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Bilbrook Light Railway-gardening page
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I have included on this page some of the plants that I have used in my garden to compliment the railway. There are a number of functions that plants can perform for the railway owner including screening parts of the railway from view to give the impression of travel through a landscape rather than round a circuit, providing security by hiding track and buildings etc and also to lessen the impact of the railway on the garden for non-railway members of the family and guests. (For those gardening novices I will explain any horticultural terms)
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This is an overview of part of the garden to illustrate the above point about screening the railway. You can just make out the loco shed in the background and the track leading from it. As this photo was taken in late spring, all the herbaceous plants (those that dissapear in the winter-returning next spring) are at their best. When planning a garden it is important to have some interest (and in our case screening) in the winter too. This means careful (not like I have done) selection and placing of evergreen plants.
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Wisteria-This is a vigorous climber for use in full sun that will climb over any open structure by twining and flowers, when mature, in May-June. It can be used as a living tunnel, or to provide shade in the summer months. It is deciduous (loses all its leaves in autumn) so be prepared for leaves on the line. There are two commonly available varieties, purple and as in the picture, white. Both can reach up to 30 feet and are hardy (Hardy plants are those that can survive the worst British winters) .
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Vines- This is Vitus Brant another vigorous climber with big leaves that turn brown or dark red in the autumn. This plant is about 7 years old and produces great quantities of purple grapes that have sweet pulp but bitter skins. The local birds devour large quantities of these fruits which has a dire effect on their insides. Much car washing goes on in our street at these times. It will grow to 7metres high if not pruned. Once again it is deciduous.
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Two rhubarbs- Well actually no. The one on the left is an ornamental rhubarb called Rheum palmatum and produces huge flower spikes in the spring (7-8ft) followed by large leaves up to 75cm long. It will take up at least 1 square metre. This one will have to be moved as it is on the trackbed of the last section of the railway. The plant on the right is Gunnera manicata and is sometimes mistakenly called a rhubarb. It can be a monster with leaves up to 1.5metres. This one has been recently transplanted which has restricted its growth this year. The gunnera need some special treatment-if you have a permanently damp area of your garden or can line a big hole with plastic or even fill in an old pond, this plant will thrive there. It is not fully hardy so in the winter I cover the crown (the part of the plant where next years growth will come out from) with the dead leaves to protect from any frosts. Both plants are herbaceous.
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Aerial view of my favourite ground cover plant (Soleirolia solerolii) that makes good 16mm scale grass in full sun. This plant has a number of common names-Baby's tears or Mind-your-own-business and grows between larger plants. It is said to be invasive so only plant around plants that can grow well above its 5cm height. It looks good around ponds and enjoys damp soil, however unless it is sheltered where it may stay evergreen (does not lose its leaves in winter), it dies back in the winter but returns with a vengance in the spring.
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Security-As I said before plants can provide security and act as a deterent especially spikey ones. In my opinion the following are good as they (when mature) are very prickley and look good- all can be grown as a hedge but will need some pruning to keep in check. Berberis (Barberry), Pyracantha (Firethorn), Holly and as in the picture Mahonia. They are all evergreen, (some varieties of Berberis may lose some leaves in winter). Mahonia x media Charity has yellow flowers usually around Xmas.
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Safety-Many comon garden plants have poisonous berries, irritant sap or are very prickly. This may harm small children, pets or even adults. Please check with an expert before buying new plants and always supervise toddlers and small children in the garden.
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