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DROUGHT TOLERANT

Postage : Seeds only $4 / Plants $20

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  • Echium
    • candicans   CAG00231
      Height2mWidth2mFlowering SeasonSpringWaterL - MLightFull Sun
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A medium evergreen shrub tolerant of dry conditions. Rosettes of lance shaped silver-green foliage are produced on woody branches to form a dense mound. In spring fat spikes of brilliant blue flowers appear from the centre of each rosette. Excellent.

    • 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.

    • wildpretii   CAG01911
      Height3mWidth60cmFlowering SeasonSpringWaterLLightSun
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A magnificent and highly desirable monocarp. Globe like rosettes of slender, tapering, silver haired leaves eventually produce a fat towering spire composed of millions of small, rich rose flowers.

      A true xerophyte that adapts perfectly to our hot dry summers and then keels over instantly after chance summer rain or just the return of autumn humidity if still too warm.

      From high altitude in the Canary Islands receiving most of its moisture from passing clouds to which it's physiology is highly adapted. Growable in cooler climates, were it won't adapt itself so highly, with infrequent water in very well drained soil where intense sunlight will be preferred and some frost tolerated. As with most monocarps only very young plants establish well, if at all.

      Unlikely to be offered again having conceded defeat after many attempts.

  • 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.

  • Eriogonum
    • arborescens   CAG02925

      (Santa Cruz Island buckwheat)
      Height80cmWidth1mFlowering SeasonSu - WiWaterLLightFull Sun
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A dome of fine silvery grey rosettes bearing flattish heads of palest pink flowers that darken to burnt sienna and last until stripped by winter rain. From the Channel Islands off California and revelling in coastal conditions and hot dry summers.

      Offers great potential for avant-garde designs with earth toned pottery or paving, or brightly coloured glass forms and background walls for more modernity.

      For any well drained soil though the leaner the better. Tolerant of some irrigation but less so with increasing temps.

      Questionable in eastern states and definitely not for the tropics.

    • grande var. rubescens   CAG02374

      (Red buckwheat, San Miguel Island buckwheat)
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      Rosettes of small, dark green, lightly felted, white backed, paddle-like leaves neatly cushion and bear profusely, branching clusters of tiny, long lasting, rich rosy pink flowers to the adoration of nectar feeding insects.

      Just as hardy as the other Californian Buckwheats despite appearing more like a delicate denizen of cool climate cottage gardens. Plant with other sumptuous dry lovers, e.g. Echinops, Iris albicans, Nepeta, or even other Eriogonium for a more relaxing climate wise equivalent or just mass plant for eye popping colour. Could be great in car park islands, low growing, low maintenance, long lived and no retic wrangling required.

      For any lean, well drained soil with as little summer water as possible. Thrives on coastal sands.

      An annual removal of spent flowerheads when they eventually become unattractive, either before or after they develop their characteristic aging rustiness, allowing continued enjoyment of debonair form and foliage.

  • Eryngium
  • Erysimum

    (Wallflower)
    Brassicaceae

    • ‘Apricot Twist’   CAG01559
      Height30cmWidth30cmFlowering SeasonSp - SuWaterLLightFull Sun
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      A small grower with clusters of bright marmalade, four petalled flowers which are borne profusely from rosettes of narrow, toothed leaves, forming a loose shrub. Stunning, offset with rich toned purples or blues for saturated splendour.

      For any well drained, very sunny soil, the leaner the better with too rich a soil diminishing flowering. Can get a little shaggy at times and can then be cut back hard when new basal growth is seen.

    • ‘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.

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