Jo's Potting Shed
JO'S POTTING SHED
PLANT LIST 2012
(to be further updated in March)
"Garden worthy native wild flowers and interesting perennials that have stood the test of time"
Native Wild Flowers
Many native wild flowers are suitable for growing amongst our garden perennials, in open areas
and in shingle and gravel gardens. Many of these plants attract wild life such as butterflies, bees
and other insects which all add to the ecological balance of the garden. Each plant's natural habitat
needs to be considered when deciding on its suitability for your own garden and it should
be borne in mind that poor soil is preferred for most natives.
Plants that have stood the test of time I grow varieties of perennials that are close to the
species as they are often stronger and more disease resistant. They also give a natural look which compliments
our native species. Did you know that the wonderful Verbena bonariensis, which became
so popular a few years ago, had actually been growing in gardens in this country since 1726?
Looking back into the origins of some of my favourite perennials, which are listed below,
I found that many have been established border plants for centuries, and have
therefore truly stood the test of time.
NEW FOR 2012
This year I am changing how I market my plants and have decided to introduce a mail order service.
This will be starting up in March/April so look out for further updates on the
"Where to Buy" page.
All plants grown are hardy and perennial except where stated. Prices vary from £2 for a 1st
year small plant in a 9cm pot aand up to to £5 for a well-established 2nd year plant. Where plants are annotated bulb or
rhizome they are usually sold in pots of 3 or 5.
Not all plants grown on the nursery are listed below - if you are looking for something specific please
email me as I may be able to help. I am committed to keeping my prices as competitive as possible
but there may be a slight increase in the near future.
* N denotes native wild flower
Aconitum carmichaelli (4'-5') Stunning autumn flowering woodland
plant with glossy green leaves and vivid blue flowers. Poisonous.
Althea (Alcea) rosea - Hollyhock (6') Thought to have been brought into this country by
the Huguenots but has been grown in cultivation for at least 500 years. Flowers mid
summer onwards. Requires full sun.
Althea (Alcea) rosea flora plena "Creme de Cassis" - Double white flowers swirled
with deep plum.
Althea (Alcea) rosea flora plena "White" - Double pure white flowers.
Althea (Alcea) rosea nigra Deepest maroon single flowers.
Anemone nemerosa (Wood Anemone or Wind Flower - rhizome root) N (8") Dainty plant
with nodding pure white flowers in early spring. ideal woodland plant in light shade and fertile soil.
Aquilegia vulgaris "Black Barlow" (24"-30") Similar to Aquilegia "Nora Barlow" but with deep maroon double flowers.
Aquilegia vulgaris "Magpie" also known as "William Guiness" (24") Form of the native granny
bonnet with deepest plum and white coloured bi-coloured flowers. Grown in cultivation since medieval times.
Aquilegia vulgaris "Nora Barlow" (24"-30") Also grown in cultivation since medieval times. Has double
deep pink tinged green flowers in early summer.
Aster spectabilis (18") Attractive compact autumn flwering plant with brilliant violet daisy like flowers.
Aster turbinelus (3'-4') Very attractive plant with numerous pale violet blue flowers from early autumn.
Campanula glomerata (Clustered Bellflower) N (24") Native plant grown in cultivation since the 16th Century. Heads of clustered mid purple bell shaped flowers from late spring to early autumn. Fertile soil in sun or partial shade.
Campanula glomerata alba (24") White form of the above.
Campanula persicifolia (Peach Leaved Bellflower or Willow Bell) (3') First recorded in Britain in 1578. The RHS state it as being native. Open blue cup shaped flowers on slender stems from mid summer. Sun or partial shade.
Campanula persicifolia alba (3') White form of the above. Grown since 1578.
Campanula rotundiflora (Harebell) N (8") Found in dry grassy areas often on poor soil. Dainty pale blue flowers in summer.
Campanula trachelium (Nettle Leaved Bellflower or Bats in the Belfry) N (18") Native plant recorded as being used for medicinal purposes in 1578. Pale blue to violet flowers appear in mid summer. Grown in dappled shade.
Cichorium intybus (Chicory) N (4') A stunning plant with masses of pale blue star like flowers throughout summer. Grow in an open sunny border.
Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley - rhizome) N (6"-8") An ancient native plant steeped in myth and legend. Waxy white bell shaped flowers appear in spring. Grow in moist fertile shade.
Crambe maritima (Sea Kale) N (1'-2') Large clump forming plant with fleshy white flower heads from mid summer. Ideal for sandy or gravel areas.
Cynara cardunculus (Cardoon) (5') Striking thistle like architectural plant
completely at home in the mixed border. Needs a sunny position.
Delphinium elatum (pale blue/dark blue/white) (4'-5') Introduced early in the 17th Century from Siberia. Sunny border plant.
Dianthus gratianopolitanus (Cheddar Pink) N (8") Densely tufted plant with single deep pink flowers in summer. Stony limestone or grit preferred.
Digitalis ambigua (grandiflora) (2'-3') Arrived from east/central Europe in the early 16th Century. Large sulphur yellow flowers with brown markings in early/mid summer. Partial shade.
Digitalis ferruiginea (The Rusty Foxglove) (4-5') Very striking plant with pale brown/orange flowers. Growing in this Country since the 16th Century. Requires partial shade.
Digitalis parviflora (The Chocolate Foxglove) (3'-4') Late 18th Century plant with tight spires of chocolate brown flowers in early/mid summer.
Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove) N (3') Tapering spikes of deep pink/purple bell flowers from early to late summer. Grows in open areas in woods and banks.
Digitalis purpurea alba (3') Biennial foxglove with stems f large pure white unspotted flowers.
Dipsacus fullonum (Teasel) N (5'-6') Tall prickly spikes with pale mauve flowers and striking seed heads. Loved by wildlife. Grow in open sunny spaces.
Echinacea pallida (Pale Coneflower) (3') Introduced from the USA, this plant has pale pink reflexed flowers with dark central cone. Slightly fragrant.
Echinacea paradoxa (Yellow Coneflower) (2'-3') Outstanding plant with large showy golden yellow flowers with chocolate brown cone.
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) (3'-4') Large reddish purple flowers.
Echinacea purpurea alba (White Coneflower) (3'-4') As above but with large white flowers and greenish cone.
Echium vulgare (Vipers Bugloss) N (2'-3') Striking plant with vivid blue flowers in mid summer. Grown in gardens since the 15th Century. Required full sun.
Euphorbia mellifera (3') Striking architectural plant with golden tan flowers which smell of honey.
Euphorbia polychroma (18") Compact plant with bright lime yellow flowers from mid summer. Semi shade.
Foeniculum vulgare (Bronze form) (Bronze Fennel) (3-4') Aromatic plant with attractive feathery bronze leaves and umbels of golden yellow flowers in summer. Introduced from Europe in the 17th Century.
Fragaria vesca (Wild Strawberry) N (6"-12") Often depicted in medieval illustrations. Small white flowers followed by edible red fruit. Open woodland plant.
Fritillaria meleagris (Snakeshead Fritillary - bulb) N (12") Damp meadow plant now rare in the wild. Unusual chequered deep maroon or sometimes white nodding flowers in spring.
Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop - bulb) N (4"-6") Some question whether the snowdrop is native as it may have been introduced by monks from Italy in the 15th Century. Damp woodland plant flowering in early winter.
Geranium nodosum (12"-18") Attractive ground cover plant for a shady woodland. Glossy bright green leaves and clusters of purple/pink flowers during summer and early autumn.
Geranium pratense (Meadow Cranesbill) N (2'-3') Grown in cultivation since the 16th Century. Beautiful large blue/violet flowers throughout summer. Well drained soil in sun or partial shade.
Geranium sanguinium (Bloody or Rose Cranesbill) N (2') Deeply cut leaves and large bright purple/crimson flowers throughout summer and early autumn. Good ground cover for sun or partial shade.
Geranium versicolor (striatum) (Pencilled Cranesbill or Queen Anne's Needlework) (2'-3') Introduced in the 17th Century from Southern Europe. Its foliage remains throughout winter and its flowers, which
are pale lilac veined violet, bloom from late spring to early summer. Well drained soil, sun or partial shade.
Geum rivale "Album" (18") An unusual plant for a damp spot. Has greenish white nodding flowers and is the white variety of our native Water Avens.
Hellebore foetidus (Stinking Hellebore) N (2') Delightful woodland plant with dark foliage and bright green
cupped flowers throughout winter. Poisonous.
Iris foetidissima (Stinking Iris, Stinking Gladwin or Roast Beef Plant) N (2') Named so because of the smell of the leaves when brushed. Delicate palest lemon/mauve flowers in early spring followed by striking seed pods in autumn.
Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Flag Iris) N (2'-3') Accepted as the origin of the fleur-de-lis used in very early French history. Beautiful large bright yellow flowers in spring and early summer. Ideal plant for bogs and ponds.
Isatis tinctoria (Woad) N (2'-3') Used in cultivation since 995 mainly for medicinal purposes and the blue dye extracted from its leaves. Masses of small yellow flowers bloom throughout summer. Open sunny position.
Knautia arvensis (Field Scabious) N (2'-3') Delightful meadow plant with pale mauve pincushion flowers throughout summer.
Lathyrus vernus (Spring Pea) (12") Introduced from the Continent in the early 17th Century. Pale to mid green foliage and clusters of purple/blue flowers in spring. Requires well drained fertile soil in full sun.
Leucanthemum vulgare (Oxeye Daisy) N (18"-24") Delightful summer flowering plant commonly seen in meadows and on roadsides.
Requires open sunny position.
Lupinus - Russell varieties (3') Cottage border plant with spires of closely packed
flowers appearing throughout the summer. Its ancestor was introduced in 1826 from British Colombia.
"Noble Maiden" - Creamy white flowers
"The Governer" - Blue and White flowers
"The Pages" - Carmine red shades
Lychnis flos-cuculi (Ragged Robin) N (12"-18") Dainty plant with bright pink flowers with feathery petals throughout summer into early autumn. Requires damp position in sun or partial shade.
Lychnis flos-cuculi alba (12"-18") White form of the above.
Malva moschata (Musk Mallow) (18") Very pretty plant found in grassy meadows, but is just at home in the garden in
a sunny position. Has large open pale pink flowers from mid summer onwards.
Malva moschata alba (18") As above but with pure white flowers
Penstemons are all natives of the New World with a few being introduced to this country during the 18th
and 19th Centuries. All need a well drained sunny position and flower until the first frosts.
Penstemon digitalis "Huskers Red" (2'-3') Unusual plant with beetroot red leaves and stems of pinky white flowers.
Penstemon heterophyllus (12") Compact plant with clear blue flowers.
Penstemon ovatus (3') Tall bushy plant with ultramarine blue to purple flowers.
Penstemon whippleanus (Whipple's Penstemon) (2') Very striking deep purple/burgundy flowers.
Polemonium caeruleum (Jacob's Ladder) N (2') Beautiful sky blue flowers and attractive foliage. Flowers early summer and is a good border plant for early sun. Rare in the wild.
Primula auricula (Dusty Miller) (8") Alpine flower which has long been in cultivation but not brought into this country until the late 16th Century. The true P. auricula (wild form) is rarely seen in gardens today. Rosettes of fleshy leaves and stems bearing clusters of pale yellow/mauve/crimson flowers. Well drained gritty soil in sun and partial shade.
Primula veris (Cowslip) N (8") Probable ancestor of the polyanthus. Golden yellow flowers appear in spring. Meadow plant suitable for damp sunny areas.
Primula veris "Sunset Shades" (8") Our native cowslip but with bright orange to deep red flowers. Damp position.
Primula vulgaris (Primrose) N (4") Compact plant with open palest yellow flowers in early spring. Referred to as the first rose. Suitable for growing in light shade on fertile damp soil
Ranunculus gramineus (12") Bright yellow buttercup flowers above clumps of grass like leaves. Prefers sunny position
Rudbeckia fulgida "Goldsturm" (2'-3') Very unfussy plant probably originating from Canada. Masses of bright yellow flowers with dark cone from late summer.
Rudbeckia grandiflora "Sundance" (3'-4') Elegant sturdy upright plant with large golden yellow flowers
which have a central brown cone. Flowers in late summer.
Rudbeckia occidentalis "Green Wizard" (5') A most unusual plant for back of border with flowers which have green sepals and large brown central cones.
Rudbeckia triloba (3') Tall stems with numerous bright golden dark centred flowers through summer and autumn. Good for sunny border.
Salvia argentea (2'-3') many branching stems of white flushed pale pink flowers from mid to late summer.
Rosettes of large grey "woolley" leaves. Requires well drained position.
Salvia bulleyanna (18") Unusual salvia with yellow flowers which have a reddish brown lip. Requires a sunny well drained position.
Salvia glutinosa (Jupiter's Distaff) (3') Originating from the Himalayas, this plant has strong stems bearing clusters of sweet smelling yellow flowers in summer.
Salvia transsylvanica (2'-3') Very striking spikes of bright blue flowers from mid summer through to autumn. Good border plant for sunny well drained position.
Saponaria officinalis (Soapwort) N (2') Possibly native. Delightful spreading plant with
pale pinky white flowers in summer. Sunny well drained position.
Scabious columbaria "Pink Pin Cushion " (10") Very dainty plant with soft pink flowers throughout summer.
Scabiosa ochroleuca (2') Robust plant with creamy pale yellow flowers.
Scabious rumelica (Knautia macedonica) (2') One of the longest flowering perennials, from spring through to autumn. The compact pincushion flowers are deep wine and are held on strong, but fine, stems.
Sessili gummeriferum (Moon Carrot) (30") Short lived but unusual border plant. Has green feathery foliage and
heads of large white flowers.
Good for cutting.
Silene dioica (Red Campion) N (2'-3') Branching stems with deep magenta pink flowers from spring to early autumn. Grow in semi shade.
Silene alba (White Campion) N (18") Biennial or short lived perennial. Large white flowers are scented at night when they attract moths to pollinate. Sun or semi shade.
Verbena bonariensis (5') This verbena arrived from South America in 1726. Lovely architectural plant with clusters of small bright
purple flowers in summer and early autumn. Sunny position and well drained soil required.
Viola cornuta minor alba (6") Introduced from the Pyrenees in 1776 and was used for breeding many of the violas we know today. Pale lilac flowers on compact plants from spring through to autumn.
Viola odorata (Sweet Violet) N (4"-6") has been cultivated for many centuries. Rich purple scented flowers appear almost throughout the year. Woodland flower.
Viola riviniana (Common Dog Violet) N (4") Very dainty pale mauve to violet flowers appear in spring. Woodland flower for light shade.
Zizia aurea (2') Unusual plant with umbels of acid greeny yellow flowers in summer.
Has feathery foliage. Sun or partial shade.
Annuals
Hardy and half hardy annuals have proved to be very popular so I have decided to keep a few on my plant list. These
plants only grow for one season and do not successfully over winter. I have chosen the following because they
are not readily available to buy as plants from garden centres and because they
are easy to grow and maintain as well as being rather unusual. They are all suitable for a semi-shade or sunny border and are sold
singly in small pots from £1 each. Ready to plant out from May onwards.
Calendula officinalis (Pot Marigold) "Indian Prince" (18") Deep orange flowers with crimson backs.
Centaurea cyanus (Cornflower) "Black Ball" (3') Deep maroon double flowers.
Also "Blue Ball" which has deep royal blue double flowers.
Cerinthe major purpurescens (24") Unusual deep purple bell shaped flowers with glaucus silver blue leaves.
Larkspur White (3') Pure white flowers.
Larkspur Dark Blue (3') Deepest rich blue flowers.
Lunaria annua (Honesty) White (3') Pure white flowers followed by silver seed heads. Also the more available variety
with deep mauve flowers.
Orlaya grandiflora (2') Stunning plant with large umbels of pure white flowers. Feathery foliage.
Short lived but beautiful. Does not over winter well so I now grow this as an annual.
Papaver somniferum "Black Peony" (3') Beautiful double richest deep crimson peony flowers.
Papaver Somniferum "Purple Peony" - 3' - Vivid purple double flowers.
Papaver somniferum "Scarlet Peony" (3') Vivid double scarlet flowers.
Also available
Gladioli - these corms require a sunny border and are ready to plant out in April. They are sold in pots of 5. Lift in
autumn and store corms in frost free area for planting the following year.
"Blackjack" - 3' - Late flowering with deepest purple black flowers.
"Green Star" - 3' - Mid flowering with lime green flowers.
"Plum Tart" - 3' - Mid flowering with plum maroon flowers.
Dahlias - these tubers are ready to plant out when all risk of frosts have gone. They need a good rich soil in full
sun and flower from early summer to late autumn . Lift the tubers in autumn and store in frost free area over winter.
"Arabian Night" - 3' - Richest crimson flowers.
"Bishop of Llandaff" - 4' - Red orange flowers and bronze leaves.
"Fascination" - 3' - Shocking pink flowers and bronze foliage.
"Nuit d'ete" - 30" - Cactus dahlia with near black flowers.
"Witteman's Best" - 3' - Vivid red flowers.