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VERBENA (Verbenaceae)
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These long-flowering plants are a magnet for Butterflies, especially Verbena bonariensis. We have also seen the Hummingbird
Hawk Moth on these plants which is not totally surprising considering they are closely related to Lantana camara, a tender
shrub which is one of the main food plants for the adults. Many species and cultivars are hardy in fairly mild parts of the
country as long as they have reliable drainage. Grow in full sun. Drought tolerant although they can suffer from powdery
mildew in very dry conditions.
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bonariensis  |
£ 3.50 |
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Tall wiry stems topped with heads of small purple flowers. Not totally hardy but will self seed prolifically. Usually grown at the
back of the border because of its height but can be grown closer to the front and veiwed through in the same way as Cirsium
rivulare and cultivars thereof. 2 metres (6 feet).
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'Claret' |
£ 3.50 |
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Prostrate stems bear heads of large, deep red flowers from June-September.
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'Hammerstein Pink' |
£ 3.50 |
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Long, prostrate stems with heads of large, bright pink flowers from June-September. 60 cms (2 feet).
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'Homestead Purple' |
£ 3.50 |
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Long, prostrate stems with heads of large, deep purple flowers from June-September. 60 cms (2 feet).
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'La France' |
£ 3.50 |
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Long, prostrate stems with heads of large, soft mauve-pink flowers from June-September. 60 cms (2 feet).
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peruviana |
£ 3.50 |
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Mat-forming species with masses of scarlet flowers from summer-autumn. For very well drained soil in full sun. Minimum
minus 5°C.
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rigida |
£ 3.50 |
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Spreading tuberous species with heads of purple flowers from June-Sept. Needs sun and really good drainage. 60 cms (2
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rigida 'Polaris' |
£ 3.50 |
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Attractive cultivar with heads of silvery-mauve flowers from June-Sept. Needs sun and really good drainage. 45 cms (1½
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'Seabrook's Lavender' |
£ 3.75 |
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A new cultivar with lavender flowers with a deeper eye, over a very long period. Short-lived, so take cuttings, ideally
overwinter these frost free. Needs well-drained soil in sun. Cut back straggly plants if needed during the growing season. 45
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VERONICA (Scrophulariaceae)
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(SPEEDWELL.) These perennials are found in a variety of habitats around the world ranging from swamps and wet meadows to
rocky hills and dry meadows so it is important to have the right type for the right conditions. Many are mat forming or
spreading in habit, making them good ground cover. Those with hairy leaves originate from dry areas so need very good
drainage. Those with hairless or glossy leaves will prefer moister soil, some even prefer boggy soil.
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austriaca ssp. teucrium 'Crater Lake Blue' |
£ 3.25 |
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Mat-forming cultivar with stunning deep blue flowers from June-July. 30 cms (1 foot).
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gentianoides |
£ 3.25 |
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Mat-forming species with broad, glossy, deep green leaves and upright spikes (to 10in long) of very pale blue flowers (to ½in
across) from April-June. For moist, well drained soil. Origin; Caucasus Mountains 45 cms (1½ feet).
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schmidtiana |
£ 3.50 |
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Native to Japan, this species has attractively cut foliage which turns bronze in autumn. It is mat-forming in habit and produces
many spikes of blue flowers with darker blue veins in mid summer. Reportedly short-lived so it would be an idea to save some
seed. Suitable for a rockery. 30 cms (1 foot).
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spicata 'Rosa Zwerg' |
£ 3.25 |
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Mat-forming cultivar with spikes of rosey red flowers from July-September. Grow in moist, well drained soil. 45 cms (1½ feet).
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VERONICASTRUM (Scrophulariaceae)
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sibiricum |
£ 3.25 |
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Tall perennial (related to Veronica) topped by dense spikes of small lavender-purple flowers from July-September. Attracts
bees and butterflies. For well drained soil in sun/part shade. 2 metres (6 feet).
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VIOLA (Violaceae)
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Viola is the Latin name given to Violets, Violas (miniature Pansies) and Pansies. Most of the following species and cultivars are
Violets which are usually spreading in habit and are perennial, unlike 'Pansies' and 'Violas'. Grow in damp, humus-rich (leafy)
soil in sun or part shade. Most Violets will seed around and are good for naturalising. The intensity of the scent does vary and
some hardly smell at all.
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cornuta 'Alba Minor' |
£ 3.00 |
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(HORNED VIOLET.) Masses of large, slightly scented, pure white flowers to ¾in across from March-August. 15 cms (6").
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cornuta 'Ulla' |
£ 3.00 |
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(HORNED VIOLET.) Long-flowering viola with large, dark purple flowers approx 1in across from April-Oct. Slightly scented. 15
cms (6").
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odorata 'Alba' |
£ 3.00 |
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Small, scented, white flowers from spring-early summer and for a short while in autumn. 15 cms (6").
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odorata Pale blue form |
£ 3.00 |
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Small, scented, very pale blue flowers from spring-early summer and for a short while in autumn.
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odorata 'Sulphurea' |
£ 3.00 |
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Pretty sulphur- yellow flowers in spring. Unfortunately doesn't seem to be scented (despite being a cultivar of viola odorata)
but makes up for it with its very unusual flower colour (for a violet). 15 cms (6").
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'Perle Rose' |
£ 3.00 |
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Sweetly scented, dusky-rose flowers appear mainly in spring but a small flush of flowers in autumn is often seen. 15 cms
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riviniana Purpurea Group |
£ 3.00 |
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(PURPLE LABRADOR VIOLET.) China blue flowers in spring contrast nicely with the dark purple foliage. Tolerates dry soils.
For part or full shade. Seeds around readily and can become invasive but useful for a wild or woodland garden. Not scented 15
cms (6").
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rupestris rosea |
£ 3.00 |
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More clump forming than most violets with mauve flowers to 2cm (1in) across with a white eye from April-July. 10 cms (4").
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sororia 'Albiflora' |
£ 3.00 |
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Spreading cultivar with large white flowers to 1inch across from spring-early summer. Comes true from seed. Not very
scented but the size of the flowers compared to other violets can be seen as a trade off. 10 cms (4").
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sororia 'Dark Freckles' |
£ 3.25 |
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Pale blue flowers with many dark blue freckles (seed raised plants are variable) in spring. Not scented. 10 cms (4").
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WALDSTEINEA (Rosaceae)
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ternata |
£ 3.25 |
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Good ground cover perennial, for some early colour, with glossy green leaves and single, bright yellow, saucer-shaped flowers
from late spring-early summer. For fertile soil in part or full shade. Good for dry shade. 10 cms (4").
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ZANTEDESCHIA (Araceae)
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(ARUM LILY.) Popular plants with attractive funnel-shaped spathes which many people think of as the flowers but are basically
coloured leaves which surround the much less attractive flower spikes inside. Z. aethiopica and its cultivars are hardy to
minus 5° C. In frost prone areas apply a protective mulch for the winter. They can be grown as marginal plants in water no
deeper than 30cm (1ft) Grow in full sun or very light shade. Very good as a cut flower but keep out of hot sun to prevent the
delicate spathes from burning.
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aethiopica |
£ 4.50 |
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Large pure white flowers from May-July. 90 cms (3 feet).
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aethiopica 'Crowborough' |
£ 4.50 |
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A cultivar reputed to be hardier than the species. White spathes 4 - 6" long appear in late spring to early summer. 90 cms (3
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ZEPHYRANTHES (Amaryllidaceae)
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candida |
£ 4.00 |
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(RAIN FLOWER.) Bulbous perennial with a succession of crocus-like, white flowers from summer to autumn. For very well
drained soil in full sun. Hardy to -10°C. but needs protection from winter wet. 20 cms (7").
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