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STARTING AT THE BACK
Shirley-Ann Kennedy 1994
When I read a book – any book – I always read the last page first. My experiences at the Group's Grand Plant Sale this year have led me to believe that not many group members do the same. When I sorted through my unsold plants after the Sale I realized that I had sold no plants of Zantedeschia aethiopica or of Zauschneria californica 'Glasnevin'. Fuchsias, geraniums, even as far along the alphabet as I weigelas, were all snapped up. But the Zs, neat little plants on offer at the modest price of 50p, were unwanted. Perhaps they were unknown to those who start at A in the Plant Lists and fade out before reaching Z? Allow me to introduce them to you.
Zantedeschia aethiopica, incorrectly called Calla or Arum lily,received its “end of the alphabet” name around 1830. Forms of Z. aethiopica may be grown out of doors, especially if the rhizomes
are under 15 cm. of water. I grow it in full sun, in water-logged tubs and over-winter it in the greenhouse. It is a deciduous plant from South Africa, height 45-60 cm. In my garden. It has mid- to deep green, slightly glossy, arrow-shaped leaves, and white spathes, 12- 20 cm. Long, surrounding a conspicuous yellow spadix, which are borne between March and July in my garden.
It can be grown as a hardy aquatic plant in a water depth of 15-30 cm., although I have not yet experimented with this. I understand that it can also be grown in the herbaceous border, in moist soil. The rhizomes may be split easily and are generally trouble free.
Zauschneria californica 'Glasnevin' is a most beautiful long-lived plant; a clump-forming woody-based perennial. It has lanceolate, grey-green pointed leaves. Terminal sprays of 2-3 cm. Long, bright orange-red tubular flowers appear from July to October, or even later. In my garden the plant achieves a height of 30-45 cm. And a spread of 60 cm. I grow my plant at the base of a very hot and very dry wall. I cut it down each spring and it produces a healthy mound of foliage, absolutely covered in the fuchsia-like flowers. Cuttings root very easily; occasionally shoots form “Irishman's cuttings”. It also appears I to be trouble- and pest-free. I do hope you will be inspired to try these plants for yourself; they are extremely easy to find in any plant list!!
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STAR PERFORMERS, OLD AND NEW
Joan Gunson 1994
The following plants are those that have given me the most pleasure this year; some are old favourites, others are new.
Aconitum 'Spark's Variety' has performed superbly this year in spite of the drought. A very sturdy tall monkshood needing no support, bearing sinister, hooded, very deep-purple flowers on branching stems. In my experience it grows in any position, including full shade or sun. The fleshy, tuberous root is easily divided, preferably in autumn, but care should be taken when handling as it is highly poisonous.
Alstroemeria psittacina is admired by all who see it. Margery Fish described it as romantic and sinister and said, “It is not a plant for which to ask your friends, and I am quite certain they wouldn't give it to you if you did.” It has wonderfully intriguing flowers of browny-red tipped with green, and stippled dark brown within. I wish it would spread more quickly though, as I can never supply enough plants to meet the demand. Said not to be hardy, I have grown it in the same spot for three years, covered with a mulch of manure in the autumn. It will come quite easily from seed if you can obtain it.
Clematis rehderiana also attracts lots of attention, with many people not even recognizing it as a clematis. Cut severely back in the spring, it has produced an enormous amount of growth and masses of flowers. The sweet little primrose-yellow bells are held in bunches and scent the air deliciously of cowslips. It can be propagated from cuttings or seed, sown fresh.
Digitalis purpurea pale yellow form. What is so special about a foxglove? I hear you asking. Well, these came from a batch of D. p. 'Suttons' Apricot' seedlings and grew into tall, sturdy plants bearing spikes of closely-set, large primrose-yellow flower, unspotted within. Could this be the extinct D. p. 'Suttons' Giant Primrose?
Geranium 'Brookside1 has flowered non-stop all summer and is still flowering as I write in September, with lovely clear blue flowers, somewhat similar to G. 'Johnson's Blue' but, with me, larger. A superb geranium.
Geranium regelii is a recently introduced Himalayan species and this is the first year I have seen it in flower. Resembling the G. himalayense types,but not so vigorous or free-flowering, it produces the most startling large pale-blue flowers in June. Much to my annoyance, I missed the seed and it has not yet made a large enough plant to divide, but propagation should be quite easy from either of the above methods.
Helleborus x sternii is, I think, the correct name for this beautiful hellebore. Given to me by a friend as a good form of H. argutifolius, it is quite similar in leaf-shape but slightly more greyish-green, with pink stems and undersides of leaves; the apple-green flowers are larger and also flushed pink. It is also shorter and neater in growth.
Iris 'Black Swan' (Tall bearded) performed beautifully this year; the nearest thing to black I have ever seen. The exquisitely silk-textured petals opened to reveal a contrasting, furry, ginger beard.
Linum perenne is not showy, but always so reliable. Masses of silky, azure-blue flowers flutter on top of resilient, wiry stems all summer long. Who could want more?
Veratrum nigrum is not often seen and is quite difficult to obtain; a wonderful performer, from its first appearance in spring until its last curtain-call in autumn. One first notices the clump of pale green, twisted, pleated foliage which slowly unfurls to wonderfully large, rounded hosta-type leaves which, unfortunately, are also attractive to slugs and snails. The flower spike is also superb, forming a Christmas tree shape with each branch hung with hundreds of tiny, deep-maroon waxy flowers which, when seen through a shaft of sunlight, glow like rubies. I think the flowers must be pollinated by wasps, as I have noticed many visiting them. Very slow to increase, and taking about five years to flower from seed, it remains fairly rare in cultivation. The seed should preferably be be sown fresh then left; it makes roots the first year and leaves appear in the second.
Verbascum 'Helen Johnson' is a most desirable newcomer; so much so that, upon seeing her, I paid the princely sum of £5.80 for her. She has flowers of such an unusual colour – a sort of fleshy-pink with a reddish-purple centre and greyish-green foliage. She is just as present she is next to maroon flowers and silvery foliage. Propagation is said to be difficult as, being tap-rooted, division is not possible; I believe micro-propagation is the only means, hence the price.
As autumn fast approaches these plants are taking their last bow, but I know they will be back next year to give further enjoyment.
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NANDINA
Aileen Stocks 1996
Much interest was shown in the specimen of Nandina which formed part of the attractive display created by Judy Harry for the Society's AGM in Lincoln this spring.
This is a genus of a single species – Nandina domestica, found in eastern Asia. Although usually classified as a member of the berberidaceae it is considered by some taxonomists to show features distinct enough to place it in a separate family – the Nandinaceae.
The Japanese name is “Nanten” and many people know it as 'Sacred Bamboo”, or “Heavenly Bamboo”, descriptive names deriving, no doubt, from its form of growth.
A native of China, it was introduced from Japan as long ago as 1804 but it is not very common and was first treated as a greenhouse or conservatory plant. William Robinson describes it as a graceful shrub needing a sheltered spot and preferably a peaty soil. It is grown in this country for the elegant stems and leaves, as the white flowers are not very distinctive and the berries not freely produced unless the plant is ina very sheltered sunny position. There is a specimen twenty-five years old and 6' high at Wisley, and another, dating from 1938, at Belhaven House, East Lothian.
The long, pointed leaves are tinged red or pink when young and, in conducive conditions, colour red or purple with age. N.d. 'Firepower' is one of the best for colour ; Janice Chambers has found that her specimen of N.d. 'Richmond' persists in staying green. The berries are bright red as a rule but some forms are purplish and white and yellow berried forms are known.
It propagates best by seed but germination rates are not high, whilst cuttings in gentle heat are slow. All young plants should be under glass for the first few years.
Several cultivars are now available such as 'Nana Purpurea' which is a dwarf with leaves tinged purple all summer; 'Pygmea', another dwarf with a close habit makes a mound to about 60 cm. 'Harbour Dwarf and 'Wood's Dwarf are also listed in The Plant Finder.
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PHLOMIS
George Parker 1999
One hardy perennial that must surely merit consideration for (the epithet “garden worthy” is Phlomis russeliana. This is handsome plant, with basal leaves heart-shaped, evergreen, quite large in size and somewhat rough of texture. The cream and sulphur-yellow hooded flowers are arranged in tiered whorls round the stout square-sectioned stems (it is a member of the family Lamiaceae). When after a long season these finally disappear the P calyces turn brown and, looking somewhat pagoda-like, remain to I provide interest all winter. The plant, which attains 1.5m, is easily! Grown from seed and once in the garden spreads steadily by means of I underground stems. Hardy to -20°C and trouble-free, given a reasonable soil and a measure of sun, it provides quiet pleasure for most of the year.
In his indispensable Perennial Garden Plants, G. S. Thomas gives two synonyms for this plant — P. samia and P. viscosa. However P. samia is a distinct species, similar in many ways to P. russeliana but with purple flowers, and I believe that there is also a true P. viscosa. Several years ago, when Chiltern Seeds included P. samia in their catalogue, I wrote to enquire about this and received a full reply telling me that the notion that the two species were the same was an error. Unfortunately my subsequent sowing of their seed produced no results. Having recently learned of “Just Phlomis”, the specialist nursery whose owner holds the National Collection, I shall hope soon to buy a plant of this – and of several more species – and so add to my enjoyment of this desirable and useful genus.
It is a genus that seems to have more
than its fair share of confusion. It is said that the Jerusalem Sage
(Phlomis fruticosa) grows widely around the Mediterranean but
never in Jerusalem, whilst P. italica, a dwarf shrub with
lilac flowers and hairy grey arrow-shaped leaves, is a native of the
Balearic Islands and not of Italy! I found this last sufficiently
attractive to tempt me, when I first saw it growing in Oxford Botanic
Garden, to help myself to a cutting (an act of vandalism sufficiently
on my conscience to prompt a belated confession to Timothy Walker!)
It is said to be hardy to -15°C but mine seems not to like the
cold. Our well-drained soil should suit it so perhaps I should find a
more sheltered spot to encourage it to thrive. As readers will have
gathered, cuttings root relatively easily. 
Phlomis contains both perennials and shrubs and the best-known member of the genus must be the Jerusalem Sage, P. fruticosa. This popular small shrub is generally found to be hardy and thrives on a hot, dry bank. The grey-green, woolly leaves clothe its stiff branches and, in summer, provide the background to the whorls of butter yellow flowers, each with characteristic large helmet-shaped upper lip. It, too, has attractive seed-heads to prolong its season of interest. It was awarded the AGM in 1984. Thought to be an intermediate between the shrubby P. frutticosa and the herbaceous P. russeliana is P. 'Edward Bowles', a phlomis which I have only just found out about but which sounds worth investigating. The extra large foliage is rich green above and silvery white beneath; the flowers are of a lighter colour than in P. fruticosa thus perhaps making it a better choice for inclusion in a grey colour scheme.
I first saw the admirable P. cashmeriana when the Group visited Hazel Kaye's nursery in Leicestershire and, finding its lilac-coloured flowers interestingly different from P. russeliana, bought one. Alas, I have not now seen the plant for some time and it may have become a victim of neglect. My request for seeds from this year's HPS Seed Distribution included a packet of this – and of P. bovei subsp. Marocanna, another pink-flowered herbaceous species – so I am hoping for successful germination. Jim Mann Taylor, who runs the Just Phlomis nursery says that viability is good and germination speedy; he also advises that germination is best when phlomis seed is collected around October and not earlier.
Over the past decade I have bought, planted and subsequently lost one or two other phlomis including the yellowish leaved P. chrysophylla. Perhaps the reason for this was a failure to water the young plant until well established. Most (but not all) Phlomis need full sun and good drainage and are happy in drought but, as the printed labels on many a garden centre pot tell us, young plants do require watering until a good root system is established (advantages here in owning a smaller garden!) Those who garden in moister conditions could plant P. breviflora, which comes from the Himalayas and has white flowers, or P. atropurpurea, a native of marshy meadows in China.
From Beth Chatto I bought, a couple of years ago, Phlomis tuberosa 'Amazone', a herbaceous perennial with toothed green, papery leaves and pinkish purple flowers on tall (to 1.5m) stems. Its natural habitat includes dry stony slopes so it should do really well in our garden. At the time I thought the cultivar was perhaps something rather special but I have since learned that it differs from the type only in the be edible but I haven't yet dug any up even for propagation purposes, let alone for culinary ones! I shall be really pleased if it settles down as well as my old friend P. russeliana..
At the top of my Wants List at the moment is P. taurica. (To support my contention that the genus phlomis has its confusions, I will tell you that the synonym of this desirable native of the Crimea is P. herba-venti forma eiixina.) So far I have only seen a picture of this very beautiful plant and it does not currently appear in The Plant Finder so it may remain a dream. Apparently it has a dome of flowers, white in bud but opening to a rich mauve. At the end of the season it dries out, the upper part detaches itself at the base and is blown along by the wind, like a tumbleweed. If only one would blow my way!