It is so hard for any gardener to narrow their favourite plants down to just three! We may say that we would have different plants in different seasons, but when put on the spot and asked to narrow it down, it is very interesting to compare which three plants our podcast guests chose.
Theresa Talbot is a boutique florist and garden consultant based in Glasgow who offers seasonal advice on the best blooms and vibrant foliage for your floral arrangements. Following a successful broadcasting career with the BBC, and being a well-known fiction author, Theresa embarked on a new path: training with some of the best florists in Scotland and the UK to launch Willow & Herb at the start of lockdown. Her passion for sustainable floristry, including blooms from Scottish flower farms as well as from her own plot, means that she has cultivated a reputation for natural, rustic style arrangements. But what are her favourite three plants? When asked as part of our podcast, the Scotland Grows Show, her love for all things green was apparent.
“My go to shrub is euonymus which is gorgeous, as there’s all different types of euonymous. I quite like the Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’, they’re great, you can stick them in a shady corner.
“Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’ has got a lovely flower, and it’s got dark foliage, beautiful black, dissected foliage. It will survive anything, you can actually cut it down to ground level in January. It’ll grow in sun, it’ll grow in shade, it will grow anywhere, it’s fantastic. And apparently, you can put it in your gin.
“And skimmia, the Skimmia x confusa ‘Kew Green’, that’s my favourite. It’s got beautiful, little green flowers, it smells divine, and it’s got the glossiest leaves. Again, you can stick it in, and forget about it.”
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Catch up with the rest of Theresa’s chat in the Scotland Grows Show.