Phlox conjure up lovely images of English cottage gardens, but they are derived from the American species Phlox paniculata that comes from damp riverside sites in the eastern US from New York to Georgia and Arkansas. Today, there are hundreds of varieties to choose from but Phlox paniculata 'Eventide' is particularly lovely with fragrant lavender blue flowers. It grows to about three feet and, if regularly deadheaded, will flower from midsummer through to autumn. Although phlox usually fare best in full sun, the blue flowered varieties such as 'Eventide' prefer some light shade. This phlox should be planted in fertile, moist soil and divided every three or four years to ensure that it does not weaken with age.
Propagation: Divide in autumn or spring. |
Delphiniums are lovely border perennials with masses of varieties and about 250 species to choose from. Delphinium 'Cliveden Beauty' belongs to a group that characteristically has branching flowering stems rather than single spires of flowers. It has thin, wiry stems with spikes of single, sky blue 'elf cap' flowers and attractive leaves. Flowers appear from June to August and are more profuse if deadheaded regularly. Like all delphiniums, 'Cliveden Beauty' should be grown in full sun in soil that has excellent drainage and is moderately fertile. It should be sheltered from strong winds and staked to prevent its heads from flopping. Cut it to the ground in autumn.
Propagation: Take heeled basal cuttings dose to the crown in early spring. |
Thalictrum aquilegiifolium var. album is splendid for shady areas where the soil remains moist. It is a white form of a species found across Europe from France and Spain to Romania and Turkey and, as its name suggests, its leaves resemble those of aquilegias. They are up to a foot long, pinnate with obovate, wavy margined leaflets. Its panicles of tiny flowers appear in May with greenish white sepals. When the sepals fall they reveal masses of white stamens which give the flowers their characteristic fluffy appearance. With luck, the flowers will go on appearing until July. Grow in humus rich soil in a position where it will not dry out.
Propagation: Divide as the new growth begins in spring. |
