Thursday 26 September 2019

Herbertia lahue

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

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.
Dichroa febrifuga
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
Dichroa febrifuga
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
Silphium terebinthinaceum
This and S.laciniatum produce among the biggest, most luxuriant leaves of any hardy border perennial.
Silphium terebinthinaceum
In this case they are huge and heart-shaped (like a Colocasia or Anthurium?) to 12ins across.
Silphium terebinthinaceum
The flower stem is more slender and smooth than laciniatum.
sold out


Silphium simpsonii
Silphium simpsonii
A smaller species with simple green leaves and golden flowers
£8


Silphium laciniatum
Silphium laciniatum
Leaves to 2ft long and impressively lobed, like some huge tropical fern. The stiff bristly upright flower stem is a bonus.
Silphium laciniatum
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
Silphium perfoliatum
A giant perennial sunflower with lush green foliage and good-quality yellow flowers to 3ins across. Up to 9ft tall.
Silphium perfoliatum
Compact rootstock - not spreading.
£10

Wednesday 3 July 2019

Euonymus obovatus

Euonymus obovatus
A North American species - low and creeping, with pale greenish pink flowers followed by pink warty capsules opening to reveal orange seeds. A light growing woodland creeper
£10



Lindelofia anchusoides

Lindelofia anchusoides
Or L.longiflora - the naming of this plant seems very confused. Anyway, an unaccountably little grown Cynoglossum-like plant with intense azure flowers over dense clumps of leaves. Not at all coarse
Lindelofia longiflora
Hardy and easy in a sunny well-drained place
£8




Tuesday 18 June 2019

Spiraea hayatana

Spiraea hayatana
A pleasing medium-sized species with strongly red tinged new growth and heads of white flowers tinged pink at the centre in June.
Spiraea hayatana
Like most Spiraea it is easy and hardy.
£12



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
Codonopsis lanceolata in Schefflera taiwaniana
A particularly tough easy species with substantial jade and maroon bells
Codonopsis lanceolata and Tropaeolum speciosum in Schefflera taiwaniana
£8


Codonopsis pilosula Tangshen
Codonopsis Tangshen
A vigorous climber with pale bells, delicately marked with purple inside
£8



Aconitum lycoctonum moldavicum

Aconitum lycoctonum moldavicum
This is one of those species where the flowers have a tall narrow hood. The best-known forms have yellowish or off-white flowers but this is a very nice dusky purple form, to about 3ft tall and flowering in late summer. Easy and hardy
Aconitum lycoctonum moldavicum
£8




Monday 11 February 2019

Weigela sp. TCM 12-852

Weigela sp. TCM 12 852
An unknown species  from Tom Mitchell. Early flowering with unusually broad fresh green leaves and soft rosy flowers. Rather choice. I like it a lot
Weigela sp. TCM 12-852
£16



Abelia (Linnaea) umbellata

Linnaea (Abelia) 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.
Linnaea (Abelia) umbellata
Cuttings given to me by Peter Catt
£16