Burgundy Bliss - Another stunning plant combination

1 - Burgundy Bliss - Pictures

Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum'
Lunaria annua 'Corfu Blue'	Sedum telephium 'Purple Emperor'
Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus 'Cosmopolitan'	Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Blackfield'

1 - Burgundy Bliss - Care Notes

Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum'

The common name for Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum' is Plume thistle 'Atropurpureum'.

It is an upright hardy perennial forming a clump of branching, leafy stems. Size: Ultimate height 1-1.5 metres, Ultimate spread 0.1-0.5 metres, Time to ultimate height 2-5 years

It's plump thistle flowers, 3cm across in summer, are like round paint brushes that have been dipped in burgundy paint; these often have a bee attached for good measure.

Growing and care tips:

Ideally grow it in a moist but well-drained soil in full sun, but it can tolerate some dryness and light shade.

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by lifting the roots in spring or autumn, dividing the clumps and replanting.

If self seeding becomes a problem, cut back after flowering before the plant can set seeds.

It is generally pest free but may be infected by powdery mildews.

Where to buy: Crocus

Lunaria annua 'Corfu Blue'

The common name for Lunaria annua is Honesty

It is a short-lived fully-hardy perennial.  Size: Ultimate height 0.5-1 metres, Ultimate spread 0.1-0.5 metres, Time to ultimate height 1-2 years

The advantage of 'Corfu Blue' is that it starts flowering in March, a couple of months before most Honesties start to flower.  It purple flowers are luminous on grey days and at sunset, and these are followed by attractive seed heads that remain on the plant well into autumn, or if picked and dried, make excellent additions to dried flower arrangements.  The flowers are highly-attractive to butterflies and bees

Growing and care tips:

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.

Propagation: on most sites this charming perennial will happily self-seed, but its seeds can be sown in early summer.  Sow the seeds straight into a well-prepared seed bed in early summer, planting them 2.5mm deep.  Thin out as soon as they are large enough to handle, replanting the extras so there is approximately 30cm between each.

Pruning: pinching out the tips as they grow will encourage bushier growth.  Cut back after flowering.

Pests and diseases: may be affected by club root and white blister.

Where to buy (seeds): Special Plants

 

Sedum telephium 'Purple Emperor'

The common name for Sedum telephium 'Purple Emperor' is Orpine 'Purple Emperor'

It is a compact, clump-forming deciduous perennial with broad, deep purple leaves on dark red stems, and rounded clusters of small, pale purplish-pink flowers in late summer.  Size: Ultimate height 0.1-0.5 metres, Ultimate spread 0.1-0.5 metres, Time to ultimate height 2-5 years.

This is a stunner with nearly black leaves and masses of pink red flower in late summer.  The seed heads are also very attractive and last thought the autumn.

Growing and care tips:

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun.  It is a drought-tolerant plant.

Propagate by lifting the roots in spring, dividing the clumps and replanting. One can also propagate by softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in early summer

Leave the seed heads to overwinter, but one may cut back after flowering to maintain shape.  Chelsea Chop: some sedums benefit from being cut back in May by about half their growth.  This stimulates more shoots and produces a denser plant.  It would be worth experimenting with 'Purple Emperor'.  Try it on one or two plants and compare them with the ones you haven't cut back.

Pests and diseases: Sedums may be damaged by slugs, snails or vine weevil, and they may be subject to root rot.

Where to buy: Crocus

 

Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus 'Cosmopolitan'

Common name: Eulalia 'Cosmopolitan'

'Cosmopolitan' is a tall deciduous grass with arching green leaves with white margins and pale green midribs, and compact, feathery flower heads in late autumn.  Ultimate height 1.5-2.5 metres, Ultimate spread 1-1.5 metres, Time to ultimate height 2-5 years.

Growing and care tips:

Grow in any moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet

Propagation: by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by lifting the roots in spring and dividing the clumps and replanting.  Unfortunate, it can be slow to establish.

Pruning: remove dead foliage and old flowered stems in spring

Pests and diseases: Generally pest and disease free

Where to buy: Edulis

Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Blackfield'

Common name: Bistort

One of the darkest red Persicaria, and one that is not too tall either with long slender spikes of flowers are carried above a mound of large, mid-green leaves.  It is extremely long flowering, lasting from July till October.  Ultimate height .75-1.2 metres, Ultimate spread .75-.8 metres.

Growing and care tips:

Grow in any moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.

Propagation: Lift and divide in spring or autumn.

Pruning: remove dead foliage and old flowered stems if and when it begins to look untidy in the autumn.

Pests and diseases: Generally pest and disease free

Where to buy: Beth Chatto Gardens