RHS Journals
The Garden
February 2002
Plant Forum
Exciting new introductions
New perennials
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Dedicated plantsman and breeder Ray Brown runs his own seed company, Plant World, in Devon, and his 2002 catalogue has eight new plants including two aquilegia from his breeding programme. Aquilegia 'Perfumed Garden' is a large-flowered, scented strain, while 'Burnished Rose' (pictured) has pink flowers set off by bright golden foliage. |
Intriguing Lupinus 'Plummy-Blue' has been produced recently by crossing a blue tree lupin and a red Russell hybrid lupin. This woody plant, with bicoloured blue and plum flowers, can be trained to form a standard shrub.
Geraniums are also a speciality and Ray claims that Geranium thunbergii 'Jesters Jacket' is the first variegated hardy geranium to come true from seed. Another interesting plant is a white form of the purple milk thistle. Galactites tomentosa 'Alba' was found by Dorian Roxburgh on her parent's farm in southwest Spain.
Catalogues (including a free packet of seed of one of the above plants) are available to RHS Members in return for three first class stamps. Write to Plant World (RHS), St Marychurch Road, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 4SE. Tel: (01803) 872939.
Fascinating biennial
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Hilliers Nurseries has introduced a fascinating new foxglove called Digitalis 'Saltwood Summer'. Also known as the orchid foxglove, it has white orchid-like flowers and four red-spotted curving petals. The lowest petal is particularly long and gives the flower its distinctive 'lipped' appearance. Hilliers expects to show it at this year's Chelsea Flower Show.
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Digitalis 'Saltwood Summer' was discovered 10 years ago by Susan Scrivens, growing in her garden at Saltwood, in Kent. The plant was growing on the site of an old building, which Susan and her husband were in the process of reclaiming to make a garden. This cultivar should grow to a height of 1.5m (5ft) and likes well-drained soil, in full sun or dappled shade. For a list of stockists contact Hillier Nurseries, tel: (01794) 368733.
Colourful combinations
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Bideford-based lupin breeder Westcountry Nurseries has just introduced five new herbaceous cultivars.
The new lupins include 'Terracotta' with rusty-red flowers, 'Cherry Belle' (ruby-red) and 'Silk Rain' (pictured) with a lilac-blue keel and white standards. The enticingly named 'Pink Cadillac' has a rose-pink keel and white standards, while 'Cashmere Cream' is creamy white with white standards. |
Formerly known as Westcountry Lupins, the name of the nursery has been changed by owner Sarah Conibear to reflect the increased range of plants that she sells by mail order. The company's lupins can be seen in the Country Garden, designed by Penelope Hobhouse, at RHS Garden Wisley. Sarah says that they are trying to recapture the character of the Russell hybrid lupins and offer plants with striking colour combinations.
For a catalogue, send an A5 sae to Westcountry Nurseries, Ford Hill Forge, Hartland, Bideford, Devon EX39 6EE.
Tel: (01237) 441208 (http://www.westcountrylupins.co.uk/).
Dwarf wisteria
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Nettletons Nursery is offering a dwarf form of Wisteria floribunda - 'Nana Richin's Purple'. It is slower growing than most cultivars, is free flowering, has a pleasant fragrance and good autumn colour.
Nettletons Nursery is at Ivy Mill Lane, Godstone, Surrey RH9 8NF. Tel: (01883) 742426. |
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