My garden is the place that I love best out of all others and every plant in it is my favourite. Each has been chosen carefully and for a particular reason.
Some of my plants prompt memories of childhood; others serve an exceptional function such as being able to flourish during times of drought; many of my plants produce flowers of seductive beautiful or carry a scent that is unforgettable.
All are special to me, but I have chosen ten plants that I simply must have in my garden.
1. Convallaria majalis. Perhaps the humblest of my choice, if referring to size size, is the dainty Lily of the Valley. Even its name enchants me, yet for most of the year it is invisible and I have to remind myself not to go digging around in the bed where it sleeps.
The national flower of Finland, it will grow in my garden because of the cool shady aspect I have chosen. Late in winter the dormant rootstock jumps to life and produces pairs of deep-green oval leaves and six-inch stalks each bearing around fifteen tiny, pendulous, exquisitely fragrant flowers. Every delicate bloom resembles an elf's cap: the effect of their pure white tracery against the dark foliage is magic!
2. Lathyrus odoratus. Reminiscent of my childhood is the Sweet Pea. Long rows were planted against a brushwood fence in a northerly, sheltered garden aspect. When flowering, random colours of purple, blue, mauve, scarlet, salmon and pink ranged through to cream and white and hosted greedy, marauding bees from dawn until dusk.
Sweet Peas require deep, rich soil, full sun, protection from strong winds and climbing support. I planted a dwarf variety last spring but the plants rambled through larger bushes and did not get sufficient sun to flower well, so perhaps the tall climbing type is preferable if you have the appropriate position.
3. Syringa vulgaris. Nostalgia figures strongly in my choice of plants. I adore Lilac, especially the old-fashioned variety that truly is that colour. It has attractive heart-shaped leaves, but it is the perfume that defies description: spicy, soft, but so much more, especially after rain.
The common Lilac originated in the cooler regions of Europe. The varieties available today are cultivars of the original and include shades of white, creamy yellow and mauve through to deepest purple, while the tiny individual flowers that form the graceful panicles can have single or double rows of petals.
4. Hedychium gardneranum. The Ginger Lily flowers when it is hot and is at its best towards the end of summer. My second son was born at this time around thirty years ago and I remember cramming my tallest vases with these exotic many-flowered spikes to celebrate his arrival. The house was filled with its glorious perfume.
Originating in the lower Himalayas, the Ginger Lily grows in both tropical and temperate areas but is damaged by frost. In frost-prone areas you could plant the rhizome into a pot to be wintered indoors, however no potted plant would satisfy anyone who had previously delighted in the spectacle of mass-planting where they may be forty to fifty stunning flower-heads competing for attention.
5. Penstemon. I am not aware of any common name for this wonderful plant with which I have become familiar only in recent years. The Penstemons have become indispensable in my garden because of their variety of colour, their long flowering period and their remarkable drought tolerance.
Researching the origin of the Penstemon, I found that they have been introduced from North America. The plants were well-known to the North American Indians who used the root for medicinal purposes.
Penstemons look best in clumps where their massed spikes of tubular flowers make a brilliant display. My own plants are spread throughout various parts of the garden that are well-drained and receive full sun. Colours include white, palest pink, deep pink, salmon, mauve, deep purple and crimson; there is also a shorter, finer-leafed variety that has wonderful sky-blue flowers.
6. Citrus x limon. Although actually a small tree, I include the Meyer Lemon amongst my favourite plants. It is not especially attractive in appearance and has thorny growths that need to be avoided, but it serves me generously with its bountiful twice-yearly crops of fruit.
When blossoming, the spiky white flowers seem to attract every bee in the neighbourhood and the heady perfume fills me with delight. When covered in fruit (as it usually is) the bright yellow balls glow cheerfully on a background of shiny leaves. Lemons are invaluable in the kitchen, giving both flavour and nutritional benefit.
7. Grevillea. There are about 360 species of these evergreen plants which belong to the Protea family. Many are natives of Australia and are both hardy and drought tolerant. Disliking fertilisers, they must be planted where they will not receive additives that are intended for other plants.
Although straggly in growing habit the large, spidery flowers are loaded with nectar and attract native birds such as the cheeky New Holland Honeyeater. The Australian Aborigines were known to suck the flowers to obtain the sweet syrup.
In my own garden native birds abound, tempted by the magnificent glowing orange and red blooms of the Grevillea cultivars Banksii, Ned Kelly and Superb.
8. Rheum x hybridum. Rhubarb is indigenous to Asia and is believed to have been used by the Mongolians for its medicinal properties. There are many varieties but the red-stemmed hybrid looks most attractive in the garden as well as in culinary dishes.
Rhubarb is a perennial plant with large triangular leaves and long fleshy stems. It enjoys a sunny position, heavy feeding with animal manures and plenty of water. It grows in large clumps and makes a striking display in a corner of the vegetable garden.
While the leaves are toxic, the stalks can be cooked and are deliciously tart when used in pies, crumbles, jams and jellies. To reduce the sharpness, sweet fruit such as strawberries and apples can be added during cooking. Rhubarb is an essential part of the garden for those who enjoy its flavour and nutritional value.
9. Coriandrum sativum. In my garden coriander is as persistent as the weeds. It flourishes in unexpected places: I crush new plants as I walk along a path. I love its delicate fern-like appearance and the fresh, lingering aroma. I grow some in an old kettle too, which I stand on a kitchen shelf from time to time for handy picking.
Known as Chinese Parsley coriander is not a true parsley but in appearance and flavour it is very similar - perhaps more aromatic and juicier. Coriander gives flavour and colour to any dish and adds to its nutritional value. When chopped finely and sprinkled over egg dishes and light sauces or used as a garnish, a more dynamic appearance is added to your creation.
10. Rosa. Probably this is already one of your favourites, but as the rose constitutes the backbone of my garden it must be on my list. It is the stalwart that never fails to provide a bloom to charm my senses, no matter what the season or how the weather behaves.
My favourite is Cecile Brunner with its miniature pink flowers. I love its rambling growth, the trailing branches of glossy leaves and its delicate sprays of ruffled sweetly-perfumed blooms. It is truly the classic rose the one you remember from your grandmother's garden, which she may have called "The Sweetheart Rose" because lovers commonly picked it for corsages and buttonholes.
Without plants we could not live: their diversity is astonishing and the joy that they give is immeasurable. It is a pleasure to share my delight in plants with others, as it is to tend them each day in my garden.