The Plantarea

16/06/2026

The natural herb garden in Gorey.

Often, in our enthusiasm to create a magical garden, we forget that nature is already the best gardener for our location.

Gorey is special. It sits on an ancient dune system backed by marshland, now almost entirely encroached upon by houses and buildings, with only a few small open spaces remaining. One notable exception is the golf course.

The plants that line the seaward edge of the golf course tell the story of this landscape. They reveal not only what thrives naturally here, but also what we can learn from nature when designing our own gardens. By working with these plants, we can create beautiful, resilient gardens that achieve the greatest effect with the least effort.

I’ll add to this post one plant at a time. Think of Derek Jarman and the remarkable garden he created at Dungeness—a garden shaped by place, climate, and an understanding of what truly belongs.

08/06/2026

David Austin English shrub roses

28/05/2026

During my walk this morning along the sea wall at Longbeach, bordering the golf course between Fort Henry and Fort William, I spent some time noticing the plants growing there — and was delighted to come across a rather special find.

The banks support plenty of yarrow (Achillea millefolium), but for the very first time I spotted Phelipanche purpurea — yarrow broomrape.

This fascinating plant is completely parasitic, relying entirely on yarrow as its host. In fact, it cannot survive without it.

Yarrow broomrape is considered nationally rare and is very scarce, making it an exciting discovery. As it’s such an uncommon plant, I’ll just share a close-up view.

There were also some lovely pyramidal orchids dotted around the area, adding even more interest to the walk.

21/05/2026

The Cabbage Palm

(It is in fact an asparagus relative)

Cordyline australis
A proud member of the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), Cordyline australis hails from New Zealand and first arrived in cultivation in 1823. With its dramatic, architectural shape, it’s hard to miss — growing up to 10 metres tall with a sturdy trunk topped by a fountain of arching, sword-like leaves.

In summer, it puts on a show of fragrant sprays of tiny white flowers, followed by clusters of pale white to blue-white berries that can brighten the plant through winter.

Known to Māori as ti kōuka, this versatile plant has long been valued in New Zealand. Its cabbage-like stems were traditionally prepared and eaten, while the strong fibres were woven into ropes, baskets, mats, cloaks and even sandals.

Happy in milder parts of the British Isles, Cordyline australis loves a warm, sunny spot and well-drained, fertile soil — and rewards gardeners with year-round structure and a touch of the exotic.

It loves Island life!

21/05/2026

Gladiolus communis (nana) × byzantinus
The Byzantine Gladiolus

This striking magenta gladiolus, with its slightly wild and untamed character, was introduced to the island several centuries ago and has since earned a well-established place in the local landscape.

Native to the Mediterranean basin — including Spain and Portugal — it thrives in well-drained soil and rather enjoys being ignored.

19/03/2026

This looks like a very established garden but it is a whipper snapper!

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12/03/2026

Narcissus pseudonarcissus - the wild daffodil having a very pretty flowering moment in Waterworks Valley today.i will try and get a better photo when I don't have dog on a lead 🙂

07/03/2026

20/05/2025

ICE, ICE BABY

A plant designed by love, laughter for lushness and lazy gardening. Bringing Barbara Cartland to the rockery.

This plant has a few names. Ice plant, Mesembryanthemum and Lampranthus .It arrived in Jesey from the Cape of South Africa , with whom we traded for many years. It found a niche in a thousand cracks in rocks and took to our Island.

Mezzies, as we know them, are the easiest of plants to grow and the hardest plant to neglect once established. They are very like most of Jersey, raucous in flower, seasiders, wall slouchers, will only perform for the sun but will disappear at -7 degrees. So we now need them planted again.

Stock up on these garden glad rags, because we currently have all the stock we are likely to have. They are grown locally by one Jersey couple and are one colour, a vibrant purple/red

£3.00 EACH - 2 FOR £5.00 OR 4 FOR £9.00 - At Ransoms Garden Centre

Photo attributed to - Ghislain118

17/05/2025

🌺🌼🌸*****PLANT PARADE ****** 🌸🌼🌺
Sometimes you see a plant and don't know its name. So next time you are walking through Gorey you might spot a few 🙂 Click on the photo for their name and some interesting information!