Category Archives: Collector Plants

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  Helwingia chinensis

  Posted on November 26, 2017 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, drought tolerant, evergreen, Foliage plants, Good Pot Plant, shade tolerant, Shrubs, Woodlanders

  this plant isn’t going to set the world on fire but I think it is an interesting and worthy addition to the garden for the following reasons. Most importantly I imported it!!!! But seriously it is an interesting evergreen shrub to 2 to 3metres with handsome evergreen leaves on a shrub with a tiered branch […]

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  Sanguinaria canadensis

  Posted on September 8, 2017 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, Foliage plants, Perennials, shade tolerant, Woodlanders

  The Canadian Blood Root is a stunning if ephemeral woodlander from “you guessed it” as well as the USA. The single poppy flowers last only a few days but what a joy they are. The green scalloped leaves are charming and will keep you entertained for months afterward and as it doesn’t take up all […]

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  Viburnum Henryi

  Posted on August 18, 2017 by stephenryan in berries, Collector Plants, evergreen, Foliage plants, shade tolerant, Shrubs, winter interest

  This Genus has something for everyone and this Asian evergreen shrub is a bit of an unsung hero of the group. It has narrow evergreen leaves on an elegant open framed shrub to 3or 4 metres. Don’t then use it to screen your weird behaviour from the neighbours! The panicles of tiny flowers are produced […]

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  Rubus lineatus

  Posted on August 17, 2017 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, evergreen, Foliage plants, Good Pot Plant, shade tolerant, Shrubs, winter interest

  This blackberry relative from Asia must have one of the most beautiful leaves imaginable! The five leaflets are all pleated in a texturally stunning way and even this doesn’t prepare you for the silvery reverse. It is a suckering evergreen shrub to 2.5metres tall that likes a moist soil and some shade from the hottest […]

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  Azara Microphylla

  Posted on August 11, 2017 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, evergreen, Foliage plants, scented, shade tolerant, Trees

  This hardy small upright evergreen Chilean tree is a must in the garden with its light upright habit, its tiny gross green leaves and its incredible perfume. I have several around my garden as they make great quick screening plants that don’t grow too wide and I get to appreciate the scent from all over […]

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  Brachyglottis repanda

  Posted on August 8, 2017 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, drought tolerant, evergreen, Foliage plants, perfumed, shade tolerant, Shrubs, winter interest

  I have a great love of this evergreen shrub from New Zealand for several reasons. Firstly it is a first rate foliage plant with huge soft green leaves with a felty white reverse. secondly it is fairly cold tolerant but looks tropical, Thirdly it grows well in semi-shade and is comparatively drought tolerant and lastly […]

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  Cornus kousa ‘Miss Satomi’

  Posted on July 28, 2017 by stephenryan in autumn colour, berries, Collector Plants, Deciduous, Good for cutting, Trees

  I love Dogwoods and in fact hold the national collection for ‘Plant Trust’ so they must be good! This salmon pink form of the Chinese  dogwood is a stunning form with flat branches showing off the bracted flowers to perfection in the late spring after the early nonsense is over. It also has lovely berries in […]

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  Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’

  Posted on July 23, 2017 by stephenryan in Bog plants, Collector Plants, evergreen, Foliage plants, Good Pot Plant, winter interest

  If you are looking for a plant that will be a talking point and entertain children of all ages this could be the one for you! It is a clump forming evergreen rush that is grown for its stems which corkscrew in a most endearing way, each with a different amount of twirl so as […]

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  Clematis napaulensis

  Posted on July 18, 2017 by stephenryan in bird attracting, Climbing plants, Collector Plants, shade tolerant, winter interest

  This has to be about the strangest but  none the less useful and pretty species in the Genus. It produces its pale green bells with purple stamens in the midst of winter and they are nectar rich bird feeders, so this alone should get you planting. Afterwards it has huge flufly seed heads in spring […]

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  Tecophilaea cyanocrocus

  Posted on July 17, 2017 by stephenryan in bulbs, Collector Plants, Good Pot Plant

  One of the worlds most desirable bulbs and until recently thought extinct in the wilds of Chile its native home. It is a small bulb with possibly the worlds bluest flowers with its crocus like flowers in spring. It also has a form with a white centred flower called variety Leichtlinii both of which are […]

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