Darmera peltata

Darmera peltata (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun too light shade

Flowering period: Late spring

Soil: Moist, poorly drained

Eventual Height: 1.5m

Eventual Spread: 1m

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

Family: Saxifragaceae

Darmera peltata Flower (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Darmera peltata is a deciduous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its dark green leaves are rounded, deeply lobed, with doubly serrate margins and up to 45cm across. Its leaves turn red in autumn before they wither. Its pink/ white flowers are up to 15mm across, appear as cymes on tall stems and appear just before the leaves. Its roots are rhizomes which aids its spread.

Darmera peltata (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Darmera peltata, commonly known as Giant Cup, Umbrella Plant or Indian Rhubarb, is native to western USA. In its native habitat it grows on mountain stream sides in woodland. Darmera peltata is the only species within this genus.

The etymological root of the binomial name Darmera is named after Karl Darmer (1843 1918), a German horticulturist. Peltata is derived from the Latin pelta meaning ‘crescent shaped shield’, in reference to its leaves.

The landscape architect may find Darmera peltata useful as a marginal plant in damp or bogy areas.

Darmera peltata Leaf (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Darmera peltata flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Darmera peltata their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Darmera peltata prefers moist, fertile, poorly drained to boggy soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.

Darmera peltata requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in spring.

Landscape Architecture

Hemerocallis fulva

Hemerocallis fulva (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Early summer to autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1m

Eventual Spread: 50cm

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

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae

Hemerocallis fulva is a deciduous (evergreen in milder climates) herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its mid green leaves are strap shaped, arching and up to 90cm long and 25mm broad. It’s yellow to red flowers are trumpet shaped, up to 10cm across, appear on naked stems above the leaves in groups of up to 20. Its flowers last for only one day, hence the common name. Its fruit is a capsule which is up to 25mm long and 15mm broad. Its roots are tuberous which aids its slow spread.

Hemerocallis fulva, commonly known as the Orange Daylily, Tawny Daylily,  Tiger Daylily or Ditch Daylily, is native to large pats of Asia, from the Caucasus to Japan. In its native habitat it grows in forest thickets, stream sides and grasslands. This perennial is considered to be an invasive species in parts of the USA and Canada. Parts of this perennial are toxic to cattle and sheep.

The etymological root of the binomial name Hemerocallis is derived from the Greek amera meaning ‘day’ and kellos meaning ‘beauty’. Fulva is derived from the Latin fulvus meaning ‘reddish yellow; yellow’.

The landscape architect may find Hemerocallis fulva useful as a low growing ground cover and works well when planted en mass. Due to this plants tuberous roots it may be used to stabilise banks. This plant will tolerate atmospheric pollution and is not attractive deer to rabbits. It is drought tolerant once established.

Ecologically, Hemerocallis fulva is attractive to pollinating insects.

Hemerocallis fulva Flower (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

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

Hemerocallis fulva requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in late autumn or spring.

Sambucus nigra ‘Black Beauty’

Sambucus nigra ‘Black Beauty’ (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Early Summer

Eventual Height: 4m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Adoxaceae

Sambucus nigra ‘Black Beauty’ is a deciduous shrub with a bushy habit. Its dark purple leaves are pinnate with five leaflets which are lanceolate with serrate margins, up to 12cm long and 5cm broad. It musk scented pink, hermaphroditic flowers appear in panicles which are up to 20cm across. Its fruit are spherical, glossy and black.

The species Sambucus nigra, commonly known as Elderberry, is native to Europe (including the UK), north Africa and south west Asia. Sambucus nigra ‘Black Beauty’ is synonymous with Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla ‘Gerda’.

The etymological root of the binomial name Sambucus is the ancient Latin name for this plant, possibly derived from sambuca – the Latin name of a musical instrument made from the wood of the elderberry. Nigra is from the Latin meaning ‘black’.

The landscape architect may find Sambucus nigra ‘Black Beauty’  useful as a dark leaved shrub, possibly as a back foil to other plants. In order to retain a tidy appearance this shrub should be pruned hard on a regular basis.

Sambucus nigra ‘Black Beauty’ Leaf (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Sambucus nigra ‘Black Beauty’ is attractive to pollinating insects. It berries are attractive to numerous birds and mammals.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Sambucus nigra ‘Black Beauty’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2012.

Sambucus nigra ‘Black Beauty’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate chalky soils.

Sambucus nigra ‘Black Beauty’ requires little to no care. This plant can withstand a hard pruning which should bee carried out in spring.

Landscape Architecture