Last year I wrote a post about the Winter Garden at Cambridge Botanic Garden. I won’t repeat myself here, but I would like to show you some things which caught my eye last week. First, a wonderful winter -flowering tree which wasn’t in bloom last January. It is new to me Prunus mume ‘Omoi-Noi-Mama’.
Prunus mume ‘Omoi-no-mama’
It is a white form of the wonderful Japanese Apricot, Prunus mume. I have had the deep pink Prunus mume ‘Beni-Chidori’ in flower for some time now and it is gorgeous. I shall certainly be looking out for this white one.
I don’t like copying other peoples’ planting combinations, as I much prefer to design my own, but I think this combination just can’t be improved upon.
The lovely red stems of Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ are set off to perfection by the glossy red leaves of Bergenia ‘Bressingham Ruby’ and behind there is a mass of the apple green flowers of Helleborus foetidus.
I love the idea of planting snowdrops amongst this Bergenia too.
In another part of the garden was this Muehlenbeckia astonii. I thought it would be a fantastic addition to the winter garden.
Muehlenbeckia astonii
This amazing plant which comes from New Zealand looks like copper wire netting.
The Botanic Garden has a National Collection of species tulips so I was interested to go and see the Alpine section of the large glass houses.
I loved the pot of tiny Tulipa dasystemon.
Tulipa dasystemon
I love any sort of Primula and the ones here were so pretty.
I know I can’t grow these little jewels but I wish I had the time to devote to them.
Dionysias need special care too, but they are so beautiful, I wanted to caress this one.
Dionysia tapetodes
I wonder if Saxifragas are any easier to grow. I would love to try growing some alpines in my second, unheated greenhouse which just houses an apricot tree, a grape vine, Dahlia imperialis and numerous Agapanthus babies at the moment. I suppose it could be the beginning of another expensive obsession though. But look at these dear little saxifrages.
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- Saxifraga sempervivum
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- Saxifraga ‘Burseriana’
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- Saxifraga ‘Naarden’
It would lovely to be able to grow this high -alpine buttercup Ranunculus calandrinoides.
Ranunculus calandriniodes
And how about a carpet of Gymnospermum allenii? In his book ‘Buried Treasure’ Janis Ruskins says he has a mass of these growing outside in the sun.
I have the Widow Iris, Hermodactylus tuuberosus but mine is rather a dingy thing. I love the deep purple contrasted with lilac of this one.
The Bongardia chrysogonum is quite new to me. I looked it up and saw that it’s common name is ‘Ladies Night Cap’. How can something so rare have a common name? And how rude to treat something so rare and beautiful with such familiarity. It’s a bit like calling the Queen, Lizzy.
I once tried growing the intensely blue Tecophilaea and failed miserably. Here they have no such trouble.
When I win the lottery,(the big win) I shall have a glass house bigger than this one. Maybe one like the Palm House at Kew. I shall grow lots of Birds of Paradise, Strelitza reginae and the wonderful Queen’s Wreath, Petrea volubilis. And this red pompom which didn’t have label. And I must have a Jade Vine, Strongylodon macrobotrys which has the most amazing electric turquoise flowers. Unfortunately it wasn’t out yet but it is the most amazing plant.
Come to think of it; something like the Glasshouse at Cambridge would probably do nicely. I mustn’t be greedy. It covers almost an acre and has more than 2000 species of plants. Anything bigger would perhaps be a tad excessive. Now then where’s my lottery ticket?
Chloris
The Blooming Garden 
I told my husband justt yesterday: “If I were to win the lottery, I’d have a big conservatory and a huge verandah… and I guess I’d buy a house to go with it too.”
So I understand your dream here. As for the blue flower — what do they feed it to get that blue? And how did yours fail? In achieving that colour or just a failure to thrive?
The Tecophilaea is naturally a glorious blue but it is difficult to grow. Well, I found it difficult. Maybe I will try again. I don’ t really believe that I can’ t grow something until I have killed it three times.
You’re a funny woman….
The Cornus and the Bergenia make a brilliant combination. I love it!
I love it too and I am going to copy it. The Bergenia leaves are such a lovely glossy red.
I copy combinations from everyone and everywhere. I have no imagination. They have some fabulous plants there, thanks for sharing them.
I think you have great imagination, your garden is really interesting and quirky and you grow such interesting plants.
I really enjoyed the focus on these plants today. Reading along I just kept saying, “Oh, yes!” I just saw Saxifraga in bloom at a garden store yesterday, but was unfamiliar with it so didn’t bring any home until I could research it. Looked similar to the Saxifraga ‘Burseriana’ you’ve shown and it was lovely.
Oh do go and buy it, it is so pretty. I believe the key to growing it well is perfect drainage.
Several of these plants are new to me. But I love any plant that’s soft and fuzzy. I love those saxifragias and that dionysia. As for glasshouses, a gardener can dream!
I love the Dionysias but I am told they are very difficult to grow. I think I might try growing some saxifrages though.
So many treasures, thanks for sharing. I’d love to visit.
Funnily enough, my daughter’s going to Cambridge tomorrow to visit her boyfriend, but when I suggested she really should visit the Botanic Garden she seemed less than enthusiastic. Maybe in 10 (20?) years’ time the response will be different? Here’s hoping 😉
Once she has her own garden I bet she will get keen. My daughter is now as gardening mad as I am but she didn’t show much interest when she was young.
Lovely plants you have shared with us today. I love the prunus and hope to ‘bag’ some equally beautiful ones when we are in Japan next. I discovered a botanic gardens last time we were there with many different prunus growing, but it was the wrong season for the blossom. My other favourite is Ranunculus calandriniodes, but I guess I would need a greenhouse for that.
How wonderful, it is my dream to go to Japan at Cherry blossom time. A friend who lived there told me that my dark pink one:’ Beni- chidori’ means flight of butterflies. I would love to know what ‘ Omoi- noi- mama’ means.
I will try to find that out for you and hopefully find one to photograph.
Loving Gymnospermum allenii.
Mike and I were talking about ‘proper’ glasshouses today too and then, in the short term, mouse proofing our existing greenhouse. If I can’t grow bulbs and these delicate alpines in the ground I’m planning on starting a collection in pots. It’s definitely the start of an obsession, but an investment I can take with me if or when we move.
Thanks for sharing this. That Prumus mume is indeed very charming, and I love the Galanthus/Bergenia combination.
The Prunus mume was stunning, but my dark pink one is lovely too. Are they available over?
I think that is an excellent idea. With your wildlife problems a greenhouse full of treasures would be great. I don’ t know how you managed to grow that beautiful Fritillaria nigra, frits are usually irresistible to pheasants. They love to bite their heads off. Just for fun.
I think you will need a staff with that new greenhouse. The Copper Wire Plant from New Zealand is fantastic.
You are right, I don’ t want gardeners all over the place so I won’ t bother. I love the copper wire plant too, this is the first time that I have seen it. I would love one.
Hmm, I will have to post my ‘Firesticks’ Pencil Cactus – I have two and I think you will like them.
Sorry you can’t win this time as I have the winning ticket!? Anyway thank you for those images of Cambs botanic. Stunning shots and I too especially love the edging of Bergenia and stinking hellebore with the cornus. Perfection.
So that’ s why we didn’ t win. Well I hope you are going to build a palm house with your winnings and invite all your blogging friends to come to tea in it.
Hope you win it!
Thank you Penny but we never do. Anyway I have more than enough garden to look after, so really I couldn’t manage an acre of glasshouse.
All such wonderful plants! I love the saxifrages, and hope to find some one day for my garden (the grow quite well in my climate). The Muehlenbeckia looks great – a similar type to M. astonii ( M. complexa, although M. astonii will work as well) can be trained over wire fences and is dense enough to look like a hedge or trained through wire sculptures to make topiary shapes. The Primulas and Tecophilaea from the alpine house are just stunning – thanks for sharing the pictures!
I love the idea of making topiary out of the Muelenbeckia. It would be very effective.
You’re right, the Cornus and Bergenia combination is really effective, especially with snowdrops dotted between the Bergenia leaves. I liked the look of the Muhlenbeckia so looked it up and it is actually called wire bush in German. So then I looked up the New zealand name and it’s called Wiggy Wig Bush! Love the Dionysia too. Good luck with the lottery draw…. 😉
Wiggy Wig Bush! I love it, what a fabulous name for it. It is a gorgeous thing. I wonder what colour it is in Summer. I suppose the lovely coppery bronze is its Winter outfit.
Every time I see the Berginia ‘Bressingham Ruby’ I think I really should find a place for it in the garden. I just haven’t seen it in the nurseries around here.
I love Bergenias which turn red in Winter. ‘Bressingham Ruby’ is particularly striking.
Thanks for the tour. So many interesting plants. LIke you, I love that Muhlenbeckia–such a great plant for structure.
I have never seen a plant like this Muelenbeckia before, it gleamed in the sun. Gorgeous!
Oh my, that Bergenia/Cornus combination is stunning! A glass house with an acre of space would do nicely!
The acre glasshouse would be lovely but then I would be happy with one just like yours. I am very envious whenever I see it.
Good luck with your lottery ticket Chloris – although it sounds to me like you would fill that acre in a heartbeat! I love that combination of cornus, bergenia and snowdrops – one we might both copy I think.
No luck with the lottery I’ m afraid so the Palm House is on hold.
I agree Bergenia ‘ Bressingham Red’ is a winner in this combination. Beth Chatto sells it. Perhaps we had better have a little jaunt there.
A great idea – I will email you tomorrow!
So many heavenly plants here….I loved the Tulipa dasystemon. I am really fond of alpines too. Oh go for it, a girl must have an obsession, the beauty is we can all enjoy it on yor behalf without putting our hand’s in our pockets!
Now I do hope you bought a ticket or two…can I be your little helper?xxx
I already have too many plant obsessions.
No luck with the lottery. I let the Pianist choose the numbers but he has no talent for it whatsoever. Apart from 4 years ago when he won £10. But what is the use of that? Not even enough for a cloche.
Thanks for the tour! I’ve always been amazed (like everyone else, I guess) by the beauty of Bird of Paradise. That Cornus/Bergenia/Helleborus combination is fabulous–no wonderf so many people arrange those plants together. Oh, yes, the Palm House at Kew would be wonderful to have in one’s backyard! 😉
I think Cambridge botanic garden is undervalued as a place to go for inspiration but I’ve always found it wonderful, especially in winter; I hope to visit again this year, thanks for the reminder!
I am planning to take my mum for a visit here in a few weeks time, so really glad you put up your post, we will have so much to look forward too, lovely details as always too.
A most enjoyable, interesting post and wonderful pictures. Your last paragraph made me smile. I’ve been there once a long time ago and always wanted to go back. xx