Written by About 22 years ago I brought this camellia back from an RHS show in Vincent Square in a small carrier bag with the idea it would brighten a previously dull corner of the tennis court. It was an expensive decision from my limited funds available being a princely £12. I wanted parents to sit waiting for their children to finish playing on cold grey days enjoying its scent. It has a wildly exotic scent with elements of tuberose and cloves.
It is a camellia sasanqua Narumigata and flowers from the beginning of October until the end of November. The bees love its simple flower allowing easy access to pollen.
This orchid like flower (below) is Tricyrtis or toad lily originating from the Himalayas and Asia. It can be a bit tricky to grow but happiest in light shade in moist soil. You can understand the challenge in the garden! It flowers from the end of August until mid November.
For autumn colours the cornus (below) provides a perfect backdrop for the abutilon. This abutilon flowers for probably nearly six months.
This shrub (below) is called Callicarpa bodinieri Profusion and originates from China. There is an American version, native to the south west, where it is known as Beautyberry.
An astringent jelly can be made from the berries although I haven’t tried as I think the berries look good on the bush! In Spring the new leaves are purple/bronze turning a bright green in the summer and back to purple/bronze in the autumn.
A folk remedy used the berries for mosquito bites and now it has been discovered that two of the four chemicals that can be extracted from the berries are used commercially in treatment for mosquito bites.
Sarah Syborn
Head gardener, Warwick Square Garden