Author: Robyn DrinkwaterPage 16 of 35
Adiantum aeluticum, the “Western Maidenhair” is found in a wide distribution range through Western North America. Growing in crevices on steep slopes where shade is available. It is…
Scents evoke memories of days gone by. Competing with the heavy lingering fragrance of Philadelphus at this time of year is Cytisus battandieri, an outstanding shrub with loose…
Struggling to flower in our climate, it is heartening to find a scattering of soft lilac coloured buds held tightly to the older wood of Cercis griffithii. It…
Deutzia purpurascens a deciduous twiggy shrub of light structure which nonetheless manages to develop into an impenetrable tangle of growth. A native to Western China, found on steep…
Leucothoe fontanesiana ‘Rainbow’, this cultivar of the Ericaceous family is growing in the sheltered and shaded sunken north facing courtyard of the front glasshouse range. Lush shiny foliage…
The truss of blooms on Rhododendron sinofalconeri is worthy of show merit. The colour and form are first class. Give this 16 year old plant time to mature…
Latin Name: Equisetum myriochaetum Cham. & Schltr. Common Name: Giant horsetail Distribution: Central Mexico to Peru Habitat: Prefers fertile wet soil and is found in tropical and subtropical…
Latin Name: Cupressus cashmeriana Royle ex Carrière Common Name: Bhutan Cypress, Kashmir Cypress Distribution: West central Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh Habitat: Monsoon forest of Eastern Himalayer and south…
Latin Name: Myrtillocactus geometrizans (C.Mart.) Console Common Name: Bilberry Cactus, Whortleberry Cactus or Blue Candle Cactus Distribution: Central & Southern Mexico Habitat: Stony and sandy soils in deciduous…
Latin Name: Gnetum montanum Markgr. Common Name: Gam nui, Sot nui Distribution: Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam Habitat: Subtropical broadleaf forests Description: Evergreen, climber; branches…
Latin Name: Euphorbia virosa Willd. Common Name: Gifboom, Poisoned Tree Distribution: South Africa to Southern Angola. Habitat: Stony and sandy soils. Occupying arid areas Description: A succulent spiny…
Latin Name: Encephalartos natalensis R.A.Dyer & I. Verd. Common Name: Natal giant cycad Distribution: Endemic to South Africa (Eastern Cape & KwaZulu-Natal) Habitat: On cliffs in open forests…
Caltha palustris, a lush growing plant with a wide distribution covering the temperate northern hemisphere. It has the most unfortunate common name; “May blob”, referring to the golden…
Cypripediums have a reputation for being very difficult to grow and even more difficult to acquire. Plants in the wild have become rare due to changes in land…
This is a Clematis like no other; a leafless tangle of green reed like stems. The scandent growth mounds over itself reaching 1.5metres in height. A native to…
Aipyanthus pulchra was growing in association with Daphne, Pulsatilla, Scabiosa in grassland when collected on Mt Kazbegi in Georgia at 2298 metres. Found throughout the Caucasus and western…
Leaving Scotland’s driest and sunniest month of March since 1929 for the east winds that turned the balmy high teen temperatures we had been used to for 10…
The two strips of planting leading into the Temperate Palm House represent spring bedding at its best. These two cultivars; Polyanthus ‘Crescendo Yellow’ and Tulip ‘Purple Prince’ make…
Rhododendron adenosum grows in open woodland where the plants will receive protection from frost. Pink buds open white with internal mottling and prominent flower parts. Rhododendron vernicosum, is…
We are now observing good growth on the emerging herbaceous plants. Taking a closer look at the emerging foliage on some reveals colonies of bugs and beasties. This…