If you have a bog, pond or damp meadow garden, you have perfect conditions for growing trollius. 'Earliest of All' has lovely buttercup-like, three inch flowers that appear in mid-spring on 20 inch stems. Its rosettes of toothed and lobed basal leaves and more finely divided stem ones are perfect foils for the flowers. Trolliuses may be grown in sun or partial shade, but it is vital they are given deep, fertile soil that never dries out. Cut back stems after flowering to encourage a second flush. I x cultorum 'Alabaster' has divine pale primrose flowers.
Propagation: Sow seed in cold frame as soon as ripe or in spring. Divide as new growth begins or immediately after flowering. |
Lamiums may conjure up visions of over enthusiastic ground cover plants, but here is a Central European species that grows only into a neat, non-invasive clump. It has a subtle charm and I find it useful for planting under shrubs, where it thrives. It has pretty, broadly ovate or triangular, toothed, softly hairy, dark green, four inch leaves and, in late spring and summer, these are accompanied by spikes of whorled, pinkish purple, two lipped flowers. They are found on stems that grow to about two feet and the plant's average spread is about one foot. Grow in moist but well drained soil in shade.
Propagation: Sow seed in cold frame in autumn or spring. Divide in autumn or early spring. Take stem-tip cuttings of non-flowering stems in early summer. |
A member of the lily family and a native of the USA, it is a marvellously decorative perennial for a shaded border or a woodland garden. Its mid-green, narrowly ovate, six inch leaves textured with prominent veining on their upper surfaces, downy beneath, are very handsome and, in autumn, turn a cheery yellow. Its captivating creamy white, green tinged blooms appear about mid-spring as terminal panicles made up of masses of tiny flowers. They grow on three foot arching stems and may be followed by green berries that turn red later in the season. Grow in moderately fertile, humus rich, lime free soil in shade, sheltered from cold winds.
Propagation: Sow seed in a cold frame in autumn. Divide in spring. |
