#freedraining

Plant of the Day

Sunday 4 June 2023

Growing in a sandy bank by the seashore in Orkney, Scotland, is a garden escape originally from the dry, stony soils around the Mediterranean, Asphodelus albus. This plant grows from fleshy roots producing long narrow leaves above which are strongly branching stems topped with spires of long narrow buds which open in early summer to starry-white flowers. The distinctive feature is the brown vein running down the centre of each petal. 

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

Wednesday 22 May 2019

For some late spring or early summer drama you could grow the hardy Mexican, clump-forming evergreen perennial Beschorneria yuccoides (yucca-leaved beschorneria). This plant forms a large rosette of grey-green leaves and from these emerge large flower stalks with conspicuous red bracts housing yellow-green tubular flowers. The ideal growing conditions are a sunny site with a well-drained soil.

Plant of the Day

Tuesday 19 March 2019

Forming a curved end to a bed in the Beth Chatto Dry Garden, Essex, the vivid pink flowers of Bergenia 'Barcock' (elephant ears) greet visitors. The rounded, evergreen leaves of the perennial Bergenia species are a characteristic signature plant of this Dry Garden.