Marco tells Miriam Young about what's happening in his hybridising garden

Here, varieties with desirable breeding qualities are planted close together to increase the chances of cross pollunation by bees.

Marco scrutinises the resulting seedlings for which properties they have inherited, and the most interesting are selected to remain in the garden the following year.

This process continues until a plant appears which is considered different enough to be introduced as a new variety. This new plant also has to prove stable in its characteristics. It is then whisked away to a propagation specialist to have as many copies made as possible.

The quest is on to create new dark flowered Atrantias. Marco is also attempting to improve strength by cross-breeding with A. Roma. 

Currently under surveillance are Astrantia, Aconitum, Rodgersia, Potentilla and Salvia to name but a few.

Salvia 'Schwellenburg' and S.'Caradonna' grow side by side in the hope of combining S.‘Schwellenburg’s stunning plume-like bract forms with S.‘Caradonna’s tidy upright growing habit. 

One of the most interesting results to see from the summer of 2003 is a whole host of Potentilla colours which have appeared from crossings made with x hopwoodiana and x tongei species.

This Phlox with marbled foliage was found among a crop of P. ‘Bright Eyes’. Marco can't decide if it is ugly or beautiful.

Your opinion

What do you think about the new plant possibilities in Marco's garden?