Category Archives: Woodlanders

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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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  Persicaria virginiana filiformis ‘Painter’s Palette’

  Posted on May 20, 2017 by stephenryan in Foliage plants, Good Pot Plant, Ground cover, Perennials, self seeds, Woodlanders

  If you don’t like variegation don’t read on! This herbaceous perennial has to have some not the most over the top leaf colour of any cold hardy plant and I for one love it! It grows to about 60cms. or so and builds into a substantial clump in a fairly short time. The large leaves […]

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  Atropa belladonna

  Posted on December 17, 2016 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, Perennials, self seeds, shade tolerant, Woodlanders

  Yes this is the feared deadly nightshade but you have to eat it!!!!! If we only knew how many poisonous plants we have in the garden and let it worry us we would probably stop gardening. If the kiddies are a worry then train them to eat things that come in punnets. This plant is […]

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  Dysosma pleianthum

  Posted on November 22, 2016 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, Foliage plants, Good Pot Plant, Perennials, shade tolerant, Woodlanders

  This handsome perennial comes from the cool forests of central and south eastern China and is a great addition to a shaded aspect in the garden or as a tub specimen. It is mainly about leaves which come up in spring and can still be telling in the autumn. They are huge plate like affairs […]

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  Cyclamen cilicium

  Posted on August 12, 2016 by stephenryan in autumn colour, Collector Plants, Foliage plants, Good Pot Plant, Ground cover, self seeds, shade tolerant, winter interest, Woodlanders

  This charming little species is rarely grown in Australia and for no god reason as it is hardy, showy and self seeds well in a semi-shaded aspect in Southern Australia. Perhaps as it is autumnal in flower it is overlooked for the more common species of C. hederifolium which is better known and also worth […]

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  Polygonatum falcatum ‘Variegatum’

  Posted on October 16, 2015 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, Foliage plants, Good for cutting, Perennials, shade tolerant, Woodlanders

  The whole Genus is stunning and worth collecting from the commonest old fashioned Solomon’s Seal to the rarest. Most are fairly hardy and require little more than a bit of shade and some winter, spring moisture to get things going. The form I am waxing lyrical about today is a fine example with its arching […]

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  Smyrnium perfoliatum

  Posted on October 5, 2015 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, Edible, Foliage plants, Good for cutting, self seeds, shade tolerant, Woodlanders

  This has to be about the best self seeding biennial or perhaps triennial I have ever introduced into my garden! It has only two seed leaves the first season then  Italian parsley like leaves after that and then when it decides to flower it grows to about 60cms tall and looks like a cross between […]

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  Anemone flaccida

  Posted on September 12, 2015 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, Foliage plants, Ground cover, Perennials, shade tolerant, Woodlanders

  The smaller anemones make great plants for semi-shaded aspects in moist soil and as such make good bed fellows with such choice things as Trilliums and Erythroniums. Certainly plant the European wood anemones of the nemorosa persuasion and don’t miss this little Japanese beauty. It flowers first every year for me so extends the season […]

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  Trillium luteum

  Posted on June 7, 2015 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, Foliage plants, Perennials, shade tolerant, Woodlanders

  Of all the woodland plants that one could grow this Genus must be the creme del a creme with their stunning flowers and wonderful foliage and I guess the only  down side is the remarkably slow growth rate of most of them!! This is the first time after about 15 years of having this particular […]

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  x Mahoberberis aquisargentii

  Posted on April 1, 2015 by stephenryan in Collector Plants, drought tolerant, evergreen, Foliage plants, Good Pot Plant, shade tolerant, Shrubs, winter interest, Woodlanders

  We can never have enough tough shade tolerant shrubs that can also take it dry and with this in mind I imported this bizarre cross between Mahonia aquifolia and Berberis sargentii in 2003, so I thought it about time I promoted it! It will grow to about 1.5metres each way with stems erupting from ground […]

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