As observed during July 2007
3/7/07
- Tropaeolum speciosum "Chilean Flame Flower", a scrambling climber covered in red flowers, growing through the woody planting west of the Fern & Fossils Glasshouse exit. Also found colonising other plantings throughout the garden
- Genista tenera Growing in the bed opposite the fern house a proliferation of yellow flowers. Native to Madeira
6/7/07
One of the flower spikes in the group of Primula vialii in the demonstration garden on the edge of the QMM garden
- has developed a fasciation. The spike has flattened out and now resembles a favourite lollypop covered in sprinkles
- Also in the Demonstration garden is Campanula latifolia, collected by Douglas McKean, native to Europe and northern Asia. Light blue 1.2m flower spikes
- Stachys macrantha 'Robusta' provides a welcome splash of colour at the north east corner of the herbaceous border.
9/7/07
- The first seed heads of note this season are on Dryas drummondii 'Grandiflora' growing on the alpine wall
- Iris ensata, south of the pond. E & C Asia, Large white flowers, petals plate like splayed down at edges, yellow markings on the inner centre. The cultivar 'Landscape at Dawn' growing to the north of the pond has light blue petals, very worthwhile growing. In the rock garden, c.v. 'Rose Queen' is shy to flower with washed out purple blooms.
11/7/07
- Chordospartium stevensonii a woody Legume from South Island, N.Z. The pink bands of tiny flowers have a delicate scent. Growing by the South facing wall next to the Chilean Area & the Linnaeus Monument
- Lilium regale three clumps straggling the pathway to the QMM garden, leaning into the light. Muted red buds open white and have a heavy perfume, intensifying as the day warms up
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' . A fine group with dense lilac flower spikes is growing in the demonstration garden
- Three hybrid tea roses in the QMM garden, 'Princess Alexandra', 'Golden Jubilee', 'Diamond Jubilee'
- Philadelphus x purpureo-maculatus 'Sybille' Large white flowers growing in demonstation garden
- Viburnum henryi Awash with creamy white panicles of flowers, these scent the corner of the wall and path to the east of the Orchid house. A native of Central China, look out for the fruit in autumn
- Nepeta 'Six Hills Hybrid', middle of the herbaceous border release essential oils as the temperature rises.
14/7/07
The top pathway of the Chinese plant collection is buzzing with bees amongst the Hypericum species growing here. All wild collected in China on a selection of expeditions
- H. maclarenii an earlier collection, 1987 by Roy Lancaster, lighter yellow petals, interestingly reflexed
- H. subsessile, again reflexed petals, CLD 1991.
- H. forrestii cupped yellow petals CLD 894.
- H. beanii CLD, a mass of yellow flowers, the immature seed pods are bright red. Set under a canopy of Rosa rubus, having a profusion of slightly scented white flowers, reaching to 5metres. Collected by Howick and McNamara in1991, C & W. China
17/7/07
The collection of Astilbe cultivars in the garden has never looked better. The continual rain this season has ensured the usual crisping of the foliage has not occurred. Family Saxifragaceae.
- Astilbe 'Etna' Strong growth to 2 metres +. The pink flower spikes have not been damaged by the weather, loved by bees
There are many cultivars planted to the back of the herbaceous border:
- Astilbe x arendsii 'Venus' pink pagodas of colour
- A. x a. 'Gloria' resembles a smaller sister to Venus
- A. x a. 'Amethyst' a deeper colour almost purple
- A. x a. 'Irrlicht' compact white
- A. x a. 'Federsee' compact, muted pink spikes
- A. 'Meta Immink' Slightly later to open, flower spikes leaning south to the sun.
Also worth looking for in the herbaceous border is Filipendula rubra 'Venusta' in the Rosaceae family, producing 2 m flower spikes covered in minute pink balls that open out to a fluffy candy floss like mass.
20/7/07
Rhododendron maddenii ssp. crassum Growing and flowering profusely in the east gate lodge garden, a sheltered microclimate. Collected by Keith Rushforth in 1995, Found in the Himalayas to Indochina. Handsome white flower trusses with a slight scent.
25/07/07
Roscoea purpurea. Found in the east side of the upper woodland peat bed. A Hardy flowering ginger with bright purple flowers. Widely distributed along the eastern Himalayan range from Nepal to Bhutan. Known as rasagari in Nepali. Rhizomes used as a rejuvenative tonic.