Geranium cinereum ‘Ballerina’
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Geranium cinereum ‘Ballerina’ Common name: dwarf cranesbill |
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Description: An herbaceous, bordering on evergreen, dwarf-sized perennial with a mounding habit. Small, grey-green leaves have a nicely scalloped edge. Upward facing flowers are 1 – 1¼ inches (2.5 – 3 cm) across in a delightful purple-pink colour with generous deep purple veining emanating from a deep purple central eye. Blooms from mid-spring through late summer.
Special Notes: A sibling seedling of Geranium cinereum ‘Laurence Flatman’ from a crossing of Geranium cinereum var. cinereum and Geranium cinereum var. subcaulescens introduced by Bloom’s Nurseries of Bressingham, Norfolk in 1963. Difficult to tell ‘Ballerina’ from ‘Laurence Flatman’ unless side-by-side. Flowers look amazingly similar although it is claimed ‘Laurence Flatman’ are slightly larger and deeper coloured. Our observations have concluded the best tell-tale difference is the smaller leaves of ‘Ballerina’. Excellent plant for the rock garden. Very easy care; relatively pest and disease free. Drought tolerant once established. Deer and rabbit resistant. Propagation best by division in spring or autumn as few of the seeds are viable.
RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993. RHS AGM status reaffirmed in 2006 trial.
Posted on December 16, 2012
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Geranium x oxonianum ‘Lady Moore’
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Geranium x oxonianum ‘Lady Moore’ Common name: Lady Moore cranesbill |
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Description: A semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial with an upright, open habit. Shiny, bright green leaves are 5-lobed with a dark spot at the base of each lobe incision. Large pink flowers have 5 wedge-shaped petals, each with a notch. A network of darker veins accent the flowers which appear in spring.
Special Notes: A vigorous hybrid cross between Geranium endressii and Geranium versicolor. Very similar to Geranium x oxonianum ‘Claridge Druce’ which has rosy-pink flowers. Cut back severely after flowering to tidy up. Fresh new leaves will appear and perhaps a second flush of blooms. Very easy care. Relatively pest and disease free. Drought tolerant. Deer and rabbit resistant. Propagate by seed.
Posted on November 11, 2012 |
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Heuchera micrantha var. diversifolia ‘Palace Purple’
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Heuchera micrantha var. diversifolia ‘Palace Purple’ Common name: coral bells; coral flower |
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Description: An evergreen perennial with a clump-forming habit. Large, bronzy-red palmate leaves with metallic shimmer are lighter on underside. Numerous panicles of creamy-white flowers with red anthers appear in June through July. Diminutively attractive rose-pink seed heads follow.
Special Notes: This native to North America needs regular lifting and dividing. Given more sun, leaves will turn a tarnished copper colour. Good cut flower. May suffer from leaf spots and powdery mildew. Also watch for slugs and snails. Reliable self-seeder but easy to keep under control.
Perennial Plant of the Year 1991
Updated: January 11, 2013 |
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Euphorbia dulcis ‘Chameleon’
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Euphorbia dulcis ‘Chameleon’ Common name: wood spurge |
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Description: An herbaceous perennial with an upright habit. Smallish, oblong, bronzy-burgundy leaves that become greener through summer then turn purple with red highlights in autumn. Lime-green bracts with a slight lavender-purple tinge appear in spring through summer.
Special Notes: Drought tolerant. Deer and rabbit resistant. Self-sows. Watch for powdery mildew, spider mites and aphids. Propagate by seed; division in spring or autumn.
Caution: Milky sap can cause skin and severe eye irritation. Toxic if ingested.
Posted on October 19, 2012
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Geranium psilostemon
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Geranium psilostemon Family: Geraniaceae Common name: Armenian cranesbill |
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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
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