1001 Plants to Dream of Growing

Begonia

Million Kisses Series Main features Trailing habit with attractive pendulous flowers; exceptionally long flowering season from summer to fall Height 16–20 in. (40–50 cm) Position Hardiness H3/9a–9b

There are about 900 wild species of begonia growing mainly in tropical and subtropical South America but, until relatively recently, Begonia boliviensis had rarely been grown in gardens. Although introduced from Bolivia and Argentina in 1864, and used as part of the development of the colorful tuberous begonias grown in summer gardens today, its most striking feature had been lost along the way. Its pendulous, four-petaled, fiery red flowers appear all summer but these original plants were too spindly and sparse in flowers to be widely popular. However, seed was again collected in the wild in 1990 and cultivars have been developed that build on its attractive flower form but improve the growing habit.

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The result is the Million Kisses Series, developed

by Fred Yates in the United Kingdom of which nine cultivars have been introduced. All feature a relatively compact, semi-trailing habit of growth, neat pointed leaves, and a long prolific flowering season with the flowers held conveniently just outside the mass of foliage and so showing themselves off well. Flowering continues until frost and in fall plants can be moved into a conservatory to continue the display. The most popular cultivars in the series, with pendulous flowers, are Amour (‘Yamour’), with red flowers and bronze-tinted foliage; Devotion (‘Yadev’), with red flowers and green leaves; and Elegance (‘Yagance’), with especially lovely pink and white bicolored flowers (pictured). GS

Alternatives Begonia Bonfire Series, Begonia Bossa Nova Series, Begonia ‘Santa Cruz Scarlet’, Begonia Sparkler Series

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Brassica

B. oleracea ‘Glamour Red’ Main features Three-season foliage effect; spectacular as cut flowers Height 12–18 in. (30–45 cm) Spread 12 in. (30 cm) Position Hardiness H4/8a–8b

If you have never considered the impact ornamental brassicas can have on your winter to spring display, then you have been missing out on a treat. Imagine a tight rosette of vivid magenta pink, frilly leaves that can grow to dinner plate proportions, and then consider what else would be capable of creating the same drama in the dead of winter. In 2011,‘Glamour Red’ was the first ever kale to win an All-America Selections award in seventyeight years of trialing. Lacking the characteristic waxy coating associated with kales, the gloss rather than matt finish results in a more intense color. Typically grown as annuals, ornamental kales derive from the wild B. oleracea that grow under exposed conditions on coastal cliffs in

western and southern Europe. In their second year, in common with other brassicas, they produce a tall flower spike studded with yellow blooms.

Leaves begin to assume their rich colors when night temperatures fall below 55°F (13°C) for more than two weeks and get more intense after the first frosts. These kales are generally hardier than ornamental cabbage and the red selections tend to be tougher than the whites in both groups, though all may perish in severe cold spells.

It takes around ninety days from seed to the first sign of leaf color, which makes early summer the ideal time to sow seed. Alternatively, buy young plants in the fall.

They look a treat planted in hollowed out pumpkins or in pots or beds with bulbs and violas in the spring. GS

Alternatives Brassica oleracea ‘Peacock Red,’ Brassica oleracea ‘Peacock White’, Brassica oleracea ‘Chidori Red’

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Ficus

F. carnica ‘Panachee’ Main feature Grows fruit; spring/summer foliage; an architectural plant Height 10 ft (3 m) Spread 13 ft (4 m) Position Hardiness RHS H4/USDA 7

In cultivation since the mid-seventeenth century, it’s perhaps surprising that this cultivar isn’t more widely grown today. It’s a prolific cropper with high-quality fruits that are deliciously sweet, a flavour which is particularly intense after a hot and sunny summer. The most striking feature though is the delightful variegation of the figs’ skin; a characteristic that gives rise to the ‘tiger fig’ epithet and delights adults and children alike. A tree well-laden with ripening fruits is sure to become a central talking point in any late-summer garden. When ready for harvesting the flesh is a glorious red, and some growers note a similarity to ripe strawberries.

As with the flavour, the striped skin can be more 6

pronounced in warmer years, while cooler weather may result in a violet tint to the fruit. For these reasons ‘Panachée’ is a particularly good choice if you have a sheltered garden or can grow against a warm, south- or west-facing wall. Varieties such as ‘Brown Turkey’ and ‘Brunswick’ will be more reliable in cooler conditions.

Fig trees are statement plants even without their fruit, as their lush broad leaves add a touch of the exotic to your garden. They are vigorous growers that will quickly crowd neighboring plants if left unchecked, but their final size can be controlled by judicious pruning in spring. Alternatively a large container makes an ideal home for a fig, as the tree’s size will be determined by the limits of the pot. DW

Alternatives ‘Sometimes sold as ‘Panache’ or ‘Tiger Fig’

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UNDERERCOVER /SUMMER PATIO

Fragaria

‘Mara des Bois’ Main feature Grows fruit; spring/summer foliage; an architectural plant Height 20 in. (50 cm) Spread 24 in. (60 cm) Position Hardiness RHS H5/USDA 6

Any dedicated fan of strawberries knows that the alpine varieties have a taste all of their own, but also that the fruit is usually impossible to buy and is often so small as to be almost not worth the picking. What a joy it is then that modern breeding has given us this wonderful variety, which has all the incredible flavour of its alpine heritage but delivered in much more satisfyingly-sized fruits. No other strawberry manages such a feat, and as a result the variety is highly sought-after by in-the-know gardeners and foodies alike. The produce can sometimes be found in French markets, but it’s not widely sold elsewhere so growing your own is a rewarding option.

The berries are a deep red colour when ripe and are

simply irresistible, not only to humans but also to garden birds! For this reason they do need to be protected with netting as the harvest approaches. The fruits are also deliciously fragrant, with an aroma that transports you to a vibrant summer woodland. The best way to eat them is straight from the plant, still warm from the summer sun.

Another advantage of this cultivar is its long cropping season; the strawberry harvest is such a delightful time of year that any extension is well worthwhile. There are earlier- and later-fruiting strawberries, but ‘Mara des Bois’, offering fruit from May through to September, is hard to match for its staying power.

Although generally easy to grow, strawberries can be prone to a disease called powdery mildew. DW

Alternatives choices Fragaria vesca ‘Symphony’ or ‘Alexandria’

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Celosia

Centaurea

(Plumosa Group)

‘Black Ball’

Main feature Long lasting, upright summer plumes in vibrant fiery colors on bushy plants Height 14 in. (35 cm) Position Hardiness N/A

Main feature Sultry, deep reddish, purple flowers for borders or cutting Height 2–3 ft (60–90 cm) Position Hardiness H6/6b

The development of C. argentea—an annual flower, originally from the Asian tropics and related to Amaranthus—has run along two different paths. All celosias are colorful annuals, with huge numbers of tiny flowers in distinctive heads. Those in the Cristata Group develop tightly congested, rippled flower heads (known as cockscomb) whereas in the more elegant Plumosa Group the flower heads develop into pointed plumes and are sometims known as Prince of Wales feathers, feather celosia, or feathered amaranth. In the Plumosa Group, taller series have been developed for cut flower use while shorter series are intended for borders and containers; the latter are noticeably bushy plants. Each plume is made up of a huge number of tiny flowers that open over a long period to create an extended display.

Colors are in the red, orange, and gold range while some cultivars also feature reddish leaves. GR

Blue cornflowers were once a feature of the British countryside and in 1640 they were said to be “furnishing, or rather pestering, the cornfields.” Modern agricultural techniques have largely eliminated this delightful annual, with its slightly downy stems and vivid thistlelike flowers, from the fields, and it is in the garden that we now find cornflowers more than anywhere else. For both colorful summer borders, and in vases inside, ‘Black Ball’ is a variety that always excites interest. The flowers are not black but come in a rich, deep crimson purple with a shimmer that catches the light on bright days. Although the stems look wiry, they often need some discreet support both to show off the flowers and to ensure straight stems for cutting. Seed can be sown in spring or fall. Fall sowing is preferred as this ensures more flowers over a longer season with an earlier start. Deadhead, or cut, regularly otherwise the flowering season may be brief. GR

Alternatives

Alternatives

Celosia argentea ‘First Flame Series,’ Celosia argentea ‘Kimono Series,’ Celosia argentea ‘New Look Series’

Centaurea cyanus ‘Blue Diadem,’ Centaurea cyanus ‘Blue Ball,’ Centaurea cyanus ‘Midget Blue’

C. argentea

C. cyanus

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Ageratum

A. houstonianum ‘Blue Horizon’ Main features Flowers in summer; attracts butterflies; cut as fresh flowers or dry as winter decoration Height 18 in. (45 cm) Spread 12 in. (30 cm) Position Hardiness H1c/11a–11b

Alternatives Ageratum houstonianum ‘Blue Mink,’ Ageratum houstonianum ‘Hawaii White’

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Ageratum are popular summer flowering bedding plants. So why choose A. houstonianum ‘Blue Horizon’?

Most modern varieties are bred to be dwarf plants for bedding schemes, but ‘Blue Horizon’—apart from having attractive, fluffy, mid-blue flowers and simple ovate leaves—has the added bonus of having a taller growing height, up to 18 inches (45 cm), which means it can be used in the middle of a flower bed or at the back of a border. They also make excellent cut flowers that will remain in good condition for at least two weeks in water. Whole stems can be cut as the flowers open for drying.

Apart from its use in garden borders, ‘Blue Horizon’ (also commonly known as Mexican paintbrush or mistflower) is often planted in large containers, where its vigorous, branching plants and clusters of cushion-like flowers on long stems combine well with other species such as red Salvia splendens and the yellows and oranges of American Marigolds. ‘Blue Horizon’ was originally bred by the Sakata Seed Corporation in Japan. It has since been followed by a similar tall variety called ‘Blue Planet’ bred by Syngenta in the Netherlands.

Ageratum are popular summer flowering annuals, which, because of their soft, pastel flower shades of blue and pink together with white, make great “foil” plants for stronger colors in the garden in addition to attracting butterflies. Most varieties are low growing and can be used as border edgings or in color drifts.

Grow Ageratum in full sun or partial shade, remove fading flowering heads, and keep well fed and watered to prolong flowering until the arrival of fall frosts.

Although not invasive, plants may be toxic if ingested in large quantities due to a defensive chemical produced to deter pests. TS

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Alcea

A. rosea Halo Series Main features Bicolored summer flowers; exceptional range of color combinations Height 6 ft (2 m) Position Hardiness H7/6a

Hollyhocks—A. rosea—are classic cottage garden plants.

Their tall stateliness is captured in nineteenth-century paintings of Victorian English gardens and from there they were taken around the world. Their wild origin is unclear, having been grown in gardens for so many centuries, but it is thought to be western Asia.

These are perennial plants but are usually grown as biennials and raised afresh from seed each year because after their first year of flowering they tend to decline or suffer from disease. They are grown for their tall, upright, spikes (5–8 ft/1.5–2.4 m) of flared, trumpet-shaped, flowers (2–4 in./5–10 cm), single and double, which line the upper half of the stems and open in a wide variety of colors and bicolors in summer. These are held tight to the stem to create impressive spires of color. At the base the bold rounded leaves, which are rough in texture, tend to become ragged by flowering time. Rust disease can be a problem, as with all hollyhocks. Growing them as biennials helps and the foliage can also be sprayed with an appropriate fungicide.

The Halo Series, of twelve colors, was developed at Thompson & Morgan in Suffolk, United Kingdom, by Charles Valin, one of the leading contemporary plant breeders. These dramatic cultivars feature bicolored flowers in which the center of each single bloom contrasts boldly in color with the rest of the flower. Most often seen as a mixture of all the colors, individual colors are also available and these include ‘Halo Appleblossom’ (white with a crimson center), ‘Halo Apricot’ (apricot pink with a crimson center), ‘Halo Blush’ (pale pink with a red center and a yellow throat), ‘Halo Candy’ (blushed white with a wine red throat), ‘Halo Cream’ (creamy white with a magenta center) and ‘Halo White’ (white with a yellow center, pictured). GR

Alternatives Alcea rosea Chater’s Double Group, Alcea rosea ‘Nigra,’ Alcea rosea Spotlight Series

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Maianthemum

M. racemosum Main feature Bold foliage topped with creamy white plumes followed by red berries Height 2–4 ft (60–120 cm) Spread Xxxxxx Position Hardiness USDA Z 3

Maianthemum recemosum is a bold, herbaceous, hardy perennial with a stout, slowly spreading rhizome from which individual arching shoots emerge. Here, finely pointed, narrowly elliptical leaves stand out alternately in a more or less flat plane and in a gentle zigzag pattern.

They turn yellow or brown in fall. With its ranks of leaves standing out alternately from the arching stems, it very much resembles Polygonatum, but Convallaria is also closely related genetically. The uncertainty of the botanical relationships of M. recemosum is indicated by the fact that Polygonatum was previously known as Smilacina racemosa and is still often listed under this name by nurseries.

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In late spring and early summer the shoots of M. recemosum are tipped with dense, fluffy, 6-inch (15-cm) heads of creamy white flowers, which give way to green berries, spotted in red at first and then maturing fully to bright red. The berries tend to be eaten promptly by birds but may last long enough to coincide with the fall foliage coloring. The rhizomes were once eaten as food, as were the berries.

Distributed over the whole of the United States, except Hawaii, and throughout most of Canada M. recemosum grows in moist woods, by damp roadsides, and in other at least partially shaded sites that are not dry. In gardens it makes a fine specimen plant for the shade and woodland garden, especially as it looks so handsome even before the flowers open. GR

Alternatives Maianthemum bifolium, Maianthemum oleraceum

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Matteuccia

M. struthiopteris Main feature Spring/summer foliage; winter interest from fertile fronds; architectural plant Height 4 ft (1.2 m) Spread 24 in. (60 cm) Position Hardiness H4/8a–8b

The unfurling croziers of ferns in the spring garden are a sight to please most gardeners, and this fern fits the bill well. Matteuccia struthiopteris spreads gently via underground stolons to create impressive colonies if space permits. The new sterile fronds emerge in spring, curled inward, in a vaselike cluster from a knobbly rootstock, and gradually splay out to form the characteristic shuttlecock shape of light green, finely divided, pinnate foliage. Later in summer, brown fertile fronds emerge from the center of the shuttlecock.

Ideally, this easy, reasonably hardy, architectural fern likes a moisture-retentive soil in shade or part shade. It prefers a neutral to slightly acidic soil, and is even tolerant

of clay. Although the foliage is deciduous and can be cut back in the fall, the fertile fronds can be left for winter effect, especially if touched by a hoar frost. Surplus plants can be lifted and replanted in spring.

M. struthiopteris is perfect for growing in moist or dappled shade on the edge of a deciduous woodland garden together with Polygonatum, or pushing through a carpet of Geranium macrorrhizum. In a bog garden it associates well with other moisture-loving perennials, such as Primula and Astilbe. The feathery fronds contrast beautifully with the bold blue foliage of Hosta sieboldiana var. elegans or the large dark purple/black leaves of Ligularia ‘Britt Marie Crawford’. M. struthiopteris ‘The King’ is larger in all its parts and is renowned for its better heat tolerance when grown in warm climates. MP

Alternative Matteuccia orientalis

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PERENNIALS

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Iris

‘Broadleigh Carolyn’ (CH) Main feature Pale lilac blue flowers that look up from short stems Height 18 in. (45 cm) Spread Xxxxxx Position Hardiness H5/7a–7b

The Pacific Coast irises are an interesting group of about fifteen relatively dwarf species that grow wild in California, Oregon, and Washington states. In gardens they have been developed into a wide variety of prettily patterned forms, with flowers in an appealing range of colors and bicolors. In the wild, all the species are relatively short, with tough sinewy rhizomes producing wiry roots, narrow leaves, and unbranched flowering stems. Some are evergreen and some deciduous.

Most wild species produce only one or two flowers on each stem and these may be purple, blue, mauve, lavender, cream, yellow, or orange, depending on the species. Iris douglasiana, with lavender or mauve flowers 6

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veined in purple, and I. innominata, in a variety of darkly veined colors, are the species most often seen. However, these are not widely seen in gardens, where the hybrids between them, known collectively as the California Hybrids (CH), are grown instead. They are well known for their exquisite coloring, and the long narrow leaves make a mass of foliage through which the flowering stems emerge in late spring and early summer. These prettily veined flowers are carried two or three per stem resulting in a very colorful display. Iris ‘Broadleigh Carolyn’ is an impressive hybrid developed by Christine Skelmersdale at Broadleigh Gardens in Somerset, England. Its flowers are pale lilac blue with a deeper purple flash at the base and a yellow throat. GR

Alternatives Iris ‘Broadleigh Angela,’ Iris ‘Broadleigh Amiguita,’ Iris ‘Broadleigh Mitre’

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Iris

I. × fulvala ‘Violacea’ Main feature Rich purple flowers on leafy plants Height 28 in. (70 cm) Spread Xxxxxx Position Hardiness H7/6a

The Louisiana irises make up a group of colorful, largeflowered plants native to the southern United States.

Although their flowers are large and very attractive, they demand wet, even swampy conditions to thrive, so ideal positions include along streams and in water gardens.

Iris x fulvala is a hybrid between two Louisiana irises—I. fulva and I. brevicaulis—both of which grow wild in the Mississippi river basin. It is a robust species, but its flowers are relatively small, about 2 ¼ inches (6 cm) across. They are carried just one or two per stem, but are especially valuable for their coloring: in red, orange, and coppery shades. Unusually, both standards (the upper petals) and falls (the lower petals) tend to flop.

The other parent of the richly colorful I. x fulvala is the shorter I. brevicaulis. This is a very leafy plant, with 1-inch (2.5-cm) wide leaves that tend to hide the flowers, but it does produce several flowers on each stem. Each one is up to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter, comes in a bright bluish violet, and has large, broad falls and small spreading standards.

The hybrid between these two species occurs naturally and was raised by the British iris pioneer W. R. Dykes in 1910. It is intermediate between the two parents in color, the flowers are reddish purple, and it can reach 28 inches (70 cm) in height. Like I. brevicaulis the leaves overtop the flowers, but to a lesser extent. I. x fulvala ‘Violacea’ is a form with rich purple flowers. GR

Alternatives Iris brevicaulis, Iris fulva xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx

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PERENNIALS

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Sedum

S. telephium (Atropurpureum Group) ‘Karfunkelstein’ Main features Rich red foliage; red buds opening to pink flowers Height 20 in. (50 cm) Spread Xxxxxx Position Hardiness USDA Z4

Flowering perennials are always more appreciated in small gardens if they have a second season of interest. Some, including many ornamental grasses, perennial clematis, and Iris foetidissima have attractive fruits after the flowers.

Others have colorful foliage that provides interest before the flowers open, and these include Aquilegia, many peonies, and some euphorbias. A number of sedums also fall into this second category and, as they tend to flower toward the end of the season, this ensures that in spring and summer the plants still capture attention.

Sedums grown as hardy perennials tend to have fat, fleshy foliage. In many varieties, this is an attractive grayish blue-green; in some other very striking cultivars, 24

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the foliage is variegated and has a bright creamy edge to the leaves, which can be quite dramatic. An increasing number of cultivars have rich red stems and red leaves, and this red coloring is evident from when shoots first appear in spring.

S. telephium ‘Karfunkelstein’ is a relatively compact and self-supporting plant that has green stems boldly stained in dark red and lined with pairs of slightly toothed oblong leaves up to 4 inches (20 cm) long. These are green at the base of the plant and tend to clasp the stems, but toward the top of the plant, where there is more light, they become bright beetroot-red in color.

In late summer and fall, after this long display of foliage color, the tiny deep red buds open to pink flowers. GR

Alternatives Sedum ‘Vera Jameson,’ Sedum telephium (Atropurpureum Group) ‘Xenox’

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Sempervivum

S. arachnoideum Main features Diminutive rosettes of textured green foliage; starry pink flowers; drought tolerant Height 4 in. (10 cm) Spread 12 in. (30 cm) Position Hardiness H7/6a

Rooting between the cracks in walls or forming a textured cushion in a shallow pot, the leafy rosettes of this unusual houseleek resemble baby water lilies covered with cobwebs. The evergreen foliage is green, although red forms are also available, and in early summer, flowering stems topped with starry pink blooms shoot up from the centers of mature rosettes. Individual plants die after flowering, but because this diminutive succulent is quick to spread the gaps are soon filled.

Ideal for tiny containers on a sunny patio, S. arachnoideum complements other succulents, such as Sedum and Leontopodium alpinum in an alpine trough.

It can also be squeezed between the stones of a rock

garden or dry stone wall, or allow it to creep through the gaps in paving. Alternatively, grow this tiny succulent on a sloping roof, where it will spread to form a layer of downy rosettes, which will help to insulate a home or garden building.

S. arachnoideum hails from the alpine regions of Europe, where its fine webbing helps to trap moisture in the dry, rocky conditions. It is hardy, but requires sun and excellent drainage to survive and will quickly rot in moist soil. Grow it in sandy soil or a gravel bed, or in pots of soil-based compost mixed with sharp horticultural grit.

In areas that experiences wet winters, keep the plants in pots and move them next to the house or into an unheated greenhouse from fall to spring. ZA

Alternatives Sempervivum arachnoideum subsp. tomentosum, Sempervivum arachnoideum ‘Boule de Neige’

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PERENNIALS

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Verbena

V. rigida

Veronica

V. gentianoides ‘Barbara Sherwood’

Main feature Intense purple flowers summer to fall; fragrant blooms; attracts butterflies Height 1 ½.–3 ft (50–90 cm) Spread 1 ½.–3 ft (50–90 cm) Hardiness H3/9a–9b Position

Main feature Spikes of pretty pale blue flowers with dark blue veins from late spring to early summer Height 16 in. (40 cm) Spread Xxxxxx Position Hardiness H7/6a

Planting V. rigida adds a dash of South American pizzazz to a garden. Native to Brazil and Argentina, in cooler locations it is treated as an annual, but its seeds invariably survive frosts, especially on well-drained sites. Upright stems have oblong leaves and support delicate branches that resemble tiny candelabras. These tiny branches bear clusters of intense purple flowers in late summer. Blooms persist into fall, only disappearing at the first frosts. Overall, the density of blooms and intensity of color create a vivid purple haze. A flexible plant, it suits a range of garden styles: use it as an edge of border plant, in a gravel garden, or as a patio and container subject in any style of garden.

It is excellent planted among silver-leaved plants such as Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Valerie Finnis,’ Anaphalis triplinervis ‘Sommerschnee,’ and Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet.’

Or combine it with Achillea ‘Moonshine,’ Pennisetum villosum, and Dianthus carthusianorum for a wildflower meadow-style planting. XX

As with many large genera—there are about 500 species of Veronica—a number of different groups are represented. These include annuals, biennials, herbaceous, and woody-based perennials as well as trees and shrubs. V. gentianoides is one of the shorter species known as broad leaved speedwell. Growing in thin woods and damp meadows in Turkey, the Caucasus, and Ukraine, it spreads to form a low mat of rosettes made up of glossy lance-shaped leaves that knit together to make a dense cover. In early summer, pointed spikes of small blue or pink flowers appear. ‘Barbara Sherwood’ is a little shorter and a little more vigorous than most cultivars but with very pretty pale blue flowers noticeably veined in dark blue. Plant in a fertile, well-drained soil that does not dry out. Because of its rather crowded growth, this is a plant that benefits from being lifted, split into small pieces, and the healthiest of those pieces replanted. Do this every two or three years to prevent flowering tailing off. GR

Alternatives

Alternatives

Verbena rigida f. lilacena ‘Lilac Haze,’ Verbena hastata

Veronica gentianoides ‘Pallida,’ Veronica gentianoides ‘Variegata’

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PERENNIALS

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Trollius

T. × cultorum Main feature Stunning large globe-shaped flowers in yellow and orange Height 2–3 ft (60–90 cm) Spread Xxxxxx Position Hardiness H5–6/7a–7b, 6b

Alternatives Trollius europaeus, Trollius chinensis

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Globe flowers are distinctive in that their flowering stems are topped by one large individual, often more or less spherical or sometimes more bowl-shaped flower, usually in yellow or orange. These vertical stems arise from tight crowns, which carry basal leaves that are boldly lobed, each division then itself toothed or more sharply divided.

Similar, though smaller, leaves are carried on the stems.

T. x cultorum is a hybrid group derived from two main species, T. europaeus and T. chinensis, with a little help from T. asiaticus. T. europaeus is a British native that also grows in other parts of Europe, whereas T. chinensis grows in China and T. asiaticus grows in China and Russia. All have yellow or orange flowers and grow naturally in wet meadows, scrub, and thin woodland.

The hybrid globe flowers retain the clump forming habit of their parents and the handsomely divided basal leaves are attractively dark green in color. Cup-shaped or more or less spherical, flowers (2–3 in./5–7.5 cm in diameter) open on individual stems in late spring and early summer. There are many cultivars of these popular perennials including ‘Dancing Flame’ in vivid orange, ‘Goldquelle’ in bright yellow, ‘Lemon Queen’ in lemon yellow (pictured left), ‘New Moon’ in creamy yellow, ‘Orange Princess’ in deep orange, ‘Superbus’ in golden yellow, and ‘Taleggio’ in pale ivory yellow. They all grow well in a sunny or part shaded border.

Trollius is a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. Together with hellebores, winter aconites, marsh marigolds, and, of course, buttercups themselves, it is obvious that globe flowers fit in the family. You might not immediately guess that delphiniums, aconitums, columbines, and thalictrums also belong in the buttercup family but look closely at their flower structure and it is clear that they do. XX Xxxxxxxx ‘Xxxxxxxxxx’ xxxxxxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxx.

Philadelphus

‘Belle Etoile’

Phyllostachys

P. aureosulcata f. spectabilis

Main features Orange blossom scented blooms; flowers summer Height 6 ft (1.8 m) Spread 4 ft (1.5 m) Position Hardiness H6/6b

Main feature Green-grooved yellow stems Height 20 ft (6 m) Spread 13 ft (4 m) after 4 years Position Hardiness H5/7a–7b

One of the most glorious scents of summer, the spicy, orange-blossom perfume of ‘Belle Etoile’ will fill the garden with fragrance in late spring or early summer.

Of the varieties of mock orange, this is a good choice for its moderate size and beautiful, large, white flowers marked with a central, pale purple flush. The downside to all this beauty is that out of flower, it is a rather untidy shrub with dull leaves, so is best positioned with other plants that will take over the display for the rest of the year. Butterfly bushes and shrubby mallows make good partners as they are cut back hard in late winter, provide a leafy foil in spring and early summer then bring on the flower power in late summer and fall. In front of all these tall shrubs add low-growing varieties of evergreen shrubs such as hebe and skimmia. Alternatively, choose mock oranges with more interesting foliage. ‘Innocence’ has striking creamy-yellow marbling whereas P. coronarius has smaller flowers, but retains the rich perfume. RKW

Bamboos are not suitable for every region or site, however, this one can be an absolute gem in the right place. The green-grooved yellow canes can reach 20 feet (6 m) tall and are tinged red when young. Grown in a sunny position, it can create a colorful hedge or screen. It is also a showstopper when grown as a specimen container plant. The leaves of P. aureosulcata f. spectabilis are narrow and 6 inches (15 cm) long. The canes are impressive and look superb when grown alongside the black stems of P. nigra. Originating in China, showy yellow groove bamboo grows best in fertile soil that is moist but well drained. When grown in poor soil, it stays as a clump but in fertile soil it will quickly produce runners that will invade the garden. It can be restricted by using planting membrane to line the planting trench and by cutting roots once they reach a particular area. Once established it will produce a display that not only looks terrific, provides wildlife with nesting sites, but also sounds wonderful. PM

Alternatives

Alternatives

Philadelphus ‘Innocence,’ Philadelphus coronarius ‘Variegatus’

Phyllostachys nigra

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Tamarix

T. ramosissima ‘Pink Cascade’ Main features Light feathery plumes of rich pink flowers; attractive foliage; versatile shrub or tree Height 16 ft (5 m) Spread 16 ft (5 m) Position Hardiness H5/7a–7b

Alternatives Tamarix tetrandra, Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’

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This graceful shrub or small tree is indispensable for coastal dwellers and that is where you will mostly find tamarisks. Most species are from the Mediterranean regions but this particular species is Russian. Arching glaucous fronds of ferny foliage flex in the sea breezes, then, in August, the plant becomes shrouded in a mass of hazy cotton candy blossom. The salty air so destructive to most plants is excreted by glands in tamarisk leaves, and their flexible structure helps them withstand strong maritime winds. Although their natural habitat is by the sea—where they happily thrive in light soils because the salt in the air acts as a moisture regulator—if grown inland they require more substantial soil that remains slightly moist. It is easy to imagine such a fragile-looking plant to be on the tender side, but it is robust enough to endure life on the coast and hardy to boot. Another popular tamarisk species, T. tetranda, flowers in spring.

Normally grown as a shrub or small tree, as an effective wind break or in a border, T. ramosissima also makes a good hedge. Left to its own devices it will form a rather untidy tree about 16 ft (5 m) high, although an annual late-winter prune will not only establish a cloudlike form but also encourage flowering.

Tamarisk is ideal used as a specimen in a gravel garden setting or in a border underplanted with tulips, later in the season with bold-colored flowers like dahlias (those of faint heart may wish to avoid the yellows).

The feathery foliage contrasts well with any plant with significant broadness of leaf.

Unfortunately T. ramosissima has become invasive in the southwestern United States and the Desert Region of California, where it is consuming volumes of groundwater, which is having a negative impact on native flora and fauna. ER

Taxus

T. baccata Main features Hedging and topiary plant; evergreen; architectural plant Height 40 ft (12 m) Spread 26 ft (8 m) Position Hardiness H6/6b

This plant is synonymous with majestic hedges and giant topiary in grand British country gardens and is generally acknowledged to be the classic plant for the task. So if you are desirous of clipped figures or substantial and elegant planted structures, T. baccata or the English yew is the obvious choice. There is only one drawback—and that is you will need a degree of patience for yew grows more slowly than many other popular topiary or hedging plants; that given, once established a well-looked after yew hedge may put on up to 1 foot (30 cm) a year.

In all other departments the yew prevails: It is tremendously long-lived, possibly to 600 years of age, in fact there are ten yews in the United Kingdom thought to predate the tenth century; it is also fairly easy-going about where it goes, putting up with most soils except the most compacted or water-logged. It can be easily maintained by trimming once in late summer or early fall; it is mostly trouble-free, although sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum) has recently become more of a problem. Another bonus is that it will regrow from old wood, making it really useful for renovating neglected plants, and for topiary. Cut back hard and new growth will break from the center rather than the shortened branches, which is what gives the shrub such an excellent dense form.

If not clipped T. baccata will grow into a broadly conical tree, with spreading branches. Male plants carry yellow cones whereas female plants produce fleshy red fruits. If fruits are required, then both plants are needed.

Note that all parts except the red fleshy arils are toxic.

Yew hedging is a favorite choice for structure and screening in a formal garden, and makes a superb dark green backdrop for colorful plants. The cultivar ‘Dovestonii Aurea’ has golden-yellow foliage. ER

Alternative Taxus baccata ‘Dovestonii Aurea’

SHRUBS

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Dudleya

D. brittonii Main feature Low water needs, evergreen, coastal conditions tolerated Height to 1 ft (30cm) x 1 – 2ft (30 – 60cm) Spread Xxxxxx Position ??

Hardiness Hardy to 15 – 20 F H1b

Dudleya brittonii has show stopper looks: its perfectly formed architectural basal rosette of leaves draws the eye and demand closer inspection. They are coated with a chalky blue-white ‘wax’, a substance that reflects the sun’s rays efficiently, giving it one of the highest ultraviolet reflectivity measured in any plant. Native to Baja California, Mexico, the genus is named after William R Dudley, a botanist at Stanford University and the specific derives from Dr Nathaniel Lord Britton, botanist and first Director of the New York Botanical Garden.

Britton’s dudleya is slow growing. Among its attractive rosette of leaves, stems of yellow flowers are produced in spring to summer. These flower stems 6

underercover /summer patio

elongate and turn red as flowers open. Despite the high wow factor looks, it is a plant that positively thrives on neglect. Summer dormancy means that it must be kept dry during this season.

The chalk dudleya, D. pulverulenta is a California native and appears very similar. It is an excellent plant for dry sunny slopes and seems able to defy gravity with its ability to grow in rocky cracks and crevices. This cultivar is more frost tolerant than Britton’s dudleya. D. candelabrum, the candleholder dudleya, is a smaller, green succulent that can also survive some frost. D. cymosa is commonly known as canyon live–forever, found in the rocky areas of the lower elevations of California and southern Oregon. It puts on a colorful

Alternatives D. pulverulenta, D. candelabrum, D. cymosa

Echeveria

E. elegans Main feature Easy to please succulent with interest from both foliage and flowers Height 2 x 20in (5 x 50cm) Spread Xxxxxx Position Hardiness H2

It is not surprising that this native to Mexico is one of the most widely grown succulents today, both indoors and out for it has many desirable qualities. The evergreen rosettes spread by forming side shoots and can quickly form a carpet of silvery blue. This is the perfect backdrop for the yellow tipped, pink flowers that nod from the top of long stalks.

The Mexican Snowball looks well set on its side growing out of chinks in a wall, amongst rocks and boulders, in shallow terracotta pans and stone troughs, even in drought busting hanging baskets mixed in with other succulents like agave and aloe. It also makes a superb under planting to contrast with black leaved

Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’. Another novel idea is to grow your own house name or number by planting echeveria to form the letters or numbers in a container dressed with dark coloured chippings or contrasted with another succulent like houseleeks, (Sempervivum).

Echeverias hate to have wet soil around the neck of the rosettes. Sharp grit can be worked into the garden soil and fine gravel or chippings used to dress the surface. On wet, clay soils raised beds filled with friable soil will allow the cultivation of many alpine and succulent leaved species that would otherwise perish.

A single plant of Mexican Snowball can be multiplied many times over by detaching the side shoots that often have a few roots attached or pulling off single leaves and

Alternatives choices Echeveria ‘Duchess of Nuremberg’, Echeveria ‘Black Knight’, Echeveria secunda var glauca

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Hedera

Hedera

Main features Year-round foliage; good cut foliage;

Main feature Year-round foliage; good cut foliage; attracts wildlife

H. colchica ‘Suphur Heart’ H. helix ‘Buttercup’ architectural plant Height 15 ft (5 m) Spread 3–10 ft (1–3 m) Hardiness H5/7a–7b Position

Height 6–10 ft (2–3 m) Spread Xxxxxx Position Hardiness H5/7a–7b

This plant is worth seeking out for the coloring on its large leaves. The edge of the leaf is dark green and the center a light lime green; between them is often an area of intermediate color. These colored zones follow the lines of the leaf veins, giving a distinctive look. As with all Hedera, once the plant reaches a certain height it produces adult foliage and starts to flower. The adult foliage is a different shape to the juvenile: less lobed and usually narrower. The leaves on some H. colchica varieties tend to roll in at the edges, which makes it look as if it is wilting, but ‘Sulphur Heart’ suffers less from this. Ivies are self-clinging so no wires are needed on walls or fences.

H. colchica is less inclined to “stick” to a wall than most Hedera species, but after a while it will get a grip and start to climb. In addition to being a handsome wall plant, ‘Sulphur Heart’ makes very good ground cover. The large leaves do a good job of smothering weeds and its color lifts the gloom often found under trees. XX

An evergreen climber that clings tightly against a wall, fence, or tree, H. helix ‘Buttercup’ is one of the more popular of around 300 selections of H. helix. The bright yellow, bluntly lobed leaves color best in full sun. Too much shade will cause the leaves to become green. The mature foliage at the very top of an ivy plant is a different leaf shape to that lower down. It is narrower and less lobed and will bear flowers. Several insects, including wasps, feed on these flowers, and birds will feed on the subsequent berries and nest among the foliage. Most varieties of Hedera are robust and reliable, and ‘Buttercup’ is no exception. Although it is tolerant of poor soil and dry conditions, you will get better results if you properly prepare the planting site by incorporating some organic matter and fertilizer. Large untidy ivies that have grown out from a wall can be given a hard shearing, much as you might cut back a hedge. You will be rewarded with a set of fresh new shoots and foliage. PWi

Alternatives

Alternatives

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Xxxxxxxx ‘Xxxxxxxxxx’ xxxxxxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxx.

CLIMBERS

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Rosa

R. × odorata ‘Mutabilis’ Main features Medium-sized, single, coppery-yellow to coppery-crimson flowers; extremely healthy Height 6 ft (2 m) Spread 6 ft (2 m) Position Hardiness H3/9a–9b

With its flowers of ever-changing color, R. × odorata ‘Mutabilis’ is one of the most instantly recognizable of all roses, but strangely its origins are obscure. It was introduced commercially in 1933 by a Swiss nurseryman, Henry Corrévon, who acquired it from a garden on Lake Maggiore, where it was called ‘Tipo Ideale.’

The pointed copper-flame buds open to butterflylike, soft, coppery-yellow single flowers on light, airy growth.

Their color gradually changes to pink and eventually to a much darker coppery-crimson, thus creating a delightful mix. There are numerous other roses with single flowers, such as the pale pink and extremely healthy ‘Rosy Cushion,’ or ‘The Alexandra Rose’ with smaller flowers 6

ROSES

that change color to a certain extent. In warm climates the flowers will be produced continuously all through the year, although unfortunately there is only a light fragrance. The leaves are attractive, too, and are a dark bronze color when young, turning to dark shiny green.

‘Mutabilis’ is not a very winter hardy rose, and in cooler climates, unless given a warm position, it will not grow very strongly and may well be cut back in winter if not protected. However, it sits delightfully in a mixed border next to a wide range of other plants and will make a superb hedge in which the bronze-colored leaves will create a fine show. Roses generally love a soil that is rich in organic matter and that does not dry out quickly. Feeding, mulching, and watering will help the rose grow strongly and repeat flower more quickly. MM

Alternatives Rosa ‘Rosy Cushion,’ Rosa ‘The Alexandra Rose’

Rosa

‘Munstead Wood’ Main feature Very beautiful, deep velvety crimson flowers; strongly fragrant Height 4 ft (1.2 m) Spread 3 ft (1 m) Position Hardiness H5/7a–7b

Rosa ‘Munstead Wood’ is one of the best-known and most popular of the English rose varieties, and it belongs to a relatively new group that breeder David Austin has been working on since the 1940s. His aim was, and indeed continues to be, to develop a group of roses that have the charm, fragrance, and beauty of the old roses, combined with the repeat flowering and wide color range of the hybrid tea roses and floribundas.

‘Munstead Wood’ was introduced in 2007 and has the most beautiful, deep velvety crimson flowers, the eighty or so petals of which are arranged in the form of a rosette. Matching the color is a superb fragrance, which is old rose in character with an additional fruity note of

blackberry, blueberry, and damson. The growth is quite bushy, forming a broad shrub that has flushes of blooms from summer through to the frosts.

This plant can be used in formal rose gardens as a single variety in a bed or more informally in borders, purely among other roses or mixed in with perennials (the addition of the latter will help to keep them healthy.)

It is particularly effective alongside plants with blue flowers, although apricot blooms create a wonderful contrast. Similar varieties include Rosa Darcey Bussell and Rosa L.D. Braithwaite, although both of these lack the glorious fragrance, and the color is not quite so rich.

‘Munstead Wood’ has won prizes for both its fragrance and its qualities as a shrub, including the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. MM

Alternatives Rosa ‘Darcey Bussell,’ Rosa ‘L.D. Braithwaite’

ROSES

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