Monday 18 March 2024

Lonicera gracilipes JP5573

Lonicera gracilipes
A relatively small pink-flowered winter flowering species from Japan. 
Lonicera gracilipes
The leaves are rounded and somewhat glaucous. 
Hardy and adaptable.
£16



Friday 12 January 2024

Ribes malvaceum

Ribes malvaceum
Soft pink flowers in dangling clusters among soft green foliage any time from autumn to spring in its native California, where it is important for nectar for birds and insects. 
Ribes malvaceum
Not the most brightly coloured Ribes but certainly one of the earliest flowering - in full flower here through frost and snow in January. 
Completely hardy here. Suitable for sun or shade, especially among evergreens.
£16


Friday 13 October 2023

Deutzia crenata nakaiana

Deutzia crenata nakaiana
A popular creeping dwarf shrub with bell-shaped white flowers in late spring. 
Deutzia crenata nakaiana
Easy and hardy
£12

Datisca cannabina

Datisca cannabina female
An amazing large herbaceous perennial from Crete with luxuriant pinnate fresh green leaves on tall arching stems to 7 or 8 ft. The small green flowers appear in long tassels at the ends. 
Datisca cannabina female
Despite its origin, the natural habitat of Datisca is moist and shaded ravines and stream sides, and they grow well in ordinary soils in the UK.
£12

Crambe maritima

Crambe maritima
Our classic native Sea Kale (seed collected locally, on Shoreham Beach by the way) with phenomenal big waxy wavy pale grey leaves and chunky heads of honey-scented white flowers. 
Crambe maritima
The new leaves are purple and can be blanched under an old bucket and then steamed as a vegetable. 
Crambe maritima
Easy almost anywhere sunny but definitely looks best planted among pebbles.
£12

Buddleja loricata

Buddleja loricata
A compact and hardy South African species with very striking narrow foliage - the undersides and stems being soft and white, contrasting with the deeply veined green upper surfaces. 
Buddleja loricata
The flowers are small and white and often dismissed as uninteresting, but I like them for their dark brown eyes which has a striking effect. Full sun, good drainage and some shelter.
£22

Begonia josephi

Begonia josephi
One of many new hardy Begonias on the market now. This one is a relatively understated species - unusual for its symmetrical leaves and the petiole being attached to the middle, not the edge of the leaf.
Begonia josephii
The leaves are olive green, to about 18cms long and jaggedly toothed. The flowers are pale pink, and small but plentiful. Hardy and tolerant here so far. Happiest on moist shady sites but, like many hardy Begonias, surprisingly resistant to drought. Dies down to small tubers in winter.
Begonia josephi
Not to be confused with a very different species with larger mottled leaves and yellow flowers that is being sold under this name.
£10