Molopospermum peloponnesiacum

Molopospermum peloponnesiacum (15/08/15, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late spring to mid summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1.8m

Eventual Spread: 1.8m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Apiaceae

Molopospermum peloponnesiacum is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with an open spreading habit. Its mid green leaves are alternate and deeply lobed with a toothed margin. Its green/ cream flowers are terminal compound umbels. Its fruit are achenes.

Molopospermum peloponnesiacum, commonly known as Striped Hemlock, Couscouil, Wild Angelica, or Coscoll (in Catalan), is native to the southern Alps, the Pyrenees and parts of Greece. In its native habitat it grows at woodland edges, glades and open alpine conditions.

The etymological root of the binomial name Molopospermum is from the Greek molops meaning ‘a stripe’ or ‘mark of a stripe’ and sperma meaning ‘seed’. Peloponnesiacum is from the Latin meaning of or from Peloponnesia, in Greece.

Molopospermum peloponnesiacum Leaf (15/08/15, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Molopospermum peloponnesiacum useful as an attractive plant suitable for dappled dry woodland planting.

Ecologically,  Molopospermum peloponnesiacum flowers are attractive to some pollinating insects.

Molopospermum peloponnesiacum prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Molopospermum peloponnesiacum requires little maintenance. The foliage may be cut back in late summer/ early  winter to keep a tidy appearance.

Landscape Architecture

Crithmum maritimum

Crithmum maritimum (28/07/2014, Botanique National de Brest, France)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30cm

Eventual Spread: 30cm

Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Apiaceae

Crithmum maritimum is an evergreen herbaceous perennial with a spreading habit. Its mid blue/ green leaves are fleshy, pinnately divided with its leaflets being held vertically and aromatic. Its green/ cream flowers are terminal compound umbels. Its fruit are achenes.

Crithmum maritimum Flower (28/07/2014, Botanique National de Brest, France)

Crithmum maritimum, commonly known as Rock Samphire or Sea Fennel, is native to the coastal regions of south and west of Britain and Ireland, the west and Mediterranean coasts of Europe, North Africa and the Black Sea. In its native habitat it grows on cliffs and rocks by the sea. This plant has been historically collected as a food plant rich in vitamin C. In the UK the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 has made it illegal to gather Crithmum maritimum plants from the wild.

The etymological root of the binomial name Crithmum is thought to come from the ancient Greek word krithmon meaning ‘barley’, as its seeds are similar to that plant. Maritimum is from the Latin meaning ‘near by the sea’, referring to this plants preferred growing location.

The landscape architect may find Crithmum maritimum useful as an attractive native plant for inclusion in a rock garden planting scheme. It is also very suitable for planting in maritime conditions.

Crithmum maritimum Leaf (28/07/2014, Botanique National de Brest, France)

Ecologically, Crithmum maritimum flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Crithmum maritimum prefers moist, sandy, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil including very alkaline soils. It will tolerate nutritionally poor soils. It will tolerate saline soils.

Crithmum maritimum requires little maintenance.

Astrantia major ‘Hadspen Blood’

Astrantia ‘Hadspen Blood’ (16/06/2014, Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye, Scotland)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 75cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Apiaceae

Astrantia major ‘Hadspen Blood’ is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. The mid green leaves are palmate with doubly serrate margins, up to 15cm long and 15cm broad. Its fragrant red/ purple flowers are umbrella-shaped, bristly, up to 3cm across.

Astrantia ‘Hadspen Blood’ Flower (16/06/2014, Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye, Scotland)

The species Astrantia major, commonly known as the Great Masterwort, Melancholy Gentleman or Hattie’s Pincushion, is native to Europe and western Asia. In its native habitat it is found in mountain meadows, grasslands, forests, clearings and beside streams. Astrantia major ‘Hadspen Blood’ is synonymous with Astrantia ‘Hadspen Blood’

The etymological root of the binomial name Astrantia is derived from the Latin astrum ’star’, referring to the star shaped flower umbels. Major is derived from the Latin meaning ‘greater’. Rubra is from the Latin meaning ‘red’.

The landscape architect may find Astrantia major ‘Hadspen Blood’ useful on the banks of riparian planting schemes including lakes an streams. It is also suitable for use as part of a prairie type planting schemes. It is a suitable perennial for us a part of a mixed herbaceous planting scheme.

Ecologically, Astrantia major ‘Hadspen Blood’ flowers are attractive to pollinating beetles and other insects.

Astrantia ‘Hadspen Blood’ Leaf (16/06/2014, Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye, Scotland)

Astrantia major ‘Hadspen Blood’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Astrantia major ‘Hadspen Blood’ requires little maintenance. The flowering stems may be cut back as they start to turn brown to encourage further flowering. Large clumps may be divided in spring, although they may take some time to establish as they do not like to have their roots disturbed.