More colour, less work - Gillian Taylor
From April 2026 talk
FACTSHEET FOR ’ MORE COLOUR LESS WORK ‘PRESENTATION
PLANTS DISCUSSED ON SLIDES
Shade perennials : Heuchera villosa Autumn Bride, Bergenia Ciliata
Epimediums, Brunnera. Japanese Anemones, Hostas
Ferns: Dryopteris filix mas ‘Cristata the King’, Osmunda Regalis
Bulbs: Camassias – damp part shade, Galtonia candicans – sun
Alternative to Allium bulbs : Perennial Alliums eg Millennium, Lavender Bubbles, or Echinops ritro
Tulips: Arabian Mystery, Spring Green, Flaming Spring Green, Merlot
Perennials and shrubs for sunny aspect:
Everlasting Sweet Pea, Sambucus nigra ( Black elder) Cotinus ( Smokebush)
Phlomis russeliana and fruiticosa, Nepeta , Verbena Hastata
Rudbeckia Goldsturm , Crocosmia Emberglow, Erigeron
Potentilla fruiticosa, Hemerocallis, Cephallaria gigantea
Asters, Hardy Salvias
Clematis : Arabella , Etoile Violette, Mme Julia Correvon
Good supplier Thorncroft Clematis
Roses
Mermaid, Sally Holmes, Erfurt, Complicata
Rugosa eg Scabrosa, Open Arms, Centre Stage
Shrubs
Hydrangea : Annabelle, Kyoshu, Mophead and Lacecap , Oak – leaved
Kalmia latifolia, Berberis darwinii, Viburnum davidii
Gardens Mentioned
Waddesdon Manor, Biddulph Grange , , Hinton Ampner - all NT
Savill Garden, Wollerton Old Hall, Fonthill House, Athelhampton, Bramdean House
General Principles
Choose plants with long season of interest
Select those which need only 1-2 work visits annually
Green is a colour!
Use foliage texture and shape contrasts
Add in Lathyrus, Lonicera and Clematis to shrubs etc
Self-supporting plants
Look at contrasting bud/leaf/flower colours
Pollinators add colour and movement
2026 Tools information sheet
As we gardeners mature aches and pains arrive, and for me, dodgy knees and a creaky shoulder have become part of my gardening life.
I now shorten each session of active work and am always on the lookout for tools to help me work more efficiently.
Two at the top of my list are an old favourite – Jakoti hand shears and a new kid on the block, Spear and Jackson Razorsharp Easyreach Pruner.
I use the Jakoti hand shears for numerous tasks including deadheading, cutting back perennials, lawn edges, light hedge tidying ,almost every time I work in the garden. Their ergonomic design means there is no wrist or finger strain, but best of all, they are self-sharpening, a wonderful attribute. They are a delight to use.
Best bought direct www.handshears.co.uk ortelephone 01749 938008
Reaching up to prune climbing roses and fruit trees can become a strain and I used to stand on a ladder or step stool to help get closer. My knees do not like this now, but this is no longer a problem. Using the Easyreach Pruner I can stand on the ground and still cut the branches that need attention. Lightweight, left or right handed, with a flexible head and a coated blade I find it easy to use. I now use it at ground level, in borders, as it saves the bending and reaching that is necessary when removing old flower stalks from Hemerocallis, Phlox etc. An important feature is the ‘ cut and hold’ facility so the cut material can be put directly into the wheelbarrow of bag- no more bending down to pick them all up! Widely available online
Definitely two for the wish list.
Other tools and sundries that I recommend and use regularly are:
Felco Secateurs world of Felco website often has offers
Burgon and Ball Hand Shrub Rake, short or long handled , other makes available
Burgon and Ball Razor Hoe left and right handed**
Clonex rooting gel – online mainly
SB Plant Invigorator – for pest control and plant health
Uncle Toms Tonic - The Rose Society UK website often a good price
Safety sleeves ( sold in pairs) –KUTLASS XRSL CUT D SLEEVE 18” or 22” - ADP Safety Supplies website
Darlac Asparagus knife( perennial splitting) widely available garden centres and online