Cape Fuchsia – Keeps Coming Back

Cape Fuchsia is a plant that thrives in my area where it is protected from the harsh elements. It not only keeps coming back but tries to spread out using suckers that spread along the surface producing their own roots it not trimmed back. Although it flowers well the flowers don’t last long in the heat we are seeing at the moment. Of course it is not a Fuchsia, nor closely related, but does have some resemblance. It also sits well along side my perennial Fuchsias.

Known scientifically as Phygelius, this particular variant is the Phygelius aequalis ‘Yellow Trumpet’. It is a member of the Scrophulariaceae family. The Scrophulariaceae family has at least 2 other members that work well for me, Buddleja and Namesia. Although, to be fair they will grow almost anywhere. The shrub maintains a tidy look throughout the season but needs some pruning in the autumn to keep it at its best and not spreading out of control.

Cape Fuchsia - Phygelius aequalis - Yellow Trumpet

Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp: Nature’s Stunning Marvels

The ornate tailed digger wasp is a striking insects with its vividly patterned black and yellow abdomen. This is something I found out when discovering a series of holes in a well trodden path that was hard packed sandy soil. What could they be, ants, miner bees?

Observe for a while and the occupants arrive to hover a moment then go head first into the hole just about wide enough for it to crawl down. It appears to be an ornate tailed digger wasp, now classified as the Cerceris rybyensis, of the family Philanthidae.

These wasps have exceptional burrowing skills, which they use to create underground nests for their young. They are solitary creatures that hunt mining bees to feed off. The tunnel goes down vertically for about 6 inches then turns horizontal.
Indian Bean Tree – Vivid Golden Yellow Foliage

The Indian Bean Tree, actually native of the Southeastern USA, is a popular tree to grow in temperate climates where it is reasonably hardy and requires little attention. Now grown across the UK and Europe due to its striking nature of vivid green heart-shaped leaves with a tinge of purple. It later on in the season produces clusters of white flowers and then long slender pods that are like beans. However, non of this is edible as is the case even in plants belonging to the Fabaceae family that contains both edible peas and beans and highly toxic plants. So only eat what you know to be safe.

The Indian Bean Tree, Catalpa, is part of the Bignoniaceae family known for its Trumpet Vines. The variation popular in the UK is the Catalpa bignonioides ‘Aurea’, that has golden yellow foliage. In the US it can attract the catalpa sphinx moth that can strip its leaves bare. In the UK, I have found the young and tender leaves susceptible to blackfly aphids that will need controlling. Later in the summer it can suffer from powdery mildew if the air is very humid in an enclosed space. Removing the worst affected leaves keeps the plant looking healthy. The plant can put on strong growth upwards that makes it a little top heavy while the trunk may not keep up. So in the early years support is required in windy conditions.
Persian Cornflower – Vibrant Colour & Stunning Form

The Persian Cornflower in its cultivated form has a striking colour and a beautiful shape. Vivid pink and opens very similar to a thistle shape. Some have a white or cream centre, but in this particular cultivar the centre carries the main colour.

Persian Cornflower not your average Daisy

As part of the Asteraceae family, one of the largest, it resembles so many other members. However, this is likely best classified as a Psephellus dealbatus and not Centaurea. The plant is native from Turkey and up through the Caucasus but introduced to much of Northern Europe.

This plant loves full sun in nutrient-poor but well-drained soil. This makes the plant ideal for a cross between border, cottage garden or pseudo mediterranean garden that is not too hot or dry. Definitely more impressive than the common cornflower.
Veronica brachysiphon – Hebe from New Zealand

Veronica brachysiphon is a shrub that is endemic in New Zealand but making its way across the planet to be found in gardens, like UK. It is part of the Plantaginaceae family that includes Antirrhinums and Fox Gloves among many more species. Common name is Hookers Hebe after Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Loved by the Bees

The Bees were very active on this flowering shrub. It thrives on well drained soil and can tolerate a wide range of situations.
Garden Privet – Best for Garden Privacy

Garden privet continues to be the main choice for garden hedging when privacy is desired. It is an attractive option with its small oval shaped leaves and light structure that allows it to be shaped from the ground up. Very versatile, fast growing and resilient plant that can be trimmed and pruned when necessary to keep its shape and look attractive all year round. Semi-evergreen, depending on conditions, it provides a thick screen once established and well maintained. In early summer it will produce a display of small white fragrant flowers and small black berries in the autumn.

Wild Privet vs Garden Privet

The garden privet, Ligustrum ovalifolium, oval-leaf privet, native of Korea and Japan, has oval shaped leaves with better coverage and may stay green longer. Wild privet, Ligustrum vulgare, native to Europe, has narrower, longer leaves but is less dense and not so good for hedges. Ligustrum is part of the oleaceae family or Olive family that includes plants such as Lilac. Privet looks like a miniature Lilac. Like much of the family, it requires a sunny, well-drained site but will tolerate a dryer, partial shade.
Musk Mallow – A stunner in the Flowering Meadow

The flowering meadows are in full swing and among the stand out plants I found was this Musk Mallow. The Mallow I normally see is the large shrub mallow often used in borders for height and width, the Malva arborea or Tree Marrow. This Mallow sits just above the grasses to produce a stunning flower head that stands out as a flower among flowers. The Musk Mallow is part of the mallow family (Malvaceae), and can be seen in meadows, hedgerows and by roadsides.

Musk Mallow Alba

The flowers emit a slight musky scent, hence the name. They are a perennial flowing plant that is native to Europe and Western Asia. Sometimes used for its culinary and medicinal use, best left to the experts. They certainly standout in wherever they can be found flowering. Some Musk Mallow naturally form a white flower, in this case identified as Malva moschata f. alba.