Pelargonium Aplenty

Winter Display

As the border at the far end of the quad was having the wallflowers and tulips removed yesterday the winter display in the Besse Courtyard was also being removed. The evergreens, Bay, Skimmia, Vibernum, Phormium, Mahonia and Ivy were dug up and taken to the heeling in bed in the nursery area.

Loaded For Transportation

Heeling In Bed

The heeling in bed is where the bare rooted plants are stored until they are needed again in the displays or in the gardens. Trenches are dug wide and deep enough to hold the plants, the plants are then placed in to the trenches next to each other, the soil put back in to the trench around the plants and firmed in using your heel, hence 'heeling in'.

Empty Containers

A Straight Line To A Group

For this summer's display the containers have been moved back in to a group of seven rather than the line seen over the winter months.

Positioning

Today, with the containers in their new positions, the display is created. This year the display is 'Pelargonium Aplenty', nine in total, Pelargonium denticulatum 'Filicifolia', Pelargonium crispum 'Angel Eyes Randy', Pelargonium papilionaceus, Pelargonium tomentosum 'Chocolate Spot', Pelargonium 'Lady Plymouth', 'Orange Fizz', 'Attar of Roses', 'Lord Bute' and 'Precision Bright Lilac'. Joining these plants are Salvia curviflora, Salvia 'Waverly' and the black succulent Aeonium arboreum 'Schwarzkopf'.

Creating The Display

Pelargonium Aplenty

Not seen for the last few years, the other two oak containers have been moved back in to the courtyard, the nine containers all back together again. The planting in these two are also mainly Pelargonium, Pelargonium denticulatum 'Filicifolia', Pelargonium tomentosum 'Chocolate Spot',
Pelargonium tomentosum, Pelargonium odorata 'Cola', Pelargonium 'Lord Bute', 'Mabel Grey' and 'Precision Bright Lilac'. In addition to these plants are Tibouchina urvilleana, Argyranthemum 'Cherry Harmony', Salvia curviflora and Lavatera maritima.