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  • Meconopsis – Himalayan Poppy

    Meconopsis is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Papaveraceae or Poppy family. These plants are often known for their beautiful blue petals, but they also come in a variety of purple, white and yellow. Commonly referred to as Himalayan Poppy as they are found natively in the Himalayan Mountains. Given their natural habitat, these plants are fairly hardy, but remain difficult to because being monocarpic they only flower and set seed only once.

    Meconopsis Taxonomy

    The name comes from the Greek for ‘poppy like’, and so other Poppy type flowers were Meconopsis genus. Most Poppies are listed in their own Papaver genus, Papaver being Latin for Poppy, but the Meconopsis genus is kept separate for these Himalayan flowers. All poppies belong to the Order Ranunculales, or Buttercups.

    Meconopsis Strathspey Himalayan Poppy single

    Rank

    Genus

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Meconopsis

    Common Names:

    Himalayan Poppy

    Genus:

    Meconopsis

    Family:

    Papavercaceae

    Related Plants:

    Poppy, Buttercup

    Growing Conditions

    Position:

    partial shade, sheltered

    Soil Type:

    clay, loamy

    Soil pH:

    acid, neutral

    Moisture:

    moist, well drained

  • Achillea or Yarrow – Colourful Flowering Border Plants

    Achillea or Yarrow is a species of the family Asteraceae, commonly known as the daisy family. It has many small flowers in a cluster at the top of a thin stalk arising from the base plant and extending high towards the sunlight. It is a native, common wild flower but has many species and cultivars to expand on the basic wild variety.

    The name Achillea is from Greek mythology as the leaves were used to treat the wounds of Achilles’ Soldiers. It has many other common names that relate to its medicinal use to heal wounds and stop blood flow. 

    Achillea or Yarrow, when not in the wild, is a tall flowering plant used in borders of cottage or wildlife gardens. Due to its height and slender form it can compete for space and thrive alongside its neighbours. It best sits mid border and provides clusters of small colourful flowers, tightly packed and resilient. Without neighbouring plants to help it may need support to keep it up and looking its best.

    In the natural form the flowers are usually white and clusters as a tightly packed head at the top of the rising stem. There is now a wide variety of colours, from deep reds and pinks through orange, yellow and white. Easy to grow perennial that will keep spreading over time.

    The leaves are fern like or feathered, frilly or hairy, and mainly come from the base but also interspaced up the main shoot that holds the flower head at the top. These leaves are often aromatic and edible in small quantities.

    Achillea or Yarrows are very tolerant border perennials that can do well in most situations but don’t like heavy, wet soil.  They are native to more temperate climates of the Northern Hemisphere.

    There are more than 1000 named species, sub-species, or varieties assigned to the genus of Achillea. Two popular species are the Achillea millefolium, common yarrow, and the Achillea ptarmica, sneezewort. Generally, the millefolium has smaller and more tightly packed flower heads, whilst the ptarmica has larger more openly spread flower heads.

    Achillea is a good plant to consider for not only its form and long flowering colourful displays, it is very attractive to insects that promote a wider pollination to improve biodiversity, but also has medicinal healing properties that have long been used to treat many different ailments.

    Achillea Yarrow 1

    Rank

    Genus

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Achillea

    Common Names:

    Yarrow

    Genus:

    Achillea

    Family:

    Asteraceae

    Related Plants:

    Aster, Daisy, Sunflower

    Growing Conditions

    Position:

    full sun, partial shade

    Soil Type:

    clay, sandy, loamy

    Soil pH:

    weak-acid, neutral, weak-alkaline

    Moisture:

    moist, well drained

    White with yellow centers such as Achillea ptarmica ‘Aunt Stientje’.

  • Antirrhinum – Snapdragon – border annual for a blaze of colour

    Antirrhinum, commonly known as snapdragons, are a bright, bold colourful flowering border plant. The name “snapdragon” comes from the unique shape of the flowers, which resemble the face of a dragon that “snaps” open and shut when squeezed. The name Antirrhinum comes from the Greek, anti or opposite (or fake) and rhinos or nose. So again being like an animal’s mouth.

    Antirrhinum, or snapdragon, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Plantaginaceae. These plants are native to Europe, North America, and North Africa. Whilst they are generally annuals, some are perennials or even sub-shrubs. They generally have a long flowering season from early summer to mid-autumn. Flowers start to bloom from the bottom of a thick stem and continue to bloom right up to the top. To keep them looking their best you can dead-head regularly once the lower flowers are looking spent.

    Antirrhinum Snapdragon 5

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Antirrhinum

    Common Names:

    Snapdragon

    Genus:

    Antirrhinum

    Family:

    Plantaginaceae

    Related Plants:

    Digitalis (Foxgloves), Hebe, Penstemon

    Growing Conditions

    Position:

    full sun, partial shade

    Soil Type:

    sandy, chalky, loamy

    Soil pH:

    slightly acid, neutral

    Moisture:

    moist, well drained

    Rank

    Genus

    Do snapdragons like shade or sun? The answer to that is more complex. They can tolerate full sun or partial shade, as long as it is not too harsh. They do not have resilience to hot and dry climates but rather they like cool sun, moisture but well drained.

    They are also known to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, so can add to the overall biodiversity of your garden or border. In addition to their ornamental appeal, snapdragons can serve practical functions in the garden. They can act as a natural deterrent for certain pests due to their strong scent. Planting them near vegetables or herbs can provide a natural repellent effect, thus protecting your crops. This symbiotic relationship between flowers and food plants can create a healthier garden ecosystem.

    From a size perspective, they can range from 6 inches to 3-4 feet high. So choose your plants carefully, and plant in the right position to maximise the flowering display in relation tote other plants around them. Depending on how far back in the border they will be to give that layered look to the border. Dwarf varieties, of course, are perfect for the front of border.

    As an annual plant, snapdragons usually complete their life cycle from seed to seed in one growing season. They can be used as cut flowers, making them a popular choice for bouquets and arrangements. When cut, snapdragons can last up to two weeks in a vase, allowing their beauty to be enjoyed indoors as well.

    Snapdragons can be grown from seeds, which should be sown indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Alternatively, once the threat of frost has passed, they can be directly sown outdoors. Plants should be given adequately space to allow for their growth, typically around 6 to 12 inches apart, depending on the variety. 

    Modern varieties can be resilient but take care of aphids and diseases such as rust, mildew and wilt. Having Ladybirds/bugs around will help with the aphids. The diseases will require you planting in the right environment to control moisture and not spread disease from one plant to another. A correct balance of heat, breeze and moisture is important to avoid such disease.

    Snapdragons are not just beautiful; they also have a rich history. Once a staple in English gardens, they were often used in herbal remedies. The flowers were believed to possess medicinal properties, and despite their beauty, they were a key ingredient in various potions. Today, they continue to symbolise grace and strength in floral arrangements, making them a favourite among florists and garden enthusiasts alike.

  • Pieris Japonica – Andromeda

    Pieris japonica  is a hardy evergreen flowering shrub that has distinctive new red leaves early in the season. These new red leaves turn yellow then green as they mature. Certain cultivars can have very dark red leaves.

    • Plant Family – Part of the Ericaceae family or heath family, same as rhododendron, heathers, cranberry and blueberry, and my favourite bilberries. 
    • Native to – These flowering plants are native to China, Taiwan and Japan, especially in the mountainous regions.
    • Common Names – It is often called the Andromeda. 
    • Flowers – The flowers are small and bell shaped, similar to lily-of-the-valley. Colours ranging from reddish pink to white.
    • Foliage – The leaves usually start red when they first emerge, fading to yellow, light green and through to dark green as they mature. Being evergreen the leaves are glossy and leathery in form.
    • Height and Spread – Typically a slow growing shrub that can stay within 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, although they can develop into a more straggly, woody tree up to about 12 feet.
    • Position – These plants thrive in a shaded or partially shaded location with a well drained soil, acidic side. This makes them ideal in a woodland garden, or any moist, shaded and cool position. Too much sun or frost can scorch the leaves and turn them brown. They need regular water in dry conditions but don’t like soggy wet conditions.

    Overall, in the right position they can be a trouble free, easy to maintain plant that gives a splendid splash of colour in the spring and maintain its foliage all year round. Just remember it is an acid loving plant and if you have neutral or alkaline soil it will require specific acidic feed to keep it going.

    Pieris Japonica 4

    Rank

    Species

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Pieris japonica

    Common Names:

    Andromeda

    Genus:

    Pieris

    Family:

    Ericaceae

    Related Plants:

    Rhododendron, Heathers, Cranberry and Blueberry

    Growing Conditions

    Position:

    partial shade

    Soil Type:

    sandy, loamy

    Soil pH:

    acid

    Moisture:

    moist, 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

  • Callistemon or Red Bottlebrush Plant

    Callistemon is a genus of exotic flowering plant from the Myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Commonly called the bottlebrush plant for obvious reasons. 

    Currently, there is a debate as to what plants should be specified as Callistemon and those that are a closely related genus, Melaleuca. It appears that on DNA evidence alone most Callistemons are in fact Melaleucas. This is disputed due to differences in physical make-up of the flowers. This has been going on for over 150 years so still a work in progress.

    What is the difference between Melaleuca and Callistemon?

    The two genus both belong to the Myrtaceae family but historically have been kept separate because of certain characteristics of the flower. In both cases they can look like a ‘bottlebrush’, ie. A brush for cleaning bottles with. The stamens growing in clumps from the central woody branch with just a small petal array at the base of each clump. 

    The melaleuca was defined by the difference that these multi-stamen flowers had stamen that are fused into small groups at the base, whilst Callistemon doesn’t. That isn’t a valid difference in every case. For instance Callistemon viminalis (Weeping Bottlebrush) has stamen that are also fused into small groups at the base. 

    Recent use of DNA testing has shown that these two genera are more closely connected than was originally assumed. Most botanists will take one side or the other, follow the DNA or stick with the visible characteristics and keep the two genera separate. Where I live, if they look like a bottlebrush, they will be referred to as Bottlebrush for a long time to come.

    Callistemon Bottlebrush 3

    Rank

    Genus

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Callistemon

    Common Names:

    Bottlebrush

    Genus:

    Callistemon

    Family:

    Myrtaceae

    Related Plants:

    Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Myrtus (Myrtle), Pimenta (Allspice), Psidium (Guava), Syzygium (Clove)

    Growing Conditions

    Position:

    full sun, partial shade

    Soil Type:

    sandy, loamy

    Soil pH:

    weak-acid, neutral, weak-alkaline

    Moisture:

    moist, well drained