As observed during July 2009
3/7/2009
Will Derek travel home?
This is the year of the Homecoming; a year when the Scots Diaspora are encouraged to return to the country of their roots. Over the weekend of 25 - 26th July there is an opportunity to experience and celebrate Scotland's culture at the Gathering in Edinburgh.
A colleague emigrated to New Zealand eight years ago and has a successful life near Auckland; growing Yams, Passion fruit, Pumpkins and Bananas in his North Island garden.
South Island has a cooler climate than North Island and is the home of Chordospartium stevensonii. The red data book lists its status as vulnerable in the area near Marlborough, where it is endemic, due to habitat deterioration. It has a pendulous habit growing to eight metres in the wild. In Edinburgh it appreciates a sunny sheltered position a south or west facing aspect is ideal. The main stems producing leafless green shoots hanging down towards the ground.
The plant does belong to the Leguminosae family but grouped in a raceme, 80mm in length, the individual flowers resemble a miniature Cymbidium in shape. Emitting a slight scent white striated pink, each a gem.
7/7/2009
Plumes of bloom.
Aruncus dioicus, from its dense woody herbaceous rootstock, develops into a mass of foliage bedecked with plumes of white flowers. Reaching 2 metres and as much across, much appreciated by bees.
This is a plant that consistently produces a well developed head of flowers, both striking and architectural. A welcome addition to the border or as a stand alone specimen. The foliage is deeply cut, light green and holds its colour. Take time to appreciate the individual flower panicles as well as the mass of bloom.
Native to the temperate northern hemisphere where it enjoys a moist root run and partial shade. Growing in the F beds it competes well with a coniferous canopy and surrounding herbage.
10/7/2009
It's all in the detail
Dierama pendulum is a fabulous plant from the Cape of South Africa. From the base of the long linear foliage the tall statuesque arching flower spikes emerge.
White tepalled flowers held on stems resembling thin, taught fishing wire. Arching over with resilience to the wind they move gracefully.
A detail that bears a closer look is revealed by turning the flower upwards; inside the corolla at the base of the petals are single marks. Alternate on each tepal are circles and solid marks etched in dark pigment. Occasionally the solid mark expands to an elongated diamond. Growing in the rock garden and well worth a look.
Seed was collected from plants growing in high grassland near Sehlabathebe village, Lesotho.
14/7/2009
Sanguisorba; cartoon character
There is a large patch of Sanguisorba hakusanensis planted to the west of the Garden in F05. Looking at the flowers sitting atop the foliage they could be crawling with hairy pink worms. The compressed, cylindrical flower bud erratically bursts with 18mm long filaments and then becomes a thing of beauty when fully developed at c. 80mm length. The stigma is held slightly below, not being as long as the filaments.
There is a slight scent to the vivid pink flower terminating the spikes which are freely produced. The foliage which has a grey reverse and perfectly serrated edge emerges with the leaflets folded together, with maturity opening flat.
A member of the Rosaceae family this species is native to Japan and Korea. It has been collected from Mount Chiri at 1300m where a humid atmosphere and an average annual rainfall of 1300mm provide good growing conditions.
21/7/2009
Oh Ho
In the upper woodland is a spectacular and colourful group of Hosta aff. rhodeifolia. A strong growing herbaceous clump with mid green leaves and stunning off blue flower spikes.
Described by Maekawa in 1937 in the Journal of Japanese Botany as H. rohdeifolia. However it is often spelt H. rhodeifolia.
The species name is based on the genus Rohdea whose leaves it resembles. The genus Rohdea was named after Michael Rohde a German botanist (1782 - 1812) Thus making the spelling rhodeifolia a spelling error although it was a published name in the Journal of Faculty of Science in 1940, again by Maekawa.
Ah taxonomy; art or science? This is where the Gardens unique accession number holds its own.
Seeds were collected on an expedition to Japan in 1988. The parent plant found growing in mixed grassland at the roadside in Hokkaido Island, to the north of Japan. On collection it was thought to be affiliated to the species (aff. rhodeifolia) and on germinating given the accession number 19890473. Even if renamed this unique number will follow the plant making it identifiable back to the seed source.
24/7/2009
The original Phygelius
A popular plant for summer borders and now bred to visually stun garden centre patrons in various colours.
A walk in the rock garden will enlighten you to the original flower colour of Phygelius aequalis, now in full bloom. Tubular salmon pink flowers cluster down the terminal spikes. 
The protruding red anthers contrast with the yellow throat. Collected in Free State South Africa where it was found at c.2300m as a lush growing plant to one meter on a streamside.
It is a vigorous semi evergreen sub shrub. Depending on the severity of the winter and the type of shelter it has will determine the degree of die back or just a shriveling and blackening of foliage. This plant is c.1 meter tall with a spread of 1.5m.
28/7/2009
European Water Lily
The European Water lily, Nymphaea alba graces still freshwater with its pure white flowers. A cosmopolitan plant that is found through Eurasia and into North Africa.
Preferring a depth of water between 200mm and 2 metres. The plants rely on a covering depth of water of 250mm above the herbaceous rhizome to give frost protection.
The pure white multi petalled flowers open during the day floating on the water surface. A slight scent is detected when close up. The centre of the flower is filled with a mass of yellow stigmas. As daylight fades the petals slowly fold together for the night.
Leaves, almost circular with a deep indent, are dark glossy green with a red tinge on the lower surface. These plants love full sun and to maximise flowering keep surrounding vegetation low.
31/7/2009
Candelabra effect
Fleshy flower spikes sent from zero to 1.7meters in the space (it seems) of days. Galtonia candicans sheltered in the glasshouse borders has reached flowering stage. The upturned white blooms hang on long stalks at positions around the central stem like the grandest stately home's candelabra.
Native to Temperate South Africa where it is found on streamsides, enjoying moist shady conditions. The linear strap like foliage is untidy and detracts from the beauty of the flowers. A bulbous member of the family Hyacinthaceae; often referred to as the "Summer Hyacinth".
The genus was named after Sir Francis Galton (1822 - 1911) who was a distant cousin of Charles Darwin and also of considerable intellect. He classified fingerprints into categories, identifying patterns and individuality for identification purposes.
For previous years' highlights during this month, see the July Garden Highlights Archive page.