{"id":20746,"date":"2023-04-03T13:40:58","date_gmt":"2023-04-03T11:40:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/?p=103308"},"modified":"2023-04-03T14:35:03","modified_gmt":"2023-04-03T12:35:03","slug":"an-early-summer-container-display-with-chartreuse-ferns-and-grasses","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/an-early-summer-container-display-with-chartreuse-ferns-and-grasses\/","title":{"rendered":"An early summer container display with chartreuse ferns and grasses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gardener Jacky Mills captures some of the lightness of early summer with a display using ferns and grasses. Words Jacky Mills, Photographs Andrew Montgomery <\/p>

By Molly Blair\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 03 April 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

The intense green known as chartreuse, because of its resemblance to the French liqueur, is one of a dozen or more distinct green hues appearing in the landscape at this time of year. It\u2019s the colour of Melica altissima<\/em> \u2018Alba\u2019, one of my favourite grasses<\/a>. Its fresh, green, gently arching foliage is topped with white flowers resembling floating pearls of arborio rice. It is impossible not to want to run your hands through it as you pass.<\/p>\n

How to achieve the look<\/h2>\n
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\u00a9 Andrew Montgomery<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nRaising this chunky, square, stone urn on to a pedestal gave it immediate gravitas, and the simple planting scheme completely transformed the dark, neglected greenhouse<\/a>. The grass was teamed with several lacy maidenhair ferns<\/a> and the young fronds of a single Clinton\u2019s wood fern, which provided a perfect colour match. If more structure is required, Melica<\/em> combines well with many perennials<\/a>. Try it with the white-flowered form of Geranium<\/a> robertianum<\/em> or the rich purple Geranium phaeum<\/em> \u2018Rothbury Ruby\u2019. For a greater contrast, use the narrow-leaved Hosta lancifolia<\/em> or a Polygonatum<\/em> hybrid. This arrangement would also look at home in a modern Terrazzo planter.<\/p>\n
$\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> \u00a9 Andrew Montgomery<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nUsing a loam-based compost<\/a> and well-rotted leaf mould, this combination copes with full or partial shade. As Melica altissima<\/em> is a deciduous perennial grass, cut the foliage back in late February to tidy the plants up. Although a prolific self-seeder, unwanted seedlings are easily removed when young. The two ferns require moist but well-drained soil. In drier situations, try the common Polypodium vulgare<\/em> instead of the sturdy fronds of Dryopteris clintoniana<\/em>. Adiantum venustum<\/em> spreads by creeping rhizomes, so can be propagated by division. Cutting back the old fronds in late February will reveal the new copper-coloured ones unfurling before they turn a lush, spring green.<\/p>\n
Plants<\/h2>\n
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\u00a9 Andrew Montgomery<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
1 Dryopteris clintoniana<\/em><\/strong> A semi-evergreen hybrid fern, with broad pinnate fronds. 75-90cm.<\/p>\n
2 Melica altissima<\/em><\/strong> \u2018Alba\u2019 Deciduous, ornamental perennial grass. 40-50cm. April to October.<\/p>\n
3 Adiantum venustum<\/em><\/strong> A good ground-cover plant for a woodland garden. 15-30cm. AGM.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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