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.

Psephellus dealbatus - Persian Cornflower

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.
Leucanthemum vulgar – Oxeye daisy everywhere

Oxeye daisy is now everywhere. It grows in abundance on the roadside verges, river banks, parks and any grassy areas that suit. They prefer a sunny location with well drained soil, and that means they will be at home on any south facing embankment, proliferating at the expense of most other flowers. Still a welcome site that cheers up the green landscape, or brown as it is becoming at the moment.

Leucanthemum vulgare or Oxeye daisy are part of the Asteraceae family with the typical daisy like flower head of white petals with a bright yellow central disc. This disc contains many nectar filled flowers that attract bees, butterflies and many other insects. So, good for the biodiversity, as long as they don’t completely dominate an area.
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.
Hemp-agrimony – Holy Rope – Eupatorium cannabinum

Hemp-agrimony – (Eupatorium cannabinum, family: Asteraceae), also known as holy rope. This tall hemp-like flowering perennial plant certainly makes an attractive sight but is also a favourite with the butterflies. Native to most of Europe, NW Africa and Central Asia it is part of the large Asteraceae or daisy family.

Although called a ‘hemp’ and the Latin name suggests a link to the Cannabis plants they are not closely related and not used in the same way. They do have a history of medicinal use as anti-inflammatory and for healing wounds. Otherwise an attractive flowering plant.
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.
Cosmos – Garden Stars That Shine

The Daisy family, Asteraceae, is the second biggest and provides some of the best loved flowing plants we have. Cosmos are well ordered flowers with fine featherlike leaves that stand tall. The name Cosmos comes from the Greek for ‘ordered world’.

They are well ordered and keep their form, even when massed together, giving a super colourful display in any border. Colours range from chocolate, through orange, magenta, pink and white. All with a yellow centre with radial petals, like little solar systems or galaxies in perfect synchronisation. A very apt name, Cosmos.

Persian Cornflower not your average Daisy

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