There are 500 species in the shamrock clan and this charming bulb hails from the Andes of Chile and Argentina. It grows readily in light but humus rich soil and is perfect for a rock garden, raised bed or trough. In late spring, its solitary, sugar pink flowers appear as tiny funnels with deeper coloured veins and purple throats. In bud, they look like miniature furled umbrellas. The clover-like leaves are as appealing as the flowers, consisting of heart shaped leaflets that fold up at night. Specialist nurseries stock it.
Propagation: Sow seed at 13°C to 18°C in late winter or early spring. Divide in spring. |
This Mediterranean geranium is one of the first to flower with its cheerful violet blooms appearing at the beginning of May. The flowers have delectable shallow cups with prominently veined silken petals. Its leaves are intricately cut into seven leaflets and form attractive hummocks up to ten inches tall with a twelve inch spread. Geraniums are long lived, accommodating plants and ideal for borders or as underplantings for shrubs. Grow Geranium tuberosum in moderately fertile, well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. The front of a border suits it perfectly.
Propagation: Sow seed in containers outdoors as soon as ripe. Divide in spring. Take basal cuttings in early or mid-spring and root with bottom heat. |
When planting those charming decorative 'onions,' the alliums, remember that, in the wild, they are found in dry mountainous sites. Therefore, in a garden, they should be grown in well drained and fertile soil in full sun. Allium aflatunense has ribbed stems and mid green, basal linear leaves. Its leaves give off a pungent odour when crushed and are prone to wither before the flowers appear in May or June. The flower umbels are spherical, the size of tennis balls, and densely packed with tiny star shaped, purplish pink flowers. They appear on top of straight stems and, as a single bulb usually produces offsets around it, they form clumps within a few seasons.
Propagation: Sow seed in containers in a cold frame when ripe or in spring. Remove offsets in autumn |
