Gomphostigma virgatum

Gomphostigma virgatum (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 2m

Eventual Spread: 2m

Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Gomphostigma virgatum is an evergreen shrub with a vase shaped, bushy habit . Its silver/ green leaves are lanceolate with entire margins, up t0 4cm long and 5mm broad. Its fragrant white flowers are star shaped and up to 2cm across.

Gomphostigma virgatum Flower (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Gomphostigma virgatum, commonly known as River Star, Otterbush or Besembossie, is native to South Africa and Zimbabwe. In its native habitat it grows at the edge of streams and wet places.

The etymological root of the binomial name Gomphostigma is derived from the Greek gompho meaning ‘a club’ and stigma, a flower part. Virgatum is from the Latin meaning ‘made of twigs’.

The landscape architect may find Gomphostigma virgatum useful as a marginal flowering shrub, with faintly fragrant flowers.

Ecologically, Gomphostigma virgatum flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Gomphostigma virgatum Leaf (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Gomphostigma virgatum prefers wet, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate a water depth of up to 6cm.

Gomphostigma virgatum requires little maintenance. It may be cut back in early spring to encourage a bushy habit.

Lathraea clandestina

 

Lathraea clandestina (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to shade (on the roots of Populus and Salix)

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 20cm

Eventual Spread: 30cm

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

Family: Orobanchaceae (Scrophulariaceae)

Lathraea clandestina is a deciduous parasitic plant living on the roots of Populus and Salix.. This plant completely lacks chlorophyll and does not have any above ground green leaves. Its purple flowers appear solitary on erect stems. Its flowers are protocarnivorous (it traps and kills insects but does not digest the insect). Its fruit are seed capsules which explode spreading its 5mm seeds. Watercourses also aid the spread of its seeds. Its roots attached themselves to the roots of specific trees.

Lathraea clandestina, commonly known as Purple Toothwort, is native to central and south Europe. It has become naturalised in the UK.

The etymological root of the binomial name Lathraea is derived from the Greek laqraios meaning ‘covert’, in reference to the roots of this plant. Clandestina is derived from the Latin clandestinus meaning ‘hidden’, once again in reference to this plants roots.

The landscape architect may find Lathraea clandestina useful for naturalising on the roots of Populus and Salix, providing a carpet of purple flowers in spring.

Ecologically, Lathraea clandestina flowers are attractive to polinating insects, although this plant kills its pollinators.

Lathraea clandestina prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Lathraea clandestina requires little maintenance.

Buddleja crispa

Buddleja crispa (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 3.5m

Eventual Spread: 4m

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

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Buddleja crispa is a slow growing deciduous shrub with a bushy arching habit . Its hairy grey/ green leaves are ovate to lanceolate with dentate margins, up to 12cm long and 4.5cm broad. Its purple fragrant flowers appear in terminal panicles, up to 10cm long and 5cm broad.

Buddleja crispa Flower (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Buddleja crispa, commonly known as the Himalayan Butterfly Bush, is native to  the Himalayas region, including north India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and south China. In its native habitat it grows in rocky slopes, exposed cliffs and thickets.

The etymological root of the binomial name Buddleja is named after Adam Buddle (1662-1715), an English botanist. Crispa is from the Latin meaning ‘wrinkled’, in reference to its leaves.

The landscape architect may find Buddleja crispa useful as a fragrant summer flowering shrub. This plant is most successful when grown against a wall. Once established this shrub is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Buddleja crispa flowers are very attractive to nectar loving insects and birds.

Buddleja crispa Leaf (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

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

Buddleja crispa requires little maintenance. Formative pruning may be carried out in March.