Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Papaver somniferum Mix

Family: (Papaveraceae)

(A) to 3.5′.  Southeast Europe, West Asia.  We are lucky to have a number of showy variants of the classic Opium Poppy that self-sow each year in the Flower Garden.  Stems and leaves are a glaucous, greyish-green and sparsely covered with coarse hairs.  Jaggedly incised and toothed leaves clasp the upright stems at the base.  Tissue paper-like flowers are typically four-petalled, but often double, vary widely in colour and can have dark makings at the petal bases.   Flower centres feature many attractive stamens arranged in multiple whorls.  The beautiful and persistent fruits are hairless, rounded, many-seeded capsules opening by pores just below the apex.  Whilst we cannot promise specific colours, we can assure you great satisfaction in establishing these self sowers in your full sun garden.  Best sown in situ upon receipt.

This year’s colours include: 

Pink, Peach, Red, Orange and Blue. 

 

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Nicotiana sylvestris

Family: (Solanaceae)

(A) to 6′. Flowering Tobacco. This tobacco plant adds boldness to the flower border. Slender, pendulous, scented trumpets make this another indispensable Nicotiana. The heavenly evening fragrance invites you back into the garden. Self-sows. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Nicandra physalodes ‘Black Pod’

Family: (Solanaceae)

(A) to 4′. Shoo-fly Plant, Apple of Peru. A sturdy, free-flowering, wide-spreading annual with pale blue, bell-shaped flowers with a white central ring and a deep purple, five-pointed star at the very centre. Blooms throughout the summer. Decorative, papery, five-winged, green with black pods are great for drying. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Mirabilis jalapa White

Family: (Nyctaginaceae)

(TP) to 2.5’. Four o’Clock, Marvel of Peru. Gardeners delight at the time-conscious way these flowers open at 4 p.m. Delicate trumpets of mottled white rest in calyx-like fused bracts, above fresh green, ovate leaves. Later, one can discover the black, artichoke-shaped seeds resting in place of the blooms. Sun/partial shade. 4 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Mirabilis dichotoma

Family: (Nyctaginaceae)

(TP) to 3.5′.  Mexico.  An old-fashioned favourite, in cultivation since at least 1640, but now rarely seen.  Forms bushy clumps of dark green, heart-shaped leaves with many yellow, trumpet-shaped blooms all summer long.  We dig up the tuber and store like Dahlias.  Sun/partial shade.  4 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Impatiens glandulifera ‘Alba’

Family: (Balsaminaceae)

(A) to 7′. A Himalayan native with cool white flowers with short spurs on a many-branched, succulent plant. Long, spear-shaped leaves are sharply serrate. Tall, choice and beautiful. Moist soil. Self-sower. Partial shade. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Impatiens balfourii

Family: (Balsaminaceae)

(A) to 5′. A lovely Himalayan Touch-Me-Not. Hooded, white flowers are flushed pink and display an inflated, elongated, incurving honey spur. The spurred sepal and connate anthers capping the stigma are unique. Seed capsules explode at a touch and self-sow readily. Carefree. Flowers all summer. Sun/partial shade. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Hibiscus trionum

Family: (Malvaceae)

(A) to 2′.  Flower-of-an-Hour.  East Mediterranean.  Cup-like, two-inch, creamy yellow, five-petalled flowers with dark burgundy centres and orange stamens.  Inflated, translucent, five-sectioned seed pods with purple veins persist.  Simply beautiful.  Sun.  3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Emilia coccinea

Family: (Asteraceae)

(A) to 3′.  We love this selection of Tassel Flower.  A native of Tropical Africa that produces a profusion of orange to scarlet, thistle-like flowers in terminal corymbs.  Best if inter-planted or grown closely together.  A real beauty in our Red/Orange/Yellow Bed.  Sun.  3 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Cynoglossum officinale

Family: (Boraginaceae)

(B) to 3′.  Hound’s Tongue.  Europe.  Greyish green, silky foliage remains basal the first year.  Branched, one-sided cymes are covered with delicate, bell-shaped blooms of a dark, muted, reddish purple.  Traditionally used to treat leg ulcers, bites, and minor injuries.  This herb can be now found naturalized around older settlements.  Sun.  Well-drained soil.  3, D & T2