Sisymbrium

Sisymbrium luteum is a member of a small genus of plants in the brassica family and is basically a mustard. Grown from a “lucky-dip” batch of seeds out of curiosity, I think it is an American species and grew well in standard border soil and conditions, probably more of a field plant in the wild.

Stachys

Stachys is a large genus probably the most familiar members being S.byzantina and S.lanata known as Lamb’s Ears which are evergreen carpet forming plants with woolly leaves. The plant illustrated was grown from seed labelled S.recta however the problem is that S.recta is the Yellow Woundwort! Other members of the genus include various Hedge-nettles and Betony. When it comes to cultivation most seem able to grow in fairly poor dry conditions.

Strobilanthes

A member of a genus that is widespread throughout Asia, Strobilanthes wallichii or the Hardy Persian Shield is a Himalayan plant which thrived in my “woodland garden”. One of the few plants producing such intense blue flowers it is a welcome late-flowering addition to any garden.

Stylophorum

Stylophorum lasiocarpum, the Chinese Celandine Poppy is a biennial or short lived perennial from Central China. The flowers don’t last but I find the tapering seed pods fascinating, when they eventually ripen the seeds are ejected explosively. Best grown in moist soil in sun or partial shade.

Symphyandra

Symphyandra hoffmannii is a rather beautiful member of the campanula family from the Balkans. This biennial or short-lived perennial is rarely seen but is easy to grow and sets copious amounts of seed to the extent, if left to its own devices, it is capable of producing great drifts of flowers which are both long-lasting and go on to late in the season. A real gem.

Sysrinichium

Sysrinichium striatum is an American member of the Iris family which has a variety of common names such as pale yellow-eyed grass because of its narrow leaves giving it a grass-like appearance. It is actually rhizomatous and as one would expect prefers a well-drained soil in a sunny spot to thrive.

Telekia

Telekia speciosa sometimes known as the yellow ox eye is a superb plant for the back of the herbaceous border. A rhizome forming plant it is easy to grow in any good border soil and reasonable aspect. The subject above looked particularly striking with the background cotinus for contrast.

Tradescantia

Tradescantia is probably a genus more associated with house plants known as spiderworts such as T.zebrina and T.pallida however one species makes an attractive border plant. Tradescantia x andersoniana is the group classification for a range of cultivars that have been developed by the plant breeders. They are all easy to grow in well drained soil in sun or partial shade. Note the generic characteristic of three petals.

Tricyrtis

The toad lilies originate from Japan and Taiwan (T.formosana) they are best suited to shady areas in a rich moist acidic soil and will in fact tolerate quite heavy shade. They thrived in my “woodland garden” their rhizomes spreading well. One can’t help but be fascinated by the exotic orchid-like flowers being produced on such a tough little plant.

Trillium

Trilliums are beautiful spring-flowering plants from Asia and the United States. The name is self-evident three petals being born above three leaves makes them very distinctive. They are another woodland subject and thrive in the same conditions as tricyrtis, once planted best left alone as they are not fond of being disturbed. In the wild T.grandiflorum, in particular, forms huge drifts in deciduous woodland.

Verbascum

The mulleins are a large genus of mainly biennial and perennial plants which are both easy to grow in any good to poor soil in a reasonably sunny position. Although they are native to Europe and Asia V.thapsus is now in fact a familiar field weed in some states in America. They are all easy to raise from seed and some of the big ones such as the biennial Verbascum ‘Arctic Summer’ are definitely a talking point with their large woolly leaves and 6′ flower spikes. To be honest a favourite of mine.

Verbena

We are all familiar with the summer bedding and trailing verbenas but Verbena bonariensis is now listed in most of the main online catalogues as a wonderful go-to plant which I don’t think is entirely accurate. I admit it is quite exceptional in many ways but illustrates everything I hate in the horticultural industry of which it is not the only example. I have grown this in my shaded garden with little success which is what I would expect as in reality it will only do well in light soils in a sunny position along with many other plants particularly those included in the prairie planting trend. It is easy to grow from seed but although it is perennial I would expect it to be short-lived in other than ideal conditions.

Vinca

There are basically two forms of the periwinkle grown V.major and V.minor both make excellent if somewhat rampant ground-cover plants. Tolerant of most conditions they are a stalwart for weed suppression under shrubs or even roses. There are white flowered forms available a particularly good one being Vinca minor f. alba ‘Gertrude Jekyll’.

Viola

I have only photographed pansies in views of bedding or baskets but here are a few violas I have grown. It is impossible to cover the subject here as it is so far wide ranging including some delightfully scented specimens. Basically easy to grow, versatile and rightfully popular.