Willow and Bee Gardens and Exotics

Willow and Bee Gardens and Exotics North Devon Tropical fusion style garden. Pushing boundaries, trialling plants and providing for wildlife.

Exotic inspiration and advice to new and experienced gardeners alike with the beauty of plants from all over the world.

Keep picking!
07/09/2026

Keep picking!

Hedychium sp.
07/09/2026

Hedychium sp.

Taking stock. Compared to many parts of the world, our 2 month drought was nothing. But, the intensity of the sun combin...
06/09/2026

Taking stock. Compared to many parts of the world, our 2 month drought was nothing. But, the intensity of the sun combined with low humidity and a hose pipe ban has meant that it was all too much for some plants. It's not been too bad here, the veg garden was a chore in all honesty, but it has been productive. I've never had so many chilli's and tomatoes!

But what did we lose? A well established Veronica salicifolia (syn. H**e salicifolia) which has been in the garden for over a decade, dead. A 3 year old Salix gracilistyla "Mt. a*o" which, to be fair, probably isn't suited to my free draining site. And, a climbing hydrangea by the Arid house which had been in about 6 years.

It's now more important than ever to understand your garden, the soil, the aspect and the drainage. Climate change will punish you for planting the wrong plant in the wrong place. We aren't growing the same plants our parents, grandparents were growing. It's time to research a whole new plethora of plants adapted to a harsher environment of intense heat and sunshine but also, erratic rainfall and strong winds.

This is Montanoa hibiscifolia, a tropical Central American plant found from Southern Mexico through countries of Hondura...
06/09/2026

This is Montanoa hibiscifolia, a tropical Central American plant found from Southern Mexico through countries of Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. It's not hardy but will grow from seed to this beast in one sea*on and hopefully flower before the frosts. But they take from cuttings which will give you a head start in your second attempt the following sea*on. It has a beautiful, velvet texture with fine hairs almost like a fur coat which shine silver in the sun. A member of the Aster family, the flowers are daisy like, white.

Found just about anywhere in the Mediterranean Basin, from Portugal to Turkey and Morocco into Algeria. Lotus hirsutus i...
05/09/2026

Found just about anywhere in the Mediterranean Basin, from Portugal to Turkey and Morocco into Algeria. Lotus hirsutus is a little gem. Lovely small creamy white flowers are adored by bees and the sprawling, furry foliage spreads over poor, dry ground. It has taken this dry summer in its stride.

Time to get on with pruning lavender. If you haven't already, try get it done by the middle of the month or wait until S...
05/09/2026

Time to get on with pruning lavender. If you haven't already, try get it done by the middle of the month or wait until Spring. New growth needs a bit of time to ripen before the real chilly weather hits.

It's now time to get productive and to start, feed Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Camellias. They will now need good moistur...
05/09/2026

It's now time to get productive and to start, feed Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Camellias. They will now need good moisture levels as they produce next years flower buds. They've had a tough summer so give them a good drink now and dose of Tomato food and they will appreciate it. Try to use rain water if possible.

Marwood Hill Gardens - Tea Room, Plant Nursery & Sales Final Plant Heritage fair of the sea*on on Sunday at RHS Rosemoo...
04/09/2026

Marwood Hill Gardens - Tea Room, Plant Nursery & Sales

Final Plant Heritage fair of the sea*on on Sunday at RHS Rosemoor 10-3, come and see us! We have prepared some great garden ready plants with some exclusive end of sea*on price tags! The rains have returned, and Autumn is the perfect time to get planting.

The tomato tree, Cyphomandra betacea, was a bit if an impulse buy at Abbottsbury Subtropical Gardens back in May. I have...
04/09/2026

The tomato tree, Cyphomandra betacea, was a bit if an impulse buy at Abbottsbury Subtropical Gardens back in May. I haven't been bowled over by it but it has big leaves, perfect for a jungle theme, and grows this big from seed in one sea*on! Probably would be bigger in more moisture retentive gardens. I don't know, it's staying out and I probably won't do this one again.

Dahlia imperialis towering up in the border now. The stem almost resembles a thick culm of bamboo. These usually flower ...
03/09/2026

Dahlia imperialis towering up in the border now. The stem almost resembles a thick culm of bamboo. These usually flower sometimes in December but I've never seen it as they usually get whacked by wind or frosted before it happens. Maybe this is the year!

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