Alyssoides utriculata

Alyssoides utriculata (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late Spring to early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained, sandy

Eventual Height: 25cm

Eventual Spread: 25cm

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

Family: Brassicaceae

Alyssoides utriculata is an evergreen perennial with a low growing mounded habit. Its mid green leaves are oblanceolate with entire margins, up to 5cm long and 8mm across. Its fragrant yellow flowers appear as a terminal raceme. Its fruit appear as spherical, bladder like, seed pods.

Alyssoides utriculata Flower (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Alyssoides utriculata, commonly known as Bladder pod, is native to the mountainous regions of Europe, including the Alps and those of the Balkans. In its native habitat it grows in alpine regions on dry rocky slopes.

The etymological root of the binomial name Alyssoides is named after another genus of plant Alyssum and the epithet -oides meaning ‘resembling’. Utriculata is derived from the Latin utriculus meaning ‘wine skin’, in reference to the shape of the seed.

The landscape architect may find Alyssoides utriculata useful as a low growing, spring flowering plant suitable for rock gardens. Once established this plant is drought tollerant.

Alyssoides utriculata Leaf (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically,  Alyssoides utriculata flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Alyssoides utriculata prefers moist, sandy, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Alyssoides utriculata requires little maintenance.



Landscape Architecture

Pachyphragma macrophyllum

Pachyphragma macrophyllum (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade (shade in the summer)

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

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

Family: Brassicaceae

Pachyphragma macrophyllum is a semi evergreen herbaceous perennial with a spreading habit. Its dark green leaves are ovate to rounded with scalloped margins. Its leaves become purple tinted in winter Its white flowers are up to 15mm across and appear on erect stems above its leaves. Its roots are stolons which aids its slow spread.

Pachyphragma macrophyllum Flower (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Pachyphragma macrophyllum, commonly known as Caucasian Penny Cress or Pachyphragma, is native form Turkey to Iran. In its native habitat it grows in damp deciduous woodlands.

The etymological root of the binomial name Pachyphragma is derived from the Greek pachys meaning ‘thick’ and phragma, meaning ‘screen’, in reference to its fruit structure. Macrophyllum is derived from the Latin macro meaning ‘large’ and phyllus meaning ‘leaf’.

The landscape architect may find Pachyphragma macrophyllum useful as a low growing weed suppressing ground cover plant. It is suitable for planting under deciduous tree where it receives dappled sun during its active growth period in spring. Once established the perennial is drought tolerant.

Pachyphragma macrophyllum Leaf (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Pachyphragma macrophyllum flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Pachyphragma macrophyllum prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate dry soils.

Pachyphragma macrophyllum requires little maintenance.

Crambe cordifolia

Crambe cordifolia (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 2m

Eventual Spread: 2m

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

Family: Brassicaceae

Crambe cordifolia is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump form habit. Its dark green leaves are cordate with wavy entire margins, up to 30cm long and 20cm broad. Its white flowers are up to 15mm across and appear en mass above its leaves. Its roots are deep which enable this plant to resist drought.

Crambe cordifolia, commonly known as Greater Sea Kale, Heartleaf Crambe or Flowering Sea Kale, is native to the Caucasus region.

Crambe cordifolia Flower (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Crambe is derived from the ancient Greek Krambh, the name given for a cabbage like plant. Cordifolia is derived from the Latin, meaning ‘heart-shaped leaf’.

The landscape architect may find Crambe cordifolia useful as a large herbaceous perennial, possibly as part of a cottage style planting scheme. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Crambe cordifolia flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Crambe cordifolia Leaf (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Crambe cordifolia their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Crambe cordifolia prefers moist, deep, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Crambe cordifolia requires little maintenance. To keep a tidy appearance the plant may be cut back to ground level in autumn.