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Callistemon viridiflorus

29 Jul

Callistemon viridiflorus (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Summer

Eventual Height: 2.5m

Eventual Spread: 2m

Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Family: Myrtaceae

Callistemon viridiflorus is an evergreen shrub or tree with an open habit. Its grey/ green leaves are linear to lanceolate with entire margins, up t0 35mm long and are aromatic when crushed. Its branches develop rough white bark as it matures. It bears bottle brush like spikes of hermaphrodite flowers with enlarged cream/ green stamens arranged radially around the tips of the flowering stems and are up to 7.5cm long. Its fruit are dark, tightly spaced small fruit.

Callistemon viridiflorus Flower (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Callistemon viridiflorus, commonly known as the Green Bottlebrush, is native to Tasmania. In its native habitat it grows in mountain rain forests.

The etymological root of the binomial name Callistemon is derived from the ancient Greek Kalli meaning ‘beautiful’ and stamen the pollen producing part of a flower. Viridiflorus is derived from the Latin viridis meaning ‘green and flora meaning ‘flower’.

The Landscape architect may find Callistemon viridiflorus useful as an attractive medium sized evergreen shrub with showy green flowers. A warm sheltered location will ensure this plant flowers prolifically. Once established this shrub is drought tollerant. This shrub is not attractive to deer or rabbits.

Callistemon viridiflorus Leaf (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Callistemon citrinus flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Callistemon viridiflorus prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Callistemon viridiflorus requires little to no maintenance, dead or damaged material may be removed after flowering.

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Categories Callistemon viridiflorus, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, garden, Green Bottlebrush, Plant of the Week, plants, Shrub, Summer interest, Winter interest

Campanula incurva

25 Jul

Campanula incurva (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30cm

Eventual Spread: 50cm

Hardiness: 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Campanulaceae

Campanula incurva is a short lived evergreen herbaceous perennial with a sprawling habit. Its dark green leaves are lanceolate with entire margins, up to 4cm long and 15mm broad. Its light blue flowers are cup shaped, up to 7cm long and 4cm across.

Campanula incurva Flower (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Campanula incurva, commonly known as Evia Bellflower, is native to east Greece, Europe. In its native habitat it grows in rocky places among scrub. Campanula incurva is synonymous with Campanula leutweinii.

The etymological root of the binomial name Campanula is derived from the Latin campana meaning ‘bell’. Incurva is from the Latin meaning ‘curved’.

The landscape architect may find Campanula incurva useful as a short lived evergreen perennial with attractive flowers suitable for well drained soils.

Campanula incurva Leaf (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Campanula incurva flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Campanula incurva prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Campanula incurva requires little maintenance.

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Categories Campanula incurva, Campanula leutweinii, Evergreen, Evia Bellflower, garden, Plant of the Week, plants, Summer interest, Winter interest

Salvia officinalis ‘Icterina’

24 Jul

Salvia officinalis ‘Icterina’ (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Summer (occasionally)

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

Hardiness: 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Lamiaceae

Salvia officinalis ‘Icterina’ is an evergreen sub shrub with a domed habit. Its grey/ green leaves have irregular yellow margins, are elliptic with entire margins, up to 7cm long and 2.5cm broad. Its leaves are aromatic when crushed. Mature plants may form a woody stem. Its blue/ purple flowers are two lipped, up to 2cm long and appear on short terminal racemes.

The species Salvia officinalis, commonly known as Common Sage or Garden Sage, is native to to the Mediterranean region. In its native habitat it grows on dry banks and stoney places.

The etymological root of the binomial name Salvia is derived from the Latin salvare, meaning to ‘heal’, in reference to the use of Salvia vulgaris as a medicinal plant. Officinalis is derived from the Latin translating as ‘of the shop’.

The landscape architect may find Salvia officinalis ‘Icterina’ useful as a ground cover plant with variegated leaves. This plant is not attractive to deer. Once established this plant is drought tollerant.

Ecologically, Salvia officinalis ‘Icterina’ flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Salvia officinalis ‘Icterina’ Leaf (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Salvia officinalis ‘Icterina’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Salvia officinalis ‘Icterina’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers a neutral to alkali p of soil. It dislikes wet soils.

Salvia officinalis ‘Icterina’ requires little maintenance. If required pruning should be carried out in spring before active growth starts.