moist🌸 Grown for foliage

Damp soil. Tidy dead foliage in spring; cut back ragged clumps in winter. (Needs identifying to confirm care.)

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Japanese PrimrosePrimula japonica / bulleyana

Candelabra perennial☀ Part shade💧 Moist🌸 Late spring🐝 Wildlife

Moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade. Deadhead spent flowers for more blooms; trim dead foliage in autumn; mulch to retain moisture. Keep watered in dry spells but not waterlogged.

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Chilean Rhubarb (Gunnera)Gunnera tinctoria

Giant perennial☀ Sun / part shade💧 Wet🌸 Grown for foliage🚫 Invasive⚖ Notifiable

Keep soil reliably moist , sensitive to drought. Fold/mulch the dead leaves over the crown for winter, then prune off dead leaves in late winter (Jan–Feb). Thin overcrowded basal rosettes in spring. INVASIVE & NOTIFIABLE: cut flowerheads before they seed, dispose of properly (not home compost), and prevent spread to the wild.

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Japanese PierisPieris japonica

Evergreen shrub☀ Part shade💧 Moist (acid)🌸 Spring🐝 Wildlife🌿 Acid soil⚠ Toxic

Acid soil , mulch with pine needles/leafmould/bark. Remove faded flowers and frost-damaged foliage in late spring. Harmful if eaten , wear gloves.

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Royal FernOsmunda regalis

Fern☀ Shade💧 Wet🌸 Grown for foliage

Keep soil moist at all times, especially in the growing season. Remove dead fronds in winter after frost. Gets large , give it room.

Corner Bed14 plants · 10 🌸

📷 Summer photo coming soon

A mixed cottage-style bed of shrubs, perennials and bulbs.

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LupinLupinus

Perennial☀ Full sun💧 Moderate🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife

Deadhead faded spikes for a second flush. Cut right back to the ground in autumn after collecting seed. Short-lived (~6 years). Tall plants may need staking. Watch for lupin aphid.

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SedumHylotelephium

Perennial succulent☀ Full sun💧 Low🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife

Cut old flowerheads back in Feb/Mar as new rosettes show; mulch. Drought-tolerant; nectar-rich for bees.

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PeonyPaeonia

Herbaceous perennial☀ Full sun💧 Moderate🌸 In flower now

Don't plant too deep or it won't flower. Support heavy blooms. Cut herbaceous types to the ground in autumn. Watch for peony wilt (botrytis) in damp spells.

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AlliumAllium

Bulb☀ Full sun💧 Low🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife

Let foliage die back naturally. Leave the architectural seed heads for interest. Divide congested clumps when needed.

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Veronica (Speedwell)Veronica

Perennial☀ Full sun💧 Moderate🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife

Spikes loved by bees. Deadhead through summer; cut back in autumn; divide every few years.

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African LilyAgapanthus

Perennial☀ Full sun💧 Moderate🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife❄ Frost-tender

Sun and free-draining soil; often flowers better slightly congested. Deadhead spent stems. Protect crowns of deciduous types over winter with a dry mulch.

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Nepeta (Catmint)Nepeta

Perennial☀ Full sun💧 Low🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife

Cut back hard after the first flush for a repeat flowering. A 'Chelsea chop' in late spring keeps it compact. Bee magnet.

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IrisIris

Perennial☀ Full sun💧 Moderate🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife

Divide congested clumps in late summer. Keep bulbous types from getting too wet in winter. Bearded iris like sun on the rhizomes. (Confirm variety.)

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SageSalvia

Perennial herb☀ Full sun💧 Low🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife

Nectar-rich, long flowering, magnet for bees. Great under roses , said to help keep mildew and black spot at bay. Trim after flowering.

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VerbenaVerbena bonariensis

Herbaceous perennial☀ Full sun💧 Low🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife

Cut down in spring as new growth emerges from the base; deadhead in autumn if seed isn't wanted. Protect with a dry mulch in cold areas. Self-seeds freely , can become a nuisance if unmanaged.

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Common LilacSyringa vulgaris

Deciduous shrub☀ Full sun💧 Moderate🌸 Late spring🐝 Wildlife

Fragrant flowers in spring. Deadhead spent blooms; prune right after flowering. Can be renovated hard over a few seasons if overgrown.

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PittosporumPittosporum tenuifolium

Evergreen shrub☀ Sun / part shade💧 Moderate🌸 Grown for foliage

Trim to shape in late spring/summer. Can be damaged in hard frosts.

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Wayfaring TreeViburnum lantana

Deciduous shrub☀ Sun / part shade💧 Moderate🌸 Spring (autumn berries)🐝 Wildlife

Native; cream flowers in spring, red-then-black berries for wildlife. Minimal pruning, just after flowering.

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Crab AppleMalus

Deciduous tree☀ Full sun💧 Moderate🌸 Spring blossom🐝 Wildlife

Blossom in spring, small fruit in autumn (good for wildlife). Prune lightly when dormant in winter , remove crossing, dead or congested branches.

Near Bamboo / By the Stream3 plants

📷 Summer photo coming soon

Tree ferns and structural planting by the stream and bamboo.

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Australian Tree Fern×3Dicksonia / Cyathea

Fern☀ Part shade💧 Moist🌸 Grown for foliage❄ Frost-tender

The trunk is a mat of fibrous roots that must stay moist , water regularly, into the crown and trunk. KEY JOB: protect the crown over winter with netting/fleece (and straw) against frost. Old fronds can be folded over the crown for protection. Trim tatty fronds in early spring; new fronds unfurl from the heart.

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Windmill PalmTrachycarpus fortunei

Evergreen palm☀ Sun / part shade💧 Moderate🌸 Grown for foliage

Hardy and well-suited to the Devon climate. Low maintenance , just remove dead or tatty fronds.

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Siberian DogwoodCornus alba 'Sibirica'

Deciduous shrub☀ Full sun💧 Moist🌸 Winter stems🐝 Wildlife

Grown for vivid red winter stems. For best colour, coppice hard , cut about a third of stems back close to the base in early spring. (A-Z list places a Cornus in the bog area , confirm which bed.)

Pond9 plants · 2 🌸

📷 Summer photo coming soon

Pond and its margins , marginals, moisture-lovers and waterside shrubs and trees.

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Creeping JennyLysimachia nummularia

Evergreen ground cover☀ Sun / part shade💧 Moist🌸 In flower now🚫 Invasive

Moist soil; vigorous spreader (especially the golden form) , trim back to keep it in bounds.

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Seep MonkeyflowerErythranthe guttata (Mimulus)

Marginal perennial☀ Sun💧 Wet🌸 In flower now🐝 Wildlife

Moist to wet margins; yellow flowers in summer. Can spread , deadhead and cut back to control.

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Yellow Marsh MarigoldCaltha palustris

Marginal perennial☀ Sun💧 Wet🌸 Spring🐝 Wildlife

Wet, shallow margins. Bright yellow flowers in spring. Divide after flowering if congested.

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Common RushJuncus effusus

Marginal rush☀ Sun💧 Wet🌸 Grown for foliage

Damp to wet soil. Cut back old, dead stems to just above soil level in spring before new growth; a little compost in early spring helps the roots.

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PittosporumPittosporum tenuifolium

Evergreen shrub☀ Sun / part shade💧 Moderate🌸 Grown for foliage

Trim to shape in late spring/summer; good for hedging. Can be damaged in hard frosts.

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Japanese MapleAcer palmatum

Deciduous tree☀ Part shade💧 Moist🌸 Foliage (autumn colour)

Shelter from cold winds and late frosts; keep roots moist. Prune only when dormant to avoid bleeding.

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Drooping SedgeCarex pendula

Evergreen sedge☀ Part shade💧 Wet🌸 Grown for foliage

Damp soil; graceful arching seed heads. Self-seeds prolifically , cut off seed heads to keep it under control.

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Black AlderAlnus glutinosa

Deciduous tree☀ Sun💧 Wet🌸 Spring catkins🐝 Wildlife

Thrives in wet ground , ideal waterside. Minimal pruning, only when dormant.

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Boxleaf HoneysuckleLonicera nitida

Evergreen shrub☀ Sun / part shade💧 Moderate🌸 Foliage (hedging)

Fast-growing and clips like box , trim 2–3 times through the growing season. A blight-free alternative to box for low hedging/topiary.

Cared for by AJS Gardening · Torbay & South Devon
Questions? ajsgardeningsw@gmail.com · 07311 264035