Geranium psilostemon
 |
Geranium psilostemon Family: Geraniaceae Common name: Armenian cranesbill |
|
Description: An herbaceous perennial with a tall, upright habit. Dark green leaves have deep, broad divisions. Large, upright, shallow-cupped flowers in a dazzling magenta colour with a dark, almost black, eye at their centre and dark veining on the petals. Prolific blooming mid-spring through into autumn.
Special Notes: Native to northeastern Turkey and southwestern Caucasus, including Armenia, this geranium was once known as G. armenum.Newly emerging shoots are a distinct red colour, like rhubarb, in spring. Leaves have good autumn colour. Plant height is dependant on soil conditions. May need support either through staking or from propping up with adjoining plantings. Bloom time is extremely long. Very easy care. Relatively pest and disease free. Drought tolerant. Deer and rabbit resistant. Propagate by seed; division in spring or autumn.
Posted October 14, 2012; updated March 12, 2013
|
|
More Plant Descriptions!
by Leslie Cox; Saturday, October 13, 2012
I have added a few more plant descriptions to the list under “In the Garden – Plants We Grow“ section. Hope you like the photos!
You will notice the list is alphabetical so the latest ones are “muddled in”. Keep checking back as more plant descriptions will be coming now that the autumn rains have arrived and are forcing me to spend more time indoors. My arthritis is definitely not happy when the weather turns wet and cold. Thank goodness for the woodstove!
Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’
 |
Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’ Common name: spurge; Griffith’s spurge |
|
Description: Anevergreen perennial with a bushy, upright, clump-forming habit. Lanceolate, dark green leaves have a distinctive pinkish midrib. New growth is rich bronzy-red when emerging in early spring. Leaves turn red and yellow in autumn. Conspicuous fiery orange-fuchsia coloured bracts appear in late spring through early summer.
Special Notes: Native to the eastern Himalayans. Good cut flower. Drought tolerant. Deer and rabbit resistant. Few pests or diseases but watch for powdery mildew. Propagate by division in early spring.
Caution: Milky sap can cause skin and eye irritation. Toxic if ingested.
Posted on October 12, 2012
|
|
Hosta ‘Halcyon’
 |
Hosta ‘Halcyon’ Family: Hostaceae Common name: plaintain lily |
|
Description: An herbaceous perennial with a clumping habit. Thick, heart-shaped, tapering, blue-grey leaves have prominent ridges. Panicles of funnel-shaped lavender-blue flowers appear on strong stems in July and August.
Special Notes: Origin: Hosta ‘Tardiflora’ x Hosta sieboldiana ‘Elegans Alba’. Fairly slow growing. Slugs and snails generally leave the heavier foliage on this cultivar alone. Other hostas related to ‘Halcyon’ include: ‘El Nino’, ‘First Frost’, ‘June’, ‘Lady Belle’, ‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘Torchlight’ and a few other hostas in the Tardiana Group such as ‘Camelot’ and ‘Hadspen Blue’. Propagation by division in spring or autumn.
RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993; Great Plant Pick 2012
Posted on October 11, 2012 |
|
Hosta ‘June’
|
Hosta ‘June’ Family: Hostaceae Common name: plaintain lily |
|
Description: An herbaceous perennial with mounding habit. Ovate leaves are bright yellow in the centre with narrow, irregular streaking of blue-green on margins. Highly scented panicles of lavender flowers appear on strong stems in July and August.
Special Notes: ‘June’ is the first tissue-cultured sport of Hosta ‘Halcyon’. Awarded Hosta of the Year for 2001 and for very good reason. This hybrid seedling has fairly good sun tolerance; yellow centre will be muted if sited in full shade. A medium-sized cultivar, it is reported to be rabbit resistant but not deer resistant. Watch for slugs and snails when leaf tips are emerging in early spring. Leaf spots and crown rot may be a problem.
Hosta of the Year 2001; RHS Award of Garden Merit 2004
Posted on October 11, 2012
|
|
