Vinca difformis

We also push the boat out with Vinca difformis varieties, which are often wrongly listed as Z9, but we have never lost any here. On very cold mornings (-8 or so) the foliage goes flaccid but recovers as soon as the temperature rises. Most of the forms (except Sardoa) grow to about 40 cm in the open, but much more against a wall or with something to scramble up. There only seems to be one white form, which we grow as ‘Snowmound’ (syn ‘Alba’, ‘Greystone Form’), the type is ice-blue and ‘Jenny Pym’ is almost a pure pink (slightly bluish in some light and when you try to photograph it with film). ‘Sardoa’ is the deepest blue, particularly as the flowers open and is more vigorous with a sparser habit. All flower almost all the year round, peaking in the autumn. If they a have a fault it is that they can be invasive – at least on heavy soil. Very underused and underrated.

Trachelospermum

Carrying on from yesterday we also grow a lot of Trachelospermum species and varieties and these too cause confusion. There are two species; T. asiaticum has smaller leaves, creamy flowers and is hardier (Z7) than T. jasminoides (Z8) Which has white flowers and is more fragrant. Easy to follow so far, but both species have a form called ‘Majus’ with larger leaves than the type, so that T. asiaticum ‘Majus’, which is our most popular form, has leaves not much smaller than the type T. jasminoides. T.j. Wilsonii has distinct veins on small narrow leaves and the whole plant turns red in winter. T.j ‘Variegata’ is strongly white variegated to the extent that you hardly see the flowers, but you can still smell them. Trachelospermum are the same family as Vincas (Apocynaceae) which you appreciate when they set the same odd, long cylindrical fruit (and they have the same sticky white sap). T. asiaticum ‘Majus’ was once considered a species in its own right but was lumped into T. asiaticum because it has the same coloured flowers. I am not convinced.

Phlomis

Why do we grow so many Phlomis species? Because we can and each have their claim to fame. Not all that we grow are currently available, but this is the run down. Phlomis fruticosa is the well known Jerusalem Sage, which is woody with hairy grey/green leaves and bright yellow flowers. P. chrysophylla is similar but has golden down on the young leaves which are longer and greyer. P. purpurea is very similar in leaf to P.fruticosa but has pink flowers (not purple), as does P.italica which has distinctly longer, narrower and greyer leaves than all the rest. P. russelliana is more of a perennial forming a mat of large grey leaves form which arise stems of yellow flowers of a softer shade than P. fruticosa. P. tuberosa is herbaceous, overwintering as tubers from which arise tall stems (150 cm) of deep pink flowers. P. longifolia is shrubby again, being distinct in having large dark green leaves; its bright yellow flowers are very showy. All are hardy, but can be damaged by winter wet and cold, but they do recover.

Bekheya purpurea

Bekheya purpurea is a hardy, perennial, rosette-forming thistle with the most delicate daisy-like flowers up to 8cm across, in deep pinky/lilac on stems to 80cm. Best in well-drained soil. Very prickly but very lovely.

Clematis

Clematis armandii and C. a. ‘Snowdrift’ will be available again next April for those who book them now. This is an item that we trade, and because they grow into each other and get damaged we like to have them on the nursery for as short a time as possible, which is why they are only available to order. Note that ‘Apple Blossom is not being offered any more. Prices for 2010 will be the same as this year i.e. £2.40 for 20-59, £2.35 for 60-199, £2.29 for 200-499. Please let us know your requirements as soon as possible.

Availability lists and Highlights

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Vinca minor ‘Hawaii

Vinca minor ‘Hawaii’ is a blue flowering variety with very dark green foliage that is close to the ground, in the manner of V.m.‘Gertrude Jekyll’. It could be a winner.

Availability

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Even more availability

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