Category: Perennials
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Smyrnium perfoliatum
This is one of the best self seeding biennials for semi-shade bar none in my humble opinion! It grows to about 60cms tall at flowering and to the uninitiated it could be a Euphorbia with its limy-yellow bracts surrounding the flowers. However those that look closely will realise that it is in fact Apiaceae (in
Stephen Ryan
Uvularia grandiflora
This has to be one of the most elegant of woodland perennials and the common name of Merry Bells almost says it all, just as well the common name wasn’t derived from its botanic one as it was named after the flap of skin that hangs down the back of your mouth, Hardly romantic! It
Stephen Ryan
Saruma henryi
This lovely woodland perennial is rarely seen in nurseries in Australia and I have a nice batch just potted into 6″ pots at $18.50 so don’t miss out. It grows to about 40cms. tall and has furry heart shaped leaves that are a feature on their own, but when it flowers its three petalled yellow
Stephen Ryan
Cyclamen repandum
My favourite species is probably the one that is in flower at the moment! And C. repandum is just coming out as the spring approaches and so is my favourite at the moment. Its flowers are usually a strong carmine pink with long elegant curled petals and the perfume is divine, although it is best
Stephen Ryan
Dysosma delavayi
This has to be one of the most sumptuous foliage plants around so if you have a cool moist aspect in the garden or even for a pot plant then perhaps this Asian beauty will find a home at your place.In case you think you know what it is but the name means nothing it
Stephen Ryan
Epimedium ‘Black Sea’
I have been busy potting this years supply of Epimediums all week and have many lovely ones to select from, so many in fact that selecting one to blog about was so hard that in the end it was almost close my eyes and point! E. ‘Black Sea’ is however something of a stand out plant
Stephen Ryan
Ruscus hypoglossum
This has to be the ultimate plant for dry shade, in fact it will grow in the driest and darkest shade you can find so anywhere that almost no other plant will survive will be ideal for this one! It is in fact an evergreen perennial to about 1metre tall that acts more like a
Stephen Ryan
Mahonia oiwakensis
Well here we go again, another much loved plant has had a name change. So if you are looking for this stunning shrub in a book more than a few months old then look up Mahonia lomariifolia and it will have the same description as it is the same plant. What ever the name is
Stephen Ryan
Trachystemon orientalis
If you are sick of Hostas eaten by snails or burnt to crisp,or the gap they leave for such a long time throughout winter but still want big gutsy leaves then Russian Borage could be just the thing. It has spikes of rich blue flowers in late winter as the leaves unfold which are a
Stephen Ryan
Salix cuprea ‘Pendula’
It is a shame that the Australian weed assessment people decided to ban almost the whole willow Genus instead of doing the assessments one at a time as many benign species are now banned. Was it expediency or worse “the more you ban the more important your job is seen to be!” One willow that has
Stephen Ryan