A Tree and a Flower

betula pendula 'fastigiata'

pansy 'black beauty'

These two neighbouring plants caught my attention the other evening, one soaring up like a rocket into the lovely blue sky, the other nestling far below, the colour of nighttime.  This betula is one of my favourite trees in the garden, as it provides the height, grace and drama of a woodland tree without invading the limited space around it.  This variety will attain up to 50 ft in height but it is columnar in shape with branches that rotate gently and flexibly upwards.  I particularly love its thick yet light canopy of leaves, which flutter and rustle in the slightest breeze.  I followed Alan Titchmarsh's advice on the planting of birches in gardens (Mr Titchmarsh is my gardening inspiration!) i.e. 'always make sure they are planted at least 10 feet from the house' and ensured a good deal of compost and garden-centre top soil was thoroughly mixed into the heavy, chalky soil that the tree was planted in.  I top-dress the border each spring with tree and shrub fertiliser and ensure it is well-watered in rare dry spells!  As a result the tree seems to be thriving (touch wood!).

 

The 'black beauty' pansy is one of my favourite bedding plants now - I'm still really surprised at just how black its petals are!  It is blooming in sunless shade, another positive, and so will definitely be on my bedding 'to get' list every spring from now on.