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  • Ballota
    • acetabulosa   CAG01426
      Height60cmWidth1mFlowering SeasonSummerWaterL - MLightSun
      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.

  • Centaurea
    • cineraria   CAG00715

      (Dusty miller)
      Height1.2mWidth1mFlowering SeasonSp - SuWaterLLightFull Sun
      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.

    • montana   CAG01914
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

  • 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.
  • Dudleya

    Crassulaceae

    Clump forming rosetted succulents from south western North America.

    They have a low tolerance for summer humidity and are even less tolerant of summer rainfall / irrigation. Excellent drainage is essential and water should never be allowed to collect in the crown of the plants for too long, for this reason they are often grown on their side as commonly found in the wild.

    Best suited to a western climate they make excellent garden plants in the south west and are ideal candidates for pots that don't need watering over summer. On the east coast overhead protection from rain and particular attention to over watering is most likely required. Many are cliff dwellers and these are happiest in light shade or bright indirect light, morning sun is suitable but in full sun they are far less attractive.

    The majority of species are also covered in a white, powdery, water repellent wax which is easily removed by excessive handling making them not only less appealing but also more prone to rotting.
    • cymosa   CAG02287

      (Liveforever)
      Height10cmWidth20cmFlowering SeasonSpringWaterLLightLight Shade
      Dudleya cymosa
      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

      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.

  • 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.

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