White baneberry
“Eye of newt, and toe of frog,” are just some of Shakespeare’s three witches’ cauldron ingredients. And if they’d had a garden, surely Actaea pachypoda would be in it. One of the common names is doll’s eyes. It politely hints at the white fruits that look like eyes popping out on red stalks. The more widely-used common name of white baneberry relates to the toxic fruit. If that puts you off this interesting perennial, fluffy white flowers and fine foliage are the plant’s gorgeous redeeming features.
The true colours of witch hazel (Hamamelis × intemedia) only become apparent in autumn. Fiery and often unexpected, this shrub turns shades of yellow, red and orange. And this is just the start. In January and February, this shrub offers scented, spidery blooms in vibrant yellow, orange and red, making it a star performer in the winter garden. View these in all RHS Gardens.
Looking like upturned pumpkins, the fresh papery fruit cases of Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii make a pleasing pop when squeezed and produce a satisfying death rattle when the stems are shaken. No wonder they attract children’s attention at this time of year. Ripe fruits are edible and have a tangy flavour – although be aware that the unripe fruit, cases and other parts of the plant are toxic if eaten, so it’s traditional fun that needs to be enjoyed responsibly.
The bat flower (Tacca chantrieri) has to be one of the most unusual-looking houseplants. The dark flowers are winged and have a beard of hair-like structures hanging down in wisps. It’s ominous, beguiling and unique. While it’s not the easiest of houseplants to grow, kept moist but not soggy, warm but never in scorching sunshine, this plant will reward your devoted attention with spectacular blooms.
As well as Halloween skeletons, how about some dead man’s fingers? It’s another common name for this large shrub (Decaisnea fargesii) with bunches of knobby, elongated fruits, making it a startling sight in low autumn sunshine. The fruits hang from the branches of a plant that is part of the pea family – only these pods are blue and the seeds inside are surrounded by clear, sticky jelly and are not for eating. See this plant in RHS Gardens Wisley and Rosemoor.
Who doesn’t love a ghost story at Halloween? So imagine an elegant Edwardian lady, Ellen Willmott, in long flowing clothes and an overblown hat, gliding up and down the flower borders, casting aspersions as she went. Only the best gardens would meet her approval. If they weren’t up to scratch, she’d take matters into her own hands – although her interferences were not immediately apparent.
Unseen, she would scatter hundreds of sea holly (Eryngium giganteum) seeds. This is a Biennials are plants that complete their life cycle over the course of two years. In the first year, biennials typically produce leaves and roots but no flowers. In the second year, they flower and produce seeds before dying. Some common biennials include foxgloves (Digitalis), honesty (Lunaria annua) and viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare).
Germination is the process by which a seed develops into a new plant. It starts with the seed coat absorbing water, expanding and splitting, which allows oxygen and water into the seed so its food reserves can be broken down and used by the embryo for growth. The first root (called the radicle) pushes into the soil to anchor the new plant in place and start absorbing water and nutrients. The first shoot (called the plumule) then grows upwards, out of the soil, towards the light.
Otherwise known as the brain cactus, Mammillaria elongata f. cristata is a peculiar looking plant for a sunny windowsill. It is easy to grow (use specialist cactus compost) and it will often flower during the warmer months. Water occasionally during summer but leave to dry out between September and March.
