Wow, that's a hard one to answer. I love Agapanthus first, close second and third any Helenium and Rudbekia . And then its Echinacea, then Penstemons, then Delphinium, then Eryngium . Sorry just love them all ,could go on all day.
Far too many to choose from! But I always look forward to my beautiful Hydrangea 'Vanilla Fraise' appearing. They always remind me of a big fluffy ice cream with strawberry sauce! Very summery ?
How beautiful Jules41... you're tempting me, but I haven't the space...
Over time I've come to appreciate plants with an interesting/beautiful habit and something to offer all year. I'm not sure I can narrow it down to one single overall favourite but I have a shortlist, anyway. I do love Nandina domestica, as modest as it is--not the little dwarfed ones but the original plant. It always looks interesting. I love my Agapanthus which grow in pots and have spectacular flowers. Right now my favourite hardy Geranium is 'Dusky Rose' which is small, flowers for ages and has a wonderful colour in its leaves and flowers, though I wish it had autumn colour.
I love ferns -- my parents have a fern that's been growing quietly in the same space for 50 years. Ferns bring a sense of tranquility and restfulness, and as a garden plant they perform so well -- long-lived, of good habit, non-invasive (nearly all), ferns exist for most soil types and even for dry shade.
Just FYI floraltips--I have heavy soggy clay and have also got vine weevil, so growing heucheras in the borders is something I've really struggled with. However, I have had some success (three years in) with one cross between Heuchera and Tiarella, x Heucherella 'Solar Eclipse', which seems to persist nicely.
I like many of the plants that have been mentioned. But my favourite has to be the rose, especially Lady Emma Hamilton which is beautifully scented. I like dahlias too.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Is that your Lady Emma Busy-Lizzie? It is absolutely stunning. I remember the wonderful smell from plants in garden centres. Unfortunately my soil is currently so poor for roses, they hate it. I can only grow some that are tough as old boots. I've never had this problem before and have grown roses all my life, so it's very disheartening!
Yes it is. She's in a pot. My soil is poor, rocky so not much depth, except where it was back filled for terracing, and alkaline. It's in Dordogne on a limestone plateau. I used to live in Kent with very fertile acid clay.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
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Wow, that's a hard one to answer. I love Agapanthus first, close second and third any Helenium and Rudbekia . And then its Echinacea, then Penstemons, then Delphinium, then Eryngium . Sorry just love them all ,could go on all day.
Far too many to choose from! But I always look forward to my beautiful Hydrangea 'Vanilla Fraise' appearing. They always remind me of a big fluffy ice cream with strawberry sauce! Very summery ?
How beautiful Jules41... you're tempting me, but I haven't the space...
Over time I've come to appreciate plants with an interesting/beautiful habit and something to offer all year. I'm not sure I can narrow it down to one single overall favourite but I have a shortlist, anyway. I do love Nandina domestica, as modest as it is--not the little dwarfed ones but the original plant. It always looks interesting. I love my Agapanthus which grow in pots and have spectacular flowers. Right now my favourite hardy Geranium is 'Dusky Rose' which is small, flowers for ages and has a wonderful colour in its leaves and flowers, though I wish it had autumn colour.
Last edited: 03 February 2018 16:07:59
I love ferns -- my parents have a fern that's been growing quietly in the same space for 50 years. Ferns bring a sense of tranquility and restfulness, and as a garden plant they perform so well -- long-lived, of good habit, non-invasive (nearly all), ferns exist for most soil types and even for dry shade.
I absolutely love heucheras.
Hardy, evergreen, easy to grow/divide/propagate and come in arrange of colours from nearly black to beautiful russets to zingy greens.
The best foliage plant around ...imo
If you have a gap to fill then consider a heuchera. Slugs leave them be but beware of vine weevil and they don't like heavy soggy clay.
Had a Google and the owners of plantagogo website hold the national collection. Can see the old debit card getting a hit shortly.
Just FYI floraltips--I have heavy soggy clay and have also got vine weevil, so growing heucheras in the borders is something I've really struggled with. However, I have had some success (three years in) with one cross between Heuchera and Tiarella, x Heucherella 'Solar Eclipse', which seems to persist nicely.
I like many of the plants that have been mentioned. But my favourite has to be the rose, especially Lady Emma Hamilton which is beautifully scented. I like dahlias too.
I grew these Dahlias from seed, they are in a pot.
Is that your Lady Emma Busy-Lizzie? It is absolutely stunning. I remember the wonderful smell from plants in garden centres. Unfortunately my soil is currently so poor for roses, they hate it. I can only grow some that are tough as old boots. I've never had this problem before and have grown roses all my life, so it's very disheartening!
Yes it is. She's in a pot. My soil is poor, rocky so not much depth, except where it was back filled for terracing, and alkaline. It's in Dordogne on a limestone plateau. I used to live in Kent with very fertile acid clay.