Sweet Violets

"Rosina" Sweet Violet

Having grown up with traditional Sweet Violets

I'm a bit in love with the splendid cultivars which are appearing again

after another "un-fashionable" hiatus

Delightfully perfumed, perfect in shady damp gardens

working well in pots on an Eastern or Southern side of the home

"Lady Hume Campbell" Parma Violet

"Sweet Violets - Viola odorata"

English origin, very hardy hedgerow variety generally, except where cultivars incorporate white flowers which have a tendency to be more sensitive to dry weather.

(We stock "Charlotte", "Rosina" , Sulphurea and traditional purple violets 
in small quantities. )

"Parma Violets - Viola x alba cv."
Appeared in Italy in the 16th Century, and believed to be a hybridization of sports of 
White Violet (Viola alba). Parma Violets true botanical original are still unknown.

Less tolerant of dry soils, and need regular fertilizing with a rich organic e.g. manure based to thrive. Shady location only, dappled sunlight prefered.

(We stock "Lady Hume Campbell" only)

Spotted Deadnettle

Spotted Deadnettle
Lamium maculatum 'Anne Greenway'

I can remember when I first started

working in garden centres

how I disliked these plants . . . .

. . . . my how our tastes change !

I have become quite a fan of

Spotted Deadnettles

(and what a name - very hemlock and mandrakes)

A robust, low maintenance perennial 

that is a shade loving ground cover.

Silver strips on a lime green leaf 

topped with delicate lilac flowers 

shaped much like a bugloss (Ajuga spp.).

Growing only 7cm tall on flowering with trailing foliage,

it is well suited to hanging baskets 

and spreading through the cooler garden areas 

where sunlight is not strong.

A single plant will easily spread across a shaded 

or dappled light area 

to about 30 - 60cm. 

I tend to give that as a SINGLE plant measure, 

but as this type of groundcover 

will put down new roots at leaf sections, 

each plant will occupy a new space.

Striped leaves peculiar to "Anne Greenway"

Don't panic, 

it will be burnt off in full strong Aussie Summer sun, 

an aggressive hard frost, 

or suffer trampling set back. 

And also responds very well 

to your favourite gardening herbicide 

(unlike periwinkle) 

if it gets a little enthusiastic !

Suitable for more fertile soils, 

but will grow slowly on heavier soils. 

Waterlogged soils will lead to plants rotting. 

And dry soils will also not support successful growth.

potted plant in the nursery

Cut Flowers from Shrubs

If you are after a luscious and bountiful

cut flower display for home

from Spring blooms

you can't go past some of the woody shrubs

A superb prolonged performer are

the Guelder Roses (Viburnum opulus sterile)

who's blossoms range from early minty green to later creamy white.

Quite a large shrub / tree if let run

so a bit of space is advised and tough pruning to keep

blossoms low enough to pick.

green tints of Guelder Rose

For delicious perfume it has to be Lilacs (Syringa spp.)

and they come in a wonderful colour range

from lemon to deepest blue and red.

An easy care plant that will grow

in tough conditions, just watch

the grafts on cultivars

to prevent the privet rootstock taking over.

lovely lilacs

A surprising cut flower is

Native Mint (Prostanthera rotundiflia)

for both blossoms and foliage

the foliage is edible, though strong

and can also be used in cooking.

Such a tough plant you can slip

them into the garden with little care

and little space.

deep lilac of native mints and strong green foliage

They will provide a delightful period

of cut flowers for home

as well as the volume for a larger

arrangement for a bigger room

or function.

Fringed Loosestrife 'Firecracker'

Loosestrife in high Summer

Fringed Loosestrife - Lysimachia ciliata "Firecracker", is a stunning purple leaved perennial. Through Winter the deep purple leaves are mere rosettes before the erupt into tall wands of large wide leaves that remain purple until High Summer when the stronger sun tinges the leaves green, just as the rather insignificant flowers appear.

Six month old Loosestrife in the Drift Garden

A spreading perennial most noticeable due to its deep burgundy purple foliage that grows tall and upright. Topped by oxalis like yellow flowers in late Summer this plant is a hardy addition to the mid to rear of a perennial border.

Dark foliage is a perfect foil for a "hot" colour scheme garden of oranges and reds, but equally provides a lovely backdrop for pinks and peaches. An all rounder.

Tolerates a wide range of soils from wet to mid-dry. But don't let it stress due to lack of water - mulch well !

Plants die down to leafy rosette mound in Winter. Prune leaf/flower stems off in Autumn with other perennial maintenance.

new season potted Loosestrife (November)

Flowers: bright yellow
Foliage: burgundy purple - changing to green purple in late Summer with more intense daylight.

Height: 75 - 100cm
Spread: 75 - 100cm

Growth: fast - quick filler

Light: full sun to light shade

pH: any
Soil: broad tolerance incl. wet but not water logged

Flowering: various times through Summer

Traffic: No - large leaves do not tolerate foot traffic

Windy: doesn't seem to have a problem with gusty weather (at least not at our place)