In the 'Potting Shed' News from the Nursery
 

SUMPTUOUS PENSTEMONS

For 2013 we will be growing a lovely range of Penstemon.  We have given Penstemon's a 'rest' for the last couple of years but have relented due to customer demand and our own love of this beautiful genus!  This years range is set to be even bigger and better than before with several 'new to us' varieties.

We are growing several varieties from both the Pensham and the Ice Cream series of Penstemon.  These plants have all been produced in Pensham near Pershore in Worcestershire by renowned breeder Edward Wilson.  Sadly Edward passed away in the summer of 2012 but his memory lives on through these wonderful varieties and his wife, Stella is continuing his work.

From the Pensham series we are delighted to offer the varities Amelia Jane, Czar, Laura, Princess and Westminster Belle.  The last two varieties are new to us at Tissington and I am really looking forward to seeing them flower. 

Just to tempt your tastebuds we are also producing Blueberry Ice, Bubblegum, Melting Candy, Strawberries and Cream and the luscious Sweet Cherry!  These are the delights that make up the Ice Cream series.

               

Pictured left to right are Penstemon 'Strawberries and Cream', 'Pensham Czar' and 'Pensham Amelia Jane'.

Growers tips:  Penstemons are not very long lived plants 5-6 years is pretty typical but they are easily propagated from softwood cutting in March.  They require a well-drained soil (hard to find in 2012!!), particularly over the winter.  NEVER cut them back until Spring (end of March - April is early enough).  This is a common mistake and is often the reason a customer has lost their plants.

Posted by Mairi 11th January 2013


LETS GET GROWING IN 2013

Firstly we would like to wish all of our customers and visitors to the website, a Happy New Year.  Psychologically I always feel that once we reach the New Year Spring is on it's way.  The days are becoming noticeably longer and the sun higher in the sky.  We have been very lucky with the weather so far this winter as it has been mild, although rather wet!  There are signs of life in the garden with new shoots tentatively peeping through and winter flowering shrubs such as Viburnum x bodantense 'Dawn' are 'doing their stuff'.  Even the birds are beginning to sing more loudly and play 'chase me' through the trees.  Spring indeed is on it's way!!  We hope you will continue to follow our Blog as the season progresses, we will endeavour to keep you up to date with nursery 'goings on', plant news and other useful information.

Posted by Mairi 11th January 2013

IN THE PINK OR SHOULD IT BE WHITE?

We are delighted to say that we will be introducing two fabulous new pinks to our already extensive range.  Each year we grow nearly 2000 plants in over 35 varieties.  Garden Pinks are enjoying a resurgance in popularity especially as the scent is now being bred back into new plants.  They are easy to grow given plenty of sunshine (not the easiest thing this season!!) and a neutral to limey soil.  If your ph is on the low side or acidic you can also grow them in pots.  Pinks are the ideal subject for the patio or by the back door where you can enjoy the scent and pick a few for the house!

Dianthus 'Memories' is a beautiful, clear white Pink with the heady, clove scent so familiar with this plant.  It is compact and free flowering.  All of the Royalties from the sale of this variety will donated to the Alzheimers Society.  Take a look at their website to see what valuable work they do www.alzheimers.org.uk


Dianthus 'Memories'
© 2012 Whetman Pinks Used with Kind Permission

Dianthus 'Stargazer' is a smaller pink affectionately known as an Alpine Pink.  It is compact, scented and has a long flowering season.  It's pure white flowers are complimented by a dark purple, nearly black centre.  It's edges are heavily serrated or 'Pinked' the term from which the common name for these beautiful plants was derived.


Dianthus 'Stargazer'
© 2012 Whetman Pinks Used with Kind Permission

Both of these new varieties are sure to be popular.  You will be able to order plants online from our new Plant Shop later in the autumn, guaranteeing them for next spring.

THE FLAGS ARE OUT - NEW WEBSITE BANNERS

As you may have noticed we are in the process of having shiny new banner images on the website, I hope you like them.  All of the pictures are taken on and around the nursery and nursery garden.  They show just some of the many plants that we grow, with particularly favourites Helenium and Sanguisorba featured.  Many thanks to the design by EGO team based in Brailsford, Ashbourne for doing such a good job.  If you need a quality, innovative website be sure to take a look at what they do www.designbyego.co.uk

Posted by Mairi 23rd October 2012

VIVACIOUS VIOLAS

Violas are the prettiest of flowers.  Such cheerful little faces even on the dullest of days.  We grow several varieties here at Tissington including old favourites Irish Molly and Molly Sanderson.  This year we have been fortunate to meet Jack and Laura of Wildegoose Nursery.  They have taken on the vast and renowned collection of Bout's Violas which was originally established in 1978.  The collection has now been rehomed at their nursery in Shropshire and seems to have settled in well.  Why not take a few minutes and look at their website, it is full of striking colour images of these beautiful plants.  There will be a lot to tempt you!!  www.boutsviolas.co.uk

Posted by Mairi 22nd October 2012

PLANT TALKS

We are starting to get bookings for talks well into 2013.  I can do talks on a wide variety of subjects, a favourite being 'Late Flowering Perennials'.  I have my own digital projector, laptop and screen if required.  We will also bring along a selection of plants for you to peruse (often the most exciting bit of the evening!!!)  If you are interested in me coming to talk to your garden group, WI groups etc please email me at info@tissington-nursery.co.uk

Posted by Mairi 19th October 2012

EXCITING NEW DEVELOPMENTS FOR OUR WEBSITE

We have had an extremely productive meeting with the lovely Design by EGO team with regards to the website.  There are several things to look forward to including an Online Shop where you will be able to purchase our quality perennials and have them delivered directly to your door!  We will be introducing a bi-monthly newletter which you can sign up to receive on the site.  This will enable us to keep our customers up to date with plants available at the nursery, plant fairs we are attending along with other nursery news.

Posted by Mairi 18th October 2012

DIGITALIS 'ILLUMINATION PINK' - THE WORLDS FIRST TRULY PERENNIAL FOXGLOVE

Thought to be an impossible hybridisation, this is the most spectacular foxglove.  Parentage from D. Isoplexis (Canary Island Foxglove) gives it it's striking peachy-pink colouring.  Being completely sterile Foxglove ‘Illumination’ won’t set seed, giving it an incredibly long flowering period. This is the first truly perennial foxglove.  It has a semi-evergreen habit and exotic looking blooms are densely packed on sturdy stems.  Height: 90cm (36"). Spread: 45cm (18").  It's such a special plant that it was crowned RHS Plant of the Year at this years Chelsea Flower Show.   We are pleased to tell you that Tissington Nursery will be growing this wonderful variety next year.  To be honest I'm quite excited about it!!!

Posted by Mairi 15th October 2012

RHS PLANT FINDER 2013 RETURNS

It must be Autumn as the forms for the 2013 RHS Plantfinder returns have now arrived.   You can find our listings under the code MTis either in the paper copy or online at apps.rhs.org.uk/rhsplantfinder/

Posted by Mairi 21th September 2012

PLANT FAIR DATES NOW LIVE FOR 2013

We now have a lot of the dates in for next years fairs.  Most are listed but a few are waiting confirmation (TBC).  A couple of exciting new venues too including Whitmore Hall and Consall Hall  Check out the 'Events' page for details.

Posted by Mairi 20th September 2012

WHETMAN PINKS RECOMMENDED RETAILER

We are proud to be listed as one of the highly regarded Whetmans Pinks retailers.  Here at Tissington we grow and sell around 30 varieites of Dianthus or Pinks as they are affectionately referred.  From the old favourites like Doris and Mrs Sinkins through to the newer hybrids such as Supernova and Slap n Tickle!  Have a look at the Whetmans site for many images of the plants we grow  www.whetmanpinks.com

Posted by Mairi 20th September 2012

PLANT CATALOGUE FOR 2013

We are currently compiling our list for the 2013 Tissington Nursery Catalogue.  There are lots of fabuous new varieties for you to look forward to.  The Catalogue will be available in the traditional paper form along with a PDF file for you to download straight off the website.

Posted by Mairi 15th September 2012