JEARRARD'S HERBAL
Thats enough introduction - on with the plants!
To navigate this site, use the links above, or the detailed links at the bottom of this page.
... out in the garden.
Astonishingly, after the rain we have had, things have started to dry out again, but the garden is looking green and fresh. The new herbaceous
border has erupted with weeds, and evenings are being spent yanking out yards and yards of creeping stinging nettle stems
(and there is an inevitable price to pay). This update is a bit later than intended - the last two days have been taken up with a summer
cold, and all the engineering works required to render safe the tsunami of snot. Hedychium are growing at an astonishing rate, and space
will have to be found (where is that wretched TARDIS when you need it?)
22nd May 2007
Serapias lingua .
I have been growing this pretty little orchid for a couple of years now, and I struggle with it a bit. I seem to get it wet when it wants to be dry, and vice-versa.
It has managed to flower this year and is looking...alive - last time I flowered it the stem immediately collapsed from mildew and I thought it was done for.
This rather frail flower spike is very welcome. As with other terrestrial orchids, now that I have not killed it for a couple of years
I may try some of the other species and cultivars that are becoming available.
22nd May 2007
Roscoea humeana 'Longacre Sunrise' .
A really beautiful selection of Roscoea humeana from Long Acre Nursery. The early Roscoea are all pushing up through the ground now -
the later ones are still to show. This form is very nearly white, flushed with yellow and lilac. The flowers are commonly distorted. I keep hoping
to get something better from seed, but so far noluck!
20th May 2007
Arisaema kiushianum .
The Arisaema are an irresistibly charming group of tuberous aroiuds, some of them more tolerant of cultivation than others.
This pretty little dwarf came to me by accident a few years ago when I ordered Asarum kiushianum. The typographic slip could as easily have been mine,
but in this case the nurseryman concerned was blinded by the bright shiny coins (and I have been quite delighted by the error). If I had two of them,
they might have sex and make equally charming little babies, but I haven't, and though I could probably get a friend to send some pollen, there
is something rather unromantic about postal sex (though I suppose it might be First Class)!
20th May 2007
Iris ensata 'Darling' .
Over the last weeks the sparkling fairy dust of spring has blown away to be replaced by some hardcore
herbaceous consolidation. All quite satisfactory. Iris ensata has started to flower. I bought
a few new varieties through the winter and I am waiting to see what they turn out like. The first to
flower has been this traditionally shaped pink form. Great in a pot so far. Eventually it will need
a large wet border, and if it keeps raining I will have one.
To find particular groups of plants I grow, click on the genus name in the table above. Click on the "Index" box at the top of the page for the full list.
I have a lot of good intentions when it comes to updating this site, and I try to keep a note
about what is going on, if you are interested.
If you want to contact me, the address is infoMONKEYjohnjearrard.co.uk
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