Blog

PLANT OF THE WEEK #51: Cercidiphyllum japonicum
By Michael
Apr 13, 2021
Is it laziness or lack of originality that has botanists naming a plant for its likeness to another?  I’m scarily like my older brother, but am so glad my mother didn’t take t
PLANT OF THE WEEK #50: Perovskia atriplicifolia (Salvia yangii)
By Michael
Apr 6, 2021
I love the name Perovskia.  With a slight roll on the ‘r’ you can’t help but sound kind of Russian as you say it.  So it’s a bit disappointing to find that Perovskia atri
PLANT OF THE WEEK #49: Digitalis ferruginea
By Michael
Mar 30, 2021
‘What are the black uprights?’ This question from a Facebook follower prompted the thought that while it’s well past the floral peak of Digitalis ferruginea, its contribution

PLANT OF THE WEEK #50: Perovskia atriplicifolia (Salvia yangii)
By Michael
Apr 6, 2021

I love the name Perovskia.  With a slight roll on the ‘r’ you can’t help but sound kind of Russian as you say it.  So it’s a bit disappointing to find that Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian ...

PLANT OF THE WEEK #49: Digitalis ferruginea
By Michael
Mar 30, 2021

‘What are the black uprights?’ This question from a Facebook follower prompted the thought that while it’s well past the floral peak of Digitalis ferruginea, its contribution to the garden right ...

PLANT OF THE WEEK #48: Yucca rostrata
By Michael
Mar 23, 2021

I vividly recall nearing the end of a slow, slow walk though the sun-bleached grounds of the Villa San Giuliano in Sicily, and stepping into the dim, sepulchral light of the family chapel.  For many ...

PLANT OF THE WEEK #47: Allium tuberosum - garlic chives
By Michael
Mar 16, 2021

OK, so this is a risky one.  For Plant of the Week, I mean.  Firstly garlic chives – Allium tuberosum – is a cheap and easy herb.  Once a plant has proven useful we seem to habitually see it in ...

PLANT OF THE WEEK #46: Colchicum
By Simon
Mar 9, 2021

It recently occurred to me that every Plant of the Week I have profiled so far has been an evergreen shrub. This is seriously off-brand for me, because I am normally all about flowers. It is beyond ti ...