As observed during August 2012
28/8/12
Look out for berries
Dichroa febrifuga is of borderline hardiness in Edinburgh. It requires a warm sheltered spot and protection through the worst of the winter to make a modest shrub ultimately reaching two metres. Observing it now the plant has a prolific amount of flower, each inflorescence held as a corymbose panicle; the petals of individual flowers reflex as they age. Flower colour varies from pink on an alkaline soil to blue when growing in acidic conditions. 
Under a hand lens the anthers can be seen to release their pollen through side slits opening along their length. This very effectively drops down onto the stigma sitting beneath. Blue berries should follow.
Our plant has flowers a delicate pink colour and you do wonder if washes with aluminium sulphate will turn the following season’s flowers blue. This is a traditional method of altering the colour of mop head Hydrangea flowers; Dichroa is a member of the family Hydrangeaceae and should respond to the availability of Aluminium which is locked in and unavailable to plants in an alkaline soil. 
The evergreen foliage has a serrated edge and the smell of fresh cucumber when crushed.
21/8/2012
A scent of languid honey
A bulb from Temperate South Africa; now growing in a sheltered situation within the confines of the glasshouse borders. Here Eucomis comosa has clumped up well.
The foliage consists of long strap like leaves, from the centre of the crown the flower spikes develop. Each spike is crowned by a distinctive head of light green bracts. Often known as the “Pineapple Plant” due to this resemblance to a Pineapple.
The individual flowers amassed around the flower stalk have a sweet fragrance during warm weather nectar spills over the petal.
14/8/2012
Drifting disinfectant
A mature clump of Cimicifuga japonica is in full flower on the edge of the conifer walk. The scent wafting down from the long plumes these past mild mornings is reminiscent of a delicate disinfectant, not 
unpleasant but a distinct aroma. These terminal inflorescences develop with rotund white buds, bursting open to reveal a multitude of filaments. It is at this stage the scent develops.
A vigorous herbaceous member of Ranunculaceae, native to China, Japan and Korea where it grows at the margin of forests in the altitude range 800 – 2600m. A vigorous plant with rhizomes and a
mass of fibrous root. It exceeds 1 metre in height and needs room for the flower spikes to flop about when considering a planting position.
7/8/2012
Blood on the blade
Planted in the corner of the herbaceous border is Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’. The leaves; blood red in colour from the tip down. Plant where the sun will reflect on or through the leaves which then appear
translucent as the season progresses. This is a rhizomatous species that can become a problem as it spreads. In some countries listed as a noxious weed. Native to Japan where it is used to control soil
erosion.
1/8/2012
Stamp collector?
Growing in the student plots is carpeting annual awash with flower.
Nemophila menziesii ‘Pennie Black’; the true species being native to California where it is found in meadows and woodland from sea level to c. 1600m.
Growing to 120mm with almost succulent mid green foliage covered in minute white hairs. The flowers are born singly and are deeply lobed. Looking into the rounded bowled lobe, with good eyes the white
centre absorbs a multitude of spidery white hairs revolved around the base.
Deep velvet purple on the inner surface; a powder white outer colour to the petals, both faces with prominent veining.