Bergenia purpurascens

Bergenia purpurascens (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full sun to shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 40cm

Eventual Spread: 40cm

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

Family: Saxifragaceae

Bergenia purpurascens is a clump forming, evergreen herbaceous perennial. Its leathery leaves are erect, oval, dark green in summer becoming beetroot red in winter months. The dark pink hermaphrodite flowers are cone shaped and produced in spring. They are produced on a stem similar in colour to a rhubarb stalk. The roots of this plant are rhizomatous and will spread slowly.

Bergenia purpurascens, commonly known as Purple Bergenia, Chinese Bergenia or Elephant Ears, is native to central Asia.

The etymological root of the binomial name Bergenia was named after Karl August von Bergen, an 18th century German physician and botanist. Purpurascens is derived from the Latin purpureus ‘purple’ and essentia ‘essence’.

Bergenia purpurascens leaf (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

The landscape architect may find Bergenia purpurascens useful as an effective low growing, evergreen, ground cover plant, particularly in shady, cool locations. Once established this plant will tolerate short periods of drought and exposed conditions.

Ecologically Bergenia purpurascens is attractive to bees and butterflies who pollinate the plant.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Bergenia purpurascens their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Bergenia purpurascens prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate poor soils.

Bergenia purpurascens requires little maintenance. Large clumps of this plant may be divided in autumn or spring.

Jarava ichu

Jarava ichu flower (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Mid summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1m

Eventual Spread: 50cm

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

Family: Poaceae

Jarava ichu is an upright, clumped, perennial, semi-evergreen grass. Its light green foliage foliage is stiff and finely textured. In late autumn the foliage becomes golden in colour and persists through the winter months. The flowers of  the plant are produced in masses of pendulous silvery feather like flowers, which are long, narrow and fluffy in appearance. These persist through the winter months.

Jarava ichu (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Jarava ichu, commonly known as Peruvian Feather Grass or Peruvian Needle Grass, is native to Central America and north South America,west South America and south South America.. Jarava ichu is synonymous with Stipa ichu.

The etymological root of the binomial name Jarava is named after Juan de Jarava, a Spanish physician and naturalist. Ichu is derived from the Peruvian name for a number of grass-like plants, Ichu Quechua.

The landscape architect may find Jarava ichu useful as part of a prairie style planting scheme. It looks fantastic when planted en mass. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.

Ecologically Jarava ichu is of little benefit in the UK.

Jarava ichu prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate waterlogged soils.

Jarava ichu requires little maintenance. To give this plant a tidy appearance the old flowering heads may be removed in early spring, ahead of the new spring growth. Large clumps of this grass may be divided an propagated during early spring.

Leucojum aestivum

Leucojum aestivum flower (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full sun to dappled shade

Flowering period: Late winter, early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 50cm

Eventual Spread: 20cm

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

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Leucojum aestivum is a bulbous, tufted perennial plant. Its leaves are narrow, strap shaped and grey/ green in colour. The stem is up to 60cm long with two sharp denticulate edges. The hermaphrodite, pendant flowers are bell shaped, mildly fragrant and 2.5cm across. They have yellow/ green spots at the end of each of the 6 tepal. The flowers are produced in umbles of between 2 and 5 flowers. These are followed by fleshy seed pods which float, allowing them to be dispersed by flood water.

Leucojum aestivum, commonly known as the Summer Snowflake or the  Loddon Lily, is native to Europe (including the UK) and south west Asia. Its native habitat comprises of damp woodlands, riversides and marshes. It has been cultivated since the 16th Century.

The etymological root of the binomial name Leucojum is derived from the Greek leukos ‘white flesh’ and ion ‘violet’ (Viola odorata). Aestivum is derived from the Latin aestivus ‘appearing in summer’.

Leucojum aestivum (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

The landscape architect may find Leucojum aestivum useful for naturalising in wildflower meadows, or planting under deciduous trees.

Ecologically Leucojum aestivum does not posses any ecological value as all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety Leucojum aestivum ‘Gravetye Giant’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Leucojum aestivum prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate waterlogged soils. It will tolerate drought during the dormant season.

Leucojum aestivum requires little maintenance.