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Archive | July, 2013

Meconopsis horridula

31 Jul

Meconopsis horridula (23/06/2013, Kew Garden, London)

Position: Dappled shade

Flowering period: Late spring to early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1m

Eventual Spread: 45cm

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

Family: Papaveraceae

Meconopsis horridula is a deciduous monocarpic (flowers then dies) plant. Its mid green leaves are lanceolate to elliptical with entire margins, up to 20cm long, 25mm broad and appear as a basal rosette. Its stems, leaves and pedicels have spines on their surface. Its blue terminal flowers have four petals and are up to 8cm across. Its fruit is an erect green spiny oblong to elliptic pod. Its roots are fleshy taproot.

Meconopsis horridula, commonly known as the Prickly Blue Poppy, is native to south eat Tibet and central and eastern Himalayas and west China. In its native habitat it grows on rocky ground and grassy slopes at an altitude of between 3,100m – 6,000m.

The etymological root of the binomial name Meconopsis is derived from the Greek meaning ‘Poppy like’. Horridula is derived from the Latin horridum meaning ‘ bristly’.

Meconopsis horridula Flower (23/06/2013, Kew Garden, London)

The landscape architect may find Meconopsis horridula useful as a part of a woodland understory planting scheme. This plant prefers a shelters location. Due to its monocarpic nature it will need to be replanted every couple of years, unless it successfully self seeds. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Meconopsis horridula is attractive to pollinating insects.

Meconopsis horridula prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It prefers a neutral to acid pH of soil.

Meconopsis horridula requires little maintenance.

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Categories deciduous, Drought tolerant, garden, Herbaceous, Meconopsis horridula, Plant of the Week, plants, Prickly Blue Poppy, Shade Tolerant, Summer interest

Astrantia major ‘Rubra’

30 Jul

Astrantia major ‘Rubra’ (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Summer to autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 50cm

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

Family: Apiaceae

Astrantia major ‘Rubra’ is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. The mid green leaves are palmate with doubly serrate margins, up to 15cm long and 15cm broad. Its fragrant pink flowers are umbrella-shaped, bristly, up to 3cm across.

Astrantia major ‘Rubra’ Flower (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The species Astrantia major, commonly known as the Great Masterwort, Melancholy Gentleman or Hattie’s Pincushion, is native to Europe and Western Asia. In its native habitat it is found in mountain meadows, grasslands, forests, clearings and beside streams.

The etymological root of the binomial name Astrantia is derived from the Latin astrum ’star’, referring to the star shaped flower umbels. Major is derived from the Latin meaning ‘greater’. Rubra is from the Latin meaning ‘red’.

The landscape architect may find Astrantia major ‘Rubra’ useful on the banks of riparian planting schemes including lakes an streams. It is also suitable for use as part of a woodland or prairie type planting schemes.

Astrantia major ‘Rubra’ Leaf (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Astrantia major ‘Rubra’ flowers are attractive to some beetles (as they pollinate it), and other insects.

Astrantia major ‘Rubra’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Astrantia major ‘Rubra’ requires little maintenance. The flowering stems may be cut back as they start to turn brown to encourage further flowering. Large clumps may be divided in spring, although they may take some time to establish as they do not like to have their roots disturbed.

Landscape Architecture

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Categories Astrantia major 'Rubra', deciduous, garden, Great Masterwort, Herbaceous, Perennial, Plant of the Week, plants, Summer interest

Rosa mulliganii

29 Jul

Rosa mulliganii (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 9m

Eventual Spread: 6m

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

Family: Rosaceae

Rosa mulliganii is a vigorous deciduous or semi-evergreen climbing Rose. Its glossy dark green leaves are compound pinnate with up to 7 leaflets. Its individual leaflets are narrowly ovate with serrulate margins, up to 10cm long an 4cm broad. Its stems are very thorny which enables this Rose to climb. Its white fragrant flowers are single, up to 5cm across and appear in panicles of up to 15. Its fruit is a shiny red/ orange hip and appears in the autumn.

Rosa mulliganii Flower (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Rosa mulliganii, commonly known as the Mulligan Rose, is native to China. In its native habit it grows in thickets.

The etymological root of the binomial name Rosa is from the ancient Latin term for the rose. Mulliganii is named after Brian Mulligan, a past assistant to the Director at Wisley.

The landscape architect may find Rosa mulliganii useful as an attractive climbing rose, grown against walls or structures and can be used to screen unsightly objects.

Ecologically, Rosa mulliganii flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. The hips are attractive to birds and some mammals. This shrub also provides a suitable nesting site for numerous birds.