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variety
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decription
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price
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Abelia
sp. from Peter Catt
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Given
to me by the late great plant breeder and collector Peter Catt – this is a
very special shrub, wild collected I believe, with very shiny and
attractively textured leaves and vigorous growth. The flowers are a warm
pinkish cream – almost white and with rich yellow markings inside and appear
in large quantities all summer. This species seems to have an unusual low
arching habit, so would be ideal for a bank or raised bed or perhaps a large
pot. It's certainly choice enough to be worthy of a prominent place in a
large pot on the patio. Fully hardy here. Probably the best new plant I grow.
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£16
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Abelia
umbellata
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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
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£16
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Adenophora
triphylla
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A
tall slender form with white to palest mauve flowers and attractive narrow
foliage. Extremely graceful. An adaptable and easy border or woodland
perennial.
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£8
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Adiantum
venustum
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The
hardy maidenhair fern. A real classic - every garden should have it.
Genuinely hardy and remarkably happy in dry shade, gradually spreading to
form extensive colonies. An exquisite foil for any collection of choice
woodlanders.
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£10
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Aesculus
californica
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This
is a very large spreading shrub (or low spreading tree) and needs a lot of
space - the flowers are fragrant, creamy or rosy white and held in solid
‘candles’. The foliage is neat and attractive, and the bark is chalky white
(especially good in winter after the leaves fall). Given an open sunny
well-drained site this will be one of the most magnificent woody plants we
can grow. Hardly ever offered and I have no idea why it isn't better known.
Young plants grown from conkers collected in California. Specimen-sized
plants – collection only.
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£45
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Aechmea
recurvata recurvata
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Another
near-hardy bromeliad – definitely hardy to a few degrees below zero, planted
in a very free-drained bed as you would Fascicularia, or mounted on a branch
or wall as an epiphyte. The small rosettes are green and produce dense
stemless inflorescences of vivid pink and purple, surrounded by red tinted
leaves.
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£15
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Aeschynanthus
buxifolius
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A
small reputedly hardy epiphytic gesneriad from south-east Asia but certainly
a good species for a cool or cold greenhouse. The foliage is neat glossy
green, and the flowers are a rich scarlet. I’ve not tried it outside yet but
might be good mounted on a tree fern trunk perhaps?
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£10
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Agave
parryi
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A
relatively compact species not more than about 40cms across but with the same
characteristic blue-grey foliage and black spines of the larger species. Also
this is fairly much fully hardy over much of the UK and tolerates winter wet
well - though still needing full sun and a well-drained soil to avoid
rotting. An ideal Agave for people with small gardens who don't have the
space for a huge beast that will impale you as soon as look at you.
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Various
sizes - please enquire
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Akebia
longeracemosa
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An
unusual and little-known climber – so far much less rampant than the more
common species but with similar fresh green foliage. The dangling
inflorescences are very odd, with a few larger maroon female flowers at the
top and a string of small male flowers below.
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£16
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Alangium
platanifolium
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Another
collector's item perhaps. This rare small deciduous tree or large shrub is
grown both for its striking foliage (something between a plane tree and a
tulip tree) and the flowers, which are individually quite small but numerous
and very nicely made. They have been described as resembling little white
martagon lilies. Hardy but growing and flowering best in a warm spot on any
decent soil.
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£20
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Alchornea
davidii
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A
remarkable shrub, little known in the UK – it has very broad (up to 10ins
across) and beautifully textured heart-shaped leaves on stout upright stems.
Deciduous but the new growth is vivid sugar pink. The flowers are
inconspicuous. Subtropical but hardy down here in Sussex - benefits from
summer heat and plenty of moisture to do its best. A member of the
euphorbiaceae but looks nothing like a Euphorbia – closer to Mallotus
japonicus but with much bigger leaves.
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£18
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Allium
macranthum
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An
Asiatic species with loose heads of large nodding rounded mauve flowers in
summer. Easy in a moist well-drained soil in sun or part shade.
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£8
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Alstonia
yunnanensis
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A
new species for UK gardeners as far as I know – a possibly hardy shrubby
member of the apocynaceae from southern China reminiscent of oleander but
with beautiful richly tinted long oval leaves and sprays of rosy-pink flowers
in summer. My plants survived the freezing blast of December 2023 in pots in
the unheated tunnel and can apparently handle -8C.
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£16
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Anemone
canadensis
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A
simple understated species with perfectly formed white Anemone flowers on
upright leafy stems up to about 40cms tall in early summer. This species runs
underground which makes it a problem among small delicate plants, but it is
an excellent ground cover among shrubs, being very shade tolerant. Not fussy
about soil or aspect but not too hot and dry is probably right.
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£8
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Anemopsis
californica
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Not
to be confused with Anemonopsis – this is a relative of Houttouynia with very
striking flowers, somewhat reminiscent of a Magnolia (though actually made up
of lots of small flowers, rather than one big one). A colonising plant for
shallow water or wet mud and one of the few garden plants that should be
happy in a salt marsh. Fully hardy, but grow as warm as possible in full sun
for best results.
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£8
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Apios
americana
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An
unusual herbaceous climber closely related to Wisteria. The dense clusters of
pea flowers are an odd shade of terracotta and produced in summer. It grows
from long strings of (apparently edible) tubers which wander about
underground over some distance but not enough to become a weed. An easy and
attractive hardy plant for any well drained soil in sun, best allowed to
twine up through shrubs
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£8
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Aralia
californica
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One
of the herbaceous species, and like many of those, makes an impressive clump
of big compound leaves, topped by umbels of pale flowers late in the season.
Unlike most others the foliage is fleshy and glossy. For moist soils, in sun
or shade – the more sun, the more moisture it’ll require
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£12
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Aristolochia
californica
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Little
pinkish brown jugs about 1 ½ inches across are produced very profusely on the
leafless stems in early spring. The leaves appear soon after and are soft
green and heart-shaped. A vigorous but not overwhelming climber. Here it
grows well in sun or shade and is completely hardy. Some early flowers may be
frosted so a sheltered spot among shrubs is best. A brilliant plant – I love
it.
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£20
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Aristolochia
sempervirens small leaved form
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A
terrific miniature evergreen climber, perfect for decorating low shrubs like
Brooms, Lavender and Cistus, as it does in its natural habitat. Aristolochia
flowers are usually fairly cryptically coloured and more of a curio than a
thing of beauty (though I like them a lot), but these are quite striking with
a bright golden interior and a reddish-brown exterior. The foliage too is
very good - small and glossy and evergreen. Suitable for sun or semi shade
and very drought tolerant once established. Ultimately capable of reaching
several feet in height but hardly rampant.
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£15
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Arum
elongatum RS.274/87
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A
compact species with narrow curved spathes close to the ground - green
outside, dark within. Narrow plain green leaves. Slow but hardy here in a
sunny well-drained spot.
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£18
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Arum
nigrum Zadar CEH.524
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A
horrendously stinky species with rounded glossy black spathes in summer, held
low among the broad green leaves. Very good in dry shade. Long-lived and not
invasive. For those who like this sort of thing – this is the sort of thing
they like, or for people you don't like, hide it under a deciduous shrub -
they'll never work out where the stink is coming from.
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£12
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Asclepias
incarnata
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There
are lots of exciting species of Asclepias in the U.S.A. This is one of the
most common and deserves to be more widely grown over here. The flowers, in
contrasting pale and dark pink resemble those of a Hoya (to which it is
related) and are worth a close look. Leafy, clump-forming herbaceous
perennials with reddish stems to 2ft. Any soil, but heavy and damp soils in
sun are especially favoured.
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£12
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Asclepias
speciosa
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A
stunning perennial with soft silky white foliage and showy heads of intricate
rosy flowers. This has a long history of cultivation in the UK and is fully
hardy, so its rarity here is a mystery.
In
the wild it is found on both dry poor soils and moist marginal conditions so
should be highly adaptable. It does however need plenty of sun. It's only
disadvantage perhaps is that it runs about pretty freely underground, so best
with other vigorous hardy perennials and low shrubs.
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£16
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Asparagus
acutifolius
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A
sprawling prickly dark green subshrub suitable for a dry site in sun or semi
shade. Small pale greenish flowers are produced in profusion in summer, and
may be followed by red berries.
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£10
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Balbisia
gracilis
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Aka
Wendtia gracilis - known locally as the 'oreganillo amarillo'. This is a very
special small shrub from Chile belonging to the ledocarpaceae, related to
Melianthus and Francoa, but looking nothing like either of those plants –
perhaps more like a small yellow-flowering Ribes or Potentilla. Small,
delicate, finely cut glaucous leaves, and profuse small yellow flowers with
prominent red stigma on wiry stems in summer. A nice thing for a sunny
well-drained spot and should be hardy over much of the southern half or the
UK. Thanks to Ann Cann for this very rare plant.
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£15
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Begonia
josephi
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One
of many new hardy Begonias on the market now. This one is a relatively
understated species - unusual for its symmetrical leaves and the petiole
being attached to the middle, not the edge of the leaf. The
leaves are olive green, to about 18cms long and jaggedly toothed. The flowers
are pale pink, and small but plentiful. Hardy and tolerant here so far.
Happiest on moist shady sites but, like many hardy Begonias, surprisingly
resistant to drought. Dies down to small tubers in winter. Not to be confused
with a very different species with larger mottled leaves and yellow flowers
that is being sold under this name.
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£10
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Berberis
calliantha
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The
spiny edged foliage is glossy green above and white underneath and the
flowers are lemon yellow – nothing unusual about any of that - except that
the flowers are bigger than any similar species – the leaves up to 2ins long
and the flowers an inch across, and all this on a low compact shrub not more
than 3ft tall. At the same time this is as hardy and adaptable as any of the
more familiar types. Many people dismiss Berberis as just a lot of dull
scruffy spikey shrubs, too often planted around carparks (and full of litter)
but there are quite a few good, interesting species for the more discerning
gardener – and calliantha is one.
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£15
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Berberis
triacanthophora Cally Rose
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A
distinctive species with reddish flowers on a low bushy shrub with narrow
prickly leaves. Hardy evergreen, slow growing and compact. Very likeable.
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£18
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Boehmeria
sieboldiana
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Shiny
fresh green attractively veined and serrated nettle leaves on an impressive bushy
plant over 6ft tall. Whitish catkins. Moist woodland ideally but adaptable
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£8
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Buddleja
curviflora
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A
very attractive and non-suckering relative of B.lindleyana with similar
curved violet flowers but more attractive grey felted foliage. Hardy and
adaptable.
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£16
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Callicarpa
japonica
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£18
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Callirhoe
involucrata
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I
have absolutely no idea why everyone doesn’t grow this – maybe it’s just too
colourful! Intense shocking pink mallow flowers are produced throughout the
summer on long trailing leafy stems that can be made to decorate other plants
that have finished for the year. The stems do not root so it is not invasive.
It dies back to a compact rootstock in autumn. Totally hardy and long-lived.
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£8
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Calycanthus
floridus
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To
me – someone who really enjoys black flowers, this is a real gem. Some other forms
seem to have more red in the flowers, but in this one the beautifully
sculpted flowers are very close to real black. The foliage is a nice fresh
green and aromatic too. All in all a very appealing small deciduous shrub.
Easy in sun or part shade on any retentive soil.
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£18
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Calycanthus
occidentalis
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A
lovely lush medium sized shrub from California with fresh green aromatic
leaves and good sized deep pink flowers good enough to rival any of the
popular Sinocalycanthus hybrids. Flowers periodically through the summer.
Easy, hardy, and nowhere near well-known enough. Specimen-sized plants –
collection only.
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£30
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Canna
x ehemannii
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This
is a wonderful plant - I normally find Cannas a bit garish for my taste but
this one has elegant and vivid cerise flowers in nodding sprays and on tall
dark stems and broad lush green leaves, plus it's an enormous tropical
looking banana-y thing to 10ft or more in full flower. Plus, it's been hardy
here. All I've done is give it a thick pile of straw in winter. It dies down
completely (the straw is held in place by the dead stems) but always
reappears in May and is luxuriant and magnificent by August. A wonderful
plant for anyone with a taste for the tropics.
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£15
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Caragana
microphylla
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A
low growing version of the, to my mind anyway, grossly underrated Siberian
pea tree – Caragana arborescens. This has fresh yellow pea flowers among fine
small pinnate leaves. Excellent for any harsh exposed unpleasant situation
where not much else will grow, but choice enough for a sunny well-drained
border.
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£10
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Cardiocrinum
cordatum ‘red flowers’
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Actually
I’d describe the flowers of this form as a deep chocolate brown, with paler
edges. Otherwise typical of the species – the bulbs take a few years to get
big enough to flower – during which time it produces rosettes of arum-like
leaves. Then, one spring it’ll produce a 12in stem with several 6in long
flowers. Mine have taken 6 years to flower
from seed – some should flower next year while others have flowered
and will be making several off-sets, ready to flower in a few years time.
Best in moist woodland conditions but surprisingly tolerant of recent dry
summers here.
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£15
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Caryopteris
(Tripora) divaricata
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A
lush green upright bush, dying down completely in winter. The late flowering
is the same but the flowers themselves are larger, rich blue, and much more
interesting. Another purveyor of rare plants describes the flowers as merely
‘harmless’ which I think is rather a shame. They’re not huge or especially
plentiful, but they are jolly pretty. Hardy and adaptable. Very different to
the familiar grey twiggy subshrubs (C. x clandonensis and the like) and this
is now classified under another name - Tripora.
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£9
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Chelone
glabra linifolia
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An
upright form with narrow leaves and slightly green-tinged white flowers –
very fresh and elegant in the autumn border. Any retentive soil in sun or
part shade.
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£8
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Chionanthus
retusus
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The
Asian fringe tree. Similar to the more familiar American species – with the
same masses of narrow-petalled white flowers, but with smaller, more leathery
rounded leaves, plus blue fruits in hot summers.
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£25
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Chrysogonum
virginianum australe
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A
terrific small sunflower type making a compact clump of deep green leaves and
bright golden flowers over a long period. Very adaptable to a variety of
conditions. This is the southern form of the species and to my mind,
definitely the nicer plant – more compact and better colours.
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£6
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Cissus
striata
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There
are not that many evergreen climbers hardy in the UK, and this South American
vine is worth considering for sheltered sites, especially in shady spots.
It's a close relative of the Virginia Creepers and Boston Ivies
(Parthenocissus sp) but with neat glossy leaves and far less rampageous. The
clusters of small reddish flowers are worth having. Can also be grown as a
house plant. (Now more correctly known as Clematocissus striata)
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£20
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Clematis
fremontii
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A
unique non-climbing species from the Prairies. The plant makes a low cluster
of stems clothed in simple elliptical leaves, topped in spring with nodding
bell-shaped flowers of very unusual colouring. The buds start out a rich
shiny woody colour then open to reveal a soft pale green interior.
Ultimately, the petals curl back and the flower turns a soft rosy colour.
Should be reasonably easy to grow in a well-drained sunny site.
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£20
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Clematis
ianthina kuripoensis
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A
remarkable small climber with nodding rounded flowers that appear to have
been fashioned out of brown or violet felt. Like most viorna, these are
herbaceous, dying back in the winter, and don’t grow very big.
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£25
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Clematis
songarica
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A
low straggling almost shrubby species producing lots of small white flowers
in summer. Grows well in well-drained sunny sites. Small foliage. Fully
hardy.
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£20
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Clematis
tashiroi
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An
evergreen species with broad, dark green leaves splashed with silver. The
flowers are relatively small but very striking with recurved deep plum purple
‘petals’ contrasting with white filaments. Very striking. A subtropical
species needing shelter and moisture to thrive.
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£25
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Clerodendrum
trichotomum fargesii
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Masses
of fragrant creamy flowers in summer followed by striking blue berries with
contrasting wine-red calyces in autumn.
A deservedly popular hardy shrub or small tree of which there never
seems to be enough available. Easy on almost any soil in sun. Specimen-sized
plants – collection only.
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£25
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Collinsonia
canadensis
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An
impressive and little-grown lamiaceae from North America - tall, with broad
lush leaves - almost indistinguishable from some good forms of Hydrangea
arborescens. The amber-yellow flowers top them off nicely in late
summer/autumn. Good in dry shade and chalky soils and flowering when little
else is. A fully hardy and easy-going woodlander that should be much more
widely grown.
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£10
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Colocasia
gaoligongensis
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The
Southeast Asian taros (Colocasia species) are very popular right now for
subtropical plantings, with their huge tropical looking aroid leaves - often
dark and beautifully textured. In this case the leaves are up to about 2ft
across, a soft matt green and heavily marked black toward the centre. Yellow
arum flowers appear in summer. Like many subtropicals (Canna, Dahlia etc),
some of them are surviving the winters outdoors in the UK these days but very
few are reliably hardy. This is where gaoligongensis comes in as it's
reckoned to be the hardiest, and under good conditions (damp and warm in the
summer) is a vigorous big exotic herbaceous perennial. It will grow in drier
conditions but the leaves will be smaller and also thrives as a marginal in
my shallow pond. Overall, remarkably easy - running around on stolons and
potentially filling a large area. Grow it with other big vigorous perennials
- nothing too small and delicate, in sun or part shade.
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£15
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Cornus
sericea Kelsey dwarf
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A
low growing version of this well-known species making thickets of wiry
red/maroon stems only about 50cms high. Very easy and adaptable in any moist
soil and very useful for stabilising pond edges and ditches
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£10
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Crassula
sarcocaulis
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A
neat little succulent shrub, like a tiny bonsai tree with narrow green leaves
and heads of rich pink flowers in summer. Very tough – at least in the south
and west of the UK, and especially if kept on the dry side in winter.
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£8
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Crassula
sarcocaulis alba
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Exactly
the same as the more common, pink-flowered plant but with – you guessed it –
white flowers
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£8
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Dactylicapnos
scandens
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A
lightly-built but potentially quite large herbaceous climber with the typical
light airy foliage of the family, strung with hundreds of golden yellow
lockets in summer. Previously included in Dicentra. Sometimes described as
short-lived, mine have been going for some years now, going from strength to
strength without any special care. It dies back to the roots in autumn and
sometimes during hot dry spells too but always comes back. Excellent for
clothing spring flowering shrubs or scrambling through other climbers.
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£8
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Davidia
involucrata
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The
famous handkerchief or dove tree. Seedlings from a garden in Lower Beeding,
Sussex. These are 9 years old and should flower soon.
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£20
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Desmodium
(Ototropis) callianthum
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An
appealing semi-climbing shrub producing rich mauve pink flowers on slim red
stems through much of the summer. The foliage is also rather nice, being
trifoliate (ie. clover leaf shape) subtly variegated in two shades of green.
An easy going hardy shrub for any soil in sun.
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£15
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Deutzia
crenata nakaiana
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A
popular creeping dwarf shrub with bell-shaped white flowers in late spring.
Easy and hardy
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£12
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Deutzia
hookeriana
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I
used to think Deutzias were a rather boring group of shrubs but the
cognoscenti know different. It's a surprisingly varied genus and many of them
are exquisite in flower. Hookeriana is one of the best with almost
unbelievably finely-crafted sugar pink flowers in neat, rounded heads in late
spring. The overall shape and foliage are also good. Like most Deutzia, and
easy adaptable plant.
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£16
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Dianthus
superbus
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Much
more informal and grassy than most pinks but with exquisite and quite large
pale filigree flowers in late spring/early summer. The ragged and finely
marked flowers are worth looking at closely and are heavily fragrant. A
superb and rarely seen ‘old fashioned’ cottage garden plant, not at all
garish or artificial looking. I have white and pink forms available.
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£8
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Dichorisandra
pendula
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I
don't normally do houseplants but I'm making an exception for this lovely
species from Brazil, which is still rare in the trade but easy to grow with
ordinary home temperatures, moderate to bright light and the compost kept
evenly moist. Humidity doesn't seem to be an issue. It has an exceptionally
elegant and graceful habit - somewhat like a willowy ginger, and produces
lavender blue flowers all summer. Like most commelinaceae (Tradescantia etc)
the individual flowers only last a day but are produced continuously
throughout the growing season. The foliage is deep glossy green. A
lovely thing - every home should have one.
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£20
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Dichorisandra
thyrsiflora
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An
upright, ginger-like plant, producing pyramidal heads of blue flowers in
summer. More cold tolerant than pendula – suitable for a pot outside during
the summer, but not frost hardy.
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£10
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Dichroa
febrifuga
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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. Usually
regarded as tender, these plants were cut to the ground by frost in December
2023 but are growing away in time to flower in late summer/autumn. In colder
sites a splendid plant for a cool greenhouse
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£16
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Dichroa
(PAB from Guizhou) Long March
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A
remarkable recent introduction producing soft lilac flower in summer followed
by vivid violet berries. A semi-evergreen, small shrub for sheltered
woodland. Much hardier than other more familiar Dichroa species.
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£16
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Dipelta
ventricosa
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A
gorgeous and very choice member of the Abelia group with flowers that are
glossy pink outside and white with orange markings inside. A tall upright
deciduous shrub, as easily grown on chalk as on acid soil, in sun or part
shade. Beginning to flower in late winter, the main display is in mid to late
spring. Attractive deciduous leaves and peeling papery bark. Fully hardy.
Rare, I think, only because it's slow to propagate. This has lately, along
with Abelia and Kolkwitzia, been transferred to Linnaea, for reasons I can
explain if anyone’s interested. Specimen-sized plant – collection only.
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£30
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Dodecatheon
austrofrigidum
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Similar
to D.dentatum, but with more substantial rosettes of leaves, and with pink
flowers on taller stems. Although not the most spectacular, I’ve found this
the easiest Dodecatheon to keep in ordinary woodsy garden conditions.
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£6
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Dodecatheon
dentatum
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Quite
distinct from the well-known pink flowered species – this is a lower growing,
more spreading species with white flowers. Best in moist leafy woodland
situations.
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£6
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Ercilla
volubilis
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An
unusual Chilean climber related to Phytolacca with small wavy matt evergreen
leaves, and clusters of pink scented fluffy inflorescences in spring. Can be
trained on a sunny wall or growing through a large shrub or as ground cover.
Hardy and adaptable with a bit of shelter
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£16
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Euonymus
clivicola rongchuensis
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A
very slender graceful evergreen Asian species related to cornutus with
delicate brownish flowers giving way to strange narrow lobed fruits holding
the usual orange seeds. Adaptable but especially suitable for dry woodlands.
Very choice.
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£18
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Euonymus
nanus turkestanicus
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A
creeping evergreen species, quite different to the others with small narrow
dark green leaves along wide-spreading stems. The leaves turn rich red brown
shades in winter. The flowers, though small, are plentiful and well worth
looking out for. Small red spindle berries may follow. Excellent in dry shade
but very adaptable.
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£12
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Euphorbia
corollata
|
A
white flowered Euphorbia - who knew? In this case fairly normal looking bushy
spurge plants produce increasingly wide branching sprays of small pure white
flowers in summer – more like a Gypsophila or a Linum perhaps. This species
originates in Eastern North America so should be completely cold hardy. So
far it has been easy and vigorous in a sunny spot. Not invasive.
|
£8
|
|
Euphorbia
myrsinites Red form
|
A
striking form of this popular pale pangolin-looking trailing evergreen with
distinct red tints both to the developing buds and the spent inflorescences. Requires
full sun and good drainage but fully hardy. Possibly descendants of an old
Washfield’s form.
|
£8
|
|
Fascicularia
bicolor canuliculata
|
In
the wild it tends toward the epiphytic or lithophytic, growing in rock
crevices and in the forks of branches so a raised bed is the obvious place
for it. If you have a gnarly old tree I'd definitely give it a go there too -
wiring the roots in a fork in the trunk, covering them in moss and giving it
some water while it gets established. Try it in the crown of an old Cordyline
or on the fibrous trunk of a palm.
|
£8
|
|
Felicia
rosulata
|
Previously
known as Aster natalensis, these have proved easy to please in a sunny,
well-drained spot, and although said to benefit from a dryish winter (coming
from East Africa, this is to be expected) they have so far been better if not
too parched. Completely unfazed by the last few winters' onslaught. An easy
alpine and should be better known.
|
£6
|
|
Fuchsia
hatschbachii
|
Closely
related to F.magellanica but, to my mind at least, a much nicer plant with
good quality narrow foliage, a graceful willowy habit and slender red
flowers, giving a completely different effect. Reputedly about as hardy as
magellanica – these came through the winter in their pots in the tunnel
totally unscathed.
|
£8
|
|
Fuchsia
magellanica Arauco
|
An
absolutely exquisite, possibly naturally occurring, form of this popular
shrub - always attracts attention with its finely crafted purple-white and
pink flowers and neat dark green foliage. It can make a large shrub in time
but, like most Fuchsias, responds well to pruning. This is less drought
tolerant than other Fuchsia - not good in small containers and definitely
most at home in cool moist conditions. nb. the variety Lady Bacon is very
similar and they can be hard to tell apart, but seen together, Arauco is
definitely the more refined plant with better colours, and smaller leaves and
flowers. I grow both but I would always recommend Arauco. It just has that
certain something that even people who don't generally go for Fuchsias can
appreciate.
|
£10
|
|
Fuchsia
regia Cherry
|
A
bit of an enigma, this one. A wild-collected form with distinctive large
red-veined glaucous leaves. The flowers are slender and dusky pink.
Given to me by Miriam Jacobs. She told me
"Many of us received one like mine at a SIG meeting but don’t have the
name. Mine came with the number 41-42". She's calling it Cherry until we
know more about it.
|
£14
|
|
Fuchsia
aff. regia grey leaf
|
Grown
from AGS exchange seed as regia - the overall effect (semi-climbing) and the
elegant flowers are typical regia, but the leaves are narrower and often
somewhat grey-tinted.
Hardy
and easy - ideal for adorning early-flowering shrubs that have finished for
the summer.
|
£12
|
|
Geranium
orientalitibeticum
|
A
choice ground-covering species with rosy-pink flowers but the main thing is
the leaves which are beautifully marbled with lime green. An easy
well-behaved small border plant
|
£6
|
|
Gladiolus
flanaganae
|
An
absolutely astonishing hardy species from near vertical cliffs in the
Drakensberg. The plant is only 10ins high but the outsized vivid red flowers
are rich red and grow out sideways. Hard to explain – has to be seen.
|
£7
|
|
Glycyrrhiza
yunnanensis
|
A
striking tall perennial in the pea family with attractive pinnate leaves and
dense heads of violet flowers in summer – like mauve clover heads. The main
effect though is in autumn and winter when the russet red stems and bristly
seed heads stand over 6ft tall. Completely
weather-proof - an excellent feature in the winter border. Very hardy and
adaptable.
|
£12
|
|
Helwingia
himalaica
|
A
peculiar evergreen woodland shrub which makes its flowers on the upper
surfaces of the leaves (the flower stem is fused to the midrib). This on its
own makes it a botanical curio, but it is also a pleasant and intriguing
species with dark glossy leaves, maroon tinged when young, and an attractive
upright habit. In good years, red berries will appear, also attached to the
leaves. An excellent small to medium sized shrub, best in moist woodland.
Hardy but better with shelter from too much sun and wind.
|
£15
|
|
Heuchera
Brownfinch
|
A
change from the endless stream of bedding Heuchera that are so fashionable at
the moment – this is very close in appearance to H.cylindrica which is
usually available in a form known as Greenfinch. Brownfinch has the same
cylindrical flower spikes, but of a rather nice rich red brown, on unusually
tall stems. The foliage is attractively silver splashed. Rare in cultivation,
but easily grown in sun or part shade. Keep an eye open for vine weevils,
which love Heuchera roots.
|
£8
|
|
Hibiscus
militaris
|
One
of the southern US swamp mallows related to the spectacular coccineum and
moscheutos, but requiring less summer heat to grow and flower outdoors.
Suitable for pond margins and swampy conditions in full sun. Fully frost
hardy. The flowers are white or palest pink, with a dark pink eye, and about
4ins across, on 4ft stems.
|
£12
|
|
Hovenia
dulcis
|
The
Raisin Tree - grown traditionally for the fruit which appears on sweet edible
stems, this is nevertheless a very attractive small tree with broad
heart-shaped leaves, reminiscent of Idesia.
|
£15
|
|
Hydrangea
serrata Kiyosumi
|
A
normal lacecap Hydrangea in many ways but with two unusual features - the
sterile florets around the edge of the inflorescence are white, edged with
pink (but tastefully so), and the new foliage is a rich maroon red. A
striking small shrub (about 4ft high) for semi-shade on most soils as long as
not too dry (including chalk. Hydrangeas are among those plants often
believed to be lime-haters. This is not the case.)
|
£9
|
|
Hypericum
aegypticum
|
A
terrific small shrub, looking more like a tiny shrubby Linum than a Hypericum
– the flowers are a soft pale yellow, more or less funnel-shaped, and set
among tiny grey leaves. Hardy here for many years in a sunny dry spot. Exquisite.
|
£8
|
|
Impatiens
arguta
|
The
most impressive and easy-going of the hardy species with elongate violet
flowers all summer. It wilts in dry conditions but always revives when watered.
Ideal for not too dry shady situations and thriving outside here through the
last few winters, and even on my mum’s chalky soil. Easy and adaptable for
everyone.
|
£8
|
|
Indigofera
kirilowii
|
A
very lovely low-growing shub with fresh green foliage and clear pink flowers
in summer. Easy and adaptable
|
£12
|
|
Iris
albicans
|
The
true Middle-Eastern species – a bearded Iris with clear white flowers,
touched with lemon toward the centre. Grows and flowers freely in a sunny
raised bed here under a Ceanothus.
|
£8
|
|
Iris
fulva
|
A
legendary Iris (is that too strong a word?) from the deep south of the USA
with flowers as close to red as any. This species is cold hardy but does have
a reputation for needing more heat than we typically get in the UK.
Nevertheless these seedlings have proved quick to flower here and very
vigorous. For shallow water in full sun, where the water warms up quickly in
spring. Thoroughly recommended.
|
£8
|
|
Iris
x fulvala
|
A
very vigorous and adaptable but low-growing species that will thrive in
ordinary soil or wetland situations in full sun. The large flowers are rich
purple marked with a yellow toward the centre.
|
£8
|
|
Iris
graminea
|
Related
to sintenisii - another small European species with nicely shaped violet
flowers among narrow grassy leaves. The flowers are plum-scented.
|
£6
|
|
Iris
lactea
|
A
finely built Spuria with narrow upright grey leaves and soft mauve or creamy
white flowers. I have three forms here grown from SIGNA seed, all as yet
unflowered. For open sunny conditions.
|
£7
|
|
Iris
lazica
|
A
deservedly popular winter-flowering species related to unguicularis but
happiest in woodland conditions. Flowering sometimes as early as November but
usually in February/March. Low-growing with violet flowers over broad fresh
evergreen foliage
|
£8
|
|
Iris
prismatica
|
A
dellightful small American species, with very fine delicate mauve flowers,
marked with darker lines. Best in moist conditions in sun or semi shade but
will grow in ordinary soils if not too dry
|
£8
|
|
Jamesia
americana compact form Larimer Co., CO, 8000ft,
|
A
close relative of the Deutzias from western USA. The flowers are exactly like
one of the nicer white Deutzias (not scabra) but the foliage is more like a
Viburnum of the Wayfaring Tree fraternity (V.lantana). A pleasing small shrub
for any ordinary soil, neither too wet nor too dry, in sun or semi shade.
Unaccountably rare.
|
£12
|
|
Keiskea
japonica
|
Plants
that flower late into autumn are always worth having and there are a number
of late season Lamiaceae (mint family) from eastern Asia that are far too
little grown in the UK. Colquhounia, Leucosceptrum, Elscholzia and
Rostrinucula are three that I grow, and this is another. Keiskea
are from Japan and make attractive bushy herbaceous perennials to about 4ft
tall with spikes of palest pink flowers in October. Adaptable and completely
hardy. Now apparently included in Collinsonia
|
£16
|
|
Klasea
bulgarica
|
A
wonderful tall Centaurea-type plant growing to well over head height with
glossy serrated leaves and clear white flower heads. Fabulous among
low-growing plants in full sun on any well-drained soil.
|
£12
|
|
Kniphofia
brachystachya
|
A
small species – only about 50cm tall, producing dense spikes of honey
yellow/orange flowers from dark buds and which turn black when spent. Very
striking. Came through the recent cold spells in their pots in the open
without trouble.
|
£8
|
|
Koelreuteria
paniculata
|
A
deservedly popular medium sized deciduous tree with masses of egg-yolk yellow
flowers in early summer, intense orange and maroon autumn colour and very
ornamental coppery balloon-like fruits. An excellent exotic-looking shade
tree that should be planted much more.
|
£18
|
|
Leucosceptrum
canum
|
A
remarkable Buddleja-like shrub from the foothills of the Himalayas, where it
is quite common and widespread. The foliage is soft and broad and pale and
the flowers, which are produced very late in the year, are slender creamy
white bottlebrushes. The combination is rather striking
and unusual. Best with some shelter and not too dry here - the way you might
grow Colquhounia.
|
£16
|
|
Lilium
ledebourei
|
One
of the carniolicum group, from the mountains of northern Iran. The flowers
are of the turk’s-cap kind, white with yellow/green stripes and black
speckles. This has proved remarkably easy to grow here – lily beetle
permitting. I have a few pots of 2-year-old seedlings ready to go
|
£8
|
|
Lindelofia
anchusoides
|
Rarely
offered Cynoglossum-like plant with intense azure flowers over dense clumps
of leaves. Hardy and easy in a sunny well-drained place
|
£8
|
|
Lobelia
laxiflora angustifolia
|
A
spreading perennial with fresh narrow foliage topped in summer with tubular
orange and yellow flowers. Hardy here, this might suffer in a very cold year
but otherwise a reliable border perennial. This has a reputation for running
but I’ve not found it excessive.
|
£7
|
|
Lobelia
siphilitica Blue form
|
A
good blue form of this excellent North American species from Kevin Hughes.
The flowers remind me of Penstemon and are a lovely clear colour without a
touch of mauve. The foliage is fresh green. This is an upright fully hardy
perennial happy in any moist soil in sun or part shade. Not at all weedy or
coarse.
|
£6
|
|
Lonicera
alberti
|
A
very distinctive low-growing species with narrow grey-green leaves and
tubular scented mauve-pink flowers. Likes a sunny, well-drained, open spot.
|
£16
|
|
Lonicera
gracilipes
|
A
relatively small pink-flowered winter flowering species from Japan. The
leaves are rounded and somewhat glaucous. Hardy and adaptable.
|
£16
|
|
Lonicera
hispidula
|
The
Californian Pink Honeysuckle - ideal for drier, sunnier or shady conditions,
where a lot of the more familiar types tend to get mildew. The foliage is
rounded and somewhat fuzzy and, in the population from which these seeds were
collected (thanks again Dennis), somewhat marked with irregular maroon-black
splotches, especially when young and in winter. Some individuals have
completely blackened foliage which I find rather striking, but I understand
that not everyone will agree. The pink flowers are held in dense heads in
summer.
|
£16
|
|
Lonicera
myrtillus
|
A
very different species with small, rounded leaves and rosy white urn-shaped
flowers - almost like some sort of ericaceous shrub (hence the name). Compact
and easily pleased
|
£16
|
|
Lonicera
syringantha
|
A
medium-sized shrubby species with heavily fragrant rosy-pink trumpet-shaped
flowers in spring. The foliage is neat and grey-green. Easy and adaptable –
one of the best fragrant shrubs.
|
£16
|
|
Lunaria
rediviva
|
A
perennial relative of the popular annual honesty with pale blue flowers and
oval seed pods. Very pretty and long-lived.
|
£8
|
|
Maclura
pomifera
|
The
Osage Orange tree. A north American member of the mulberry family producing
large yellow (sadly inedible) wrinkly fruits. Collection only – too big to
post
|
£23
|
|
Metaplexis
japonica
|
Similar
to Watakaka (or Dregea) sinensis with similar foliage and flowers, but in
this case with pinkish mauve flowers. A hardy herbaceous climber, flowering
periodically through the summer.
|
£8
|
|
Mirabilis
longiflora
|
A
glorious night-scented species - the fragrance redolent of tropical evenings.
(The very long-tubed white flowers are typical of plants pollinated by
moths.) A low spreading perennial with rather sticky green foliage.
I originally assumed it would need a dry winter
but it is hardy and vigorous in the border at the nursery. In colder, wetter
climates it would also be fabulous in a big terracotta pot on the patio,
right next to where you sit of an evening, where you can enjoy the scent with
your prosecco and BBQ.
|
£12
|
|
Monocostus
uniflorus
|
One
of a very small number of houseplants I sell - because it's easy to grow but
rare in cultivation. Costus are in a tropical family of ginger relatives with
conspicuously spiralling stems with the leaves radiating outwards. Most are
too large for the home but this is a compact clump-forming species from
Africa up to about 12ins high, and it produces large ruffled lemon yellow
flowers sporadically through the season. It needs medium light, normal room-temperatures
(18-25C), with some humidity but is otherwise easy to grow. I grow it in a
west-facing window among other plants and mist them regularly.
|
£18
|
|
Moraea
huttonii
|
Stupendous
tall Iris with beautifully crafted yellow ‘flags’ on rigid upright stems well
above the narrow strappy green leaves (easily hidden among other perennials).
For open sites on fertile moist soils ideally but very tough. Basically,
they’ll grow anywhere Agapanthus or Kniphofia succeed.
|
£8
|
|
Notocactus
(Parodia) magnificus
|
I
have a few babies of this magnificent cool-growing species ready to go in 3in
pots.
Mature
plants are more or less spherical, up to 10ins across, sea green with dense
bands of straw-coloured prickles along the ridges. Lemon-yellow flowers are
produced regularly.
Not
hardy, but doesn't need much heat - just frost free, and dry in winter.
|
£6
|
|
Omphalodes
nitida
|
A
very lovely, neat perennial forget-me-not relative with clear blue flowers in
spring, and smart narrow foliage. Seeds about a little but not at all weedy
or coarse. Likes a well-drained site in semi-shade.
|
£6
|
|
Opuntia
scheeri
|
An
excellent and choice hardy prickly pear with pads about 6-8ins across and
forming a solid small shrub quite quickly. The fine evenly spaced yellowish
areoles on a sea green background make for a very satisfying effect. Don’t
however underestimate the tiny, barbed spines which get everywhere. Handle it
with thick leather gloves and plant it well away from the path. The parent
plant is in a front garden in Lancing, Sussex, in ordinary soil and gets no
protection at all. I hear of other plants as far north as Lancashire also
doing well fully exposed to the elements. Pale amber yellow flowers appear in
spring.
|
£15
|
|
Osmanthus
fragrans
|
An
unremarkable looking evergreen shrub with the most heavenly scent – something
like sweet apricots – fresh and light. The flowers though are small and white
and not produced in great numbers but somehow manage to fill the entire
greenhouse with perfume. The foliage looks a bit like a Citrus.
Not
very hardy outdoors here in Sussex but undamaged in my unreliably frost-free
greenhouse. Rarely offered and much sought-after.
|
£18
|
|
Paeonia
rockii seedlings
|
Parents
have good single flowers and may be white or pink with dark blotches at the
centre. Excellent foliage, as you’d expect
|
£32
|
|
Paeonia
Cherry Pannacotta
|
This
was given to me as a small bit of tuber about 30 years ago - I forget who
from - and it has been with me ever since. I know nothing more about its
origins but it's been a wonderful strong grower wherever I've had it, forming
a dense, rounded clump. Unless someone can come up with a better suggestion
I'm going to call it Cherry Pannacotta
Many
single rounded creamy flowers, edged in pink. The foliage is very glaucous
grey green (a bit like mlokosewitschii - a possible parent - but the leaflets
are narrower), and strongly tinted purple in spring. Does not set seeds. Substantial
roots, probably big enough to flower, in 3l pots.
|
£25
|
|
Penthorum
sedoides
|
An
unusual N.American perennial, mostly seen as a marginal/aquatic but adaptable
to other situations. Leafy stems to about 10ins high, with creamy flowers in
late summer. The main attraction is when the plants turn vivid golds, oranges
and reds in autumn.
|
£8
|
|
Persicaria
filiformis
|
I’ve
always been impressed with the fresh, almost luminous green lustre of the
leaves of this species with the black chevron and coppery tints, reminiscent
of the tropical Calatheas and Marantas. Red flowers are produced in slender
tails in summer and early autumn. Not invasive but may seed about here and
there. For moist conditions in sun or semi shade. For a long time this was
sold as a form of the American species, P.virginiana, but apparently it’s
Chinese.
|
£8
|
|
Persicaria
filiformis Guizhou Bronze PAB 9127
|
A rather gorgeous
form of the species with less conspicuous black markings but the leaves have
a wonderful brassy tint and the whole plant is more luxuriant.
|
£8
|
|
Bistorta
(Persicaria) tenuicaulis
|
A
choice little woodlander – very unlike any of the other common species -
slowly spreading to make a colony of stocky little plants with small silvery
green leaves and in spring, short spikes of pure white flowers. For moist but
well-drained woodsy soil in shade. Never even slightly weedy. In fact, keep
an eye on it or it might get lost.
|
£6
|
|
Persicaria
virginiana Compton's form
|
This
American species is not that often offered, possibly because the flowers are
quite small bright red filaments and appear in Autumn. A magnificent foliage
plant though - as good as many of the tropical Calatheas and Marantas (prayer
plants). The leaf surface has a real lustre - richly coloured and with an odd
black chevron - I know not why.
|
£8
|
|
Photinia
glomerata
|
This
looks a lot like what Hilliers manual describes as ‘Formosan form’, and for a
while I was offering it as P.prionophylla, but I am assured that this is the
correct identification. It’s a very gorgeous shrub nevertheless - more
rounded and compact than P.serratifolia, with broad rounded leaves (to about
3ins across) opening a rich mahogany in early spring, with a soft downy white
covering. The flowers are the normal type. Easy and adaptable and tolerant of
heavy and wet soils.
|
£18
|
|
Phyteuma
nigrum
|
The
Phyteumas are a funny-looking group in the Campanulaceae, with dense heads or
spikes of small glossy curly tubular flowers instead of the usual open bell
flowers more typical of the family. In this case the flowers are deep
blackcurrant black in dense spikes on a 4-8 inch stem over a simple rosette
of leaves. An easy and unusual European alpine suitable for any sunny
well-drained spot.
|
£7
|
|
Primula
Lady Greer
|
A
really very cute old cultivar with neat, rounded leaves and umbels of pale
yellow flowers. Gradually makes a colony but hasn't seeded about. Easy and
long-lived in moist shade.
|
£6
|
|
Pycnanthemum
muticum
|
Another
North American that certainly deserves to be better known. Forms colonies of
upright stems with fresh green rounded leaves ultimately developing an almost
Euphorbia-like inflorescence of tiny white flowers subtended by silvery white
bracts. At this stage the whole plant has a pale silvery sheen. Not invasive.
Has a lovely fresh peppermint fragrance too and can be used in the same way.
Any soil.
|
£8
|
|
Ranunculus
calandrinioides
|
Ranunculus
is an amazingly varied genus and I have a bit of a thing for them. This is
one of the species found in the Western Mediterranean region with glaucous
elliptical leaves, almost like a small Hosta, and gorgeous white flowers,
slightly pink tinged. This species (from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco) is
winter green and winter flowering and although cold hardy, is not generally
recommended for outdoors. Word has it though that it will grow in dry shade,
perhaps peeking out from under a myrtle or bay into the low winter sunlight.
Perfectly easy in a pot in an unheated greenhouse, kept dry in summer but
well-watered and fed when in growth.
|
£8
|
|
Ranunculus
malessanus
|
A
miniature species from Southern Spain with glossy dark green palmate leaves -
tinted black when young, red stems, and substantial fresh yellow flowers. It
has tuberous Ficaria-type roots but without any invasive tendencies. It
appears in spring, flowers, and disappears again, and is therefore ideal for
combining with other small Mediterranean bulbous and tuberous plants. An
extremely neat and satisfying little buttercup for troughs and raised beds.
|
£6
|
|
Ranunculus
platanifolius
|
A
very easy and adaptable, and frankly just very lovely white flowering
buttercup. Fresh and easy, and did I say lovely? Suitable for any retentive
soil in sun or semi shade. Not even slightly invasive.
|
£8
|
|
Ribes
aureum gracillimum
|
The
western counterpart of the popular (but rather coarse) R.odoratum, with much
the same bright yellow, fragrant flowers. However, this species is smaller,
and in all respects more attractively put together. The buds are often tinged
red. Should also be another good hardy species for drier, sunnier sites but
probably more adaptable than cereum.
|
£12
|
|
Ribes
cereum
|
An
attractive Californian species with profuse palest rosy white flowers in
spring among small shiny leaves on a compact gnarly shrub.
An
ideal species for Mediterranean style gardens growing among other sun-loving
drought-tolerant species.
|
£20
|
|
Ribes
malvaceum
|
Not
the most brightly coloured Ribes but certainly one of the earliest flowering
- in full flower here through frost and snow in January. Pastel pink flowers
in dangling clusters among soft green foliage any time from autumn to spring
in its native California, where it is important for nectar for birds and
insects. Completely hardy here. Suitable for sun or shade, especially among
evergreens.
|
£16
|
|
Ribes
nevadense
|
A
compact species with dense oval heads of rich pink flowers. A very nice
species that should be better known.
|
£18
|
|
Rostrinucula
dependens
|
My
sources tell me this might actually be R. sinensis, but either way, this is
definitely turning out to be one of my favourite plants.
The
arching habit, elegant 6in blackish sea green foliage and pale bloomy stems
and leaf undersides are a feature all summer. Exquisitely sculpted 3-4 inch
pearly white 'catkins' sprout mauve/pink filaments in Autumn. The whole thing
has a most unusual pale/dark effect - restrained but very classy and unlike
anything else. To 4ft tall. Easy in any sunny well-drained site.
|
£12
|
|
Rubus
acuminatus
|
An
evergreen species with leathery laurel-like foliage and very finely formed
bell-shaped white flowers. The Rubus equivalent of Ribes laurifolium. An
arching shrub - not at all invasive and completely hardy here. Best in moist
semi shade but quite adaptable. A remarkable plant. Thanks very much to Barry
Clarke for this one.
|
£16
|
|
Rubus
formosensis
|
This
species has deeply felted olive-green three-lobed leaves about 5ins across
with very pale undersides. Arching and creeping. From Barry Clarke.
|
£16
|
|
Rubus
iranaeus
|
A
lovely creeping/semi climbing species with broad fresh green reniform leaves.
Not too vigorous here but best given space to move about.
|
£16
|
|
Rubus
Rushbrook Red Leaf
|
Deeply
textured and felted palmate leaves start out quite distinctly red and turn
rich green. This one is somewhere between a sprawling ground cover and a
climber and is one of those that might need a certain amount of space and/or
cutting back. Another of Barry Clarke’s babies.
|
£12
|
|
Ruellia
strepens
|
There
are a number of hardy Ruellia from the eastern USA – all with showy mauve
flowers on bushy plants. This one seems particularly good with rich violet
funnel-shaped flower and fresh green foliage. Seems very adaptable (unfazed
by December 2023) and easy to grow. Should be much better known.
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£8
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Sagittaria
graminea
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A
small aquatic with linear submerged leaves but without the arrow-head shaped
emergent leaves of some other Sagittaria. The 3-petalled white flowers appear
on short stems above the water in summer. Hardy and suitable for shallow
ponds. Spreads in muddy soil by runners.
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£6
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Salix
bockii
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A
very unusual willow for its summer/autumn flowering - the catkins are chalk
white up to 2ins long on long slender branches covered in small oval grey
green leaves. Frankly it looks nothing like a willow, but is an adaptable
small to medium shrub suitable for any not-too-dry soils in sun or semi
shade.
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£18
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Salix
gracilistyla melanostachys
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A
wacky willow for you, this time grown for its bituminous black catkins in
early spring which sprout pale yellow anthers and have red highlights.
Potentially a large shrub but responds well to quite hard pruning immediately
after flowering. Specimen-sized plants – collection only.
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£28
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Salix
gracilistyla Mt.Aso
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Maybe
the idea of a pink flowered willow sounds a bit kitsch but I promise you this
one carries it off very tastefully indeed. This is a naturally occurring form
of gracilistyla (not chaenomeloides as was originally thought) and can be
quite a substantial shrub in time, very much like its relative the black
willow (melanostachys) but with greyish twigs and leaves. An easy and
adaptable willow in any retentive soil in sun or part shade
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£21
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Salix
magnifica
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Originally
mistaken (out of flower) for a Magnolia - this species has broad lustrous
oval hairless leaves and thick stems - completely different to what we
normally think of as a willow. This is the female form and the catkins are
long and slender. A remarkable shrub for a retentive soil
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£21
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Salix
subopposita
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A
low-growing but vigorous shrub grown for the masses of yellow tinged catkins
in early spring. An excellent ground-cover for heavy and sodden soils
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£10
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Sanguisorba
applanata
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Not
flowered here yet for some reason but an excellent foliage plant, reminiscent
of a low spreading Melianthus or a giant Acaena. The flowers should be white
bottle brushes, but are not the main reason for growing this plant. Suitable
for any moist fertile soil in sun.
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£6
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Scopolia
carniolica
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Glossy
dark maroon bells, pale inside, appear with the young foliage in early
spring. A woodlander.
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£12
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Flueggea
suffruticosa (Securinega ramiflora)
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More
of a curio really than a thing of great beauty perhaps - this is a broad,
eventually weeping deciduous shrub with small, rounded leaves and clusters of
small yellow flowers along the wiry stems. Extremely hardy and adaptable.
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£10
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Senna
hebecarpa
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Big
exotic looking herbaceous relatives of the tropical Sennas – these American
species occur as far north as the Great Lakes so should be very hardy indeed.
The foliage is wonderfully luxuriant and the yellow flowers, while
individually small, give a good show in the latter part of the summer. For
moist rich soils in full sun.
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£10
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Silphium
simpsonii
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A
smaller species with simple green leaves and golden flowers
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£8
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Sinningia
tubiflora
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A
South American Gesneriaceae making rosettes of soft grey leaves and tall
slender stems of intensely fragrant tubular milky white flowers. Dies down to
a tuber in winter. These will survive sub zero temperatures if kept dry
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£8
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Spiraea
densiflora splendens
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The
Spiraeas are another group that is unfairly ignored due to a few nondescript
but all too common representatives, but S.splendens is a neat little shrub
with small rounded pale sea green leaves and vivid pink flowers. Very pretty
indeed, and easy too, given sun and free drainage. Thanks to Dennis Carvalho
once again, for the seed.
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£9
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Spiraea
hayatana
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A
pleasing medium-sized species with strongly red tinged new growth and heads
of white flowers, tinged pink at the centre in June. Like most Spiraea it is
easy and hardy.
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£12
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Strobilanthes
angustifrons
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A
deciduous shrub almost unknown in cultivation it seems. The flowers are of a
rich glossy purple with a pale creamy throat. Very distinct. Flowers freely
at the same time as other hardy Strobilanthes, in autumn. Largely untried but
it's proved fully hardy here on the nursery and there has been a good-sized
specimen in the walled garden at Wakehurst for some time now. Should be much
better known.
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£16
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Strobilanthes
lactea
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A
beautiful species with silver-white bands either side of the midrib of each
leaf – these really shine out in shady conditions. I’ve not seen the flowers
yet and this species is largely untested for hardiness in the UK but is
categorised as z8 in the USA so should be fine with a bit of shelter over
most of the southern and western regions. Like other Strobilanthes this is
going to be an excellent addition to the woodland garden especially for late
summer and autumn.
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£12
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Strobilanthes
nutans
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A
really nice change from the better known upright purple flowered species –
this one trails over the ground and is seen at its best in a shady raised bed
(or a hanging basket? Why not?) with it’s pure white, hop-like inflorescences
dangling over the side. Hardy so far here and unusually classy. Many thanks
to Mike Clifford for this.
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£8
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Strobilanthes
sp. large leaf sp. (Yunnan col. Jacky Pousse)
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A
stonking great species with fabulous big leaves up to 8ins long, beautifully
veined, and tinted purple on the reverse. Hardly tried outside in the UK so
far and I’ve not seen the flowers but promises to be an amazing addition to a
sheltered woodland garden. Thanks again to Mike Clifford. According to Alan
Gregg this is S.mastersii.
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£16
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Syringa
tomentella yunnanensis
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Attractive
large, ribbed foliage and sprays of tubular pink flowers in spring. Specimen-sized
plants – collection only.
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£25
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Talbotia
elegans
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A
bit of an obscurity this one - this is a member of the southern hemisphere
family, the velloziaceae, and is probably the hardiest of them. They are
particularly known for being among those plants that look dead during the dry
season but miraculously revive when the rains come. (Sometimes included in
the genus Xerophyta, meaning 'dry plant'.)
This
is a dense, tussock-forming plant with rather fibrous leaves – green above,
purple under. Pretty white flowers appear on fine hair-like stems in summer.
Probably best in an unheated greenhouse, but I've tried it outside with a
canopy to keep it dry in winter, and although the leaves look dead they
revive in spring, so don’t cut them off unless they get really tatty. For
well-drained soil in sun.
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£12
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Talinum
calycinum
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A
terrific little hardy succulent from the southern USA with vivid pink flowers
on slender stems above neat tussocks of narrow green leaves. Needs full sun
and dry soils. Dies down to the roots in winter when it should be kept on the
dry side. Fully frost hardy.
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£6
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Tinantia
pringlei
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Completely
hardy through the last few winters here in Sussex, and in fact inclined to
turn up in unexpected places around the garden.
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£6
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Titanotrichum
oldhamii
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Classic
gesneriaceae - sturdy basal rosette of fleshy crinkly leaves and stems of
foxglove like flowers emerging from the centre. The flowers are a very
striking bright yellow, deep red inside, and the leaves are purple on the
reverse. Not well tried outdoors in the UK, but the main problem
overwintering temperate gesneriads usually is not the cold so much as keeping
them dry in winter, This doesn't seem to be a problem in this case.
Titanotrichum is best in a moist woodsy soil, and it is imperative that it
does not dry out in summer, or else the flower buds will turn to tiny tubers
(gemmae). A solid and vigorous woodland perennial as long as it has enough
water
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£10
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Tradescantia
ohiensis
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A
tall vigorous species with big clear blue flowers over a long period in
summer. Extremely adaptable
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£7
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Trillium
ludovicianum aka freemannii
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I
have a few pieces to spare of this very rarely offered plant. There's some
confusion about the name but either way it's a lovely species. I've found it
easy to grow in a leafy shady spot and unfazed by summer drought. Roots
lifted in autumn or winter.
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Prices
on request
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Viburnum
cylindricum
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An
evergreen species grown for the unusual greyish cast to the foliage and
panicles of creamy flowers in summer. Bloomy black fruits. A rare large shrub
– excellent on chalk.
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£20
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Viburnum
obovatum
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Almost
never available in the UK, this is a very distinct species from the SE USA
with tiny blunt rounded leaves on very fine stems. The new shoots are
red/purple tinted and being semi-evergreen, it also colours up a bit in
autumn. Small creamy white flowers are produced in dense clusters in spring
and the berries are blue/black. Can make a large shrub but easily controlled.
Completely hardy here.
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£16
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Weigela
coraeensis
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A
rarely seen Weigela whose flowers open white and turn through dusky pink to
wine red. It sounds like it could be garish but isn't. Extremely easy and
adaptable, the only problem might be that it is a very vigorous species. The
leaves are lush fresh green and up to 5ins long. Luckily it responds well to
hard pruning immediately after flowering. Specimen-sized plants – collection
only.
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£30
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Weigela
middendorfiana
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An
interesting alternative to the commoner Weigelas in cultivation, having soft
yellow flowers in early summer developing orange markings inside. More
compact than the others too at about 6ft x 6ft and may be pruned quite hard
after flowering. Any situation except very dry, very wet or very shady.
Specimen-sized plants – collection only.
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£30
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Weigela
sp. TCM 12-852
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An
unknown species from Tom Mitchell. Early flowering with unusually broad fresh
green leaves and large rounded masses of soft rosy flowers from red buds.
Rather choice. I like it a lot
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£22
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Wulfenia
baldaccii
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A
lovely and understated alpine with rosettes of broad, fresh green leaves and
one-sided spikes of rich violet flowers. Best in a sunny spot – not too dry
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£8
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Wyethia
angustifolia
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Narrow
Leaf Mule’s Ears. Wyethias are a bit of an enigma - they're magnificent in
the alpine meadows of western North America - compact members of the
sunflower fraternity with rosettes of bold foliage and big yellow or white
flowers in spring. I've raised Wyethia angustifolia, elata, helenioides and
helianthoides from seeds successfully. Helenioides is still with me in a
raised bed - producing it's pale mullein-like leaves every spring but not
flowering, while angustifolia has multiplied well and produces its golden
flowers sometimes. It's the least exciting of them but rare in cultivation
and would probably perform better with more water in spring. Fully hardy -
full sun.
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£12
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X
Chitalpa tashkentensis
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A
hybrid between Catalpa and Chilopsis. Most of us know what a Catalpa looks
like, but Chilopsis is less familiar - it's a willowy looking shrub (known
locally in the south-western USA as Desert Willow) with masses of pink
Catalpa type flowers in summer among narrow leaves and is very lovely.
Unfortunately Chilopsis does not grow well in the UK, probably because of the
unpredictable damp climate. The hybrid though (created in the botanical
gardens in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, hence the name) is an excellent and
adaptable substitute, making a large shrub or small tree, flowering freely in
late summer. Any well-drained soil in sun. Specimen-sized plants – collection
only.
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£30
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Zanthoxylum
simulans
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A
pepper tree of medium-sized with the usual spiky stems, pinnate foliage and
reddish fruits. I can’t comment on their edibility. The whole plant is
aromatic. Hardy and easy to grow
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£14
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