As observed during June 2012
26/6/2012
A giant out of season daffy.
Paramongaia weberbaueri is a tender bulb native to Peru. The genus is in the family Amaryllidaceae as are Daffodils.
Growing to one metre plus; the long linear foliage holds up well in a glasshouse environment.
Suited to container culture provided adequate drainage is given, results in magnificent yellow
trumpet like flowers on sturdy stems. These are marked on the inner corolla with outlandish green veins. The scent is heavy and floral; one of my colleagues is convinced it smells of washing up liquid.
19/5/2012
Translucent yellow foliage
Large green Hosta’s are often regarded as the cabbages of the ornamental garden; this specimen is more elegant Hosta lancifolia ‘Aurea’. 
is a delicate coloured cultivar.
The leaves unfurling from tight bud are a pale lemon yellow. When young translucent almost, but as the season progresses the green pigment evolves.
It will tolerate full sun if the root zone is moist. Where the soil dries out and a high temperature prevails the foliage shrivels and burns. The alternative is to plant in a shaded corner with damp soil but then the risk of slug damage increases.
12/6/2012
Olympic double
The Olympic torch passes through Edinburgh this week. Our own Olympic double has been showing promise
thriving in the south border for many a year. Forming a thicket of growth, vigorous, whippy stems can race up to 2 metres in the season.
Rubus spectabilis ‘Olympic Double’ is a vigorous suckering deciduous shrub. The species, a native to the west coast of north America. It is now naturalised in Britain. This double flowered cultivar bears magenta red
flowers packed with petals. Suited to full sun where it flowers in profusion.
5/6/2012
Ask a botanist
Adiantum aeluticum, the “Western Maidenhair” is found in a wide distribution range through Western North
America. Growing in crevices on steep slopes where shade is available. It is semi evergreen although has died back completely during the winter in the Biodiversity garden. It will reach 600mm in optimum conditions; here it manages 300mm at most. 
Adiantum pedatum, a close relative is found predominately on the N. E. of America and into northern Asia. The specimen growing in the atrium of the John Hope Gateway was grown, collected from spores
on a plant 600mm tall with a spread of 1.5m. This was by the side of a forest track beneath dense woodland.
Both species are delicate plants to grow, have rounded rigid black stems. Both are appreciated by pteridologists and make fine additions to a fern collection; the difference? Ask a botanist.