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.
4th July 2010
Lilium formosanum pricei .
A dwarf form of the species, which hails from Taiwan. This one is growing in the greenhouse, and it is much taller this year than it was last -
I suspect a combination of protection and high temperatures have drawn it up. Easy from seed, and I would have a garden full of it by now, if I had made the time to plant the seed.
Not too late. Given a decent season they might still be ready for planting out next year (and I have to sow seed next week, I have just harvested the Hellebore seed, and it will
sulk if I don't get it in promptly).
Some rain at the end of the week is already making a difference in the garden. Plants are looking healthier, the Astilbe's have crispy fried leaves but
it isn't getting any worse now. The leaves will fall off, the flower spikes will open anyway, it will all look rather stupid.
4th July 2010
Pelargonium endlicherianum .
I only have a few Pelargonium left - the winter finished off most of the ones that weren't killed the year before. This Turkish species is an oddity in many ways
but most importantly it is probably the hardiest species, though it doesn't tolerate winter wet very well. I grew it from seed when I finally got fed up
with being sent Erodium species in it's place by nurseries.
I usually manage a trip to Kew at this time of the year, and no doubt I will find it growing
all over the Alpine house in a range of size and colour variations. I seem to remember a blood-curdling pink (as though this wasn't bright enough)
and it is always nice to have something to frighten yourself with in the early morning, so I may grow some more from seed - left to its own devices this one doesn't
seem to produce any so I may have to help it along.
4th July 2010
Iris ensata 'Yedo Yiman' .
Iris ensata is traditionally grown as a water iris, and most of the collection here is in pots in water tanks, but I have a few planted in the herbaceous border
and they have been much stronger and healthier looking, so it is time for them all to go out there. There seems to be an infinite number of named forms about,
and more confusingly, they all seem to be different. I would have them all if there was space (and if I had the patience). The ridiculous gigantic veined flowers
are one of the few things in the garden that can take on the more excessive Hemerocallis and get away with it. If they all end up planted together
(as seems likely) it will be striking (and probably un-nerving).
I am still looking for things to ease the shock of a border of strappy leaves, and given the company, I might try some Dahlias. I will be speechless if it works (it
might well be unspeakable)!
4th July 2010
Watsonia gladioloides .
The Watsonia have suffered from a long dry spell as they form flower buds. I have managed to keep them from drying out completely, but they would prefer to be
soaking wet. I bought a lot of new Watsonia species last year and I have related elsewhere some part of my frustration that none of them
has turned out to be correctly named (but there is still a certain amount of wailing and gnashing of teeth going on - I'm not going back to the nursery concerned until I
am calmer, nobody needs a visit from an erratic wailing watsoniaphile banshee - I'm irritated but not inhumane, and even I accept that I may have lost my sense of
perspective over the issue).
On the other hand his one came from Pine Lodge Gardens, where the lovely people raised some lovely seed and it is all true to name. Restores my faith
in humanity!
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.
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