Growing
8 Trusty Types Of Dogwood, Including Garden Writer Nic Wilson's Favourites
IN THIS GUIDE 1) Kousa 2) Dogwood ‘Wietings Select’ 3) Kousa ‘Miss Satomi’ 4) Stiff Dogwood 5) Flowering Dogwood 6) Flowering Dogwood ‘Sunset’ 7) Giant Dogwood 8) Wedding Cake Tree References Cornus is quite a cosmopolitan genus. Species are native to all of North America, Europe, and nearly all of Asia except for Kazakhstan and its surrounding countries and India.1 Species also grow in regions of Eastern-Central Africa and the north-western hump of South America. All of the desirable Dogwood tree varieties are Far Eastern or American ones. “I think I’d find it hard to be cheerful in the colder months without my dogwoods,” says Nic Wilson, a Garden Writer. “Winter is the season when I need the lift that comes from seeing a blazing mass of ‘Midwinter Fire’ or the morning light shining on the vivid green ‘Flaviramea’ stems in the borders.” C. florida The total number of species in Cornus number about 50-60 (not including hybrids and cultivars) – most of them are deciduous but a few are evergreen.2 Dogwood trees are cherished in many regions of the United States and some even claim it for their own, as has Virginia: a Dogwood species, Cornus florida, is the state tree and its ‘bract flower’ is the state flower.3 Varieties of Dogwood trees differ in the colours and types of their small or insignificant flowers encircled by much more attractive and colourful bracts, the hues and edibility of their berries or drupes and by the kind of colours they may display in autumn. The simple leaves are usually ovate and opposite, and of a mid-green to dark green tone. The aim of this section is not to list the most popular or most desirable varieties, and it is certainly not meant to provide an exhaustive list. Rather, the intention is to illustrate the enormous diversity in size, form, and seasonal display of colours. By ‘flowers’ we refer to the more attractive colourful bracts. 1) Kousa Botanical Name: C. kousa Originating in China, Japan and the Koreas, is the species from which the majority of the most popular and desirable cultivars descend. It typically reaches a height of about 7m. In spring it produces a lush display of greenish-white flowers that are often pink-tipped, with light red berries following in summer. In autumn there is another lovely display of deep reds and purples. In winter this species’s patchy, somewhat scaly, tan-coloured bark comes into view. 2) Dogwood ‘Wietings Select’ Botanical Name: C. kousa var. chinensis ‘Wietings Select’ Also grows to about 7m. Its flowers are pure white, developing pink edges and tinges, and the late summer berries are a saturated tone of pink. In autumn the foliage puts on an amazing show of deep, rich reds. 3) Kousa ‘Miss Satomi’ Botanical Name: C. kousa ‘Satomi’ Grows to your choice of a small tree of 4-5m or a tall shrub. It is covered by candy pink flowers in summer. More colour follows in autumn as the (inedible) fruit and the foliage both present attractive tones of light and rich reds. RHS Award of Garden Merit. Many other Kousa cultivars are available, ranging in height from 4-8m, and producing foliage, flowers, and berries in various appealing light and dark colours. 4) Stiff Dogwood Botanical Name: C. foemina Also gives you a choice between growing it as a small tree of 6-7m or a tall shrub. Its flowers are white and relatively small and in autumn the foliage display includes deep and rich hues of wine red and purples. But the twist on this tree is that its late summer berries are blue, and a popping tone of blue at that. 5) Flowering Dogwood Botanical Name: C. florida Is the ‘main’ American species which grows to about 7m. In mid-spring it starts to produce an abundance of white or pinkish flowers, followed by vermilion or light red berries in late summer. Autumn brings a blaze of reds and purples as the foliage changes colour. This species is, unfortunately, the most susceptible to cornus anthracnose. 6) Flowering Dogwood ‘Sunset’ Botanical Name: C. florida ‘Sunset’ Grows to about 7m and ‘improves’ upon the mother species in both foliage and flowers. The leaves are wonderfully variegated, being bright green in the centre with a substantial edging of bright yellow. Late spring and early summer bring bright pink flowers, often with white flushes. The late summer and early autumn show comprise of red berries, with the foliage turning reddish-purple as the season progresses. 7) Giant Dogwood Botanical Name: C. controversa Lives up to its name – at least where Dogwoods are concerned! – reaching 15m heights. It has a wonderful tiered branching pattern that can be observed in winter when the tree is bare but admired even more when it is in flower. And those flowers are plentiful and of a very rich creamy shade. Autumn brings different colours as the berries on this tree are blue-black while the leaves display shades of purple and violet. 8) Wedding Cake Tree Botanical Name: C. controversa ‘Variegata’ A smaller version of C. controversa, topping out at about 8m. This dinky tree also has that wonderful tiered branching pattern which is most marked when in full leaf. The leaves are variegated – green in the centre with thick cream edges. The late spring to early summer flowers are white-white and the berries following them in late summer and early autumn make the strongest of contrasts with their bluish-black colour. RHS Award of Garden Merit recipient. References 1. Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea). (n.d.). Woodland Trust. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/dogwood/ 2. Atkinson, B. S., Stockey, R. A., & Rothwell, G. W. (2016). Cretaceous origin of dogwoods: an anatomically preserved Cornus (Cornaceae) fruit from the Campanian of Vancouver Island. Peer J, 4, e2808. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.2808 3. American Dogwood. (2017, December 26). State Symbols USA. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/virginia/state-flower/american-dogwood
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8 Radishes Including Summer Varieties (Harvested Sooner) And Winter Types
IN THIS GUIDE Summer Varieties 1) ‘Cherry Belle’ 2) ‘Scarlet Globe’ 3) ‘French Breakfast’ 4) ‘Sparkler’ Winter Varieties 5) Chinese Radish 6) ‘Black Spanish Round’ 7) ‘China Rose’ 8) ‘Miyashige’ References Radishes are broadly divided by season of harvest and by shape and size. Summer radishes are distinctly smaller than winter radishes and are ready for harvest much sooner. Summer Varieties Summer varieties are broadly divided into ‘globe’ which are the familiar round varieties and the ‘icicle’ types with elongated shapes. Summer radishes are not only easy to grow, they are especially quick-growing vegetables so that within several weeks the gardener’s efforts yield results that are edible and tasty! As such, summer radishes are an excellent choice as an ‘entry level’ vegetable for the gardening beginner, or to get kids started on growing veggies. Because summer radishes are small in size and so quick to crop, they are an ‘in-between’ vegetable in more ways than one: First, their size allows them to be planted in between rows of other, larger vegetables – and in small, unused patches of the vegetable garden, to fill in the gaps. Second, because they can be harvested in about four weeks, they can be sown and enjoyed in between the points in time that an earlier vegetable has been harvested and a later one is yet to be sown and grown. All of the following summer radishes are cultivars of R. sativus – ‘Small Radish’ or ‘Western Radish’. 1) ‘Cherry Belle’ An heirloom variety and one of those that defines radish to European eyes, being little, round and red. It is succulent with a relatively mild flavour. Among summer radishes, it is also relatively forgiving if picked a little late. One of the fastest-growing summer radishes, it is ready to be harvested in only three weeks when it is about 2.5cm wide. 2) ‘Scarlet Globe’ Aptly described by its name, it is not too different from ‘Cherry Belle’ except for being just a little bigger, and good for harvest in about four weeks at an average size of about 3cm. It too is succulent with a relatively mild flavour. But another difference is that it is not an heirloom variety but is an RHS Award of Garden Merit recipient.1 3) ‘French Breakfast’ Really does originate from France and in some parts of France it is actually enjoyed as a snack, though maybe not for morning breakfast!2 This heirloom variety has a cylindrical shape, is a bright red above while the lower third or merely the lower tip is white. It is big for a summer radish with a length averaging 6cm. It is a mild but flavourful variety that is ready for harvest in about four weeks. 4) ‘Sparkler’ In appearance may be thought of as a mix of ‘Scarlet Globe’ and ‘French Breakfast’ – it is about the same shape and size as the former with the colouration of the latter, being a bright red with the lower third or only the tip being white. It is crunchy and mild in taste, and is considered one of the earliest summer radishes that can be sown. Ready in about four weeks; recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Winter Varieties Larger winter radishes are usually called Daikon, but it is incorrect to refer to all winter types by this term as there are also Chinese winter varieties and the Black Spanish variety. On the other hand, winter radishes have their own singular strength and standout charm, for how many other flavourful and culinary vegetables will keep growing and be good for harvest through the cold and grey Decembers and Januaries, the dead of winter! Furthermore, just when you would like a bit of spicy zing to your winter dishes, there’s that flavourful radish you had sown back in October! 5) Chinese Radish AKA: ‘Longipinnatus’ or ‘Mooli’ A daikon, perhaps the classic daikon. It is dirty white and ungracefully cylindrical in shape. Typically about 40cm long, it can attain lengths of 50cm+ when allowed to mature. As it grows, about a third of this radish is above the soil’s surface. It is on the mild side for a winter radish but does not have the light mouth-feel of summer radishes. It is used throughout East Asia and South Asia in a vast variety of savoury dishes, further to which condiments, pickles and such are also made from it. 6) ‘Black Spanish Round’ A radish with a reputation. It has a definite kick, rather like a horseradish – it is spicy, perhaps too spicy for some. Another elongated form is also cultivated; it is not quite as spicy. Both kinds are often as black as coal from the outside and as white as snow inside. The round variety is a proper heirloom plant, going back to the 16th Century. Not properly round, it is lumpily round or pear-shaped. Ready to harvest when it is about 10cm wide in 60-70 days, even by winter radish standards this one keeps well. It is best used in savoury, spicy soups and dishes. 7) ‘China Rose’ A variety from China that is rose-red in colour. This daikon is cylindrical, rather tube-like, in shape. It grows to 15-20cm in length and 5cm in diameter so it is on the small side for a winter radish. Making up for it, this one is flavourfully spicy rather than overly so. As such, it can be enjoyed raw with Spanish or Tex-Mex foods but this versatile daikon can also be used for making soups, stocks and stews. It is ready for harvest in right around eight weeks. 8) ‘Miyashige’ Hails from Japan. It is off-white and carrot-shaped, typically growing to 35-40cm long and 7-7.5cm in diameter. It is ready to be pulled up in 50-60 days when it has not reached its full size. Not spicy but quite mild, this radish is succulent and flavourful. A great choice if you want to try Japanese or Korean cuisine at home, this radish is also a versatile one as it can be sliced raw into salads, quickly sauteed, or pickled and stored. “If, like me, you find strong spices have you reaching for jugfuls of water, you are safest regarding winter radishes as a culinary vegetable, with ‘Miyashige’ being the only one to eat raw,” shares Master Horticulturist Peter Lickorish. “I also have a preference for the narrow varieties, simply because they can be packed in a little tighter. “That said, cramming too tightly will often lead to bolting, so go by the recommended spacing on a seed packet.” References 1. Raphanus sativus “Scarlet Globe.” (n.d.). Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/119407/raphanus-sativus-scarlet-globe/details 2. Damrosch, B. (2011, April 20). The French Breakfast radish makes a handy snack. Washington Post. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home_garden/the-french-breakfast-radish-makes-a-handy-snack/2011/04/12/AF6E8uBE_story.html
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17 Distinct Freesia Varieties - 'Select By The Nose As Well As The Eye' Says Dan Ori
IN THIS GUIDE 1) B. stricta 2) Freesia 3) F. alba 4) F. laxa 5) F. laxa var. alba 6) F. lactea 7) F. ‘White River’ 8) F. ‘Belleville’ 9) F. ‘Elan’ 10) F. ‘Blue Moon’ 11) F. ‘Fragrant Sunburst’ 12) F. ‘Golden Yellow’ 13) Tritonia crocata 14) Tritonia laxifolia 15) F. ‘Oberon’ 16) F. ‘Red Lion’ 17) F. ‘Red River’ References The native range of the Freesia genus spreads from Uganda and Kenya in East-Central Africa southward through South Africa. German Botanist Christian Friedrich Ecklon first described this genus back in 1866 – he named the genus after his fellow botanist and good friend Friedrich Freese.1 The genus has only 16 species of which the two from which the most popular cultivars descend – F. refracta and F. leichtlinii are South African natives.2 “In my opinion, Freesia varieties should be selected by the nose as well as the eye,” says Dan Ori, a Horticultural Consultant. “I recommend visiting some Victorian gardens to try and spot some, as often though it is a matter of buying or swapping a few and seeing what you think before you commit to buying multiple bags of corms.” In nature their flowers are in white and in yellows, while those of F. laxa are in hues of pink to rose red. Freesia horticulture has resulted in quite a number of hues in the yellow through red range. Apart from these, crosses with and cultivars of related flowers from the Babiana genus within the same family, the Iris family, mean that Freesias include a handful of cultivars in blue and purple tones for a full spectrum of colours. Freesias generally attain a height of 20-30cm. Freesias, except F. laxa, have very attractive foliage of a rich green shade varying from a bright tone to a dark one. The narrow leaves are strap-shaped or lance-shaped and grow in fans. F. laxa varieties have wide-open star-shaped flowers – each flower has six tepals. 1) B. stricta This bears cup-shaped flowers. 2) Freesia Produces zygomorphic inflorescences of six to eight blooms, trumpet-shaped or funnel-shaped, all pointing in the same upward-and-outward direction courtesy of the obliging flower stalks that gracefully arc and flex. Blooms occur in white and in various light and pastel hues in – unlike many flowers – both the cool and warm colour spectra. 3) F. alba One of the very first species to reach Europe and score an instant hit. It is perhaps the one that is most renowned for being strongly perfumed; it has a rich, heady fragrance with a touch of spice. The flowers are funnel-shaped and are white but sometimes off-white or cream, and have a golden yellow throat and yellow accents. 4) F. laxa Hailing from Kenya, is different from the other established species in both foliage and flower. The leaves are deep green and are sword-shaped. The open star-shaped flowers are salmon pink to rose red, with the lower (three) tepals displaying darker-hued accents. RHS Award of Garden Merit. 5) F. laxa var. alba AKA: ‘White Flowering Grass’ A variety of F. laxa and is not to be confused with F. alba. The leaves are suggestive of grass, being both extremely narrow and of a light, bright green hue. The flowers are unusually open and are salver-shaped, and are pure white. RHS Award of Garden Merit. 6) F. lactea AKA: ‘Milky-White Freesia’ Has very narrow linear leaves and produces flowers of an opaque white tone – milky white. The funnel-shaped blooms are among the most fragrant and also among the biggest at 5-6cm. 7) F. ‘White River’ Has very narrow leaves and produces funnel-shaped flowers that are pure white. For a cultivar, the strong, wonderful fragrance of the blooms is quite remarkable. 8) F. ‘Belleville’ A favourite in bouquets and is a big seller for florists. It produces perfectly-formed trumpet-shaped double flowers. They are pure white, sometimes set off by a creamy-yellow throat. 9) F. ‘Elan’ Produces fairly large, flared flowers measuring 5-6cm. These are of a pastel purple hue with a creamy white throat. 10) F. ‘Blue Moon’ Produces narrow trumpet-shaped flowers that are of an exquisite pastel lilac-lavender tone. 11) F. ‘Fragrant Sunburst’ Produces perfect trumpet-shaped flowers that are relatively large at about 6cm. They also have a strong but pleasing fragrance – they are a light or pastel shade of yellow. 12) F. ‘Golden Yellow’ ‘Golden Yellow’ Produces narrow trumpet-shaped flowers that are quite striking, being of an exceptionally bright, sunny yellow. 13) Tritonia crocata AKA: ‘Flame Freesia’ Native to South Africa. As one of the ‘False Freesias’ it produces cup-shaped flowers that are on the small side. They are orange to vermilion and have yellow accents on the lower (three) tepals. RHS Award of Garden Merit. 14) Tritonia laxifolia Another ‘Flame Freesia’ but this one hails from further north as it grows in Tanzania. The leaves are narrow and of a sparkling light green hue. The flowers are trumpet-shaped, are highly scented, and are of a dusky, sunset orange hue. 15) F. ‘Oberon’ A bicoloured stunner. The flower is golden-yellow at the centre and orange to vermilion at the outside; however, the balance of colours varies from plant to plant. In some you will notice a small yellow centre with the majority of the flower in a near-red colour; on others you will get the majority of the flower in golden-yellow with a thick orange border. 16) F. ‘Red Lion’ Produces funnel-shaped flowers that are genuine eye-pullers as they are a hard, deep red through and through. 17) F. ‘Red River’ Another stunning bi-coloured variety. It produces flared, funnel-shaped flowers – they are bright red to lipstick red with prominent golden-yellow throats with the yellow colour sometimes radiating or gradating outward. References 1. Freesia. (n.d.-b). Mindat. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://www.mindat.org/taxon-2747044.html 2. Freesia. (n.d.-c). Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:331198-2
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10 Fascinating Bearded Iris Varieties With Some Lovely Colour Combinations
IN THIS GUIDE Iris germanica Expert-Chosen Varieties 1) ‘That’s All Folks’ 2) ‘Absolute Treasure’ 3) ‘Champagne Elegance’ 4) ‘Autumn Tryst’ 5) ‘Sugar Blues’ 6) ‘Immortality’ 7) ‘Jesse’s Song’ 8) ‘Titan’s Glory’ 9) ‘Superstition’ 10) ‘Before The Storm’ (Tall Bearded) References The genus Iris comprises over 310 species and tens of thousands of cultivars, and this very fact clues one into the abiding fascination floriculturists and gardeners have with Iris.1 All these many varieties of Irises are divided into numerous groupings of which the Bearded Iris is emblematic of the genus. Indeed, Bearded Iris itself is further subdivided into six sub-groups. Other types of Iris include Flag Iris, Water Iris, Siberian Iris, Bicolour Iris, Aril Iris…the types and kinds of Iris go on and on. In this guide we focus on Europe’s (and America’s) most popular Iris, Bearded Iris, of which there are so many tens of thousands of cultivars that no-one can keep count! Bearded Iris has been extensively cultivated to the extent that it is now divided into half-a-dozen groups by plant size, flower size, and blooming season. The American Iris Society’s classification, adopted by the British Iris Society, is as follows: Miniature Dwarf Beardeds grow up to only 20cm. Standard Dwarf Beardeds have heights from 20-41cm. Intermediate Beardeds from 41-70cm. Border Bearded Irises are of the same height range as the Intermediate Beardeds but bloom later in the season with the Tall Beardeds. Miniature Tall Beardeds are also of the same height range as the Intermediate Beardeds but their flowers are smaller and stems are thinner – they are daintier. Tall Beardeds start 70cm and rise to over 1m, their stalks exhibit more branching, and their large flowers exhibit desirable qualities more frequently than those of the other types. In general Bearded Irises go into bloom by height, starting from shortest and ending with the tallest. They bloom from the beginning of April to the end of June. However, there are also cyclic bloomers and re-bloomers, flowering again in late summer and early autumn, which introduce a happy variation to the blooming season. Iris germanica The mother species. This iris attains a height of 70-100cm. It blooms in spring, putting out violet flowers with yellow beards. The species is hardy to Zone H6, and varieties, i.e. Bearded Irises, are hardy from Zone H5 to H7. Expert-Chosen Varieties “A bearded iris flower is an intricate shape with 3 upright ‘standard’ petals and 3 hanging ‘fall’ petals,” shares Peter Lickorish, a Horticulture Lecturer at Bradford College. “On these petals are the beards, which are the collection of hairs which help guide pollinators to the centre of the flower and give these plants their name. “At the other end of the scale to the Tall Bearded varieties, ‘Bright Button’ is a Standard Dwarf variety with sumptuous ruby flowers, which could pair nicely with a darker Tall Bearded Iris.” Simon Dodsworth is the owner of The English Iris Company, an award-winning iris specialist based in Norfolk. “If you want a blast of colour, grow ‘William of Orange’,” says Simon. “Try planting it with ‘Red Pike’ for contrast and, just for fun, add ‘Sherwood Pink’. The combination is stunning.” “I am particularly fond of this colour combination; we have used it to great effect at some of the RHS Shows. “It will also give you around four weeks of flowers, starting with ‘Red Pike’, then ‘William of Orange’ and finally ‘Sherwood Pink’, which is the last iris to flower in my garden by over a week.” Underneath we review a top ten of Tall Bearded Iris cultivars with a preference for the aesthetic, striking and dramatic. 1) ‘That’s All Folks’ Growing to 1m or more, this variety has nothing to do with Bugs Bunny or Porky Pig. This variety may not bring any ‘extras’ to the table but its big blooms with frilly petals will undoubtedly bring a radiance to the summer garden. And that is because of its warm, intense, and riveting hue of yellow accented with a white blaze on the falls. 2) ‘Absolute Treasure’ Grows to 1m or more – the large flowers are well ruffled. The falls feature creamy white centres but the reason that this flower is a ‘treasure’ is surely that the outer part of the falls and the standards are of a rare floral colour in a rare tone: a very pale, pastel tone of blue. 3) ‘Champagne Elegance’ Aptly named in view of its colouration – it grows to about 90cm. The standards are off-white while the falls are truly of a ‘champagne’ hue, and display yellow beards. Champagne coloured with a hint of orange as it is, this flower appropriately has a lovely orangey scent. 4) ‘Autumn Tryst’ Rises to about 85cm with the welcome qualities of being a re-bloomer and also being sweetly fragrant. The largeish flower is bicoloured as the frilly petals have unusual pearly-white centres gradating into a sparkling tone of lavender. It blooms a second time in end-summer or early autumn. 5) ‘Sugar Blues’ Attains a height of about 85cm and it too is a reliable re-bloomer, putting out flowers a second time from late summer. It is also fragrant but of a pleasant, powdery scent rather than an intense perfume. As for the colours, this knockout has a striated white blaze near the centre and also has a white-yellow beard while the petals are a mesmerising, translucent hue of baby blue. 6) ‘Immortality’ Attains a height of about 75cm, and has multiple desirable attributes. First, it is a re-bloomer that flowers a second time in late summer or early autumn. Next, its blooms are intensely fragrant. Finally, the heavily ruffled blooms are spectacular as they are pure, snowy white with the small yellow beard accentuating the petals’ snowy whiteness. 7) ‘Jesse’s Song’ Grows to about 85cm. Though its flowers’ petals are heavily frilled and ruffled, the flowers’ shape is among the finest as the falls are spread out and are relatively firm rather than limp. The medial halves of the petals are a bright white while the outer part is an equally bright purple, with lighter lavender tones and speckling where the two colours meet. 8) ‘Titan’s Glory’ Grows to nearly 90cm and it too is quite fragrant. It boasts especially large flowers, even for a Tall Bearded. What is more they are ‘selfs’, so to speak, being unicoloured including even the beard. And this colour is an intense, gorgeous violet that your eyes will feast on. 9) ‘Superstition’ Rises to about 90cm and has the desirable trait of a slightly longer-than-normal flowering season. The frilly standards are a deep and vivid gem-like purple with a beard to match while the falls are nearly black, making it one of the most striking and dramatic of Iris flowers. 10) ‘Before The Storm’ (Tall Bearded) Attains a height of about 90cm – its flowers are very fragrant; petals are very ruffled. Though for a Tall Bearded it does not boast large blooms, these blooms are indubitably among the most stunning and dramatic in all Flowerdom, for they are black with delicious chocolate-maroon tinges and tints. References 1. Iris. (n.d.). Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:326330-2
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11 Interesting Cultivars Of Platycodon Grandiflorus (The 'Balloon Flower')
IN THIS GUIDE 1) P. grandiflorus 2) P. grandiflorus ‘Astra Double Blue’ 3) P. grandiflorus ‘Fuji Blue’ 4) P. grandiflorus ‘Mariesii’ 5) P. grandiflorus ‘Apoyama’ 6) P. grandiflorus ‘Misato Purple’ 7) P. grandiflorus ‘Astra Pink’ 8) P. grandiflorus ‘Mother Of Pearl’ 9) P. grandiflorus ‘Fairy Snow’ 10) P. grandiflorus ‘Hakone White’ 11) P. grandiflorus ‘Komachi’ References Here is a very odd fact – The Balloon Flower, ie. Platycodon grandiflorus, is the one and only member of Genus Platycodon.1 Yet the Botanical family to which this genus belongs, Family Campanulaceae, contains 94 genera (according to Kew Botanic Gardens) which include a few thousand species!2 Abundant in eastern China and other East Asian regions, this plant is also known as the Chinese Bellflower. The locus of divergence is reckoned to be ‘Asia’ – rather a large landmass; however, the rational inference is that the locus was East Asia, the site of Platycodon’s long-known ubiquity and cultural value. The majority of Platycodon floriculture has taken place in Japan, Korea, and China – it arrived in Europe through Austria. “Thanks to this breeding, there are cultivars of this one species that are suitable for borders, containers and rockeries,” says Colin Skelly, a Horticultural Consultant. “Although some cultivars have made their way into UK gardens, there are some here that deserve a wider audience (and I’ll be looking out for them for my own garden).” Platycodon has been cultivated in Europe to a relatively limited extent. A diverse selection of cultivars are presented underneath: 1) P. grandiflorus The sole species, grows from 60cm up to 1m with a spread of only 30-40cm. It has bluish-green foliage and the flowers are a rich purple with obvious veining, and are 5-6cm across. This plant has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit. 2) P. grandiflorus ‘Astra Double Blue’ Bears double flowers of a lavender hue that are about 7cm in width. The petals have a pleasing alternating or staggered arrangement such that the inner petals do not overlap the outer ones. The plant grows to only about 25cm. 3) P. grandiflorus ‘Fuji Blue’ Even by Platycodon’s robust standards, this variety is especially resistant to pests and diseases. Its bluish-purple flowers are about 6cm across. The translucent petals display pronounced delicate venation. This compact cultivar has a height and spread of 40-50cm. 4) P. grandiflorus ‘Mariesii’ A cultivar that has caught on in the United Kingdom yet is virtually unknown in the United States. It is compact at 40-50cm in height and has a similar spread. The 5cm flowers are light purple with a bluish flush. Recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit. 5) P. grandiflorus ‘Apoyama’ Yet another cultivar that has caught on in the UK. The flowers are about 5cm wide and are a light lavender shade. The petals display a filigree of veins. This is a dwarf cultivar that grows to only 20-25cm. Another RHS Award of Garden Merit award recipient. 6) P. grandiflorus ‘Misato Purple’ Not particularly floriferous but it bears true violet flowers that are large at nearly 9cm across. They exhibit dark, delicate venation. This is a compact variety that attains a height and spread of about 50cm. 7) P. grandiflorus ‘Astra Pink’ Stands out among its purple-hued siblings due to its pale pink tone. This is a relatively floriferous variety and the blooms are also good-sized at about 7cm. It is a dwarf cultivar that grows to about 20cm with a similar spread. 8) P. grandiflorus ‘Mother Of Pearl’ Also bears 7cm flowers which are also pink but of a more upbeat candy pink shade. They are rose-red at the centre. This is a tall variety that attains heights from 75-85cm. 9) P. grandiflorus ‘Fairy Snow’ Another cultivar that stands out because this one is white. It displays delicate bluish radial veining and the flowers are only about 4cm across. It too is a dwarf variety that grows to about 20cm with a similar spread. It has a relatively long blooming season. 10) P. grandiflorus ‘Hakone White’ May be said to stand out twice as much because it bears pure white double flowers. What’s more, the flower is large at 7-8cm. This tall cultivar grows from 75cm to 1m. Unlike other cultivars, it is not cold-hardy. 11) P. grandiflorus ‘Komachi’ Could potentially be known as the real ‘Balloon Flower’ – this amusing cultivar only bears purplish ‘balloons’. Call them buds or call them flowers, they never open and stay in that puffed-up state. This cultivar grows from 80cm to 1m. Other notable cultivars include ‘Hakone Blue’, ‘Baby Blue’, ‘Zwerg’ and ’Shell Pink’ (not to be confused with ‘Perlmutterschale’). References 1. Platycodon A.DC. (n.d.). Kew Botanic Gardens. Retrieved July 31, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:5791-1 2. Campanulaceae juss. (n.d.). Kew Botanic Gardens. Retrieved July 31, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30000171-2
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8 Salad And Wild Rocket (Arugula) Varieties: From The Garden To The Kitchen
IN THIS GUIDE 1) Salad / Garden Rocket 2) Wild Rocket 3) Salad Rocket ‘Uber’ 4) Salad Rocket ‘Esmee’ 5) Salad Rocket ‘Pronto’ 6) Wild Rocket ‘Olive Leaf’ 7) Wild Rocket ‘Giove’ 8) Wild Rocket ‘Wasabi’ Over the past decade or so Rocket has – for want of a better term – ‘rocketed’ in popularity in the United Kingdom, and keeping pace with the demand, an increasing number of cultivars have come on the market. These differ not only in their sharpness and pungency but even in their respective flavours. As a result the general rule of Wild Rocket being sharper and more peppery than Salad Rocket no longer holds true because one or two cultivars of Wild Rocket have fairly smooth, mild flavours while a few varieties of Salad Rocket are rather spicy and zingy. Varieties of both Rockets grow from 25-80cm high. One general rule that does hold true is that for any given variety, the younger and smaller the leaf and the earlier the harvest, the more tender the leaf and its texture and the sharper but ‘lighter’ and more subtle the flavour. The later the harvest and the more mature and bigger the leaf, the rougher the texture of the leaf and the more pungent and more developed but also the ‘heavier’ its flavour. 1) Salad / Garden Rocket Has bright, light green leaves that are gently scalloped. They are also ‘gently’ peppery with a mild spiciness or tartness. Flavour-wise they are not intense but pleasant, but they must be used relatively fresh otherwise they lose their pleasant pepperiness and develop a harsh taste and texture. “Salad Rocket remains my favourite of all the cultivars I have tried because I am not a fan of super-peppery Rocket,” shares Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly. “Eat when picked fresh, as it does not keep well and loses its kick fast.” 2) Wild Rocket The dark green leaves are very deeply parted and serrated. In taste they are peppery and pungent in addition to which they also have a spicy aroma. Flavour-wise this natural variety’s leaves have a tingling intensity, and cut leaves retain their freshness and sharpness for longer than those of Salad Rocket. 3) Salad Rocket ‘Uber’ Has heavily- and sharply-parted mature leaves that are closer to those of Wild Rocket than to Salad Rocket. Their medium greyish-green colour too is unlike that of Salad Rocket. But in taste they are not very far from Wild Rocket, as Salad Rocket ‘Uber’ has a mild and refined flavour. 4) Salad Rocket ‘Esmee’ Has bluish-green leaves which are heavily parted and sharply serrated. In view of ‘Esmee’ Organic’s ‘medium’ sharpness and its balance, it is perhaps the best variety for inclusion of raw leaves in salads, whether comparing fresh young leaves or mature leaves to the equivalent of other varieties. 5) Salad Rocket ‘Pronto’ Has bright, almost shiny, green leaves that are moderately parted. The leaves are distinctly peppery and their sharpness or pungency falls squarely between Salad Rocket and Wild Rocket. All three properties, flavour, colour, and shape of the leaves makes ‘Pronto’ especially attractive for salads. 6) Wild Rocket ‘Olive Leaf’ A remarkable outlier in the Wild Rocket family. Neither its leaves nor its flavour are anything like those of Wild Rocket! But ‘Olive Leaf’ is indeed a member of that family because it is a perennial but its slightly-scalloped light, bright green leaves are closer to those of Salad Rocket. The aromatic leaves’ flavour is peppery yet nuanced. 7) Wild Rocket ‘Giove’ Has narrow, parted, and serrated leaves of a deep, medium-green shade. Going against ‘family principles,’ in taste ‘Giove’ ranks among the subtlest, having the mildest of pepperiness. In fact, it has a proper leafy-green taste and texture, with a hint of sweetness. Great for light salads. 8) Wild Rocket ‘Wasabi’ Has brilliant emerald green leaves that are narrow and serrated but not parted. In taste ‘Wasabi’ is actually very much like its namesake, being not only peppery but having an intense pungency. It can be used as a substitute for Wasabi in Japanese cooking.
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English vs French Sorrel Explained, With 12 Interesting Varieties To Try And Grow
IN THIS GUIDE English vs French Sorrel 1) Garden Sorrel 2) Belleville Sorrel 3) Round-Leaved Sorrel 4) Sarcelle Blond Sorrel 5) Fervent’s Large Sorrel 6) Red-Veined Sorrel 7) Patience Dock 8) Arctic Dock 9) Indian Sorrel 10) Heartwing Sorrel 11) Mountain Sorrel 12) Sheep Sorrel References Several edible varieties of ‘Sorrel’ are found but these straddle two different genera, Rumex and Oxalis. To compound the confusion, many a species in each genus is also informally known as ‘Dock’ with a preceding qualifier! Rumex acetosa or Common Sorrel is the ‘Herb Sorrel’ or the Sorrel herb – it includes several varieties. English vs French Sorrel The Common Sorrel that is most ‘commonly’ used as a herb in the UK and that used to be grown in cottage gardens is called – not too surprisingly – ‘Garden Sorrel’. It is called ‘English Sorrel’ in the US. Then there is also a French Sorrel – in fact, there are two French Sorrels. Both Sorrel De Belleville and Round-Leaved Sorrel are colloquially known as ‘French Sorrel’. Many perennial species of Wood Sorrel that have clumping or creeping forms are of more value for their simple but exceedingly pretty small flowers, and for making lovely groundcover. Rumex sanguineus or ‘Blood Dock’ Among the various species and varieties of Herb Sorrel, several of the most useful ones are outlined underneath. R. acetosa or Common Sorrel includes several varieties, all of which are dioecious. It is a hardy plant. 1) Garden Sorrel Botanical Name: Rumex acetosa Native to the British Isles and grows wild in fields and meadows. It has oblong, somewhat arrow-shaped, leaves with a notch at the base, and which are of a medium bright green colour. The leaves vary in shape and size – the lower ones are bigger and broader and are stalked while the younger leaves are smaller and narrower and are sessile. The plant grows to 50-80cm and has a spread of 10-30cm. 2) Belleville Sorrel Botanical Name: R. acetosa ‘De Belleville’ Also a variety of R. acetosa, and it is the French French Sorrel. Compared to Garden Sorrel leaves, this variety’s leaves are longer and more arrow-shaped. They are a bright emerald green. Maturity or position of the respective leaves being the same, this herb’s flavour is milder and less acidic than that of Garden Sorrel.1 3) Round-Leaved Sorrel Botanical Name: R. scutatus Also called French Sorrel because it grows wild in France and neighbouring regions. This is a monoecious plant and it has broad, somewhat halberd-shaped or heart-shaped leaves. The plant grows to only 30-45cm high. It grows along the ground and has a clumping habit; the taste of the leaves is sharp and very acidic. 4) Sarcelle Blond Sorrel Closely related to Sorrel de Belleville and is an old French cultivar. It starts putting out leaves very early in spring. Its leaves are even longer and narrower than those of Sorrel de Belleville. Its leaves too have a mild, acidic flavour. 5) Fervent’s Large Sorrel Another French variety. Like Blonde de Lyon, its leaves emerge very early in spring; moreover, it produces abundantly. The leaves are slightly blistered. This variety too is a clever choice with respect to flavour. 6) Red-Veined Sorrel Botanical Name: R. sanguineus “If I had to recommend one sorrel it would be Red-Veined Sorrel, a beautiful edible that has so many culinary uses,” shares Master Horticulturist Dan Ori, This variety has flat lettuce-like leaves of a brilliant green hue with prominent blood-red veins. It grows to about 30cm and is native to Europe and Asia. This Sorrel is a ‘triple play’, to use Baseball terminology: It tastes a little like lettuce so the young spring leaves can be eaten raw in salads. Older, basal leaves are good substitutes for spinach and kale. Third, it bears tiny red-coloured flowers in summer and is an excellent choice for an ornamental plant in shrubberies and rockeries mainly because of its very unusual and decorative foliage. 7) Patience Dock Botanical Name: R. patientia A very hardy species – this is the Sorrel that was used as a herb and a leafy green in Ancient Greece and Rome. It is a tap-rooted perennial that grows to be a tall plant often exceeding 2 metres in height. Rather than a herb it is more of a leafy green. It puts out leaves with the first signs of spring and is still eaten in two or three countries on the Continent. 8) Arctic Dock Botanical Name: R. arcticus Arctic Dock or ‘Sour Dock’ is a perfectly hardy species that is indigenous to Alaska and the Arctic regions and grows even in the Arctic circle. It has lanceolate leaves that are a part of the diet of the Eskimo People.2 In summer the plant bears lovely upright red panicles. 9) Indian Sorrel Botanical Name: R. vesicarius Bladder Dock has an upright form with ovate leaves. It grows in the temperate and tropical zones of Asia. The leaves are broadly oval. They have a pleasantly sour taste and are distinctive for their succulence for which reasons they make for a very fine salad leaf. 10) Heartwing Sorrel Botanical Name: R. hastatulus Has some of the prettiest and also tastiest leaves – deep, bright green, and tart and tangy. It grows wild in the Southern United States but is little known even in its native regions. It attains a height of about 60cm, making it an excellent choice for the home garden. 11) Mountain Sorrel Botanical Name: R. montanus Includes three variants. These plants are distinguished by their much larger leaves that can be up to 30cm and which are blistered to some or another degree. These Sorrels’ leaves are just about the most highly acidic leaves of all. 12) Sheep Sorrel Botanical Name: R. acetosella This is not an edible herb and is more like a coarse weed; however, it is worth mentioning for three reasons. It is a favourite fodder for sheep. Third, it is an invasive weed. References 1. Sorrel. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://academics.hamilton.edu/foodforthought/our_research_files/sorrel.pdf 2. Rumex arcticus. (n.d.). Flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://nature.ca/aaflora/data/www/pgruar.htm
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11 Ornate Gypsophila Varieties Including Florist’s Gyp - 'This Genus Has Much To Offer'
IN THIS GUIDE 1) G. paniculata 2) G. elegans 3) G. repens 4) G. cerastioides 5) G. ‘Rosenschleier’ 6) G. paniculata ‘Viette’s Dwarf’ 7) G. paniculata ‘Bristol Fairy’ 8) G. paniculata ‘Perfekta’ 9) G. paniculata ‘Compacta Plena’ 10) G. paniculata ‘Flamingo’ 11) G. muralis ‘Gypsy’ References Gypsophila is a member of the Caryophyllaceae Family.1 Although the genus is native to nearly the length and breadth of the Eurasian Continent, the majority of species are found in the Caucasus and Irano-Turanian region.2 Northern Iran and Kurdistan are considered to be the loci of Gypsophila speciation and diversification. Baby’s Breath varieties have bushy habits and are usually mound-forming or clump-forming but there are also creeping and mat-forming varieties. Heights and spreads depend upon the particular variety, but they range from 20cm to a full metre in both height and width. Flower size is also somewhat variable. All species and varieties’ plants have a taproot, which gradually becomes thick and fleshy and can extend to over 3m after the plant is established. Underneath we run through some of my favourite Genus Gypsophila’s Baby’s Breath varieties: 1) G. paniculata AKA: Common Baby’s Breath Has a bushy habit and forms mounds of 60-90cm in height and spread. It produces masses of pure white flowers throughout summer and into autumn. The flowers are tiny, measuring only 2-5mm across. This species reproduces by seed and it flowers in its third year. A tough species that needs no care, it repels deer and attracts butterflies, which are characteristics inherited by its cultivars. The majority of commercial Baby’s Breath varieties descend from G. paniculata. 2) G. elegans AKA: Showy Baby’s Breath An annual and is known as ‘Showy Baby’s Breath’ because its white flowers, often with radial purple streaks or in pink hues, are over twice as big as those of G. paniculata with a diameter of up to 1.5cm. Plants grow from 25-50cm in both height and spread. ‘Covent Garden’ is an attractive and popular cultivar. Though its flowering season is relatively short, lasting for only part of the summer, this variety produces figurative clouds of gorgeous white blooms that are comparatively big. 3) G. repens AKA: Creeping Baby’s Breath A mat-forming creeper that is ideal for groundcover and is wonderfully effective in rock gardens. “Everyone knows the florist’s ‘Gyp’, but this genus has much more to offer,” shares Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly. “I love G. repens for its ability to form mats of foliage and flower. “I have tended to use it in gravel gaps between paving stones but it would be equally good in the front of a border or in a rock garden.” It reaches a height of only 12-15cm but spreads to about 60cm. The tiny flowers bring a couple of bonuses; first, at up to one centimetre they are bigger than ‘standard’ and, second, sometimes they have a pink to lilac tone. G. repens ’Rosa Schoenheit’ is a noteworthy German cultivar with large, open, pink blooms. 4) G. cerastioides AKA: ‘Mouse-Eared Gypsophila’; ‘Chickweed Baby’s Breath’ A semi-evergreen dwarf that is native to the Himalayan regions in and around Nepal. It grows to only 5cm and spreads to 15cm, and has a ‘creeping habit’, to coin a phrase, and forms tight clumps. Of particular interest are the lovely flowers that are relatively large and have distinct pink-purple radial streaks. It blooms throughout summer. 5) G. ‘Rosenschleier’ AKA: G. ‘Rosy Veil’ A semi-evergreen that grows up to 30cm tall and 45cm wide, and has a mounding habit. Both panicles and flowers are bigger than those of G. paniculata with the double-form flowers being 1cm wide. Another point of difference is that it is one of the Baby’s Breath varieties whose flowers have a pinkish tone, fading to white. It is the only Gypsophila variety to have received the RHS’s Award of Garden Merit.3 6) G. paniculata ‘Viette’s Dwarf’ Very similar to ‘Rosy Veil’ it too is about 35cm tall and equally wide with a mounding shape, and it also bears panicles of double flowers that have a pinkish hue and fade to white as they mature. 7) G. paniculata ‘Bristol Fairy’ A Gypsophila giant; this tall and broad deciduous variety reaches 1-1.2m and can attain a spread of nearly 1m. It has a tidy, bushy habit with sparse foliage. Its flowers are also big for Baby’s Breath at 1.2cm in width. The plant puts out these double-form, pure-white blooms for most of the summer. 8) G. paniculata ‘Perfekta’ Very similar to ‘Bristol Fairy’ in size and habit. The differences are that it is more robust and blooms later than ‘Bristol Fairy’; also, its flowers are somewhat larger. It is a florist’s favourite variety that is being supplanted by G. paniculata ‘Mirabella’ which is more resistant to pests and bears snowy white flowers. 9) G. paniculata ‘Compacta Plena’ Has a bushy, mounding habit and grows to about 40cm. Its foliage is also on the sparse side. Flowers are in double form, pure white, and 6-7mm wide. It is quite a profuse bloomer and puts out flowers for much of the summer. 10) G. paniculata ‘Flamingo’ An unusual and special variety because of its flowers. They are big at 1cm, are double form, and are a proper pink. It is a semi-evergreen with a clump-forming bushy habit that reaches 70-80cm in height and spread. 11) G. muralis ‘Gypsy’ A lesser-known but standout variety for reasons similar to Flamingo’s characteristics. It is an annual and has a low, mounding form as the plant reaches only 20-25cm in height but attains a spread of up to twice as much. It blooms profusely and the flowers stand out, being in both semi-double and double form, and a natural and solid tone of pink. Baby’s Breath is a commercial staple and because it is used as a filler rather than as a floral centrepiece, the floral industry constantly cultivates this plant, not for form, shape, and such, but to maximise bloom density and blooming duration and to minimise cost, besides introducing other desirable characteristics, such as pest resistance and colouration. ‘Millionstar’ (pictured above) and ‘Xlence‘ are very good examples of such trade cultivars. References 1. Gypsophila. (n.d.-b). Global Plants: JSTOR. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://plants.jstor.org/stable/10.5555/al.ap.flora.fna005000312 2. Gypsophila. (n.d.-c). Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:6285-1 3. AGM Plants. (2021, July). Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf
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Lobelia Is An Astonishingly Diverse Genus - Here Are 14 Hand-Picked Varieties
IN THIS GUIDE 1) L. x speciosa 2) L. cardinalis 3) L. erinus 4) L. ‘Laguna Compact Blue With Eye’ 5) L. erinus ‘Crystal Palace’ 6) L. ‘Laguna White’ 7) L. × speciosa ‘Monet Moment’ 8) L. × speciosa ‘Hadspen Purple’ 9) L. cardinalis ‘Black Truffle’ 10) L. siphilitica 11) L. tupa 12) L. laxiflora 13) L. dortmanna 14) L. urens References Lobelia is an astonishingly diverse genus of herbaceous flowering plants, with between 420-440 species and many more cultivars.1 These include annuals, biennials, tender perennials, and hardy perennials, and their habits are just as diverse and include upright, bushy, clump-forming and trailing. As for the flowers, they occur in solitary form, in panicles, or in racemes. It is hardly possible to do justice in one article to the varieties of a genus that is both as large and as varied as lobelia. Below we list a few essential species and outline some popular cultivars: 1) L. x speciosa COMMON NAME(S): Lobelia × speciosa HARDINESS RATING: H5 FOLIAGE: Bronze, red and green FLOWERS: Blue, pink, purple and red FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn A popular group of lobelia varieties commonly grown in the UK is a group of hybrids derived from L. cardinalis and L. siphilitica. L. x speciosa are perennial plants but are also often grown as annuals in UK gardens, as most are only borderline hardy and will only typically make it through the winter in milder regions. These are often grown as summer bedding plants and are also commonly grown in containers. 2) L. cardinalis COMMON NAME(S): Cardinal flower HARDINESS RATING: H3 FOLIAGE: Green FLOWERS: Purple and red FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn The cardinal flower is a species that is both very hardy and also heat tolerant. It is a very tall species with an upright habit and bears big flowers on spikes that are a deep, intense reddy-purple hue, producing blooms well into autumn. Though not native to the UK, and usually fairly short-lived, it can be planted anywhere where soil remains reliably moist or boggy all year round. “Give your garden an exotic feel by planting Lobelia cardinalis ‘Queen Victoria’,” says Master Horticulturist Dan Ori. “I love the black-purple leaves crowned with vibrant red flowers. For a totally tropical look, plant L. ‘Queen Victoria’ with red, green and purple varieties of Canna and Imperata ‘Red Baron’ (Japanese blood grass).” 3) L. erinus COMMON NAME(S): Trailing lobelia HARDINESS RATING: H2 FOLIAGE: Green FLOWERS: Blue and purple FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer / Autumn Probably the best-known and most planted Lobelia for UK gardeners is the trailing lobelia – L. erinus. This flowering plant grown as a summer annual in UK gardens is native to southern Africa. In the wild, the flowers are blue to violet, but many different cultivars have developed with flowers in many different hues, often with white eyes at the centre. These plants are popular with gardeners for use as bed edging, for the front of borders, and, especially, for use in hanging baskets and pots. They are typically relatively compact plants, with bushy or trailing habits of growth. 4) L. ‘Laguna Compact Blue With Eye’ COMMON NAME(S): Lobelia HARDINESS RATING: H2 FOLIAGE: Green FLOWERS: Blue FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn This variety grows to 25-30cm with a similar spread. It has a semi-upright, bushy habit and is very floriferous, flowering from summer to mid-autumn. It bears lilac-blue flowers with a prominent white eye and is ideally suited for borders and also for containers. 5) L. erinus ‘Crystal Palace’ COMMON NAME(S): Trailing lobelia ‘Crystal Palace’ HARDINESS RATING: H2 FOLIAGE: Bronze and green FLOWERS: Blue and purple FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn ‘Crystal Palace’ is a dwarf variety that reaches only 10cm in height and has a bushy habit. This popular variety is a tender annual. Both the foliage and flowers are striking, as the leaves are of a deep bronze green shade and the blooms are of a deep, intense hue of blue, crossing over into purple. This variety has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit. 6) L. ‘Laguna White’ COMMON NAME(S): Lobelia HARDINESS RATING: H2 FOLIAGE: Green FLOWERS: White FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer / Autumn ‘Laguna White’ is a classic cascading lobelia variety that you may see tumbling out of a basket. It has a trailing habit and attains a height of 25-30cm with a spread twice as big. Unusually for lobelias, this one is heat tolerant, at least more so than most. It produces masses of pure white flowers. 7) L. × speciosa ‘Monet Moment’ COMMON NAME(S): Lobelia ‘Monet Moment’ HARDINESS RATING: H5 FOLIAGE: Green FLOWERS: Pink FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn ‘Monet Moment’ is a tall variety at 80cm and has a clump-forming, upright habit. It has a relatively short flowering season that starts in late summer. This somewhat under-rated variety has a robust yet beautiful appearance as spikes hold up spires of brilliant magenta-pink blooms. 8) L. × speciosa ‘Hadspen Purple’ COMMON NAME(S): Lobelia ‘Hadspen Purple’ HARDINESS RATING: H5 FOLIAGE: Green and purple FLOWERS: Purple FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn ‘Hadspen Purple’ grows to 50-60cm and has an upright habit and its attributes combine to make it very suitable for different garden needs. The alternate leaves are of a rich green shade and look particularly neat on this variety. The spikes bear racemes of brilliant purple-to-violet flowers. It is one of the most popular varieties and is easy to find. 9) L. cardinalis ‘Black Truffle’ COMMON NAME(S): Lobelia ‘Black Truffle’ HARDINESS RATING: H3 FOLIAGE: Bronze and brown FLOWERS: Red FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn This variety inherits its flowers and habit from the parent species but the foliage provides a fresh twist. As leaves sprout and form they are nearly black, maturing into a deep, rich chocolate-maroon shade with the lamina exhibiting a distinct sheen. 10) L. siphilitica COMMON NAME(S): Blue cardinal flower HARDINESS RATING: H5 FOLIAGE: Green FLOWERS: Purple and blue FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn Sometimes known as the blue cardinal flower, this is another perennial lobelia that blooms with blue or purple flowers between August and October and tends to last for a few years. This variety also thrives in moist or damp conditions. 11) L. tupa COMMON NAME(S): Devil’s tabacco HARDINESS RATING: H4 FOLIAGE: Green, grey and silver FLOWERS: Red FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn While the options above are the most common options for UK gardeners, there are many other Lobelia varieties to consider. One interesting option, for example, is L. tupa, also known as ‘Devil’s tobacco’. This is an evergreen perennial and has an H4 hardiness rating. It grows up to 2m in height and has narrow, hairy green leaves and terminal racemes of tubular, red flowers that are 6cm long. Grow this in full sun, in a sheltered spot. Unlike most lobelias, it also does best in well-drained soil. 12) L. laxiflora COMMON NAME(S): Sierra Madre lobelia / Mexican lobelia HARDINESS RATING: H3 FOLIAGE: Green FLOWERS: Yellow and red FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer Though known to reach heights of 3m, L. laxiflora commonly grows to around 1.5m or so. The flowers are red and yellow in colour and have a hardiness rating of H3. 13) L. dortmanna COMMON NAME(S): Water lobelia HARDINESS RATING: H5 FOLIAGE: Green FLOWERS: White FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn This lobelia is different to the others on this list because it is not a lobelia that you might grow in your beds, borders or containers, but rather one that might be grown in a garden pond or on its boggy fringes in clay soil. It naturally grows in or on the fringes of lakes and tarns with acid water and is native to cool temperate regions of northern Europe, including portions of the British Isles, and northern North America, especially in peaty and mountainous areas in Europe.2 It is an aquatic herbaceous perennial plant with white flowers held on an erect raceme held above the surface of the water. The plant is said to have the unusual ability to remove carbon dioxide from the rooting zone rather than from the atmosphere.3 14) L. urens COMMON NAME(S): Acrid lobelia / health lobelia HARDINESS RATING: H5 FOLIAGE: Green FLOWERS: Blue and purple FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer Heath lobelia is rare in Britain but is found in isolated lowland areas of the South and South West of England. It is a plant of grassy health and rough pastures and typically thrives on relatively infertile and acidic soils. This perennial grows around 60cm tall, and has blue-purple flowers in late summer and early autumn. The plant needs bare soil patches for seeds to germinate and will do best where the soil is relatively moist. If you live in the south or south-west and want to establish an area of native meadows then this could be a good flower to consider for your meadow or grazing grassland mix. References 1. Foster, A. (n.d.). Lobelia species. Oxford University Plants. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/plants400/Profiles/kl/Lobelia 2. Lobelia dortmanna – Water Lobelia. (n.d.). First Nature. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://www.first-nature.com/flowers/lobelia-dortmanna.php 3. Lobelia dortmanna: Water Lobelia. (n.d.). NBN Atlas. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000004299
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