Author Archives: Tend&Grow

The more familiar dissectum (cut leaf/lace leaf) cultivars are mound forming shrubs, sometimes marketed as ideal for small gardens and pots, and indeed they do well in these situations hence their popularity. Acer palmatum ‘Sieryu’ seen here in autumn colour is the only cut leaf or lace leaf maple with an upright habit. An exceptionalContinue reading “Acer palmatum ‘Sieryu’/Japanese maple”

More often than not in a garden context I’m classifying this plant as a weed species, given that it turns up uninvited and is borderline invasive. It seldom looks good and when in flower is completely unremarkable, compared to other members of its family. However, come late November its moment arrives. You have to getContinue reading “Iris foetidissima/Stinking Iris”

In one corner of the greenhouse this year I planted the tender exotic Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’. With plenty of water and good rich soil it out grew its position in next to no time. The challenge now is to get it through the winter, as being completely tender it cannot stand any amount of cold.Continue reading “Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’/Red Abyssinian Banana”

Asters, equally at home in a mixed border, cottage garden or prairie planting are finally in flower now and impossible to ignore. Exotic annual climber Ipomoea lobata, aka Spanish Flag is reaching its full expression now as the summer season moves into autumn whilst Ceratostigma willmottianum continues to produce its true blue flowers.

Often ‘blue’ flowering plants are closer to purple than true blue, but Ceratostigma willmottianum is one species that offers a genuine blue flower late in the year. Here growing well deck side and with the spotted leaved Pulmonaria which also offers a blue flower in the spring time.

A fine clumping bamboo, Fargesia rufa (Fountain bamboo), although good and present all year, being evergreen, looks great about now as the first flush of growth begins to harden off. Catalpa bignonioides, the Indian bean tree, is flowering now and attracting attention despite the tree usually being valued for its leaf and spreading small treeContinue reading “3 Plants for now: 2nd week of July (2 of 2)”

Max chrysanthemum, Leucanthemum maximum, a bit of a brute if allowed to spread but also easy and rewarding as a long lasting cut flower for the house. Morello cherrys (Prunus cerasus ‘Morello’) picking now, hanging irresistibly. Lastly Helenium autumnale ‘Helena yellow’, one of Sneezeweeds, long flowering, many flowering and very yellow.

First picture, an unknown Calla lily cultivar (Zantedeschia aethiopica) with its single white petal like spathe and prominent orange spadix. Second up the all too familiar hardy Fuchsia, overlooked and taken for granted, this unknown cultivar also has very good spring foliage. Lastly Berberis thunbergii ‘Pink Queen’, a deciduous shrub with intriguing mottled pink, red/purpleContinue reading “3 Plants for now: 1st week of July (2 of 2)”

Lavender beginning it’s flowering season, Yucca gloriosa, Spanish dagger, displaying it’s edible flowers and the well known herb Feverfew, Tanacetum partenium, guaranteed to self seed.

Often seen, reliably consistent year to year and a strong grower. Happy enough just about anywhere, might need support as often seems to want to lie down. Separate the chains of corms for new plants that will flower after a season in the ground.