As observed during June 2007
4/6/07
A selection of Rhododendron from the sub section Ponticum.
- Rhododendron catawbiense, a mass of plants growing in the copse covered in purple flowers. Inside on the top petal is a splay of orange dots resembling a peacocks fan. S.E. USA
Looking up from the Palm House towards the Herbaceous Border, there is a smattering of colour on the edge of the copse,:
- R. ponticum (Iberian form) from S.Europe, purple flowers
- R.x sochadzeae, a hybrid between R. caucasicum x ponticum. Native to E.Turkey, N.Iran, Caucasus
- R. ponticum, purple flowers, S.W. Asia and S.W. & Southern Europe
7/6/07
- Berchamia polyphylla var. leioclada. Growing against the west facing wall that runs down the back lane by the research corridor. Leaves very attractive, mid green, prominent veining on both sides. The older stems have snake bark colouring, insignificant white star shaped flowers produced on short stalks from leaf axils, slight scent, followed by small red berries
Iris chrysographes. Native to S.W. China, a selection of plantings:
- L. S. & T. collection from 1938. Much variation in flower colour through the clump, through blue to yellow. The result of cross pollination
- L.S. & E. 13309, strong stand good purple shade in F06, dark form, F05 and bottom of Chinese hillside, new plantings. Superb form.
11/6/07
- Primula bulleyana, a bright spectrum of colours yellow - orange - red, on the bottom edge of the Chinese hillside. Behind these is P. poissonii, the long elegant stalks bear whorls of purple flowers
- Nearby P. bulleyana var. beesiana has an even show of purple candelabras
- P. burmanica, cabbage like leaves on these strong growing plants. A white farina covers the flower stalks holding red / purple flowers
- P.prolifera, a yellow candelabra with a slight scent.
14/6/07
- Worth looking for is Weigela coraeensis var. fragrans. Collected by Kurashige in Korea, 1994. Growing in the west border to the north of the Arbutus menziesii beneath the Tilia insularis. Finger like light green bracts encircle the flower bud, white, tinged green. The petals open white with a yellow throat
- W. decora. Clusters of lime yellow flowers, fading red. Native to Japan.
20/6/07
- Geranium pilostemum, collected by Balls in 1933, E. Turkey, N.Iran, Caucasus. Forms a robust clump to 1.5, mauve flowers
- Picea purpurea, pendulous purple cones. Himalayas and W.China
- Abies homolepis var. umbellata, dark purple, almost black in some lights sat upright on current growth. Japan.
22/6/07
Asteranthera ovata
This member of Gesneriaceae is one of the few hardy species. It grows most sucessfully when in constant humid moisture. Seen in the rock garden, clinging to a rock on the west side of the waterfall ravine. It is growing and flowering sucessfully here. Red flowers, small leaves flattened against the rock. Climber to 4m, flowers velvet red, striped within on lower lip, fruits speckled black.
25/6/07
Iris setosa. Planted in the border to the west of the pond. Perfect buds open deep velvet purple, fades to a lighter shade with a narrow band of yellow on the throat. 1.5m tall. W.N.America.
27/6/07
- Echinacea tennesseensis to the N.E. of the yurt. Hairy stems hold a spidery flower head of washed out pink petals, to 1m. N.America
- Mahonia eutriphylla Mexico. Terminal clusters of ivory white flowers, hanging over the border edge to the north of the Arid Lands Glasshouse to get the light. Growing beneath Schinus polygamus, wild origin by Hayward from the Andes. Covered in small yellow flowers. Look through the canopy to the strong trunk with almost papery plates of bark resembling a Platanus trunk.
29/6/07
- Callistemon citrinus 'Splendens'. Wonderfully showy bottle brush growing in the border to the south of the front range. Multiple red filaments encircle the base of the current season's growth
- C. pityoides, insignificant looking plant to the east of the entrance to the peat and rock house E & S.E. Australia. Lemon yellow filaments.
Both flowering well in these sheltered locations, combined with the good autumn of 2006 to ripen the wood and the mild winter that followed.