These rather showy front-of-border hardy perennials are doing nicely in their second year as adults. They are Stachys macrantha “Robusta”, recently re-named Betonica, in a recognition of their wild ancestor betony.
Posts
These vivid flowers of Lychnis coronaria are currently doing a great job to enliven an otherwise rather green patch of herbaceous border where late flowering perennials are yet to do their stuff. These are bi-annuals sown as seed in midwinter 18 months ago. They didn’t flower last year but are now making amends.
This monumental plant disappears in winter but then reaches at least 8 feet by mid-summer. It is Thalictrum flavum “Tucker Princess”. It is derived from the wild flower meadow rue. Its yellow flower spikes last for a month or so, and it sows seed around its immediate vicinity. Despite its size it tolerates gusty winds quite well.
This rather attractive perennial will grow pretty well anywhere, except perhaps in a bog garden, and is special useful in dark corners. It produces small pink flowers on long stalks but is really grown for its unusual leaves. It is Persicaria “Purple Fantasy”, and here it is growing in the shade cast by Viburnum “Winton”. It can get out of control if you let it, but isn’t too difficult to pull up if it does, though any bit of root will grow again. Very easy to propagate!
These little white star-like flowers on long stalks are a bonus. They emanate from an unusual ground cover plant which has proved to be much hardier than the RHS suggests, surviving the winter with ease. It is Saxifraga stolonifera, which is known to many as the popular houseplant mother of thousands, on account of its ability to send out many 6 to 8 inch long stolons at the end of which tiny “baby” plants develop. This ability means it can cover large areas of ground effectively and quickly with its rather attractively veined circular leaves, visible on the picture. Easily controlled.
The yellow flowers of Phlomis (commonly called Jerusalem sage) girdling the stems at intervals as the strong shoots push their way through most opposition are not perhaps seen in so many gardens as you might expect, as they are stately, tough, hardy and reliable. Can be a bit of a bully, though, so mine gets three quarters of its rhizomes removed annually and it is only planted where it has to fight for the light against other strong growers. Here it is seen a amongst Geum, Anemone japonica, and Lavatera trimestris.
Philadelphus, or mock orange is very hardy and reliable and found in most gardens, where its abundant scented flowers are a welcome harbinger of summer. Most varieties are tall and rangey and need annual pruning of the old wood after it has flowered. This particular species, P. “Manteau d’Hermine” is a compact dwarf version and seems to be thriving in a pot.
This climbing rose, Rosa “Gardener’s Glory”, is a tough, strong growing variety. While its yellow flowers are individually quite short-lived, but they are profuse, somewhat perfumed, and arrive early in the season. It thrives on hard pruning, as the new shoots grow almost visibly, easily reaching 8 feet
The joy of small things part things part 3. This little orchid, which should get a lot taller, was bought from the NGS garden called The Limes in Kirkudbright last year. It was growing widely in the lady’s garden by natural seeding, and was very lovely. It is Dactylorhiza foliosa, commonly the Madeira orchid.
The joy of small things. This trough was planted up just over a year ago with six different species of Rhodohypoxis. They looked lovely for several weeks. I made a perspex cover to keep off the winter wet, but only two have survived. One has the flower on the right and the other is even smaller and is invisible on the left. Now replanted for this year with a white Lewisia, a new Rhodohypoxis and two miniature Delospermum.
It may be 10 years since we planted Cornus kousa “Norman Haddon) and, like Miss Jean Brodie, it is in its prime. It must be a good 10 or 11 feet now and flowers profusely. The actual flowers are the little blobs surrounded by 4 large cream coloured bracts, which gradually turn pink as the summer moves on. The flowers then become large red fruits, not dissimilar in appearance to a decent sized strawberry. These are edible but not worth eating so they feed the birds.
This ground hugging perennial evergreen has proved a brilliant success. Here it is used as a permanent ground cover around shrubs. A carpet of neat shiny round leaves on long stolons has suddenly become this carpet of tiny honeysuckle flows attractive to bees - there is one on this picture. The plant is a creeping honeysuckle, Lonicera crassifolia “Little Honey”, and seems hardy enough. RHS says H5.
This must be one of the best herbaceous perennials in the garden. It is Alstroemeria “Indian Summer”. It can need a bit of support owing to the weight of flowers and foliage. Otherwise brilliant. The foliage is nearly as striking as the flowers, which are produced from early May until the autumn arrives. Marvellous for cutting. RHS only ascribe H4, but I’ve found it tough as old boots. Other Alstoemerias I’ve tried are much less vigorous, and seem to die off in winter or be destroyed by slugs. I do love a willing plant.