What do people read on this blog?

Washington filifera

A recent article looked at the 9000 page views on this blog over the past year and the origin of the readership. Statistics are also available to show which of the 200 articles people are accessing. There is overwhelming interest in the Washington filifera, the large palm tree. 10% of the entire readership in fact,  which is just as well because the Gardeners at Holkham have lavished so much time and attention cosseting the large specimen that has come out of the Orangery. It has to be wrapped up in its own haystack during the winter.


The  four most popular articles this year have all been botanical; the Washington filifera, the Aesculus wangii (a tree planted in Holkham this year with enormous conkers!), Peach Blossom and  Robinia Pseudoacia Black Locust, the stately tree in the north west corner of the Arena of plants. 


The second four attracting readership have been Viburnum x bodmantense 'Dawn', (which is blooming in the north east corner of the Arena of Plants at the moment and smells delightful), Fig cuttings (Ficus caica), Skimmia japonica 'snow white', and Pieris japonica 'Valley rose'. 

Wrapping the Washington filifera Dec 22nd 2011

Skimmia japonica 'snow white'

At the beginning of February it was the Orangery that smelled delicious, now at the end of February there is a plant competing for attention in the restored vinery. There are several pots of this delicious smelling plant: Skimmia japonica 'snow white'.

The Royal Horticultural Society website   explains that the name Skimmia comes from the Japanese name for the plant, shikimi, and japonica means Japanese. It is a genus containing four species of evergreen shrubs and trees originating  from the woodlands of the Himalayas through to South East Asia, China and Japan.

According to the RHS, Skimmia tolerate shade, atmospheric pollution, and neglect. The latter sounds a little harsh considering how rewarding they are in the winter months.