CLEOME, Spider Flower, Spider Legs, Grandfather's Whiskers, Cats Whiskers.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine, vol. 40, 1814

CLEOME SPINOSA.  PRICKLY CLEOME.

Class and Order.

TETRADYNAMIA SILIQUOSA

This is undoubtedly the same plant that is described and figured by WILLDENOW, under the name of CLEOME  pungens, in his Hortus Berolinenfis ( Berolini, Apud G. Reimer,1827-33); but we see no reason to support it to be distinct from CLEOME spinosa of Linnaeus.
The author himself observes that they are very similar, but that this differs in being more lofty and in having constantly five, never seven, leaflets, and in being clammy. But the latter circumstance is particularly mentioned by JACQUIN, in his description of spinosa; and Mr. Anderson assures us, that the leaves of our plant, when young and vigorous, had frequently seven leaflets. As to the height there is no remarkable difference in his account and that of JACQUIN, if there were any weight in such a distinction.
Though generally considered as annual and indeed usually flowering the first year, yet in our stoves [Ref 1] it is a perennial, or at least a biennial, and blooms perfectly in the second year.
Native of the West Indies. Cultivated by MILLER before the year 1731. Flowers in July and August. Propagated by seeds, and is constantly kept in the stove [Ref 1]. Our drawing was taken at Mr. VERE'S at Kengsington-Gore, in July, 1812.

[Ref 1] Stove: To keep warm, in a house or room, by artificial heat; as, to stove orange trees. 

The older varieties blooms do have an offensive smell, self seed all over the place, are tall and leggy and have thorns.
The more modern cultivars perform really well have a pleasant slight mint scent or none at all, they are thorn free and are little more compact, some are sterile.
Technically a annual but sometimes can last two seasons around here depending on the severity of the winter and spring frosts.
Cleome are great lookers in the perennial border with its attractive blooms and foliage, and give extra height to the back of the border. Blooms are sun fast and plants and blooms handle the summer heat well. These are visually high impact plants that can be planted in mass for a very small cost. Keep water up to them in high heat like today 33°C + (At the time I wrote this)

My advice is "Give them a home"!!! you will not regret it.

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter.

Read More

Autumn Blooming Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert'

Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert' is a exquisite Japanese anemone variety with large silky white single flowers with those amazingly  contrasting yellow centre rings of stamens. Graceful blooms that change with age are on long branching stems over an attractive foliage of dark green leaves. Its fine qualities have won it the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. Anemones or as they are sometime known as windflowers  give borders a welcome boost in late summer and early autumn. This woodland plant has quickly established itself at the newly replanted perennial border at Queen Elisabeth Park, Masterton, several well growing clumps are creating a fantastic display signalling that Autumn is well a truly here!!  Grows to a height of 120cm-150cm.(48"-60"). Japanese anemones once established they are super easy to grow, the plant enjoys well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Spread compost and mulch around the plants each year,we use sheep pellets to help create a humus rich soil that we know they appreciate. In a few weeks time the plants dark green leaves will turn an orangey red colour which had to the Autumn tones.

Anemone × hybrida is a hybrid of Anemone hupehensis var. japonica and Anemone vitifolia both plants from South West China and are species of flowering herbaceous perennials in the Ranunculaceae family. Honorine Jobert' is an old garden hybrid discovered in Verdun, France in 1858. All Japanese anemones are great for cutting.

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter.

Read More

Sisyrinchium striatum, Companion planting for Bearded Irises

Sisyrinchium striatum, common name is 'Satin Flower' and is a member of the Iridaceae family. A great inexpensive companion plant for Bearded and Siberian irises. Upright narrow grey green leaves are sword like and evergreen.  Creamy blooms with dark yellow centers rise above foliage on multiple spikes . These adaptable South American wildflowers tolerate a wide range of conditions and naturalize easily. The late spring early summer blossoms each open for just one day with the morning sun and close at dusk but this short individual blooming is compensated by a long succession of blooms. Rarely do the blooms open on cloudy days. Flower stems grow to 60 cm (24")
Grows in moderately fertile to poor, neutral to slightly alkaline soil that is well-drained and in a full sun position. Drought tolerant once established. Its biggest problem is its untidy spent foliage which is overcome by dividing this plant every second year which seems to keep it looking good and dividing ensures good flowering. A high yield plant in many ways and generally pest free.

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter.

 

Read More

Helianthus angustifolius GOLD LACE

Just a little diversion from irises is the swamp sunflower, Helianthus angustifolius 'Gold Lace'
In late summer it becomes a bold fountain of golden daisy's that brightens up the garden. Has a fine textured foliage throughout the season, it's basically a very narrow leaved sunflower and we grow it because it is attractive with lots of carrying power in the garden but also it is a big time bee and butterfly magnet, they just love it! With a long hot drought this season this plant has had a love affair with the hose.

Grow Helianthus angustifolius in full sun and average to moist soil. The prefers consistent moisture while establishing, but becomes mildly drought tolerant once established. Can be grown of a wide variety of regions Height 100cm (39")

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter.

Read More

Anemone X hybrida, 'Max Vogel’' . Ranunculaceae

Anemone x hybrida 'Max Vogel'. Ranunculaceae
At home growing in a full sun position this woodland plant has become firmly established, blooming at it's best with a fantastic display signalling that Autumn is well a truly here!! Commonly called the Japanese Anemone it is a hybrid between two species one being A.hupehensis, growing taller than the species 120cm-150cm.(48"-60"). The term Japanese anemone is misleading. A. hupehensis is actually a native of Hupeh province in Eastern China. Once established its super easy to grow.

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.

Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter

Read More