As observed during June 2011
28/6/2011
Black lace in a fritter
This year the black foliage cultivar of the “Elderberry”; Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’ has blossomed; magnificently
and with exuberance. It has the scent of the white flowered hedgerow “Elderberry” but the leaves are finely divided and of a deep black colour. A vigorous deciduous woody member of the family Adoxaceae. Should you
decide to grow this hollow stemmed shrub then be sure to allow plenty of space. It will become a very large plant in the border restricting light to more delicate plantings that surround it. 
The panicles of flowers are a deep violet shade. Cut and dipped in batter and fried at a high temperature these make an unusual addition to the traditional Scottish cooked breakfast, complimenting the fried egg, black pudding, tattie scone and Lorne sausage.
21/6/2011
The longest day and a plant that appreciates good light levels
The pink daisy like flowers of Delosperma lavisiae appreciates good levels of natural light. Sunlight is essential to persuade the buds to open revealing the ring of narrow linear petals. The plant hugs the ground, rarely growing
more than 20mm in height. The root system delves down through, ideally, a raised growing area where rapid drainage is guaranteed. On a sunny day a group of these succulents bring a garden to life with their radiant colour. The sun and heat of the Drakensberg escarpment in SE Africa is the natural habitat of this drought tolerant spreading succulent.
The Garden remains open today until 10.30pm to allow visitors to take advantage of the longest day. Hopefully it will be a fine one. If you visit, the Delosperma can be seen on the Alpine wall and in the stone trough beside the Palm House.
14/6/2011
Time to take stock
Walking through the garden you will notice plants that did not survive the severe winter weather. It is now time to be ruthless with the dieback that spoils the appearance of a midsummer border.
Cistus ladanifera, from seed collected in Spain. This plant is doing its best to show face. The large white paper
petals and mass of yellow anthers are a delight but the base of the trunk shows severe bark split. The flowers and few leaves will soon shrivel, there is minimal water flowing through the cells upwards from
the roots. Time to grub this out.
Eucalyptus coccifera is more resilient. The foliage was desiccated by the cold winter winds and some frost split on
the bark is evident. However these Australian plants are used to bush fires tearing through and drying out all aerial parts. Regeneration occurs from the base of the trunk, making a multi stemmed
specimen in later years. As can be seen in the image this is exactly what is happening to this specimen, a multitude of buds have burst to give rise to fresh growth. One clean cut with a bow saw will allow this growth to reclaim the space.
Look through your plant collection and deal with similarly affected plants. Use the opportunity to replant as necessary.
7/6/2011
Bright and beautiful 
An ideal descriptor for Dianthus callizonus growing tucked into the lee of a rock on a south face of the rock garden. Of low growing habit with terminal carmine red single flowers that easily catch your attention. Unfortunately, there is an absence of scent. 
Added attraction comes from the irregular white markings towards the inner centre of the petals which surround the blue anthers.
It is a native of Romania, where it enjoys a limestone root run within the Carpathian Mountain range.
1/6/2011
A woody poly to go.
Atraphaxis frut
escens is a woody member of the Polygonaceae family. A family more readily recognised for giant herbaceous invaders. A native to Central Asia through into Eastern Europe where it can be found growing
within stony, rocky river banks A. frutescens is a scandent sub shrub of deciduous habit. The flowers
are composed of papery sepals of reddish colour, held in terminal racemes.
Plants were introduced into Britain in 1770 but despite this long association are not widely grown in cultivation.