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DAHLIA (Asteraceae)
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Popular tuberous plants which normally need to be lifted before winter although many cultivars seem to be fairly hardy (in East
Anglia) as long as they are mulched really well. Dahlia Bishop of Llandaff is certainly one of these. Grow in fertile, well drained
soil in full sun. Most flower from July to October sometimes longer if the weather is mild.
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imperialis |
£ 7.50 |
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(TREE DAHLIA.) A magnificent dahlia of truly tree-like proportions! This giant can reach 4m in height. Produces single pink
flowers in summer but plants may need a couple of years in the ground to flower. In mild coastal/ southern areas, apply a thick
mulch for winter. 4 metres (12 feet) plus.
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DAIS (Thymelaeaceae)
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cotinifolia |
£ 8.50 |
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(BASBOOM.) Lovely shrub, related to the Daphne, with umbels, to 5cm across, of scented pink flowers in summer. Hardy in
very mild, sheltered gardens. Grow in loam based compost (or well drained soil if out side). Prune in spring, hard back if
needed. 4 metres (12 feet) plus. Minimum minus 5 to 0 deg. C.
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DALECHAMPIA (Euphorbiaceae)
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spathulata |
£ 8.50 |
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(PURPLE WINGS.) An unususal climber from Central America, related to the Euphorbia. The true flowers are insignificant, but
are surrounded by large showy purple bracts. 4 metres (12 feet) plus.
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DENDROBIUM (Orchidaceae)
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kingianum |
£ 6.50 |
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(PINK ROCK ORCHID.) An easily grown terrestrial orchid from Eastern Australia, typically found in rock crevices filled with
leaf litter. After a dry period in winter, mauve flowers will appear, up to 15 per pseudobulb. Grow in orchid compost in a shallow
bowl. Likes humidity, so ideal for a bathroom or kitchen. 20 cms (7"). Minimum 3 to 7 deg. C.
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DIANELLA (Phormiaceae)
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tasmanica |
£ 6.50 |
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(BLUE FLAX LILY, BLUEBERRY.) Iris-like evergreen from wet hillsides in Tasmania and S.E. Australia. Leaves are topped in
early summer by sprays of small intense-blue flowers, followed by bright long-lasting blue berries. Hardy in mild gardens in
neutral-acid, well drained soil. 1.2 metres (4 feet). Minimum minus 5 to 0 deg. C.
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DICHONDRA (Convolvulaceae)
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micrantha |
£ 4.25 |
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(KIDNEY GRASS.) Tender member of the bindweed family with small kidney shaped leaves. Forms dense mats of foliage and
small white flowers in summer, would look good growing in a butler sink or something similar. Possibly invasive in warm
gardens. Featured in the Gold Medal - winning 'Campanian Garden' at Chelsea 2006. 10 cms (4"). Minimum 3 to 7 deg. C.
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micrantha 'Silver Falls' |
£ 4.25 |
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Member of the bindweed family with very long trails of silver leaves to 3m in growing season. Excellent hanging basket plant
but vigorous so grow with other vigorous plants. Cut back & over winter frost free if desired. Possibly invasive in warm
gardens. 3 metres (10 feet). Minimum 3 to 7 deg. C.
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DICLIPTERA (Acanthaceae)
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suberecta |
£ 6.50 |
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(HUMMINGBIRD BUSH.) Spreading plant from Uruguay, where it is attractive to hummingbirds, with grey leaves and spikes
of upward facing, bright red, tubular flowers in summer. Grow in loam based compost in good light, protected from hot sun. Cut
back leggy growth after flowering. 60 cms (2 feet). Minimum 0 to 3 deg. C.
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DIDYMOCHLAENA (Dryopteridaceae)
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trunculata |
£ 7.50 |
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(TREE MAIDENHAIR.) A vigourous tender evergreen fern, with distinctly cut fronds - these have a bronze tint when young,
turning a deep lustrous green. Ideal as a specimen plant in a cool conservatory. 1.5 metres (5 feet). Minimum 3 to 7 deg. C.
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DISTICTIS (Bignoniaceae)
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buccinatoria |
£ 8.25 |
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(MEXICAN BLOOD FLOWER.) We hope to have some of these this year, struck form our big stock plant. Related to the more
familiar Campsis, this is not quite so hardy, but still worth a try outdoors in a mild garden. Our plant stays evergreen down to
freezing. A vigorous climber with large tubular pink-red flowers in summer-autumn, making an impressive display which attracts
hummingbirds in its native habitat. 4 metres (12 feet) plus. Minimum 0 to 3 deg. C.
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DRACAENA (Agavaceae)
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marginata  |
£ 7.00 |
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(DRAGON TREE.) Slow-growing shrub, eventually branching, the older lower leaves falling to leave bare stems, with the
remaining leaves forming tufts at the end of the branches. Tall plants can be cut back and will re-sprout. The cuttings will root
in gritty compost to make new plants. 4 metres (12 feet) plus.
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DRACAENA (Dracaenaceae)
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draco |
£ 8.50 |
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(DRAGON TREE.) Familiar to those who visit its native Canaries, this in time makes a large tree, (pictured here in the Botanical Gardens, Gibraltar) but in a pot, makes a large, very
architectural plant, inittially a single rosette of broad spine-tipped leaves, but branches with age. Needs well-drained compost
and sun.Minimum 3 to 7 deg. C. |
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DREGEA (Asclepiadaceae)
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sinensis 'Variegata' |
£ 8.00 |
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(HARDY HOYA.) Twining climber, relative of the Hoya, with clusters of white, honey-scented flowers in summer. Hardy
against a warm, sunny wall, in well drained soil, down to minus 5°C. Otherwise grow in a conservatory. Deciduous at low
temperatures. Leaves are green with irregular white and pale green splashes. 3 metres (10 feet). Minimum minus 5 to 0 deg. C.
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DURANTA (Verbenaceae)
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erecta |
£ 7.75 |
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(GOLDEN DEW DROP, SKY FLOWER.) Bushy shrub with arching sprays of pretty lilac flowers in summer, followed by
yellow-orange fruit. Feed every 2 weeks in summer. Can be hard pruned in late winter/spring. Loam based compost. 3 metres
(10 feet). Minimum 3 to 7 deg. C.
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'Geisha Girl' |
£ 7.75 |
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(GOLDEN DEW DROP, SKY FLOWER.) Cultivar with deeper blue flowers with white markings over a long period. Sprays of
small orange berries are an added attraction. 2 metres (6 feet). Minimum 3 to 7 deg. C.
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lorentzii |
£ 7.75 |
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(GOLDEN DEW DROP.) Lovely species with pure white, fragrant flowers. There is debate as to the correct latin name but
could well be D. erecta 'Alba'. Cultivation as for other Duranta. 2 metres (6 feet). Minimum 3 to 7 deg. C.
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repens |
£ |
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See Duranta erecta
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ECHIUM (Boraginaceae)
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Members of the Borage family to which Forget-me-not, Brunnera, Anchusa and many more belong. These shrubs, perennials
and biennials produce spectacular spikes of flowers which are often blue with some species producing pink or white flowers.
They are often seen growing in the Canary Islands but can also be found in dry regions across Europe. Most need very good
drainage and full sun. Adored by bees.
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candicans |
£ 7.75 |
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(PRIDE OF MADEIRA.) A large half-hardy shrub with grey leaves and 30cm long spikes of electric blue flowers in early
summer. Made a really impressive plant to 10ft in our greenhouse, before we had to remove it. Should survive outside in mild areas. Cover with fleece if
frost is forecast. Prune to shape after flowering. 2.5 metres (8 feet). Minimum 0 to 3 deg. C.
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ELEGIA (Restionaceae)
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capensis |
£ 7.75 |
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One of the increasingly popular 'Restios', from South Africa. Resembles a horsetail (but no relation), with tiered whorls of
leaves arranged along strong vertical stems. Hardy in mild coastal gardens, it needs well-drained but moisture retentive acid,
sandy soil with added peat. The plants are adapted to growing in soil low in nutrients, so don't add fertiliser, especially
phophates, which can burn the roots. 2 metres (6 feet). Minimum minus 5 to 0 deg. C.
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ELETTARIA (Zingiberaceae)
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cardamomum |
£ 7.50 |
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(CARDAMOM.) Ginger relative with aromatic leaves. White flowers with violet veins may appear in summer if kept above
10°C. Keep away from hot sun. Grow in high humidity in loam based compost with added bark. 50 cms (1½ feet). Minimum 3 to 7 deg. C.
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ENSETE (Musaceae)
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'Tandarra Red' |
£ 10.00 |
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Bought as Musa 'Tandarra Red'. A stunning plant with waxy fronds of green, heavily tinged with reddish-purple Similar to Ensete 'Maurellii', but with slightly
more contrast in leaf and vein colour.
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ENTELEA (Tiliaceae)
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arborescens |
£ 7.75 |
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(WHAU.) Similar to Sparrmannia africana (q.v) but with shinier leaves, this makes a worthwhile foliage subject for a large
conservatory, potentially reaching 6 metres. Can be cut back in spring to promote bigger leaves. Worth trying outdoors in a
mild garden. The wood has a lower density than cork, so is ideal for fishing floats etc. 4 metres (12 feet) plus. Minimum minus 5 to 0 deg. C.
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EPIDENDRUM (Orchidaceae)
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ibaguense |
£ 6.50 |
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May be E. radicans. An easy-to-grow Orchid with long stems producing roots which attach themselves to trees & rocks in the
wild. May need support in the form of a moss pole. Grow in free-draining compost with added bark, and water with rainwater. 60
cms (2 feet). Minimum 3 to 7 deg. C.
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EPILOBIUM (Onagraceae)
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'Olbrich Silver' |
£ |
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See Zauschneria 'Olbrich Silver'
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EPIPHYLLUM (Cactaceae)
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Epiphytic cacti, living in trees in the wild. Most make somewhat gangly specimens, but this is more than made up for by their
dramatic flowers, often powerfully scented at night. They need an open compost (peat based with added bark) and shade from
hot sun. Tomato food during the growing season will encourage flowering. They are best placed where the fleshy stems have
room to spread and trail. Min. 4°C.
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Mixed |
£ 6.50 |
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A range of flower colours - many scented. We are still trying to sort these out into separate colours. Minimum 3 to 7 deg. C.
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oxypetalum |
£ 6.50 |
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Species with large fleshy leaves and scented white flowers in summer. Minimum 3 to 7 deg. C.
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EUCHARIS (Amaryllidaceae)
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amazonica |
£ 6.75 |
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Tender bulbous plant with a single umbel of up to 8 large, scented white flowers with a central trumpet from Aug-Sep. Grow in
loam based compost with added sand in full light. Water sparingly in winter. 75 cms (2½ feet). Minimum 7 to 10 deg. C.
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EUCOMIS (Hyacinthaceae)
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(PINEAPPLE LILY.) Bulbous plants from South Africa with long-lasting spikes of flowers which resemble a Pineapple fruit and
are often followed by decorative seed pods. Most are hardy in the UK to minus 10° C providing they have good drainage in
winter. Mulch in winter. Grow in full sun. See entries under Hardy Perennials and Conservatory Plants.
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vandermerwei 'Octopus' |
£ 6.25 |
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A new cultivar, with rosettes of narrow wavy-edged dark green leaves liberally sprinkled with deep red markings. From these
rosettes arise short flower spikes of deep purple flowers, topped by a leafy tuft with matching red spots. Needs protection
from frost, so best in a pot, perhaps plunged outdoors for the summer & brought undercover for the winter 20 cms (7"). Minimum 0 to 3 deg. C.
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EUPATORIUM (Asteraceae)
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A diverse group of plants including perennials, sub-shrubs and evergreen shrubs. The flower-heads consist of masses of tiny
daisies, sometimes resembling that of the Ageratum to which this genus is closely related. Grow in moist, well drained soil in
sun/part shade. Attracts Bees and Butterflies.
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capillifolium |
£ 7.00 |
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(DOG FENNEL.) Spectacular plant with very tall columns of foliage with bright green thread like leaves. Purple flowers should
appear in autumn if kept above 10°C. Otherwise a fantastic foliage plant. Give support if growing outside in summer. Cut back
after flowering. 3 metres (10 feet). Minimum 3 to 7 deg. C.
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sordidum |
£ 7.75 |
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(DIRTY THOROUGHWORT.) From the daisy family comes this huge plant with large purple leaves covered with red hairs.
Clusters of slightly scented ageratum-like flowers are produced in lfrom spring to autumn. Worth a try in summer bedding
schemes. Prune (hard back if needed) in spring. 3 metres (10 feet). Minimum 3 to 7 deg. C.
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| EUPHORBIA (Euphorbiaceae) |
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stygiana |
£7.50 |
| A shrubby Euphorbia from the Azores, with dark green leaves with a paler mid-rib which turns red in winter Umbels of pale yellow flowers
appear in early summer. It needs a sheltered spot in full sun out of the wind and in well-drained soil, otherwise grow in a conservatory. 1.2
metres (4 feet). |
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EURYOPS (Asteraceae)
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pectinatus |
£ 6.50 |
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Tender shrubby perennial with grey/green leaves and clusters of large, bright yellow daisies summer-autumn. Flowers into
winter under glass. Can be cut back hard in spring to keep bushy. 1 metre (3 feet). Minimum 0 to 3 deg. C.
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