Symphytum grandiflorum ‘Hidcote Pink’

Position: Full sun to shade

Flowering period: Spring to summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 40cm

Eventual Spread: 50cm

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

Family: Boraginaceae

Symphytum grandiflorum ‘Hidcote Pink’, commonly known as Creeping Comfrey ‘Hidcote Pink’, is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming, slowly spreading habit. Its has large mid green leaves are slightly hairy and up to 25cm long. Symphytum grandiflorum is native to the Caucasus region and in its native habit it grows in woodlands and woodland edges. Its pale pink flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, particularly bees. Symphytum grandiflorum ‘Hidcote Pink’ is able to spread to form an effective ground cover plant via its rhizomatous roots. Once introduced this plant may prove difficult to remove.

Symphytum grandiflorum ‘Hidcote Pink’ (05/05/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Symphytum grandiflorum ‘Hidcote Pink’ Flower (05/05/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Landscape Architecture

Hydrophyllum virginianum

Hydrophyllum virginianum (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Dappled shade

Flowering period: Late spring to early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Boraginaceae

Hydrophyllum virginianum is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a spreading habit. Its dark green leaves often have white spots, are pinnate with serrate margins and up to 5 leaflets, 15cm long and 10cm across. Its pale purple/ white flowers are up to 12mm long, appear terminally as dense cymes which are up to 5cm across and 10cm long. Its roots have rhizomes which aids its spread.

Hydrophyllum virginianum Flower (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Hydrophyllum virginianum, commonly known as Virginia Waterleaf or Eastern Waterleaf, is native to east North America. In its native habitat it grows in deciduous woodlands and clearings.

The etymological root of the binomial name Hydrophyllum is derived from the Greek hydro meaning ‘water’ and phylum meaning ‘leaf’. Virginianum is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Virginia, USA’.

Hydrophyllum virginianum Leaf (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Hydrophyllum virginianum useful as a deciduous ground cover perennial with attractive late spring to early summer flowers.

Ecologically, Hydrophyllum virginianum flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, including bees.

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

Hydrophyllum virginianum requires little maintenance.



Landscape Architecture

Mertensia virginica

Mertensia virginica (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 45cm

Hardiness: 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Boraginaceae

Mertensia virginica is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its leaves die to ground level during its dormant season in the summer months. Its green/ blue leaves are ovate with entire margins, up to 8cm long and 4cm across. Its blue flowers emerge from pink flower buds, are tubular, up to 2cm long and appear terminally.

Mertensia virginica Flower (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Mertensia virginica, commonly known as Virginia Bluebells or Virginia Cowslip, is native to east North America. In its native habitat it grows at deciduous woodland edges and openings and river floodplains. Mertensia virginica is synonymous with Mertensia pulmonarioides.

The etymological root of the binomial name Mertensia is named after Franz Karl Mertens (1764-1831), a German botanist. Virginica is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Virginia, USA’.

The landscape architect may find Mertensia virginica useful as an attractive groundcover deciduous perennial, suitable for light shade.

Ecologically, Mertensia virginica flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, particularly butterflies and moths.

Mertensia virginica Leaf (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society have given Mertensia virginica their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

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

Mertensia virginica requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided during its dormant period.



Landscape Architecture