Hardy Perennials (Part 4)

Francoa

Sometimes known as the Wedding Flower, Francoa is an evergreen hardy perennial from Chile which flowers mainly during late summer. Does best in a light soil in partial shade. In colder areas the foliage may die back during the winter months.

Gallium

Sweet Woodruff, Gallium odoratum, is a useful plant to use for ground-cover under trees and shrubs, in fact any shady spot particularly in wet soil. A British native it bears its small white flowers from late spring.

Gentian

When I used to specialise in alpines gentians were one of my go-to genera, The blue is only rivalled by such as meconopsis, and plants like the popular Gentiana sino-ornata and Gentiana acaulis were a must. In the border Gentiana asclepiadea displays the same striking blue trumpets but born on 12′ arching stems. It is a native of open woodland and meadow in Central Europe so prefers a moist soil with a little shade.

Geum

Avens make ideal plants for the front of the border and are a staple of cottage gardens. Geums are another genus which the plant breeders have exploited to the full developing many attractive strains from the colour palette of shades of yellow, orange, pink and red. Grows in any good border soil in a sunny position. Herb Bennet or Geum urbanum is a pernicious weed and one-time bane of my life, it seeds itself into the garden and is difficult to eradicate once it has established itself in some shady moist corner, does not pull up easily and has to be rooted out.

Gunnera

Gunnera manicata or Giant Rhubarb is typical of the genus, large specimen plants which do well at the waterside. I have seen these following the line of a stream in Southern Ireland and at over 6′ in height they are quite an impressive sight. Just the opposite is Gunnera manicata, a low growing creeping rhizomatous plant with rounded glossy green leaves which hails from the southern countries of South America and the Falklands. Its common name is Devil’s Strawberry from the red fruits it bears , however this never happened for me.

Helianthemum

Helianthemums or Rock Roses are a valuable addition to the front of the border or large rock garden. Helianthemums are in fact low-growing shrubs but I thought I would include them in this section. It is a native of Europe, the specie plant is usually found growing on chalk in full sun where it thrives. An evergreen plant it can be cut back during the growing season if it gets out of hand.

Helianthus

Obviously an annual, but included here because they are excellent border plants, Sunflowers are easy and fun for both children and adults to grow. The ‘Moon Walker’ shown was just under 9′ in height. A bit of trivia, they are a member of the aster family which surprisingly includes the Jerusalem artichoke.

Hellebores

One of the best and most showy plants for under-planting trees and shrubs or any shady spot with moist well-drained soil. The species such as H.argutifolius, the Corsican Hellebore, (syn. Helleborus corsicus) and H.foetidus, the Stinking Hellebore are easily raised from seed and will in fact seed themselves around, however the cultivars of Helleborus orientalis, which result from micro-propagation, must be bought as plugs or plants.

Hemerocallis

Daylilies are east to grow on virtually any soil type in sunshine, flowers are produced from June to September and although they only last a day, follow in quick succession. This is another plant which has been a subject of intensive plant breeding and thousands of cultivars are available.

Hesparis

Hesparis matronalis, Sweet Rocket or Dame’s Violet is a biennial or short-lived perennial member of the brassica family and a useful cottage garden plant. It has scented flowers which are also attractive to bees and insects and will seed itself forming a naturalised drift in an informal setting

Heuchera

Coral Bells or sometimes Alum Root is a valuable semi-evergreen foliage plant for the border and containers. The flowers are largely insignificant but they come in a large range of leaf colours and shapes. They are woodland plants from North America so are best suited to a moist light soil in partial shade, one thing I have discovered is that they do not like being crowded. Their number one pest is vine weevil which seems to find them particularly attractive.

Heucherella

Heucherella is a garden hybrid between two genera, that of Heuchera and Tiarella. They are evergreen and grown for their foliage requiring much the same conditions as Heucheras, moist soil in partial shade.

Hieracium

Hieracium aurantiacum, Hawkweed is fine in poor conditions where its growth can be restricted, I had it in my old garden where it brightened up a shady spot on very poor soil where it was fine, but never, ever, let it loose in a good border! I am currently trying to eradicate it from my front garden where it appeared two years ago, it is not easy! Spreads with runners (stolons), hence another common name fox-and-cubs, and wind-borne seed. Reclassified as Pilosella aurantiaca.

Hosta

Hostas or Plantain Lilies are versatile Asiatics which will grow in shade and damp conditions although most are happy in full sun as long as they are kept moist. They come in a range of colours and sizes from the tiny ‘Mouse Ears’ to the giant ‘Empress Wu’. Hostas rose to popularity during the 2000’s when they caught the attention of the plant breeders and consequently many cultivars are available. Not only do they make an excellent plant for the open garden they are also ideal for growing in large containers. Number one enemy is slugs.

Houttuynia

Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ is generally the form which is grown, an attractive and unusual low-growing perennial it is ideal for ground-cover in large boggy areas but beware, anywhere else, it becomes an out and out thug!

Hardy Perennials (Part 3)

Dicentra

Now Lamprocapnos spectabilis, Bleeding Heart has become a popular addition to the cottage garden, its unusual flowers born on arching stems over fern-like foliage make an attractive show in early spring. Although it is one of the first border perennials to show it is worth noting that it is one of the first to die back in early autumn, so tends to look better in an informal setting. Thrives in any good moist soil in sun or partial shade but it does not respond well to being moved. There is a yellow leaved form available.

An unusual member of the Dicentra genus is the climbing D.scandens, a half-hardy climber I grew from seed. Unfortunately the botanists have really done a number on the Dicentra genus which is now split into four different genera. D.scandens is now Dactylicapnos scandens! Why are the new names nearly always more difficult to remember and pronounce than the old ones?

Dierama

Dierama pulcherrimum, Angel’s Fishing Rods are beautiful, evergreen perennials for an informal setting. They have arching flower stems covered in funnel shaped flowers in a range of shades of pink/purple and white over grass-like foliage. They prefer a sunny sheltered spot in moist soil and are another plant that does not like being moved although they actually grow from corms. Personally I have struggled to grow them and have only managed a few flowers at best, probably because my garden was too cold and damp. A member of the Iris family from South Africa there are many species and cultivars in cultivation including the well established Slieve Donard hybrids bred in N.Ireland.

Digitalis

Digitalis or Foxglove is a genus of both biennial and short lived perennial plants. The native Digitalis purpurea is common everywhere and well known, however some of the species and hybrids are less seen. Broadly speaking, being woodlanders, they all prefer a moist soil in dappled shade although D.purpurea seeds itself almost anywhere and I have had an excellent plant growing from a shady rock crevice in the past. Pam’s Choice is a naturally occurring garden hybrid found by a keen amateur gardener.

Draba

Drabas are alpine members of the brassica family and originate from Central Europe and even the UK, they are cushion or mat forming plants, the most common garden specie being Draba aizoides. As with most alpines they like a gritty open soil in a sunny position. The plant pictured above was grown from a “lucky dip” collection of society seed out of curiosity.

Epimediums

Find my post dedicated to Epimediums here.

Epipactis hardy orchid

I have included this for its novelty value, possibly Epipactis helleborine, I am no expert when it comes to orchids, just seeded itself into my ‘woodland’ garden, flowered and disappeared.

Eryngium

Eryngium giganteum or the Giant Sea Holly is colloquially associated with Miss Willmott of Warley Place, who by all accounts was a formidable lady, because of a story in which she was said to scatter the seed of the eryngium in any garden that she visited that she considered to be dull. Unfortunately the story has been debunked in recent years. Eryngiums are basically thistles and require a sunny spot in well drained but moist light soil to grow well. There are several cultivars available ranging from silvery white to steely dark blue.

Eupatorium

Common name Joe Pye Weed, this is a fantastic plant for adding height and late colour to the border, growing to over 6′ its purple flower heads remain until the first frosts. This is one plant that I have introduced to my new garden, late to surface, its flowers have been covered in butterflies and other insects since the end of June and it is still going strong.

Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’ is a different plant altogether smaller in stature with dark green/red leaves and contrasting fluffy white flower heads it is rather striking. Now reclassified as Ageratina altissima which just doesn’t have the same ring to it somehow.

Euphorbia

Euphorbia or Spurges are a massive and diverse genus ranging from annual weeds to trees, with shrubs and even succulents in between. The plant above is a typical garden cultivar the many species and cultivars have a range of colours including acid green and even orange. A well known member of the genus is the popular Christmas plant the Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). The plant that is getting all my attention at the moment is the annual garden weed Euphorbia peplus, it only appeared a couple of years ago and is proving to be a nightmare! All of them, that we are likely to come in contact with, have a toxic sap which can cause painful blisters on someone who is sensitive.

Hardy Perennials (Part 2)

Bergenia

Common name Elephant’s Ears, bergenias are easy to grow and will thrive in good deep, well drained loam in sun or shade but will also tolerate dry soils, excessive damp can cause them to rot. Basically an evergreen, bergenias are early flowering and can sometimes be damaged by frosts, keep the plant looking its best by removing dead or damaged leaves.

Borage

I love this herb, Borago officianalis is really an annual but I have included it here because it self seeds and generally reappears in the same spot every year. Definitely a plant for a sunny spot, will not perform in shade or on wet soils. Not only are the flowers a striking shade of blue but they are set off by the fine hairs that cover the stems and sepals. The foliage has a cucumber scent and both flowers and leaves are edible and have medicinal and culinary uses. A white form is also available and sometimes crops up among the seedlings.

Brunnera

Brunnera

A plant for cool shady conditions which will grow in moist soils brunneras have very attractive leaves and blue myosotis-like flowers and look well at the front of a shady border.

Bupleurum

A bit of an oddity Bupleurum is an unusual plant for the herbaceous border. Found in Central Europe and even the UK it will grow in virtually any well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. The plant shown was grown from seed, the cultivar normally offered for sale is Bupleurum longifolium ‘Bronze Beauty’.

Caltha

The Marsh Marigold or King Cup is a plant for a boggy place and can be grown as a marginal where it will thrive. It overwinters with its buds just below the soil surface from where both flowers and leaves erupt together early in the spring. A member of the Buttercup family, it is an invaluable plant for early colour.

Campanula

Bellflowers are a popular, generally easy to grow, genus ranging from arctic alpine plants as cushions or scrambling over the ground to tall border perennials. Although relatively easy campanulas are not good with winter wet and some species can be quite invasive such as Campanula poscharskyana from Siberia. Some of the showy border hybrids such as Campanula ‘Sarastro’ can have disproportionately large flowers and will need support. Propagation is from seed for species plants, buying in most cultivars or division in the garden.

Celandine

Ficaria verna subsp. verna or Lesser Celandine is my favourite ‘weed’. Growing from persistent bulbils, this native member of the buttercup family is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. In a damp woodland setting, such as I had, it makes a wonderful very early spring flowering plant, providing an early source of nectar for the bees, however, in a more formal setting, it is definitely to be discouraged.

Chaerophyllum

This Central European plant is similar to Cow Parsley but much more delicate in appearance, easy in a moist but not waterlogged soil. Personally I think this is a really useful border plant, the fernlike foliage is apple scented and the umbels of small flowers are a great attraction for pollinators even in late summer.

Chelone

Chelone obliqua or Turtlehead is a cottage garden plant which thrives in any good well drained garden soil. It has dark green leaves which unfortunately do not contrast too well with the purple flowers, however there is a white form available. It is a late flowerer so provides some colour into the autumn. This plant was grown from seed, the white form is probably best obtained from a good nursery.

Convallaria

Lily of the Valley used to be seen in most gardens but has gone out of fashion over time. A plant for shady woodland or spreading under shrubs its distinctive flowers give off a very strong scent which can then be followed by berries. There is a pinkish form available. Although popular for its ease of cultivation and scent I think it is possibly too invasive for today’s way of gardening.

Corydalis

Corydalis or Fumitory are generally shade lovers, ideal for a woodland setting, which flower in varying shades of blue to blue/white with the Yellow Fumitory being a welcome exception. They originate in the Northern Hemisphere primarily from China but are also found in America and the mountains of N.Africa. The nondescript Corydalis ophiocarpa is a good example of growing from seed not being quite what you hoped for! A point of interest Pere David who was a catholic missionary to China was a keen botanist and zoologist, although he collected the corydalis pictured above he also discovered Pere David’s deer. The deer became extinct in China where it had once been plentiful but is now being restored in significant numbers from the herd at Woburn.

Crocosmia

Formerly known as montbretia Crocosmia should have been included in an earlier post as they are grown from bulb-like corms. Native to South Africa, so best grown in a sheltered spot in a severe climate, the original orange garden plant (Montbretia) was a hybrid Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora but there is now a huge range of vibrant colours available through intensive plant breeding. Easy to grow they will thrive in most situations and soil types other than anything too wet, a little shade may help the flowers to last longer.

Hardy Perennials (Part 1) – Updated

When I first started this blog, having removed any that had gone before, it was mainly as a brain exercise, plus, not a little, nostalgia. I came across the Six on Saturday meme run by Jim Stephens at Garden Ruminations and, through that, organically increased my presence on the web. This has prompted me to re-publish some of my old material some of which is updated. These posts are purely about the plants that I have grown and photographed, mainly in my previous garden, unless otherwise stated.

Whether it be in the herbaceous border or more natural settings such as the woodland garden or informal rockery, hardy perennials are the backbone of the majority of gardens. They provide colour from early spring through to late autumn, and even into winter when the dead stems can add form and colour. Unless you intend to grow from seed find a good independent nurserymen, although a dying breed, they are the people who have a passion for plants and are usually all too willing to give advice gained from their experience. Garden centres are another option but they tend to be impersonal and usually quite a bit more expensive. Online buying can be a bit of a lottery, pay attention to the pot size so you know what to expect. I actually planted out my new front garden with plugs bought online and had a good display the following year. It is important to remember that the above applies to the “standard” range of hardy perennials, when it comes to something more out of the ordinary specialist nurseries are the best option.

My preferred method is growing from seed, although I normally use society seed because I know it’s fresh, for the less invested gardener it is better to use one of the smaller seedsmen such as Plant World Seeds. The method I have always followed with hardy plants is to sow under cold glass, or in my case a poly-tunnel, usually in February to allow the seeds to germinate as they would do naturally. It would be just as good to sow outside except you haven’t the same control. Sowing from seed works well with anything which comes true from seed but in the case of most cultivars (hybrids) you need to buy in plugs or plants, many of which have been raised by micropropagation.

Achillea

From a traditional border plant achilleas (Yarrows) have been developed into a must have plant for the gardener, As with several genera it has been recognised by the industry as a very desirable plant, and many cultivars, in a wide range of colours, have been produced. It will grow in most soils, is hardy and attracts insects to its flat flower heads. I can say from experience it is not fond of damp and shade preferring an open sunny aspect and is even used in prairie planting. Fashionable.

Aconitum

Monkshood or wolfsbane is an easy hardy herbaceous perennial of medium height with delphinium-like flowers that prefers a rich moist soil to do well. Personally I think it does best in dappled shade rather than full sun. Easily propagated from seed. It is highly toxic to everything other than birds.

Actaea

Two totally different plants, Actaea rubra the red baneberry is an American native found in open woodland and therefore thrives in damp shady conditions. It actually forms rhizomes so should really have been included in an earlier post. The berries are toxic.

Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) is an Asiatic baneberry which prefers moist soil and shade, although I have found it to be quite adaptable, thriving for me in an herbaceous border. The dark feathery leaves make a perfect foil for the delicate white scented flower spikes which insects find attractive. Also known as Cimicifuga simplex.

Agastache

Known as the anise hyssop or giant hyssop agastaches make a nice plant for a sunny spot. Aniseed scented leaves and with flowers that attract insects it is a useful addition to any garden. Generally grown from seed, sometimes as a annual as it will flower in its first year, it will not thrive in a wet soil. Some of the woodier species are not entirely frost hardy.

Althaea

Althea officinalis or the Marsh Mallow Herb is a vigorous herbaceous perennial, which, to be honest, I tend to think of as more of a shrub. Definitely one for a sunny spot it does well in almost any soil and at one time was very popular but doesn’t seem to be so much now. The plant has been used in herbal medicine for years and has several remedial properties attributed to it.

Androsace

Alpines were really my first love, and I built a rock garden and peat bed in the garden of my first house. I was lucky enough to have a small specialist nursery nearby, who bought in from another specialist on a regular basis. This gave me an ever-changing supply of plants on my doorstep. The androsace genus is a member of the primula family and contains almost as many species. They are mainly high alpines originating in the Himalayas. The majority form small cushions studded with disproportionately large flowers, which make stunning specimens for the alpine house and tufa wall. They are not easy to grow but the end result is a reward in itself. I grew a couple of the ‘easy’ species but unfortunately when I was growing alpines it never crossed my mind to take pictures, I really wish I had now. The plant pictured above, who’s name is bigger than it is, was grown from seed and managed a solitary flower in its second year.

Anemone

Anemones, commonly known as wind flowers, are related to the buttercup. The genus contains something like 120 species some of which are fibrous rooted others grow from rhizomes or tubers. They are found almost worldwide and range in habitat from mountain scree to woodland. Because of their diverse habitats their cultivation varies equally. It ranges from the alpine house bench to the positively invasive such as Anemone tomentosa. For further information go to my earlier post.

Anemonella

This beautiful plant is a cultivar of the single species in the genus Anemonella. A native of North America, where it found in woodland, and is known as the rue-anemone. This tuberous-rooted beauty would usually obtained from a specialist nursery but the specie plant can be grown from seed. Best grown in moist soil in dappled shade as you would expect from a plant found in woodland.

Anemonopsis

This beautiful Japanese plant requires a moist lime-free soil in light shade to thrive. Best propagated from fresh seed. Obtainable from specialist nurseries and society seed lists.

Angelica

Wide spread in Northern Europe, particularly Scandinavia, angelica has tall hollow fluted stems and large flat flower-heads reminiscent of cow parsley. Its edible stems and roots have many culinary uses (candied angelica), flavouring spirits and more. Easy to grow, it is a biennial and sets copious amounts of seed, in fact it self seeds everywhere which can produce some interesting results. The self-seeded plant above has the dark foliage and the lesser stature of Angelic ‘Ebony’ but has crossed with the specie plant and has contrasting white flowers rather than the dusky pink of ‘Ebony’. It makes a good ‘spot plant’ in the border because of its height.

Aquilegia

A traditional cottage garden plant having some 60-70 species occurring in diverse habitats in the Northern Hemisphere. The traditional easy to grow garden varieties known as Columbine or Granny’s Bonnets maintain the spurred flower shape but vary greatly in colour and height. Most aquilegias seen in gardens today are the result of much interbreeding and self-seeding through generations. The earliest introduction of a strain that I remember were the McKana Hybrids which are still available today. I later saw the introduction of such as the Songbird Series of F1 Hybrids which although smaller in stature carry large flowers. They grow best in a damp gritty loam although it isn’t uncommon for them to seed into seemingly inhospitable spots but still live happily. There are a number of species from the mountains which need to be grown in the rockery or alpine house. One species illustrated above worthy of special mention is Aquilegia fragrans, not only does it make a superb specimen but, as its name suggests, is scented.

Astilbe (Spirea)

Ideal plants for a damp spot, astilbes or as they are sometimes known spireas are another plant that seems to have been around in gardens forever. Once established they are easy to divide and share. The common name spirea is confusing because Spiraea is a genus of small shrubs. Astilbes come in all sorts of colours and heights and there are many named varieties. Basically they are a good solid garden plant.

Astrantia

Astrantias are another border stalwart, many varieties have been introduced in a variety of purple and pink shades developed from the specie plant. Astrantia major ‘Claret’ is the deepest red I know. They prefer a medium loam and do not tolerate wet soils readily