Joseph Atkin's latest Aberglasney column

The latest Carmarthen Journal gardening column from Aberglasney head gardener Joseph Atkin - 
With the weather being kind and finally some dry weather spring has really begun in the garden.
The bulbs and shrubs are out in force at Aberglasney and everything else is bursting into growth.
With so much going on it’s almost impossible to keep up with everything that’s coming into flower.
The Narcissus and even some Tulips are coming out the Magnolias have started to flower and everything seems to have appreciated the milder winter.
Between all this elegance and spectacular flowers there are also some very interesting bulbs although they should technically be called tubers.
The Arisaema which is related to Arum and Calla Lily is an excellent plant that deserves much more interest than it often gets.
Often known as the Cobra Lily due to the sinister shape of the flowers they are something very different for spring and summer. For many years they have been really expensive to buy but they are becoming much more reasonably priced.
There are hundreds of different types to choose from, most are hardy and in my experience pretty good perennials. Certain types will clump up like Lilies or seed around to create stands that are very impressive.
Normally it’s the flower that steals the show but what I like about them is they are really interesting from the minute they shoot through the ground.
Most have mottled stems that look like snakes and very unusual foliage that looks great in poor light. The flower bud unrolls from the side of the stem and often looks like a funnel with a tongue. Children are absolutely fascinated by them as they are so unusual.
The best spot to grow Arisaema is in shaded damp border they mix well with Hostas and other woodland plants.
Slugs can be a problem but much less than Hostas and they are very cold hardy. They can be bought as bulbs in the autumn or potted plants when they are growing but the best thing to do is plant them immediately.
The prettiest one is probably Ariseama candidissimum which has white stripped pink flowers and a sweet scent.
Like most Arisaema the leaves are also very interesting and will make excellent foliage for most of the spring right through to the autumn.
The type that seems easiest to grow is Arisaema consanguineum (apologies for the long names) this type can be well over a meter tall and the flowers are held well above the foliage and last for up to a month.
This type will also seed around quite easily in my experience, and if it does it will make a really spectacular show in few years time.
Probably the biggest type is Arisaema tortuosum which can grow to over two metres in height and is really spectacular it also flowers much later in the year about July. This can be really handy as shady borders often run out of steam in midsummer.
As mentioned there is a huge choice available and once keen gardener’s find out about them they often take a big interest as they are so unusual.
Arisaemas do look really hard to grow but given the right conditions they are pretty easy. They have really long season of interest between the new shoots flowers and foliage.
Some also have really striking seed heads that look like bright red sweet corn and last all winter. The best place to buy them is specialist nurseries and plant sellers who can help you select the best one for your garden.

Tips for the Week

• While the weathers dry get out and do any digging or seed sowing
• Check how the perennials are coming through and think about any gaps that may need replacing
• Dead head bulbs to stop the seeds taking energy from the bulbs
• Keep on top of the weeding they really are out in force
• If the shoots are there, take cuttings of Geraniums and other tender plants
• Celery Cauliflower lettuce and lobelia can be sown indoors now
• Outdoors this warm weather makes it ideal for sowing vegetables
• Use fleece or carpet to warm the soil before sowing

Pictures from top -
Arisaema candidissimum
Arisaema in seed
Arisaema tortuosum