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  • Armeria maritima – Sea Thrift

    Armeria maritima is a hardy perennial plant that grows in clumps and flowers from spring to summer with shades of pink that are best seen en masse.

    • Plant Family – Part of the Plumbaginaceae family or leadwort family. 
    • Native to – These flowering plants are native to the coastal regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
    • Common Names – It is often called Sea Thrift or Sea Pink.  The word thrift evidently comes from an Old Norse word meaning to thrive. Very apt for this plant as it makes the very best of rather poor ground to produce a display that will lift the spirits.
    • Flowers – The flower heads are formed in a round cluster on top of a thin but sturdy stem. The small flowers are various shades of pink. They remain upright on the thin stems to maintain a fine display.
    • Foliage – The dark green, glossy needle-like leaves form a clump or carpet from which the flower stalks grow to form a canopy.
    • Height and Spread – These are a low growing, ground cover plant that grow to a height of up to 18 inches, mostly shorter than that.  They tend to spread over time into a cluster and form a carpet that accentuates their beauty.
    • Position – These plants thrive in full sun location with a well drained soil, from acidic to alkaline. This makes them ideal for a rock garden, coastal gardens, but can also fit into any well-drained border or even a living roof.

    Overall, a plant that will cope with poor conditions to produce a flowering display and survive year on year with little maintenance.

    Armeria maritima - Sea Thrift

    Rank

    Species

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Armeria maritima

    Common Names:

    Sea Thrift, Sea Pink

    Genus:

    Armeria

    Family:

    Plumbaginaceae

    Related Plants:

    Plumbago, Leadworts

    Growing Conditions

    Position:

    full sun

    Soil Type:

    sandy, loamy, chalky, clay

    Soil pH:

    acid, neutral, alkaline

    Moisture:

    well drained

  • Allium – Ornamental Onion – Bold Architectural Blooms

    The Allium is a tall pompom flowing plant of the Garlic-Onion family. Predominantly purple or white with a globe head of fine star-shaped flowers. They are easy to grow but like the sun and good drainage as the bulbs can rot in heavy wet soil. They do stand out when isolated in a border but also look very good when planted in large swathes. The name Allium is Latin for Garlic and is thought to derive from the Greek word meaning avoid.

    Allium Ornamental Onion 1

    Rank

    Genus

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Allium

    Common Names:

    Ornamental Onion

    Genus:

    Allium

    Family:

    Amaryllidaceae

    Related Plants:

    Garlic, Amaryllis, Narcissus

    Growing Conditions

    Position:

    full sun

    Soil Type:

    sandy, loamy, chalky

    Soil pH:

    acid, neutral, alkaline

    Moisture:

    moist, well drained

  • Crinodendron – Lantern Tree of Chile

    Crinodendron is a genus of evergreen shrub or small tree native to the forests of Chile. They have crimson or pink lantern-shaped flowers that, unusually, hang under the branches. These are partly hardy plants that will tolerate a minor frost but do best in part shade in well-drained, humus-rich acid soil.

    Crinodendron Lantern Tree of Chile 4

    Rank

    Genus

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Crinodendron

    Common Names:

    Lantern Tree

    Genus:

    Crinodendron

    Family:

    Elaeocarpaceae

    Related Plants:

    Elaeocarpus

    Growing Conditions

    Position:

    full sun, partial shade

    Soil Type:

    loamy, peaty

    Soil pH:

    acid

    Moisture:

    moist, well drained

  • Gazania or African Daisy – Vibrant Hot Colours

    Gazania or African Daisies are bold, bright flowers with hot colours that are suited to sunny, dry climates. Although being in the same family, they are a different genus to Osteospermum plants that are also commonly referred to as African Daisies. These plants are drought tolerant and like to have full sun to be at their best. Being in the shade will make the flowers close and may then grow thin taller stems unable to support the large flower head.

    Gazania African Daisy 12

    Rank

    Genus

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Gazania

    Common Names:

    African Daisy, Treasure Flower

    Genus:

    Gazania

    Family:

    Asteraceae

    Related Plants:

    Aster, Daisy, Sunflower

    Growing Conditions

    Position:

    full sun

    Soil Type:

    sandy, loamy

    Soil pH:

    weak-acid, neutral, weak-alkaline

    Moisture:

    dry, well drained

  • Calceolaria or Slipper Flower

    Calceolaria are a genus flowering plant from the family, Calceolariaceae. Commonly called the Slipper Flower, Lady’s Purse and Slipperwort, due to unusual flowers that resemble slippers or purses and calceolaria being from the Latin for shoe. Currently, there are only 3 genera in its family, although others may soon follow as modern dna analysis is re-classifying plants into their families. There are over 388 species of Calceolaria and that covers a wide range of different plants

    Natively, these plants are found mainly in the Andes Mountains but also anywhere from Southern Patagonia to Central Mexico. Many modern hybrids can be found to brighten up garden pots and hanging baskets.

    Calceolaria Slipper flower acid yellow close up 1

    Rank

    Genus

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Calceolaria

    Common Names:

    Slipper Flower, Lady’s Purse, Slipperwort

    Genus:

    Calceolaria

    Family:

    Calceolariaceae

    Related Plants:

    Porodittia, Jovellana

    Growing Conditions

    Position:

    full sun, partial shade, sheltered

    Soil Type:

    sandy, loamy, clay

    Soil pH:

    acid, neutral

    Moisture:

    moist

  • Hyacinthoides non-scripta – Common Bluebell

    The Common Bluebell, scientifically known as the Hyacithoides non-scripta, is to be found flowering in the woodlands of Western Europe and the British Isles. This bulbous perennial flowers, en masse, during April and May and produces a spectacle that has inspired and challenged artist for generations.

    • Plant Family – Part of the Asparagaceae family or asparagus family that includes Asparagus, Camassia, Hosta, Hyacinth and Yucca. 
    • Native to – These flowering plants are native to the areas of Western Europe near to the Atlantic Ocean.
    • Common Names – It is often called the Common Bluebell or Woodland Bluebell. 
    • Flowers – The flowers are small and bell shaped in a single violet-blue colour. The flowers grow on one side of the stem producing a curved flower head, unlike the Bluebells more often found in gardens.
    • Foliage – The leaves spread radially at ground level leaving the stems to grow from up and flower.
    • Height and Spread – The bulbs lay dormant in the ground over winter and come back to life in the spring. The leaves spread about 12″ around the base and the steps come up between 12″ to 18″ inches high.
    • Position – These plants thrive in a shaded or partially shaded location with a well drained soil. This makes them ideal in a woodland garden, but also work in a wildflower meadow, cottage garden or herbaceous border.

    Overall, these plants will thrive and multiply, once established and protected from damage. Walking over them can lead to permanent damage that they will struggle to recover from. Admire from a distance.

    Blinkling Hall - Great Wood - Bluebells May 2025 -8

    Rank

    Species

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Hyacinthoides non-scripta

    Common Names:

    Bluebell

    Genus:

    Hyacinthoides

    Family:

    Asparagaceae

    Related Plants:


    Asparagus, Camassia, Hosta, Hyacinth and Yucca

    Growing Conditions

    Position:

    partial shade

    Soil Type:

    sandy, loamy, chalky, clay

    Soil pH:

    acid, neutral, alkaline

    Moisture:

    moist, well drained