A gorgeous little summer flowering Iris relative producing attractively marked violet flowers on short stems just above the ground. Although this is widely distributed in the USA it’s of doubtful hardiness and may need protection, but I recommend trying it in short turf – a technique that works remarkably well with many ‘tender’ bulbs
Thursday 26 September 2019
Herbertia lahue
A gorgeous little summer flowering Iris relative producing attractively marked violet flowers on short stems just above the ground. Although this is widely distributed in the USA it’s of doubtful hardiness and may need protection, but I recommend trying it in short turf – a technique that works remarkably well with many ‘tender’ bulbs
£6
Wednesday 7 August 2019
Dichroa febrifuga
An attractive but tender evergreen woodland shrub with conspicuous heads of pink (or on lime-free soils, blue) star-shaped flowers followed by metallic vivid blue berries - overall very like Hydrangea macrophylla but without the sterile florets.
Apparently most of the plants in cultivation are hybrids between the true Dichroa and Hydrangea macrophylla, but none of the Hydrangea's cold tolerance seems to have found its way into the progeny. Strictly speaking should probably be classified in Hydrangea
Sadly not hardy enough for most UK gardens but worth a try in very mild sheltered sites and will regenerate from the base if cut down by frost - probably not soon enough to flower though. Otherwise a splendid plant for a cool greenhouse
£16
Wednesday 24 July 2019
Silphium
A great genus close to the sunflowers that, although often very tall, produce a very compact rootstock and are best displayed among low-growing plants.
Silphium terebinthinaceum
This and S.laciniatum produce among the biggest, most luxuriant leaves of any hardy border perennial.
In this case they are huge and heart-shaped (like a Colocasia or Anthurium?) to 12ins across.
The flower stem is more slender and smooth than laciniatum.
sold out
Silphium terebinthinaceum
This and S.laciniatum produce among the biggest, most luxuriant leaves of any hardy border perennial.
In this case they are huge and heart-shaped (like a Colocasia or Anthurium?) to 12ins across.
The flower stem is more slender and smooth than laciniatum.
sold out
Silphium simpsonii
Silphium laciniatum
Leaves to 2ft long and impressively lobed, like some huge tropical fern. The stiff bristly upright flower stem is a bonus.
Easy in any fertile, retentive soil, and best at the front of the border where its stature can be appreciated. Perfect for prairie-style plantings.
£9
Leaves to 2ft long and impressively lobed, like some huge tropical fern. The stiff bristly upright flower stem is a bonus.
Easy in any fertile, retentive soil, and best at the front of the border where its stature can be appreciated. Perfect for prairie-style plantings.
£9
Silphium perfoliatum
A giant perennial sunflower with lush green foliage and good-quality yellow flowers to 3ins across. Up to 9ft tall.
Compact rootstock - not spreading.
£10
Labels:
albiflorum,
brighton,
laciniatum,
nursery,
plants,
Silphium,
simpsonii,
terebinthinaceum
Wednesday 3 July 2019
Tuesday 18 June 2019
Tuesday 12 March 2019
Codonopsis
Rather like a climbing Fritillaria is how I'd describe these unusual herbaceous vines. The flowers have the same bell-shape and a similar green and maroon colour scheme, though without the chequering. The markings are just as interesting however.
Often recommended for woodland conditions but adaptable to a variety of rich and not too dry soils where the vine can grow up through shrubs into the light. Watch out for molluscs early on. To 6ft tall. Flowering late summer/autumn.
Codonopsis lanceolata
A particularly tough easy species with substantial jade and maroon bells
£8
Often recommended for woodland conditions but adaptable to a variety of rich and not too dry soils where the vine can grow up through shrubs into the light. Watch out for molluscs early on. To 6ft tall. Flowering late summer/autumn.
Codonopsis lanceolata
A particularly tough easy species with substantial jade and maroon bells
£8
Codonopsis pilosula Tangshen
A vigorous climber with pale bells, delicately marked with purple inside
£8
Labels:
brighton,
Codonopsis,
lanceolata,
nursery,
pilosula,
plants,
Tangshen
Monday 11 February 2019
Abelia (Linnaea) umbellata
An extremely rarely offered hardy species related to mosanensis and triflora. The flowers are jasmine-like rosy white tubes backed with maroon sepals and the leaves are relatively broad and dark green. I’ve not been growing it long enough to know what it does long term but it looks promising.
Cuttings given to me by Peter Catt
£16
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