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  • Echium
    • simplex   CAG02330
      Height3mWidth1mFlowering SeasonSpringWaterLLightSun
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      One of the most exemplary of the genus, from the centre of its huge, solitary rosette of silvery green, lance shaped leaves, erupts a towering spire of densely crowded white flowers. This awe inspiring display proves fatal but self sown seedlings usually appear in bare soil the following winter and which after two or three years growth repeat the performance.

      Native to the island of Tenerife in the Canaries and at home in well drained alkaline soil or even not too damp clay. Summer rainfall/irrigation unnecessary. Easy. Line your drive or verge to create a head turning traffic hazard.

      Mostly resistant to the leaf miners and stem borers introduced to control E. plantagineum (Paterson's curse) and which often mar other species.

  • Epilobium
    • canum subsp. canum   CAG02255

      (syn. Zauschneria californica)
      Height50cmWidth80cmFlowering SeasonSu - AuWaterLLightSun
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A soft, grey, sub-shrub from the South West United States, where, as here, it is exceptional for flowering during the heat and drought of summer and autumn. When tubular, scarlet flowers adorn the plant profusely and are much loved by hummingbirds, or honey-eaters in our case.

      Good drainage is preferred, though heavy soils may be tolerated briefly. An occasional drink over summer will encourage flowering but is not necessary, too much and you will permanently prevent flowering and life. Probably a strictly west cost plant, it may be worth trying in the eastern states with impeccable drainage, full exposure and no irrigation, though I suspect success would be only temporary.

      Cut back to ground level during winter when new growth is seen at the base otherwise it tends to become untidy by flowering time.

      Given bare soil seedlings can appear and transplant readily. Seedlings may differ from their parents with leaves that can be silver to sage green and with flowers varying in their depth of colour. These variations can be seen in the nursery and all are lovely, in time separate clones may be selected based on arbitrary and distinct qualities.

  • Erysimum

    (Wallflower)
    Brassicaceae

    • ‘Constant Cheer’   CAG01439

      (Wallflower)
      Height30cmWidth40cmFlowering SeasonWi - SuWaterLLightFull Sun
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A small nondescript perennial sub-shrub with slightly glaucous, narrowly lance shaped leaves surrounding twiggy stems and producing from late winter clusters of simple four petalled flowers in a muted peach becoming clear lavender with age, lending itself to all manner of gorgeous offbeat colour combos as seen in many a glossy magazine.

      Tough and easily gown in any well drained soil, preferably alkaline, with a few drinks over summer. Leaner conditions results in more compact growth, more flowers and a greatly increased lifespan, as has been repeated in every gardening book for the last one hundred and fifty years. Provide shade, moisture and rich soil, you will get pap.

      Superior to all other E. mutabile types, which are prone to legginess, with its propensity for re-clothing old wood giving a denser more compact plant that remains attractive for many years with occasional light trimming.

    • scoparium   CAG01640

      (Teide wallflower)
      Height45cmWidth1mFlowering SeasonAllWaterLLightSun - L. Sh.
      Erysimum scoparium
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A charming Wallflower from the Canary Islands, which once grown will convince you that all others are inferior.

      Ever-blooming spikes of small lilac flowers on slender stems hover above fine, grey-green foliage, forming a low dense shrub considerably wider than it is tall. Ideal at the foot of bare legged Roses or other shrubs, breaking up the edge of paths, driveways, car parks or anywhere a high tolerance of reflected heat is required. Looks good when planted with absolutely anything, though other Mediterranean type plants like Euphorbia characias, Cistus or Ballota may be more ideologically appropriate.

      At home with summer drought and poor, very sunny, well drained, alkaline soil, it will none the less grow quite happily in all but the wettest, shadiest sites.

      Undemanding in terms of maintenance, spent flower heads virtually disappear, an occasional light trim will sharpen it's outline, otherwise prune as required.

  • Eschscholzia
  • Euphorbia
    • atropurpurea var. atropurpurea   CAG02543
      Height3mWidth2mFlowering SeasonSpringWaterLLightFull Sun
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A summer deciduous shrub of outstanding form, happiest in dry, exposed sites where it forms a dense crown of branches clothed in blue-green, linear leaves and bears in spring clusters of dark red flower-like bracts that enclose the true but tiny flowers.

      Naturally found on the lean, limestone soil of the Canary Islands, though it's quite content in all but poorly drained soil, it is well suited to garden life in the south west. Tolerant of at least light frost but inland gardeners may need to be cautious.

    • characias ‘Portuguese Velvet’   CAG02300
      Height60cmWidth1mFlowering SeasonSpringWaterLLightSun - L. Sh.
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      An evergreen shrub forming a low mound of dark blue-green, velvety in appearance and feel, lance shaped leaves in whorls around succulent red stems. Acid green bracts containing tiny red flowers form compact heads which nod above the foliage in spring. Each branch flowers only once, so when spent remove them just above the point of new growth to keep the plant looking fresh and prime, or wait till after the seed has dropped for a healthy crop of seedlings.

      Needs little if any additional water over summer and is quite happy in some shade, great for hiding the feet of a gawky rose.

      A friendlier feeling plant than typical E. characias being lower, softer and considerably smaller in all it's parts.

  • Fallugia

    Rosaceae

    • paradoxa   CAG02239

      (Apache plume)
      Height1.2mWidth1.2mFlowering SeasonSp - SuWaterLLightSun
      Fallugia paradoxa
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      This intriguing member of the Rose family bears pure white five petalled rose flowers on very slender, twiggy, silvery-white branches, sparsely adorned with small, evergreen, clasping, leathery, filigree leaves and followed by long lasting, feathery, silvery pink plumes.

      Quite quickly forming an airy shrub at it's very best backlit by late afternoon sun when the feathery seed heads take on an ethereal glow.

      Found in desert regions of the south west United States and northern Mexico it should prove to be extremely heat, drought and cold tolerant as well as enjoy being baked by hot walls, paving, car parks and road edges. Unlikely to perform well on the east coast though it may prove more successful inland.

      All but poorly drained soils should be ideal.

      Evergreen in Perth, it could be deciduous with cold enough weather that few places in Australia are likely to provide.

  • Freesia
    • laxa ‘Joan Evans’   CAG02305
      Height25cmWidth20cmFlowering SeasonSpringWaterL - MLightSun
      Freesia laxa ‘Joan Evans’
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A charming, small, winter growing South African bulb that makes tight clumps of pale green grass-like leaves and bears a profusion of small orchid like flowers on branching scapes.
      This form has white flowers with scarlet markings.

      Dormant over Summer and then in no need of water all that is demanded is good drainage and it should self seed happily, slowly forming colonies among low ground covers, between rocks, in a pot or used as an edging in no water Mediterranean gardens.

  • Gaura
    • lindheimeri   CAG00250
      Height1.2mWidth90cmFlowering SeasonSp - AuWaterL - MLightFull Sun
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A tough, hardy, clumping perennial, for full sun. One of the easiest plants to grow. Mounds of narrow, dark green, red spotted leaves produce, throughout the warmer months, tall wands of delicate white butterfly shaped flowers that sway in the slightest breeze.
      After flowering, or any time it's in need of a clean up, cut back to ground level. It will quickly regrow.

      An etremely tough plant tolerating all sorts of physical abuse (eg. being driven over, mowed, poisoned etc.) as well as complete summer dryness.
      Generally self seeds where happy, so cut back before seed fall if you find this undesirable.

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