The edible quince (Cydonia oblonga) is a small deciduous thornless tree with an irregular shape, growing up to 12ft in height and width. It is a distant relative of the ornamental quince (Chaenomeles sp.), commonly known as Japonica, which is a thorny wall shrub with small apple blossom like flowers, followed by hard irregular green inedible fruits. It is more closely related to the pear to which the fruit bears some ressemblance, and is often used as a rootstock for pears to control their vigour and reduce their ultimate height. Quince trees are valuable as ornamental trees, with attractive white or pale pink flowers, similar to the native dog rose, set against dark green oval leaves with downy white undersides and pale grey bark.

The fruits are apple or pear shaped and when fully ripe are golden yellow. The flavour is quite sharp and acidic and the texture rather gritty which is why they are not normally used as a dessert fruit.
However, when cooked, quinces can be transformed into a beautiful clear orange jelly or marmalade, delicious with cheese, pates and cold meats, and they can also be added to apple pies, providing a subtle aromatic complimentary flavour.

Quinces are perfectly hardy in the UK but, as with grape vines, a warm sheltered site is preferred to give the fruits the best chance of ripening fully. Their are two varieties in common cultivation; “Meech’s Prolific” has pear shaped fruits 5-7 inches long with a bright golden colour and excellent flavour. “Vranja” was introduced from Serbia where it was widely cultivated and has very fragrant clear golden fruits with fine flavour. Fruiting occurs mainly on short spurs which develop along the length of the branches and to encourage the formation of these spurs quinces should be pruned in Winter by pruning back the main branches by half the previous summer’s growth. Cut back any other side shoots which are overcrowding and competing with the main branches to 2 or 3 buds. After 4 years little pruning is required apart from the removal of any excess growth which is overcrowding the main framework which should develop into a goblet shape. Leave the fruits to ripen on the tree for as long as possible, usually mid October or November. Once harvested store in a cool dark place on a tray without touching each other for about a month before they are ready for use.

Poinsettias have become a vibrant part of our home decorations at Christmas time but don’t leave it too late if you’re planning to buy one this year as there could be a shortage. The severe cold weather last year resulted in astronomical heating bills for growers, coupled with reduced demand because people were unable to get out to Garden Centres because of the snow and ice. Many growers lost money and have reduced or ceased production as a result. Growing conditions this year have been much more favourable; the high light levels have resulted in very bushy, brightly coloured plants and the mild weather will have been a great relief to growers, who, like the rest of us are facing massive increases in the cost of oil and gas.

If possible always try and buy a British grown plant. This is not a matter of patriotism, it is because plants are fresher and better quality. Poinsettias do not travel well, they resent being stored for any length of time in the dark, or exposed to cold draughts. They hate being handled and dislike being encased in a plastic sleeve with no air circulation for long periods of time. If you can, buy your plant direct from the grower, or from a retail outlet where they are displayed unsleeved in a warm area with good natural light levels. Avoid plants which are showing any signs of wilting, or have yellowing leaves at the base of the plant. Also check to ensure the coloured bracts are unblemished. “Scratching” occurs in plants which have been roughly handled, caused by the leaking of the milky sap at the point of damage. The tiny gold “pips” in the centre of the bracts (cyathia) should also look fresh and intact. Plants which are under stress, or have been forced too early will often lose these pips which are in fact the true flower. In the home these pips will eventually fall off, but the beautifully coloured bracts will continue to give enjoyment for months.

Mahonias, commonly known as the “Oregon Grape” are very useful shrubs with an impressive list of attributes : very hardy, shade tolerant, lime tolerant, architectural, Winter flowering, fragrant, evergreen and loved by flower arrangers. They belong to the Berberis family and share a common characteristic with them, namely prickly foliage, and can also be used therefore to prevent unwanted visitors to your garden!

Although many Mahonias grow quite tall, M.aquifolium is a small suckering shrub useful for ground cover in that most difficult of situations, namely dry shade under trees. The yellow flowers appear in early Spring and the glossy evergreen foliage is dark green, sometimes turning scarlet in Winter. M.aquifolium “Apollo” is a strong vigorous selection with large flower clusters.

Mahonia japonica is a very handsome species growing up to 2m in 10 years, deep green pinnate leaves and long arching sprays of sweetly fragrant lemon yellow flowers in early to mid Winter.
Mahonia x media is a group of hybrids between the stunning but rather tender M.lomariifolia and the aforementioned M.japonica. This group includes 3 of the most commonly offered varieties of Mahonia. “Charity” is easily the most popular with an upright stately habit reaching 1.5m in 10 years. “Winter Sun” can reach as high as 3m and tends to flower earlier than “Charity”, usually in October. “Lionel Fortescue” has bright yellow flowers in upright racemes, rather like candles and is named after an enthusiast who lived in Devon, and also raised the variety “Buckland” which is similar in appearance to M.japonica.

Mahonia nitida “Cabaret” is a new compact variety growing to just 1m in height with glossy pinnate leaves which are copper when young. Upright racemes of orange red flower buds form during the Summer months opening into bright yellow flowers in Autumn, followed by blue black berries.

Mahonias are easy to grow, preferring a moist but well drained soil in Sun or shade. They can be pruned, quite hard if necessary, during Summer, every other year to control height and improve shape and bushiness.

Heathers have been popular garden plants since the 60′s when they began to be widely planted as labour saving ground cover plants in association with dwarf conifers. The most widely planted were varieties of Erica carnea, Erica x darleyensis and Calluna vulgaris, most of which were low growing and spreading. Tree heathers have received less attention until the recent introduction of some stunning golden leaved varieties which has led to a revival of interest in this group. They are mainly of Mediterranean origin but most perform well in all but the coldest parts of the UK.

Ultimate height varies from species to species but can reach up to 6ft in gardens and occasionally up to 15ft in the wild. Erica arborea “Alberts Gold” is the most widely planted of the Golden tree heathers with a vigorous habit and and brilliant yellow foliage all the year round. E. arborea “Estrella Gold” is similar but more compact and slower growing, with a good display tiny white flowers on mature specimens. Because of their hardy nature and brilliant Winter colour these two varieties are increasingly being used as centrepieces in Winter patio pots with other hardy bedding and foliage plants. Ericaceous compost is recommended for such plantings, although in the garden most tree heathers will thrive in acid or neutral soils.

Erica australis (Spanish heath) is another hardy species and E.australis “Riverslea” produces masses of deep violet pink flowers in April and May. Erica lusitanica (Portuguese heath) is a little more tender and may require protection in a severe Winter. E. lusitanica “George Hunt” is another golden foliage variety, but also freely produces white flowers in Spring from coloured buds which are attractive throughout the Winter. E.lusitanica “Sheffield Park” has tiny green leaves and masses of small white bell-shaped flowers which can appear from November to May.

Erica x veitchii is a hybrid between E. arborea and E. lusitanica and includes the beautiful medium sized shrub E. x veitchii “Exeter” which has attractive bright green foliage and great plumes of fragrant white flowers in Spring. E. x veitchii “Gold Tips” is very striking in Spring when its young foliage is bright yellow, turning green later with a good display of fragrant white flowers from March to May.