Wednesday 29 June 2016

Strobilanthes angustifrons (aka Pteracanthus or possibly Goldfussia)

Strobilanthes angustifrons
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.
Strobilanthes angustifrons
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.
£16

Tuesday 7 June 2016

New shrubby Lonicera

What a fascinating genus Lonicera is. Most people I guess think of the climbing honeysuckle but there are at least as many non-climbing shrubby species, and a very varied bunch they are too. Almost all are easy and hardy in a variety of situations.

Lonicera chaetocarpa
Lonicera chaetocarpa
An unusual and very un-honeysuckle-like non-climbing species with pairs of funnel-shaped pale yellow flowers in a large bristly papery pinkish or yellowish calyx, which persists around the orange berries. 
The leaves are rich green and bristly. Very easy and hardy.
sold out already!


Lonicera myrtillus
Lonicera mytilloides
A very different species with small rounded leaves and rosy white urn-shaped flowers - almost like some sort of ericaceous shrub (hence the name). Also makes red berries.
Lonicera myrtillus
Compact and easily pleased
1Lpots ~ £10