#bethchatto

Plant of the Day

Sunday 19 May 2019

The Lysichiton camtschatcensis (Asian skunk cabbage) attracts bees and other pollinating insects to the fragrant, pure white, arum-like flowers. I was fascinated by the impression the green spadix had made on the pointed white spathe giving it a geometric texture. This marginal aquatic is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial.

Plant of the Day

Saturday 11 May 2019

The Erysimum mutabile (wallflower) is well placed in-front of the fountain-like grass Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (rope grass, dis grass). This elegant grass needs a dry, well-drained soil in a sunny location. As does the Erysimum which forms a small short-lived woody perennial covered with long stems of multicoloured flowers. The dark purple buds open to creamy-yellow flowers which become entirely mauve with age.

Plant of the Day

Friday 17 May 2019

A plant from Alaska and Siberia Thermopsis lupinoides was creating some early summer colour and a nectar and pollen source for the bees. This herbaceous perennial grows from a rhizomatous rootstock but is clump forming and not as invasive as other Thermopsis species. This plant is useful for a well drained soil in a sunny location. 

Plant of the Day

Saturday 18 May 2019

Ideal for a sunny, well drained site is the clump-forming perennial Asphodeline lutea (asphodel, king's spear, yellow asphodel). It has distinctive tall stems with whorls of fine, grey-blue leaves. At the top of the stems are a cluster of star-like yellow flowers which later form a wand of bright green, round fruit which eventually dry to crinkled brown and provide winter interest.

Plant of the Day

Wednesday 15 May 2019

The marginal aquatic Orontium aquaticum (golden club) was producing slender flowering spadices in this pond.

Plant of the Day

Wednesday 8 May 2019

As spring continues the crosiers of the sterile fronds of Osmunda regalis (royal fern) are unfurling. This fern is native to the U.K. needing a moist location so it is often planted near a pond or stream. In the autumn the fronds of this deciduous plant turn bronze before dying back.

Plant of the Day

Tuesday 7 May 2019

This evergreen, Thymus longicaulis (thyme), forms a low growing, spreading mat of mildly scented green leaves. From late spring through the summer it is covered with clusters of rosy-mauve flowers which are enjoyed by the bees. It needs a sunny site and is drought tolerant once establish.

Plant of the Day

Friday 10 May 2019

A stem of yellow flowers have yet to grow but this huge rosette of great grey-white felted leaves of Verbascum bombyciferum (giant mullein) are still making a statement in this sunny border. This plant is a biennial so it overwinters as this stunning rosette and will die after flowering and producing seeds.