Postage : Seeds only $4 / Plants $20
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.
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.
A clump forming, evergreen perennial. Highly decorative, intensely glaucous, grey-blue, stiff, strappy foliage. Frequently throughout spring and autumn, sprays of double, pink carnation flowers with attractive dark red markings, are produced. Dead head to promote flowering. Cut back hard when it becomes leggy. All dianthus are extremely tough.
An old modern pink, an oxymoron made possible by a long history of cultivation, bred by by the legendary breeder Montagu Allwood. Forming a tight bun of tiny, powder blue, sword like leaves that bears an abundance of small (2cm) folly (a more rosy crimson), semi double flowers, richly clove scented.
Good drainage and maximum sunshine are essential. An occasional shearing to remove accumulated spent flowers keep it looking fresh.
Always dependable, smaller and tighter than most it is just as at home amongst rocks or pavers as it is in a garden proper. A scattering amongst gravel with a few choice Thyme, Origanum and some diminutive bulbs makes a perfect, perfumed, water efficient and heat tolerant alpine styled garden, possible even on a rooftop.
A clumping, evergreen perennial. Slender, wiry stems with glaucous strappy leaves in pairs. Clusters of double, red carnation flowers with each petal edged in white, are produced throughout the warmer months. Cut back old stems when they have finished flowering.
Small, satin pink flowers with reflexed petals appear like tiny umbrellas stiffly held above the shrubby mound of linear, silver-blue, glaucous leaves.
Highly floriferous in any well drained very sunny soil. Cut back after flowering to keep fresh and dense.
A clump forming Californian succulent with rosettes of pointed, finger width, white powdered, rose tinted, glaucous leaves. Clusters of upright, rich orange, bell-like flowers are held aloft on short powdered stems in the spring.
Probably best in a pot unless your fortunate enough to garden in water repellent sand or in dry soil under trees.
Summer water is best avoided and excellent drainage is essential.
An excellent frost and drought tolerant alternative to Echeveria.
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.