The humble leaf is not so humble when you look closely at some species.
From large banana and water lily leaves to hairy miniature leaves of some alpines you will find natures beauty in a variety of leaves.
Begonia Rex varieties are amongst some of the most interesting and surprising. They can be propagated by leaf cuttings.
Tropical plant houses are great places to visit and spy out some interesting leaf shapes.
Members of the Pineapple family Bromeliads grow in the tropical and sub-tropical forests of the Americas. There are also hot desert and cool mountain varieties amongst this large family.
What Are Bromeliads
Popular Groups of Bromeliads
A truly varied group of plants the Geraniums (or Pelargonium) make great house plants, bedding, basket and container plants.
Types of Geranium
Thompson Morgan have a range of seeds and plants available by mail order.
Gladioli are reliable flowers for the show bench or the flower vase. Timing is important for the exhibitionist as they want to have the flowers in peak perfection just at the right time.
Timing can be important for the local grower as well. If you want Gladioli for a particular event, birthday or wedding celebration, then it is useful to know that corms planted now will be in flower in 100 days. That is just over 3 months so by the middle of August you can expect displays like these from a may planting.
Gladioli Pointers
White daisy like flowers cover this tansy relative, Tanacetum ferulaceum, which is one of 70 or so types of Tansy that can be grown in your garden.
Growing Tansy
Feverfew has medicinal properties
Corydalis popovii is a small bulbous plant flowering up to 6 inches in height. In spring it assumes a white colouring after the purple flowers. This plant comes from Central Asia and is easy to grow and long-lived in a well-drained compost in a pot.
They can be grown in the open garden in full sun and freely drained soil.
Fertilize with a specific fertilizer for bulbous plants, every 2-3 weeks, from when the first flowers start withering.
Corydalis plants don’t like cold temperatures or wet conditions and need a rest period before being brought back into growth.
Corydalis wilsonii arrived from it’s native china comparatively recently.
It is a compact herbaceous plant with light green leaves.
It flowers on errect spikes, 1″ long, in a deep yellow during late spring.
This variety is suitable for growing in pots.
I have just bought a Corydalis Kingfisher from the local AGS meeting. Kingfisher has blue flowers with a hint of green from March to Aug and is only without flowers when dormant during winter.
Alpine Species
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This genus of conspicuous Aster like flowers deserves to be better known.
Growing Habits of Townsendia
Some Species of Townsendia.
Cassiope are a valuable group of small wiry stemmed ericaceous perennials with white bell-like flowers blooming in spring. Leaves are unstalked and densely overlap.
Tips for Growing Cassiope
Hybrids and Species to Grow
To make a bold statement in a garden you can opt for hard features and structures or soft features created by plants and flowers.
I personally err towards the plantsmans view and like plants. However the use of one variety in great abundance can have a startling effect as these Abu Hassan Tulips show.
Sticking to the Arabian theme not everyone can have a centuries old moorish bath in the garden like the featured garden below. The distinctly moorish shapes are replicated through out with the addition of large pots & stands both terracotta and glazed.
Plants that thrive in the shade also tend to be heavy drinkers. Here is my top ten list
Most gardeners have a shady spot so I hope this list gives you some ideas for new varieties to try growing. Of course most of these plants will tolerate some sunshine but then need even more water to thrive.
Credits
Lamium by Shotaku CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Planting the Dry Shade Garden: The Best Plants for the Toughest Spot in Your Garden by Graham Rice
Dry Shade Perennials a Top Ten
Best Shade loving plants
