The MGS Forum
Our gardens, a month-by-month pictorial diary of what's looking good now => Our Gardens => Topic started by: Fleur Pavlidis on April 02, 2016, 08:03:02 PM
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Since the sad disappearance of John J's A - Z plant list pages we have been looking for a way to replace them. John is repeating his posts and here are Carole's posted by me in groups but in her own words. I'm afraid you'll miss the chit chat which I've omitted because it becomes meaningless without the other posts.
Umbrian writes:
Brilliant idea John and one I have started on many occasions only to fail to keep up when life gets busy. I have lists in various places - plants bought when visiting specialist nurseries in particular, labels put in a 'safe place' and later discovered in the weirdest of places and so on. The big trouble for many of us I am sure is finding the time - every new idea, such as this, that we we think is a good one to pursue becomes one more task that needs to be done on a regular basis and suddenly there are not enough hours in the day.......
Are we allowed to join in John? This morning I got out my RHS A-Z of Garden Plants.
Many old and new favourites there of course but also memories of things that I have lost over the years and might try again if the opportunity arises.
I am particularly fond of [iAgapanthus][/i] and it reminded me to search out the name of a new one I acquired a year or so ago 'Black Buddhist'.......now I have a porcupine free garden I can plant them more freely.
The same goes for Alliums - lots of wonderful ones that flower at different times of the year, withstand the heat and dryness -not forgetting Allium schoenoprasum (chives) that is so useful in the kitchen.
Abutilon megapotamicum
Bought last year and kept in a pot it flowered all through the summer.
Moved pot to more protected sight for the winter and it has come through perfectly although this year we have had little really cold weather. One piece rooted into the ground nearby and I potted it up so will plant main specimen this year knowing I have a back up.
Anemone blanda
slow to spread with me but a lovely contrast to the mainly yellow early bulbs of spring
Achillea In variety
Very drought tolerant, attractive foliage and long lasting flowers.
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Umbrian writes:
As I said in a previous post John I got out my RHS Encyclopaedia because,not being in residence at our house in the country during the winter, I thought it the easiest way to jog my memory.Visited yesterday as there is so much to do with an early spring well under way but could not spare the time to go round with pencil and paper and follow your example. Was delighted to find the following in full bloom however, the perfume wafting on a light breeze as I weeded, and weeded.....
Acacia dealbata
Quick growing and needing space. Beautiful when in bloom and elegant throughout the year with its ferny foliage. Can suffer during a really harsh winter but for me worth the risk.
Aubrieta x cultorum
An old favourite from England but ideal to poke into the many dry stone retaining walls I made here in Italy.
Am getting behind here John - beautiful sunny day yesterday and so used all my energy in the garden.
However would like to add the following if it is not too late.
Brugmansia candida
Spectacular in flower with wonderful evening perfume.
Bidens ferulifolia
Very useful in pots, growing and flowering for months. I find it self seeds with me.
Last year I bought a new introduction (can't find the note I made as to its name!) it had dark orange flowers as opposed to yellow and, although pretty, I prefer the bright splash of colour of the original plant.
Finally
Buglossoides purpurocaerulea
Found it growing wild close to me and so thought I would try it in the garden. Needs a degree of overhead shade but copes with dryness OK, Good ground cover as it arches and roots when happy. Wonderfully intense blue flowers in spring.
Very windy here today too so glad I made a big effort yesterday.
One last addition to the "B's"
Bouvardia ternifolia
found this last autumn on a trip to the UK. It flowered happily until nearly Christmas with our mild winter.Shall probably have to keep it in a pot but the flowers are a beautiful scarlet and last a long time.
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Umbrian writes:
Chimonanthus praecox
The wonderful perfume that hangs in the air on sunny winter days is amazing and makes it a must for me.
Cytitus battandieri
A real favourite of mine with wonderful yellow flowers, that smell of pineapple, and lovely silvery foliage.
Unfortunately my original specimen died a few years back but am hoping DD is still bringing on a replacement for me!
Carex pendula
Can be a thug and self seeds prolifically but very graceful when in flower and provides good clumps of evergreen foliage. Plants best kept to a reasonable size or else impossible to deal with. Young seedlings pull out easily.
Choisya 'Aztec Pearl'
Clematis armandii, C. rehderiana and all species
Cynara cardunculus
Convolvulus sabatius C. mauritanicus
Must add this one for its lovely blue flowers. For me it is not too invasive.
Coronilla glauca
Spreading but dainty with attractive small leaves.
Cotoneaster - in variety
I find these mostly tolerant of dry, hot conditions and are useful for interplanting. Looks stunning at the moment inter planted with Rosemary. Berries give interest in winter and food for birds.
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Umbrian writes:
Daphnne odora 'Aureomarginata'
Dianthus - in variety
Dictamnus albus
Am managing to keep one going but still awaiting flowers.
Dierama pulcherrimum
Performs well for me in poor, dry soil.
Duchesnea indica
Looks like a yellow strawberry - fruit not edible. Covers ground very well if not in too hot a position
Many of my choices are perfume led such as the first two in this list and why I put Dianthus 'in variety'
Must add a warning about Eleagnus angustifolia. It suckers everywhere even in hot dry conditions. Mine has 'walked' across an adjoining gravel path and up some loose laid steps between levels!
That said it does have a wonderful perfume.
A safer bet is:
Eleagnus umbellata
Smaller foliage but equally good scent and a much better behaved shrub/small tree- seeds but does not 'walk'.
John J replies:
Your warning about Eleagnus angustifolia is interesting as we have never had that problem with ours.
Umbrian writes:
Interesting exercise John this A-Z because it does make one look back at notebooks/diaries for forgotten information. I was interested in your follow up to my comment about Eleagnus angustifolia and, knowing I sourced my two plants on a visit to the UK, I searched relevant information since I usually note all such purchases. On this occasion I was lucky and can tell you that my plants are Eleagnus angustifolia 'Quicksilver'
In the RHS Encyclopaedia they are described as '...suckering shrub...' Glad you do not have the problem with yours because the suckering pieces are very difficult to eradicate growing from thick horizontal roots.
Before I leave the subject of Eleagnus must mention one that is a real doer in all soils and conditions. Very useful as windbreak hedging or as specimen plants for bulk. Evergreen and with powerful scent from small autumn flowers.
Eleagnus x ebbingei
Still on "E " here...
Echium vulgare
Euonymus europaeus
Both grow wild around me but are worthy garden contenders in the right place.
Euphorbia myrsinites
Euphorbia rigida
Euphorbia characias
Could not do without these for reliability and varying forms of growth, they enhance any planting. At the moment all are in flower and look spectacular.
Before I leave E
Echinops ritro
Eranthis hyemalis
Erigeron karvinskianus
Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve'
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Umbrian writes:
Fatsia japonica
Beautiful architectural plant with big glossy leaves.
Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum'
Ferula communis (Giant Fennel)
Wonderful stands of this along some motorways near to me but my poor plant just about manages to survive and has yet to flower.
Festuca glauca
Fritillaria meleagris
Fritillaria uva-vulpis
This one a real success - multiplies quickly.
Galanthus
No idea which exactly but a few bulbs sent by a friend in England survived the porcupine attacks and are bulking up nicely in my new porcupine free garden.
Gladiolus callianthus
Very dainty flowers and wonderful perfume.
Gypsophila
Galega officinalis
Grows wild around me but useful in wilder areas of garden flowering over a long period. Seeds prolifically but young plants pull out easily.
On to H for me
Helleborus niger
Helleborus cultivars
Helleborus foetidus
H. foetidus self seeds happily (wild in my area) whilst the cultivars also seed and come up with some pretty variations. All doing better now that trees are growing and providing more shade.
Hydrangea quercifolia
One of the few things I give the occasional can of water. Love it for it flowers and unusual leaves that colour beautifully in the autumn.
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Umbrian writes:
On to I - only one to add here.
Could not be without this iris for its contribution in winter. It's untidy appearance is annoying as the leaves grow and grow. I remember Oron advising not to cut them down every year but I am afraid I do and so far it has not been detrimental.
Iris unguicularis
J
Jasminum nudiflorum
Juniperus horizontalis
This Juniper makes very good ground cover rooting as it spreads.
K
Kerria japonica
There has been some discussion about Kerria on this forum. Mine hangs on but does not perform well but I see wonderful specimens around my area
Knautia macedonica
Kniphofia - in variety.
On to L for me.
Most members will know I am keen on scented plants so:-
Lathyrus odoratus
Lonicera 'Dart's Gold'
Lonicera halleana
Lonicera fragrantissima
Lilium regale
Finishing L - the first can be a thug in more temperate climes but summer heat and drought keep it manageable for me and it is good, pretty ground cover under trees.
The second is stately in flower and provides lovey seed heads. Seeds prolifically if allowed so gathering some for indoor winter decoration serves a double purpose.
Lamium galeobdolon
Lunaria annua]
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Umbrian writes:
Only three for M...
Mahonia aquifolium
Malus x purpurea 'Lemoinei'
Muscari armeniacum
[note from Alisdair: Mahonia aquifolium is more often called Berberis aquifolium nowadays - even if most of us still think of it as a mahonia under the Ms, and not under the Bs!]
Thanks Alisdair for keeping us up to date - I'm afraid for oldies such as myself - old habits/names seem to stick!
Fleur writes:
This is the end of the lost posts - please carry on, Umbrian!
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Many thanks to Fleur for re- posting all my contributions to the A-Z thread. I will continue, as and when I have the time, and hope some of the items will interest readers and encourage them to try things they had not considered. :)
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After all the trouble I am off again and think I have to repeat my 'O' selection to continue from Fleur's re-posting.
Onopordum (Scotch Thistle)
Ophiopogon 'Ebony Knight'
Origanum tournefortii x rotundifolium 'Barbara Tingey'
Origanum laevigatum 'Herrenhausen'
Ornithogalum nutans
Osmanthus x burkwoodii
Othonna cheirifolia [note from Alisdair: could have been listed under H as taxonomists say it should be called Hertia cheirifolia]
The Origanum 'Barbara Tingey' has lovely nodding whorls of pink flowers that dry well and retain their colour for months. Spreads well in hot inhospitable places.
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Realise I should have started with 'N' so here they are.
Since having a Porcupine free garden I am happy to be able to grow bulbs in the open ground and am building up a collection of Narcissus
Narcissus 'Central Station', 'Hawera', 'Jetfire', 'Golden Bells', 'Spring Sunshine'
Nepeta racemosa (syn. N. mussinii)
Nicotiana sylvestris
The Nicotiana needs a bit of shade at some time during the day but copes well without being watered.
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Thanks very much for toiling through all this again, "Umbrian"; it does make this a super thread!
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Think I am safe to move onto 'P' now of which there seems to be a lot. Will start with trees and shrubs.
Parahebe sempervirens
Perovskia 'Blue Spire'
Philadelphus coronarius
Phillyrea latifolia
Phlomis fruticosa
Phlomis italica
Phlomis purpurea
Pinus pinea
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Now the other 'P's'
I include the wild poppy because it pops up wherever but really adds to the spring garden!
Pancratium maritimum
Papaver rhoeas
Passiflora caerulea
Pennisetum
Penstemon 'Andenken an Friedich Hahn' (Garnet)
Phuopsis stylosa
Physalis alkekengi (Chinese Lantern)
Phytolaccca americana (Pokeweed)
Plectranthus forsteri
Primula vulgaris
Primula 'Gold-laced Group'
Pulmonaria officinalis
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Only one 'Q' - Quercus. Many of the hills around me are covered with mixed woodland including oaks. I constantly have to be on my guard against seedlings that send down a long tap root and are difficult to remove if not caught early. However one variety that I have planted and love is -
Quercus ilex
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Onto 'R' and starting with Roses. I do not have many and for me the main criterion is perfume.
On acquiring a new garden I inherited two climbers with wonderfully scented flowers but so far, despite posting 'photos on the forum, have not been able to identify them. However it has encouraged me to plant two more both chosen for their perfume.
Rosa 'Zéphyrine Drouhin'
Rosa 'Chris'
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Everytime someone writes about the rose 'Zephirine Drouhin' I remember my mother.
Here she is with my little dog, Judy, sitting in a suntrap next to the climbing rose in the North East of the UK.
All gone now.
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No, 'Not all gone now' you still have some wonderful memories........
My garden is full of memories and old friends - when we moved to Italy in retirement many friends from England would visit and then buy me a plant or tree for the garden I was developing. Some of those friends have since died but they live on in my garden. My Wisteria is Shirley, my two Campsis Doreen and Jane, and my Tillia, Ann. Then there are all the things given by new friends made through the MGS too numerous to mention- a garden is a wonderful place for memories!
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Continuing with 'R'
Rhamnus alaternus
Rhodanthemum hosmariense
Russelia equisetiformis
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Please, can any IPad user tell me how to change back from Italics to ordinary script? Once I have changed to Italics the only way I seem to be able to get off them is by pressing B that brings up bold print and then poor Alisdair has to correct it for me! I want to be able to put in comments about some of the plants but have been deterred from doing so due to my poor computer skills :(
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When you have written something in italics, you see that the word starts and ends with an i surrounded by square brackets. To continue with normal text, you just press the arrow key until you are outside (to the right of) the last i in square brackets.
Alternatively, you write the text without any spesific editing, then you just mark the part you want in italics, then press the button for italics to make the wanted change.
I have done it now on my iPad to see if it works. And it did.
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Many thanks Jorun - will give it a go tomorrow, too tired now after a long day in the garden!
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Here goes with 'S' and I hope to get the italics right.
Scabiosa caucasica
Lovely flowers and wonderful seed heads. (Now reclassified as Lomelosia caucasica.)
Sedum spectabile
Sedum telephium
Sisyrinchium striatum
A nice architectural plant that withstands drought and poor soil.
Sphaeralcea munroana
Very lax growing but flowers a lovely colour and keep coming all summer.
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NO ......I did not succeed with first method of mastering italics - will try your second suggestion Jorun!
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Continuing with 'S'
Spartium junceum
Prolific around us but very worthy in the garden.
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Wow - now must remember how I did it!
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Onwards before I forget.
Symphytum officinale
Good in the wilder areas of the garden and leaves good for steeping in water for a liquid feed ( or just composting)
Stipa gigantea
My favourite grass - needs space but a real eye catcher.
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Well done Carol. You have done it. I got so fed up with my ipad for not reducing photos to the desired size that I enrolled last Autumn at the computer evening class. I am among a group of senior citizens, some in their middle 70s, who had rather responsible jobs, but could not use the computers effectively. Now together we have managed to reduce photos, download etc. I had forgotten to say that I introduced them to the forum. I asked the teacher to project the pictures on the whiteboard. They loved the photos.
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I'm glad you found out of this, Carol and well done to you as well, Charithea
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Before I leave 'S' I must mention Salvias. I have quite a few and need to identify exactly which ones - when I have the time....Happy in dry not conditions many flower throughout the summer and are easily propagated through cuttings. I love the varying aromatic scents they exude through leaves and flowers. Amongst them are:-
Salvia greggii
Salvia jamensis
Salvia microphylla
Salvia elegans
Salvia lavandulifolia
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On to 'T'.....
Teucrium fruticans
This rather lax growing plant can be trimmed to keep it compact bit it can look rather ungainly. After after seeing a wonderful specimen growing freely in Sicily I decided the best thing was to allow it the required space. Last year I found
Teucrium fruticans 'Azureum'
This has deeper blue flowers and makes more of an impact.
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Trachelospermum jasminoides
Very widely grown in Italy. Succeeds best when not exposed to full sun during the hottest hours and succeeds for me in a totally shaded, but light area.
Trachelospermum asiaticum
Withstands full sun but for me the scent is very overpowering and lacks the sharp, fresh citrus element.
Thymus vulgaris
Have tried many different Thymws but this remains the most reliable.
Thunbergia alata
Grow this from seed each year - the 'happy' flowers take me back to my childhood when my mother grew it :)
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Going back to Teucrium fruticans 'Azureum' - beware. Some specimens spread disastrously by runners. One of mine crossed under a gravel path and ended up in another bed, In fact I've just had to oust an entire plant because it was gobbing up all the space it could and threatening to choke the other plants in the bed. All my Azureum plants are from cutting from two originals, the Sparoza cuttings being the polite ones.
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Thanks for the warning Fleur - it is in my new, small garden where everything grows bigger and faster than I was accustomed to in my original Mediterranean garden (due to the wonderful soil cultivated over many years) Can't afford anything that likes to take over!
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Onto 'V' with some real favourites.
Viburnum x carlcephalum
Viburnum plictum
Viburnum rhytidophyllum
Viburnum tints
The first mentioned is filling the garden with it wonderful scent at the moment making the endless Spring tidy up more pleasurable.
The plicatum has struggled despite being planted in a fairly shaded area but has flowered for the first time this year.
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Continuing with 'V'
Verbascum thapsus
Verbena bonariensis
A real favourite and something I could not do without. Beloved by butterflies.
Veronica prostrata (Blue Skies)
I put Blue Skies in brackets because I brought a small piece of this much loved plant to Italy when we came nearly eighteen years ago. It spreads steadily and is drought tolerant. In full flower at the moment it is a real eye catcher holding its intensely blue flowers erect over bright green feathery foliage.
Vitis vinifera 'Purpurea'
Quite an ungainly climber in my experience but wonderfully changing leaf colours from first to last and the grapes, if small, are sweet and edible if taken by the mouthful!
Vitex agnus-castus.
Have tried to avoid repeating John's subjects but must add this as another real favourite. The colour of the flowers can vary considerably- an intense blue being my preferred. It is a very beautiful small tree or shrub with aromatic leaves.
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Final posting today for W and Y.
It has been a bumpy ride with the thread disappearing but many thanks again to Fleur for her help and to John for instigating the project. At least now I have a fairly comprehensive listing of subjects in my garden(s) although some work remains to track down exact cultivars etc.- a job for next winter I fear.
Wisteria floribunda
I have three Wisteria but by far my favourite is 'Royal Purple syn 'Black Dragon' for the deep colour of its flowers.
Yucca gloriosa
Yucca filamentosa
Beware of the roots of these when planting - they become huge and the slightest piece will happily and rapidly produce a new plant.