This attractive, low growing, evergreen euphorbia's young plants are upright, but spread as they mature to produce elegantly arching clumps no taller than about nine inches. It looks charming sited among paving. Its lance shaped, greyish green leaves are up to three inches long and its male and female flower parts are grouped together in structures known as cyathia which may be solitary or grouped in cymes, umbels or clusters. E. rigida's cyathia are encircled by long yellow bracts that turn an attractive reddish colour. It should be grown in well drained, light soil in full sun.'Makes a good subject for rock gardens.
Propagation: Sow seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Divide in early spring or take basal cuttings in spring or early summer. |
Asarums are low growing, woodland perennials, found in parts of Europe, Asia and N. America, that get their colloquial name because their rhizomes have a scent resembling ginger. Possessing handsome glossy leaves, they make decorative ground cover for the front of borders or among shrubs in dappled shade. A. hartwegii is a native of Oregon and California and has heart shaped, shiny, dark green leaves, up to five inches long. The flowers are like small jugs, composed of three long, slender lobes. Grows best in moderately fertile, humus rich, moist but well drained neutral to slightly acid soil.
Propagation: Sow seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Divide in early spring. |
Those who are familiar with the wild valerian that grows in walls along country roads may be surprised to discover Valeriana phu 'Aurea,' a distant cousin whose brightly coloured leaves add a zestful touch to a border in early spring. It is a clump forming perennial with fern like, eight inch leaves which are a stunning pale yellow when they appear in early spring but become lime or mid green by midsummer.The small white flowers, arranged in corymbs, appear much later, usually in early summer. This valerian may be grown in any soil that is moist and will grow well in sun or dappled shade.
Propagation: Sow seed in containers outdoors or take basal cuttings in spring. Divide in spring or autumn. |
