Saturday 27 May 2017

Hemiboea


Hemiboea subcapitata
Hemiboea subcapitata
I was very excited when I first came across this on Ed Bowen’s Opus nursery website. I thought at first it might be some very classy Abelia relative with long white flowers, marked rich red inside over dark green leaves, but it is in fact a member of the gesneriaceae.
Hemiboea subcapitata
Now, one does not expect gesneriads to be hardy easy-going perennials in the UK but this does appear to be the case here. The easiest up until now have probably been Haberlea and Mitraria but this adds to the list and seems if anything, even more adaptable.

Unlike many choice woodlanders it doesn't appear to need cool moist conditions to do well and, as I've discovered, puts up with rather hit-and-miss watering rather well. It spreads and bulks up well and quickly here. I don't know yet how much cold it puts up with but it seems hardy at least in Southern England. It dies back to rosettes in winter.
Still rare outside specialist collections but destined to be very popular I think.
£10




Hemiboea strigosa
Hemiboea strigosa
This pink-flowered species was being sold as subcapitata by a few nurseries but is obviously distinct, both in the flower colour and the thinner texture of the foliage.
Hemiboea strigosa
It seems just as easy to grow and may even be hardier, judging by the fact that the overwintering rosettes have remained evergreen.
£10




Stachys discolor

Stachys discolor
A very beautiful species a bit like officinalis but larger in all parts and with flowers of palest yellow on compact greyish bushes.
Stachys discolor
Hard to explain but this plant has a real refinement compared to many of its coarser relatives and is not even slightly weedy. Easy and adaptable in the border. A real charmer.
1L pots ~ £7




Wednesday 10 May 2017

Heuchera Brownfinch

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.
Heuchera Brownfinch
Rare in cultivation, but easily grown in sun or part shade. Keep an eye open for vine weevils, which love Heuchera roots.
1L pots ~ £8



Sunday 7 May 2017

Iris aphylla

Iris aphylla
A medium sized bearded Iris species from Eastern Europe - an excellent species in the garden, forming compact clumps and always making plenty of rich purple flowers on short stems.
Iris aphylla buds
Also has excellent new foliage - a feature in itself.
Dracocephalum austriacum and Iris aphylla
Easy in the open garden in a sunny well-drained spot.
1L pots ~ £8