Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Lepechinia salviae

Family: (Lamiaceae)

Tender subshrub to 3′.  Chile.  A more compact form of Lepechinia hastata with large, blue-green, arrow-shaped leaves that are highly pebbled and pleasantly aromatic.  The flowers are magenta in colour, however in combination with the dark calyx and deep pinkish flower stem they have an overall smokey hue to the magenta. burgundy flowers, held in dark calyces on deep pinkish stems. Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Araujia sericifera

Family: (Apocynaceae)

(TP) to 6′. Cruel Plant.  South America.  This twining, woody climber is another unique member of the Stonecrop plant collection.  The softly hairy, stalked leaves and loose cymes of waxy flowers belie its sinister relationship to its pollinators.  The five-petalled, white flowers are striped with two pink lines on each petal that act as a track to guide nocturnal moths toward the centre.  The sticky pollen then traps moth’s proboscides and holds them until they either escape or perish, ensuring the transfer of pollen within the flower.  An invasive species in many parts of the world, Araujia is not hardy here and thus can be safely cultivated as a handsome specimen for the warm glasshouse.  We bring our Araujia outside in the summer to enjoy its fragrant and showy flowers, and in the winter we enjoy the unique fruits under glass.  The large, leathery pods contain seeds tipped with a tuft of silky hairs, which give the plant its Latin species name of sericifera, meaning silk-bearing. Sun.  3 &T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Azorina vidalii

Family: (Campanulaceae)

(TP) to 18″.  Azores Bellflower.  Azores.  Particularly interesting for the cool greenhouse. Thick fleshy deep green leaves give rise to a candelabra of two-inch waxy, dusky pink bells. Sun. 4 & T3

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Linaria triornithophora

Family: (Plantaginaceae)

(P) to 3′.  Three-Birds-Flying.  From Spain and Portugal.  Fascinating, long, single-spurred, lilac-purple flowers are speckled and etched with purplish black and a dab of yellow.  The flowers are arranged around the stems in groups of three, looking incredibly just like budgerigars, hence the common name.  Broad, grey-green, ribbed foliage clasps the stem.  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Bellevalia dubia

Family: (Asparagaceae)

Tender bulb to 16″.  Portugal.  An unusual bulb that we grow in our Pit House, formerly in the genus Muscari.  A Grape Hyacinth look-alike.  In bud, loose racemes of bright, violet-blue flowers with green tips turn to a maroon-brown with yellow-tinted lobes as they open.  Blooms in early spring.  Summer dormant.  Sun.  3 & ∆, then T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Leonotis menthifolia

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(TP) to 2′.  Mint-leaved Lion’s Ear.  South Africa.  Vibrant, warm orange, tubular flowers are held in whorls.  Small, serrated leaves have a pungent, spicy fragrance, reminiscent of Agastache.  A long blooming, compact Lion’s Ear perfect for containers.  Overwinter in a frost-free conservatory.  Summer through to fall.  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Sinningia sellovii

Family: (Gesneriaceae)

(TP) to 2′.  Brazil. Long terminal panicles of pendant, swollen tubular flowers from bright red to dark salmon-pink.  Several long, arching upright stems arise from a woody, tuberous base.  Pairs of soft textured elliptical, minutely toothed leaves occur along the stems.  An unusual Gloxinia that would make an attractive houseplant for a sunny window.  Blooms late summer to fall.  Sun.  4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Cistus x incanus

Family: (Cistaceae)

Tender shrublet to 3′.  Cretian Rock Rose.  South Europe, North Africa.  Stems are upright with small, oval, grey-green, finely pubescent leaves.  Solitary flowers are 2 inches in diameter, formed by five tissue-paper-like petals of a pink-lavender, marked yellow at the base.  The central boss of yellow-orange stamens catches the eye.  Buds are covered in fine hairs.  Teas made from Cistus are credited for having a variety of healing powers.  Sun and well-draining soil for pots.  3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Francoa sonchifolia

Family: Melianthaceae

(TP) to 2.5′.  Maiden’s Wreath.  Chile.  Graceful, long-lasting spires of pale rose-pink flowers.  Deeply lobed, spoon-shaped leaves form attractive, evergreen rosettes.  Extremely decorative and unusual foliage.  Best grown in pots and overwintered in a cool greenhouse.  Moist, well-drained soil.  Summer blooming.  Sun/partial shade.  4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Francoa ramosa

Family: (Melianthaceae)

(TP) to 3′.  Branched Bridal Wreath.  A native plant of Chile that Miss Jekyll loved to grow in pots.  Many slender spikes of dusky rose, sessile flowers rise above scalloped basal foliage.  Early summer bloomer.  Try it in the cool greenhouse and follow Miss Jekyll’s lead.  Sun/partial shade.  4 & T1