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