Gardenia
For those that love a little bit of scent along with their glossy green foliage then Gardenia jasminoides ‘Kleim’s Hardy’ is just the thing. This small shrub can be a little fussy but if well-tended you will be rewarded with single, ivory white highly scented flowers in the late summer and autumn.
‘Kleim’s Hardy’ is highly valued for its cold hardiness. It forms an evergreen shrub up to 1m in height and spread with time and is best planted in light shade in a container where it can be moved to enjoy the scent when in flower. It does like a moist soil so is good for moist areas in the garden and can take a little morning sun quite happily.
Cornus canadensis
Cornus are well known for their winter colour stems or colourful bracts but it is worth getting down on your knees and seeking out the lesser known Cornus canadensis, the Creeping Dogwood.
Reaching only 15cm in height this creeping perennial has creamy white bracts in spring and summer borne in abundance above a collar of green slightly pointed leaves. This attractive ground cover perennial dies back in the winter after a flush of red foliage.
Cornus canadensis performs well in a woodland or slightly shaded border in a partially shaded spot in a humus-rich well-drained ericaceous soil. I have seen banks of Cornus Canadensis planted beneath Camellias to great effect.
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| Cornus candensis with white bracts | Gardenia jasminoides ‘Kleim’s Hardy’ | Cornus candensis with berries in the autumn |
