78 Great Northern Hwy, Midland, WA, 6056               Ph: (08) 9250 3682               Shop Hours:   10am   >>   6pm

SHOP

DATABASE

JOURNAL

VERGE

Postage : Seeds only $4 / Plants $20

Page
<1234567>>>
of 9
  • Ballota
    • acetabulosa   CAG01426
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A small, aromatic, evergreen, drought tolerant sub-shrub from the Mediterranean, grown for it's attractive woolly appearance. Pairs of heart shaped woolly leaves clothe stiff, woolly stems. In summer whorls of small, pink and white, two lipped flowers are held in what are best described as woolly green, hollyhock-like bracts.
      Trim in spring to encourage compact growth.

      A great plant, understated enough to use as a common theme throughout a garden, without detracting from other plants, yet with enough interest to never become boring. Indeed it can be quite a feature, the bracts alone are a fascinating study in botanical architecture.

  • Brahea
    • armata   CAG02198

      (Blue hesper plam, Mexican blue palm)
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A beautiful palm from Baja California and the Sonoran Desert.

      Frost, salt, drought and heat tolerant, it's crown of silvery blue fan-like leaves atop the stout trunk makes a striking statement in any garden, whether among informal plantings or used as a design element along drives or to frame vistas. Huge pendant cream coloured inflorescences add an extra dimension over summer and are followed by dark brown fruit which are supposedly edible after roasting.

      Happy in any well drained soil but found naturally in soil that is alkaline so it is ideal for coastal gardens.

      Sure to thrive where more common and tropical palms struggle.

  • Centaurea
    • cineraria   CAG00715

      (Dusty miller)
      Centaurea cineraria
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A too rarely encountered perennial from coastal Italian cliffs, often confused with the yellow flowered Jacobaea maritima or other species, and still one of the best plants I have ever had the privilege to grow and one whose more common use can only benefit our gardens.

      Tufts of softly pinnate leaves cut from white suede form a shrubby mound, bearing fine, branching, white stems of lilac coloured, thistle like flowers. A florists dream. Used to great effect in mass planting or as common foil for formal or informal gardens, beside driveways or in moon gardens as reflective lighting, or just as an exceptional component amongst other well defined mediterranean type plants.

      If its leggy, flops in the heat or is short lived then conditions are too soft, it has no adaptations to shade. At its best in exposed sites with freely draining, lean, alkaline soil, gardeners on the coastal plain should have no difficulty. Summer irrigation is mostly detrimental. A good test, quick and easy to grow but the standard and longevity of this plant will directly reflect your understanding of gardening for a mediterannean climate.

      A good annual or biannual cut back, when and where strong new shoots are seen, will keep it looking tip top for many years. Don't cut it down to bare stems, without leaves it may starve to death before it can regenerate.

  • Chilopsis
  • Cistus
  • Cyclamen
  • Dianthus

    (Pink, Sweet william, Carnation)
    Caryophyllaceae

    The commonly encountered garden varieties are European plants of garden antiquity grown for their attractive, often perfumed, flowers which pick well. They are on the whole easily grown but demand excellent drainage and plenty of sun and are ideally suited to poor, dryer, well drained, alkaline soils. They are often encountered overgrown and root bound, tucked away in the shade, to which they are intolerant, and once purchased are good naturedly smothered with too much "good" garden practice.


    Pinks are known to all by name, which they lent to the colour, if not in person. Classic perennials of English cottage gardens. They have extensive root systems and most varieties offered are quite hardy in Perth with a good drink once a week over summer. They invariably have narrow, glaucous foliage resistant to dry air and high light intensity.

    Sweet williams (Dianthus barbatus) are biennials that will often persist for several years and typically have tall stems bearing clusters of small fringed flowers. They have broader leaves and require a bit softer conditions than the Pinks. The Nigrescens group seem the hardiest of the bunch and can become quite shrubby, potted colour varieties, often sold by the punnet, are worth growing but usually amount to little more than tender annuals.

    Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus). Those developed for the cut flower market are mostly ugly plants needing support and are best left to the dedicated enthusiast or florist. Better garden plants are the seldom seen border carnations, they have the same beautiful flowers of the florist types but are less gawky, don't need staking, are often perfumed and are almost as hardy as the pinks.
  • Echium
Page
<1234567>>>
of 9