Tag Archives: perennial

Dianthus / Pinks

Posted on May 27, 2012 by

Dianthus x ‘Blue Hills’ – An eye-catching combination of intense bright pink single blooms (emerging from May to June) over some of the bluest foliage you are ever going to find. The 1/2″ wide flowers are fragrant and the foliage … Continue reading →

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Mints / Mentha

Posted on May 24, 2012 by

Mohito Mint (Mentha x villosa) – The essential ingredient in Ernest Hemmingway’s favourite cocktail, the Mohito, a blend of rum, sugar, lime juice, club soda and spearmint. This is the true Mohito mint from Cuba which has only been available … Continue reading →

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Woodland Perennials II

Posted on May 22, 2012 by

Epimedium x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’ – Commonly known as Barrenwort or Bishop’s Hat, this semi-evergreen perennial bears primrose yellow flowers from mid to late spring. The heart-shaped leaflets emerge with a distinct reddish-bronze tinge, maturing to green. This Award of Garden … Continue reading →

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Perennial Primula V

Posted on May 22, 2012 by

Primula veris ‘Sunset Shades’ – Imagine the much-beloved Cowslip in a variety of colours such as orange, red and yellow, or even bicolor blooms. The flowers are still fragrant and appear from March to May in coastal gardens (later in … Continue reading →

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Rock Garden Perennials II

Posted on May 21, 2012 by

Erodium x variabile ‘Bishop’s Form’ – This Storksbill much resembles a miniature hardy geranium, to which it is closely related. It forms a flat pancake-shaped mat of  dense scalloped green leaves with bright pink flowers (with dark purple veins) from … Continue reading →

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Native BC Perennials II

Posted on May 20, 2012 by

Viola adunca (syn. Viola bellidifolia) The Hookedspur or Western Dog Violet is widely distributed across North America. It bears fragrant blue to deep violet blooms (from March to June) with darker purple veining and a white throat. Found in open … Continue reading →

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Hosta III / Plantain Lily

Posted on May 19, 2012 by

Hosta ‘Golden Tiara’ (Savory 1977) – A smaller hosta with bright green heart-shaped leaves and generous chartreuse margins, held in tight clusters. This compact grower makes a great edging hosta and bears deep lavender flowers (paler in full shade) on … Continue reading →

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Hardy Fuchsia

Posted on May 15, 2012 by

Fuchsia hybrida ‘Santa Claus’ (Hazard 1988) – One of the more reliable hardy fuchsias with abundant small blooms with contrasting red sepals and white corollas – these are borne from early summer through to fall over deep green foliage with … Continue reading →

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Columbine / Aquilegia

Posted on May 14, 2012 by

Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Nora Barlow’ (syn. Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Nora Barlow’) – This RHS Award of Garden Merit winner has been in cultivation since the 17th century when it was known as the ‘Rose Columbine’. It features an eye-catching combination … Continue reading →

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Low-Allergen Perennials (Less than 4 on the OPALS Scale)

Posted on May 12, 2012 by

Helianthemum ‘Wisley Pink’ (syn. ‘Rhodanthe Carneum’) – This long blooming (May to July) evergreen perennial bears large soft pink single flowers with contrasting yellow stamens over attractive silvery-grey foliage. Rock roses tolerate drought, salt spray and reflected heat but dislike … Continue reading →

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