Tag: Weekly HighlightsPage 2 of 3

Red thread on a green carpet

This wet summer has given us lush growth; it has also given ideal climatic conditions for the invasion of Red Thread, Laetisaria fuciformis, a fungal disease of turf…

Light up a dark corner

Hydrangea heteromalla is flowering on the lower edge of the Chinese hillside. The large panicles of brilliant white flowers are setting off the canopy under which it grows….

Ground cover potential

Tight growing and compact this Ophiopogon intermedius with its linear grass like foliage is a good ground cover plant with high drought tolerance. Once planted it will take…

Bracts not petals

Cornus capitata has a wide range through SW China and the Himalayas. This evergreen, or in very cold winters semi evergreen, is found at lower elevations (around 2300m)…

Salt and pepper

The terminal flower head of Dipsacus chinensis is worth growing this straggly lank herbaceous perennial for, alone. The plant itself will not look a picture in the border…

The Japanese Water Iris

A late flowering display of Iris is always welcome in the garden and Iris ensata var. spontanea in the Biodiversity garden fulfils this task admirably. Collected in Japan…

A favourite of bees and chefs.

Thymus praecox ssp. polytrichus is one of the 250 or so species that make up this genus. This is a ground hugging woody perennial, rarely making 35mm in…

Sea Anemone

Napoleonaea vogelii in the Orchids and Cycads House has one of the strangest flowers. It bears the most amazing resemblance to a Sea Anemone. The flower is a…

Torrential rain and twisted leaves

Much needed rain fell during the past week. After a prolonged dry period the soil bakes and ideally gentle rain is needed to allow rainwater to absorb into…

Sun wilt

High temperatures and intense sun have consequences. This is often seen in early afternoon where direct bright sun has shone on unprotected leafy material. Superficial wilt occurs which…

A rare first flowering

Planted in 1996 and fourteen years later Carrierea calycina produces its first flowers. The tree in the Garden at the base of the Chinese hillside is a male;…

Candelabra effect

Fleshy flower spikes sent from zero to 1.7meters in the space (it seems) of days. Galtonia candicans sheltered in the glasshouse borders has reached flowering stage. The upturned…

European Water Lily

The European Water lily, Nymphaea alba graces still freshwater with its pure white flowers. A cosmopolitan plant that is found through Eurasia and into North Africa. Preferring a…

The original Phygelius

A popular plant for summer borders and now bred to visually stun garden centre patrons in various colours. A walk in the rock garden will enlighten you to…

Oh Ho

In the upper woodland is a spectacular and colourful group of Hosta aff. rhodeifolia. A strong growing herbaceous clump with mid green leaves and stunning off blue flower…

Sanguisorba; cartoon character

There is a large patch of Sanguisorba hakusanensis planted to the west of the Garden in F05. Looking at the flowers sitting atop the foliage they could be…

It’s all in the detail

Dierama pendulum is a fabulous plant from the Cape of South Africa. From the base of the long linear foliage the tall statuesque arching flower spikes emerge. White…

Plumes of bloom

Aruncus dioicus, from its dense woody herbaceous rootstock, develops into a mass of foliage bedecked with plumes of white flowers. Reaching 2 metres and as much across, much…

Will Derek travel home?

This is the year of the Homecoming; a year when the Scots Diaspora are encouraged to return to the country of their roots. Over the weekend of 25…

Sea-washed bark

Late July sees Clethra delaveyi clothed in long racemes of scented flowers. These are held gracefully at the ends of the shoots. The fused, cupped white petals shelter…