Digitalis (Foxgloves) providing some excitement in these displays - as it does in the garden - with more spires and spikes provided by Salvia Caradonna and, just coming into flower, Aconitum napellus in white. Ceanothus (Californian Lilac) adds more blue to the mix, with bright orange bringing the scheme to life - this is Geum…
Architectural Plants
The best of the rest at Kew – a miscellany from my latest visit: the Rock Garden, Woodland and Water Lily House
Geraneum phaeum (above) - small, dark, richly colouted flower heads held in a haze above chevron'd foliage. Ideal for shady spots. Scilla peruviana (above) - last seen in the Alpine House at RHS Wisley - here it is in amongst the peonies at Kew The Japanese Pagoda Tree (below), well supported - Wild Garlic (above…
A new ‘old’ way with Wisteria and a very old Wisteria indeed – more from Kew Gardens
Wisteria floribunda Alba - near to the Duke's Garden within the larger Kew Gardens. We all know that Wisteria can clothe the front of a house with exceptional grace and beauty - and great vigour - elsewhere filling pergolas and arbours with colour and scent (and that reminds me that I am probably too late…
Delighting in the Duke’s Garden at Kew
A jaunt around the Duke's Garden at Kew - the Arum Lilies in the last entry are to be found here, in some shade and immensely happy. As indeed are all the herbaceous plantings here. I remember the searing quality of the Hemerocallis Burning Daylight - brighter even than the Geums here and in great…
Glorious Zantedeschia in the Duke’s Garden at Kew
A chance to stop off at Kew Gardens this afternoon - between rain showers happily - and to see what surprises there might be (for there are always surprises in these very varied gardens). Having paid up for an annual membership (given that they need the money and since I haven't found my way back…
Continue reading ➞ Glorious Zantedeschia in the Duke’s Garden at Kew
and the final few from an April afternoon at RHS Wisley…
Violas and wallflowers in a very successful partnership. The viola is Etain, a particularly hardworking plant that will be in flower from spring through to autumn, needing little care other than regular watering and clipping back if it gets too leggy. I shall be copying this next year. Meanwhile, some flamingo pink in the gardens…
Continue reading ➞ and the final few from an April afternoon at RHS Wisley…
Beschorneria yuccoides – something from Jurassic Park? Starship Trooper? Little Shop of Horrors?
Something from the movies, sci-fi maybe - these red/green/yellow flower spikes, erupting from these spiky, sharply pointed blue-green strappy leaves - and this isn't the end to their weird display. I hope I get back to RHS Wisley in time to see them develop... a sneak preview in the link below - http://www.cooltropicalplants.com/Beschorneria-yuccoides.html
Kew Green – waiting for the Wisteria to flower…
A brief stop on the north side of Kew Green, to a terrace of charming and characterful houses. I missed the Wisteria the last time if memory serves and I am a couple of weeks early this time around - it is just beginning to emerge with hints of blue against the brickwork. The double…
Continue reading ➞ Kew Green – waiting for the Wisteria to flower…
The RHS Great London Plant Fair 2014 – Gold Medal Fritillaries
Fritillaria persica, on the Jacques Armand International exhibit - with quite a collection of fritillaries on display F. paddeana against F. imperialis lutea (above) Fritillaris crassifolia Wisley (above) F. sewerzowii (above and below) A fine collection of Imperial fritillaries in orange and yellow Also on the Jacques Armand exhibit, other Spring flowering bulbs - and…
Continue reading ➞ The RHS Great London Plant Fair 2014 – Gold Medal Fritillaries
