Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’
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Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’ Common name: spurge; Griffith’s spurge |
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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
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Hosta ‘Halcyon’
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Hosta ‘Halcyon’ Family: Hostaceae Common name: plaintain lily |
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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 |
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Hosta ‘June’
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Hosta ‘June’ Family: Hostaceae Common name: plaintain lily |
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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
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Yucca flaccida ‘Golden Sword’
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Yucca flaccida ‘Golden Sword’ Family: Agavaceae Common name: variegated yucca |
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Description: An evergreen, clump-forming, woody perennial. The striking, lance-shaped, golden-yellow leaves edged with variable blue-green stripes are thin and flexible; 24 inch (60 cm) long and roughly 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide. Panicles of bell-shaped, cream-coloured flowers appear on a single 4 foot (1.2 m) spike in mid-summer.
Special Notes: Native to North America. Gradually produces multiple rosettes of leaves. Provides good winter interest. Very drought tolerant. Few pests. Leaves can develop fungal leaf spots in winter weather. Deer and rabbit resistant. Propagate by division in spring or autumn. This plant is sometimes referred to as Yucca filimentosa ‘Golden Sword’.
RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993; Great Plant Pick 2007
Posted on October 11, 2012; updated February 3, 2013
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Geranium x magnificum
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Geranium x magnificum Family: Geraniaceae Common name: cranesbill |
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Description: An herbaceous perennial with an upright, loosely clumping habit. Rounded, hairy, dark green leaves are divided into large lobes. Leaves have good autumn colour. Masses of 2 inch (5 cm) brilliant violet-purple, saucer-shaped flowers appear in late spring. Petals are darkly veined.
Special Notes: A vigorous, sterile hybrid; cross between Geranium ibericum and Geranium platypetalum. Short bloom period – roughly 2 weeks long. Very easy care; relatively pest and disease free. Drought tolerant. Deer and rabbit resistant.
RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993
Posted on August 18, 2012
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