The new shrubbery

In the last few weekends we have developed a shrubbery in a patch to the west of the house (on the right as you look at the house). Two years ago we planted six Lagerstromia (fauerii Townhouse and subcostata) and three Azara Microphylla (the vanilla tree, planted for Joanna Holmes in whose garden at Walterwoods I first met and loved it). The azaras have weathered the wind very well and now have good strong trunks. The lagerstromia (crepe myrtles) have done less well and we thought some company and support was needed.

We have planted:

Forsythia Beatrice Farrand x 3

Garrya Elliptica x 1

Blueberry - a birthday present from Nancy Cooney

Chimonanthus praecox Luteus x 3 (wintersweet)

Coryus avellana Contorta - Harry Lauder's walking stick x 1

Halesia carolina x 1 (silverbell tree)

Cedrus deodara alba x 1 - transplanted from the conifer patch

Laurel x 1 (bay tree) - a birthday present from my mother

To give them all a bit of shelter we have planted 11 Camellia sasanqua in a double row - one on each side of the path from the drive to the conifers, thereby creating Camellia Avenue. Thus the planted area is in the shape of an arrowhead - the pointed end to the south headed by the bay tree, and the wide end to the north formed by Camellia Avenue.

The camellias are:

Apple Blossom x 2

Yoimachi - x 2

Setsugeka x 4 (one a birthday present from Beth)

CrimsonKing x 1

Precious Belinda x 1

Mine no Yuki x 1

There is no doubt, they will get plenty of weather. We may have to think about giving the camellias some shelter - perhaps giant flax. We'll see.