Originally from European Russia, lychnis is one of those reliable plants that give little trouble and whose scarlet flowers are bright without being brash. The flowerheads appear in early summer, containing as many as 30 tiny star shaped blooms. Deadhead them to prolong flowering. The stem and basal leaves are mid-green and the erect, hairy flower stalks grow up to about three feet. This plant is good in borders and wild gardens. It should be grown in fertile, moist, well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Lychnis chalcedonica 'Rosea' has rose pink flowers and is a good foil plant for a border.
Propagation: Sow seed in cold frame as soon as ripe or in spring. Divide in spring. |
Borders should be dramatic as well as interesting, and this biennial giant thistle, with its silver leaves and tall stems topped with bristling flowers, has impact aplenty. The stunning leaves, up to fourteen inches long, are oblong, ovate or lance shaped, with toothed edges. In summer, the pale purple or white flower heads, up to two inches across, appear on stems up to ten feet tall and are very attractive to bees. Excellent in the border, Onopordum acanthium also suits semi-wild or gravel gardens and will readily self-seed. It should be grown in fertile, well drained, neutral or slightly alkaline soil in full sun.
Propagation: Sow seed in containers in cold frame or in situ in autumn or spring. |
With 30,000 hemerocallis cultivars on the market, in colours from almost white, through yellow and orange, to purple and darkest red black, and in flower shapes from spiders to full doubles, how do you choose? Hemerocallis 'Marion Vaughn', with lemon yellow, star shaped, fragrant flowers, is an excellent variety. The flowers last only one day; being nocturnal, they open in late afternoon and last throughout the night. In this free flowering variety, they go on appearing all summer long, on stems up to three feet tall. Its evergreen leaves are arching narrow straps from 30 to 48 inches long. Day lilies need fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun.
Propagation: Divide in spring. |
