Growing Ulex in Containers-Growing Gorse, Furze or Whin

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the pretty shrub of Ulex in containers. Ulex is a genus of flowering shrub that belongs to the Fabaceae (the Pea) family, where 20 species are known to exist, they have the common name of Gorge, Furze or Whin, depending on what country you are from. This is one shrub that is native to the UK, but it can also be found in Western Europe and Northwest Africa. The greatest source is found in the Iberia Region.

As you can imagine by looking at them they are closely related to Genista …

Growing Teucrium in Containers- Growing Germander

In this article, we will be discussing how to grow the beautiful flowering shrub of Teucrium in containers. Teucrium is a large genus of 300 species of flowering plants that belong to the Lamiaceae (the Mint or Sage) family. What is noted for all Teucrium, which has the common name of Germanders, is that all their stems are square in cross-section and the flowers are two-tipped. They tend to be found growing mainly in the Mediterranean regions but 13 species are found growing naturally in Australia.

Plants in the genus tend to be either perennial herbs or shrubs that have …

Growing Stranvaesia in Containers- Growing This Attractive Shrub

In this article, we will discover how to grow the flowering shrub of Stranvaesia in containers. Stranvaesia is a small genus of 5 species that belong to the Rosaceae (the Rose) family. One thing that must be stressed is that although their morphology is so similar to Photinia (so close that species have been included in this genus) they are separate. Recent DNA analysis indicates that the two genera are, in fact, not related.

It is grown as an ornamental shrub that has narrow, lance-shaped green leaves. The species of shrub that you will often find is Stranvaesia davidiana but …

Growing Shrubby Salix in Containers- Growing Shrubby Willow

In this article, we will discover how to grow the shrubby Salix in containers. We are not talking about the trees, so often seen in gardens but the smaller, minute species that can be grown in containers. These smaller, shrubby willows have an interesting and impressive display of catkins. The beauty of the plants is that they are small and not imposing like the trees you often find.

Salix is a relatively large genus of 400 species of mostly deciduous trees and shrubs belonging to the Salicaceae (the Salix or Willow) family. They have the common name of Sallows, Osters …

Growing Sorbus Reducta in Containers- Growing the Dwarf Chinese Mountain Ash

In this article, we will be discussing how to grow the only shrub of the Sorbus family in containers. It may seem a bit strange to talk about Sorbus as a shrub, as we generally think about them as popular trees, where many varieties of Mountain Ash, Rowan and Whitebeams are grown. As in any genus, there is one odd man out and that is Sorbus reducta. It is a diminutive shrub that is great as part of a container display in your garden.

Sorbus reducta is a species of flowering shrub that belongs to the Rosaceae (Rose) family. It …

Growing Symphoricarpos in Containers- Growing Snowberry, Waxberry or Ghostberry

are In this article, we will discover how to grow Symphoricarpos, the Snowberry, in containers. Symphoricarpos, which has the common name of snowberry, waxberry or ghostberry, is a genus of 15 species that belong to the Caprifoliaceae (the Honeysuckle) family. Apart from one species that Symphoricarpos sinensis which is naturally found growing in Western China, all other species are found in Northern or Central America. Its name comes about from the combination of two ancient Greek words- ‘Sumphorein’ meaning ‘to bear together’ and ‘Karpos’ meaning ‘Fruit’. This name comes about because the berries that form in autumn are closely packed …

Growing Zenobia in Containers- Growing the Elegant Shrub of Honeycup

In this article, we will be discussing how to grow Zenobia in containers. Zenobia or Honeycup to give its common name is the only species of shrub that belong to the Ericaceae (the Erica) family. It is found naturally growing in North America, where the only species is Zenobia pulverulenta (Syn. Z. speciosa).

This is one of the species that love acidic soils and does well with other classic lime haters such as Rhododendrons, Camellias, Callunas and Pieris. It is not common in the UK garden, which is surprising as it is easy to grow. Looks good growing above Heathers …

Growing Neillia in Containers- Growing Lace Shrub

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the attractive shrub of Neillia in containers. Neillia is named after the horticulturist and naturalist Patrick Neill. It used to belong to the genus Stephanandra but that has been moved to Neillia.

Neillia is a small genus of 15 to 17 species of deciduous shrubs or subshrubs that belong to the Rosaceae (the Rose) family. Neillia is found exclusively growing in Eastern and Central Asia, where they will grow freely. Stephanandra has just recently been found via phylogenetic analysis that it belongs to the Neillia family. It is speculated that Neillia …

Growing Santolina in Containers- Growing Cotton Lavender

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the beautiful dwarf shrub of Santolina in containers. Santolina is often given the common name of cotton lavender, because of its vague resemblance to Lavender. Santolina is a relatively small genus of 19 species belonging to the Asteraceae (Aster) family and to the tribe Anthemidae (the Chamomile tribe).

They tend to be found all over the Western Mediterranean region. What is common with all Santolinas is that they are small, low-growing, mound-forming, evergreen bushes that look great in containers.

It is grown for both its flowers and foliage, although some are …

Growing Sarcococca in Containers- Growing Christmas Box or Sweet Box

 

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the very fragrant and delightful shrub of Sarcococca in containers. Sarcococca is a relatively small genus of 11 flowering shrubs and plants that belong to the Buxacae (the Box) family. The genus name comes from two Greek words ‘Saix’ and ‘Kakkos’ which translates as ‘Fleshy Berry’ because of the black fruits it bears after it flowers.

They are native to eastern and South –Eastern Asia, especially to the Himalayas. They are slow-growing, evergreen plants that often only grow up to 2m high. In the spring and summer months, the shrub …