Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Saponaria officinalis 'Nana'

Family: (Caryophyllaceae)

(P) to 15″.  A darling, dwarf Soapwort or Bouncing Bet.  European native.  This stoutly branched perennial has pale green, ovate leaves with parallel veins.  The large, pink, five-petalled flowers in small terminal clusters appear in July and last until September.  The genus name is from the Latin saponis meaning ‘soap’ and aria, meaning ‘pertaining to’, together referring to the juice of the leaves and root that can make a soap. Why not try your hand at soap-making?  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Aquilegia vulgaris Mix

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 3′. Columbine. Europe. The common name Columbine is derived from the Latin word for “dove” in reference to the resemblance of the inverted flower to five doves clustered together – a most descriptive image indeed. The intricate flowers can be nodding or horizontal and consist of five sepals and five petals to 1-½ inches long and come in a wide variety of colours, often developing dorsal hooked spurs. Interesting five, fused seed follicles follow. Each follicle has a long thin beak and holds many small, shiny, black seeds and persists until fall. The bushy, clump-forming plants have branched, thinly hairy stems and pinnate leaves, with the basal leaflets trifoliate. One of the most beloved plants appearing in an array of colours, sizes and forms, thanks to natural hybridization in the garden.  In 2025 we collected seed from the colours below.  Sun to part shade.  4 & T2

– Single Pink         – Single Purple

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Primula elatior

Family: (Primulaceae)

(P) to 10″.  Oxlip.  A charming British native with one-sided clusters of pale yellow, narrow, trumpet-like, fragrant flowers with deeper yellow throats.  Basal rosettes are hairy, yet soft.  Spring blooming.  Moist soil.  Partial shade. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Perilla frutescens Red Leaf

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(A) to 4′.  Shiso.  Himalayas to East Asia.  A selection of superb, iridescent foliage plants.  Try one, or all of them in the flower border.  Easy to move around the garden to “fill in” when you need a good block of colour.  Self-sows.  Sun.  Best sown in situ or 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Perilla frutescens var. crispa (red-leaved)

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(A) to 4′.  Shiso.  Himalayas to East Asia.  A selection of superb, iridescent foliage plants.  Try one, or all of them in the flower border.  Easy to move around the garden to “fill in” when you need a good block of colour.  Self-sows.  Sun.  Best sown in situ or 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Oclemena acuminata (syn. Aster acuminatus)

Family: (Asteraceae)

Native perennial to 2′.  Whorled Wood Aster.  The sharply toothed leaves of this pretty woodland native alternate in a tight spiral on hairy stems, giving a whorled appearance, hence the common name.  Terminal clusters of one inch, daisy-like flowers comprised of white-tinted-purple ray florets that surround a central mass of yellow disc florets that turn reddish with age.  The ray florets are not straight like other asters, but rather twisty and free-form.  Seedheads are clusters of tan cypselae, each cypsela has a pappus of white, silken bristles, aiding its dispersal.  Colonizes beautifully in a woodland setting.  Blooms June to October.  Shade to part shade and humus-rich, woodland soil.  3 & 6 & ∆

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Consolida ajacis 'Giant Imperial Blue Spire'

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(A) to 4′.  A stately Larkspur that blooms continually all season.  The erect, densely blooming, spike-like racemes of deep electric blue, double, ruffled, Delphinium-like flowers are enhanced by finely cut, delicate foliage.   A real show stopper.  Sun.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Apocynum cannabinum

Family: (Apocynaceae)

Native perennial to 4′.  Dogbane, Indian Hemp.  This sturdy grower features strong, reddish stems that branch towards the top and support  cymes of small, five-petalled, scented, cream-coloured flowers at branch ends or on stalks from leaf axils.  Silk, tufted seeds form in long, slender, string bean-shaped pods.  Soft green, oval leaves have a distinct silvery midrib and are touched with a light, waxy bloom.  Stem are fibrous, very strong, and were once used for sewing and to make rope.  The plant is also used in phytoremediation as it is effective in sequestering lead from contaminated soils in its biomass.  A good plant for meadows and wild places where it can colonize in accordance with its natural tendencies. Great golden autumn colour too.  We grow ours at the Systematic Order Beds in a pot, to keep it in bounds.  Sun and average soil. 3, 7 for 4 weeks, then T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Allium zebdanense

Family: (Alliaceae)

Hardy bulb to 16″.  Lebanon.  Dainty, cup-shaped, pure white flowers are held upright in loose umbels over dense clumps of smooth, bright green foliage.  Really brightens up the woodland in late spring.  Sun/partial shade.  3 & 6

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Gentiana asclepiadea

Family: (Gentianaceae)

(P) to 12″. Willow Gentian. A native of Europe and Asia Minor. Clusters of two to three sapphire blue trumpets appear in the axils of the prominent veined, willow-leaved foliage. These arching sprays of blue are wonderful cascading over a rock or dripping down from a ledge above. Blooms late summer. Partial shade. 3 & 6

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