Tag: AugustPage 2 of 4

Summers end

A show of delicate white, in a south facing bed of the rock garden, is a planting of Leucojum autumnale var. oporanthum. These tiny bulbs send up a…

Autumnal Gentians

Sitting atop the limestone wall at the alpine area where the roots are guaranteed a growing medium with good drainage is Gentiana paradoxa. Enjoying exposure to full sun…

Filter tip

A fine growing season for the genus Eucryphia – cool and moist. This deciduous species, E. glutinosa is awash with white petalled flowers supporting a spectacular central mass…

Swathes of white

Astilbe japonica has plumes of pure white flowers with a musty scent attracting the pollinators, as the name implies, a native to Japan. The generic name Astilbe, is…

Tubular bells

Desfontainia spinosa a native to Chile, Ecuador, Peru. The parent plant of this specimen was growing in the Alerce Andino National Park, Chile at a relatively low altitude…

The great escape

The spectacular flowers of Romneya coulteri are to be seen in the Queen Mother Memorial Garden on the north boundary border. The large white pleated petals surround the…

What to do in your Fruit and Vegetable Garden in Scotland: AUGUST

Here is a list of jobs to do in the garden this month: Weed regularly to prevent weeds setting seed for next year. Water copiously if we have…

Clintonia andrewsiana

    Clintonia andrewsiana is sending out a mass of berries on a long stalk. The colour sets them out amongst other ground flora, a shiny lustre setting…

A cottage garden favourite

Larkspur is an easily grown annual that repays the cost of a packet of seed many times over. Sow early spring under glass and transplant into moist soil…

Whisky Bill

In a sunny spot to the south of the rock garden are several plants of Penstemon filiformis. Revelling in this summer’s warmth and flowering profusely in response to…

Poppies for remembrance 4/8/2014

Today marks the 100 year anniversary since this date in August 1914 when Britain entered what was to become the First World War. As a tribute to all…

Poppies at the RBGE

Sunshine on a stalk

This is the time to appreciate the phenomenal growth of Sunflowers, Helianthus annuus and the large yellow head of flowers. Some, to celebrate their size, go by the…

Visitors – welcome and unwelcome

In the herbaceous border a fine patch of Coreopsis verticillata ‘Grandiflora’ is attracting pollinating insects as well as the attention of visitors due to the clear bright yellow…

The eyes have it

The graceful small tree in the corner of the Queen Mothers Memorial Garden attracting much attention is a native to New Zealand, Plagianthus regius. Appreciate it now as…

Chicago Botanic Garden; Green Youth Farm

I’ve been in the privileged position to spend the last week with Chicago Botanic Garden’s Green Youth Farm Programme. There are a handful of these farms located around…

Life in the Garden

With the Fringe here August is one of the busiest months of the year at The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. With jammed packed events, I will be blogging…

Scented white Phlox

Healthy herbaceous Phlox maculata are a great addition to the border at this time of year. Clear fresh green foliage topped by large panicles of pure white flowers…

Look out for berries

Dichroa febrifuga is of borderline hardiness in Edinburgh. It requires a warm sheltered spot and protection through the worst of the winter to make a modest shrub ultimately…

A scent of languid honey

A bulb from Temperate South Africa; now growing in a sheltered situation within the confines of the glasshouse borders. Here Eucomis comosa has clumped up well. The foliage…