Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008
Salpiglossis sinuata bears flowers about 2 in wide. They have distinctive markings, with contrasting colors along their veins, like ingenious patterns woven into brocade - hence their Dutch common name brokaatbloem. They create a very baroque impression. That may account for their lack of popularity among otherwise keen gardeners until they happen to see the plants in someone else’s garden. I myself go overboard for the cultivar Salpiglossis sinuata with its chocolate-brown veins on golden-yellow and greyish-pink petals.
(more…)
Posted in Summerflowers | No Comments »
Friday, May 16th, 2008
COMMON MALLOW
The common mallow is a native perennial in The Netherlands, but its widest distribution is in countries farther south. Here, it is marginally hardy and the vulnerable cultivars are therefore grown mainly as annuals. Because it takes about four months for the seedlings to come into flower, commercial growers sow very early in the year and can therefore supply flowering plants by the end of May. The flowers are about 1V2 in wide. If you sow the seeds yourself, the plants usually come into flower in late summer, but they will go on flowering for much longer. The plant continues to grow while it is in flower, and, depending on its position, ultimately reaches a height of 3-5 ft. It does best in loose, warm, and nutritive soil.
(more…)
Posted in Summerflowers | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 4th, 2008
This perennial is so short-lived that some people regard it as an annual. It is also transitional between annuals and perennials in the way that it is treated, because barberae is far less fond of moisture than the other species. This is what makes it so suitable for cultivation in containers, where the soil is nearly always drier and better aerated than in the garden itself.
(more…)
Posted in Summerflowers | No Comments »
Monday, January 21st, 2008
HELIOTROPE
Heliotropes were among the familiar bedding plants in large-scale displays in the gardens of palaces and country houses. The deep colors of foliage and flowers contrasted strongly with the lighter shades of other plants, and complex patterns were created with them. It is still possible to see that kind of summery flower-bed here and there, but they are long past their heyday. Heliotrope is now used for a new craze - that of patio gardening. The plant is, in fact, highly satisfactory as a container plant.
(more…)
Posted in Summerflowers | No Comments »