Lathyrus odoratus ‘Kingfisher’ was introduced in 1993 by Peter Grayson. This Grandiflora sweet pea produces attractive, pastel violet-blue coloured flowers.
In the UK, we can sow Lathyrus odoratus ‘Kingfisher’ seeds from September through until April, which gives us plenty of opportunities to grow these wonderful plants! Lathyrus odoratus ‘Kingfisher’ is a tall climbing plant that requires a wigwam or support frame to grow up.
Rosa ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ (Ausernie) is an English Shrub Rose that was bred by David Austin Roses. This rose was launched at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show 2022. Rosa ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ was named in honour of the famous Morecambe and Wise song, Bring Me Sunshine. I adore the scent of this pretty rose’s flowers. Bring Me Sunshine produces large-sized, fully double flowers in a delightfully soft yellow colour.
Rosa ‘Elizabeth’ (Ausmajesty) is an English Shrub Rose that was bred by David Austin Roses. This rose was launched at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show 2022. Named in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; David Austin’s ‘Elizabeth’ rose was released in May 2022 – to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Rosa ‘Elizabeth’ grows up to around 1.4m (4.5ft) tall; forming a shrub that extends to around 1.4m (4.5ft) wide.
Basil is probably my favourite herb. There are a stunning selection of basil varieties available, each with their own flavour. Different basil types each have their charm and depending on the variety will produce tiny, small, medium, or extra-large sized leaves. I adore the flavour of a vast array of basil varieties, and I really enjoy growing basil from seed and cuttings.
Primula veris is also known as the Cowslip. Primula veris is very pretty perennial that holds a special place in many people’s hearts, reminding us of country walks and the beauty of nature. Primula veris is a commonly seen wildflower throughout Europe – being known and loved by so many – I am certain this lovely plant has many more common names.
In the UK, Sambucus nigra is known as Elder. These small trees and shrubs must have many common names, as they’re a wild plant that frequents many countries across Europe, as well as places as far afield as Western Asia and North Africa. Sambucus nigra is a deciduous plant with green pinnate foliage. In late spring and early summertime, Sambucus nigra produces huge flat circles of cream coloured, scented flowers that are popular with insects.
Lonicera periclymenum is a gorgeous plant. This is an easy-going climber that’s very eager to grow. Plants confidently cover fences and archways, weaving their magic as they stitch hedgerows together. Lonicera periclymenum is a wild plant of many European countries. With so many people feeling connected to this lovely plant there are likely to be a multitude of common names for Lonicera periclymenum; in the UK it’s often known as Honeysuckle.
Rosa rugosa ‘Alba’ is the white flowered form of Rosa rugosa.
I adore roses. I grow Rosa rugosa ‘Alba’ in my own garden. My garden is very small, which limits the number of plants I can grow; accordingly, every plant in my garden really does have to earn their place and is constantly under review! I’ve included Rosa rugosa ‘Alba in my personal little oasis because this is a tough and resilient, naturally healthy rose that produces gorgeous flowers with pollen that’s accessible to bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other insects.
Rosa ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (Dictwix) is an award-winning rose that was launched in 2021. This superb new rose was bred by Colin Dickson, from Dickson Roses, in Newtownards, Northern Ireland.
Roses UK unveiled ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ as the winner of the prestigious Rose of the Year 2022 Competition in celebrations at Stockton Bury Gardens, in Herefordshire.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is a floribunda rose.
Here’s another superb rose that was bred by David Austin Roses. Rosa ‘Wild Edric’ is an English Shrub Rose. This is a beautiful rose to grow as a hedge – if I was planting a rose hedge, ‘Wild Edric’ would be the rose I’d choose. Having said that, Rosa ‘Wild Edric’ also makes a fantastic plant to grow in garden beds and borders.
Alliaria petiolata is a commonly found wildflower in Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. Whenever its foliage is bruised, crushed, or trampled, this plant’s leaves release a scent that’s reminiscent of garlic; as a consequence, in the UK, Alliaria petiolata is often called Garlic Mustard, or Hedge Garlic. Another common name for Alliaria petiolata is Jack-by-the hedge, which reflects one of this plant’s habitats and Alliaria petiolata’s prominence as a plant that lines our hedgerows.
Primula vulgaris are low growing, perennials that form basal rosette shaped plants, made up of beautifully textured, wrinkled, obovate leaves. These small plants are generally known as primroses. Primula vulgaris are popular wild flowers; they’re often found growing in gardens, the countryside, and in urban areas across Europe. Primroses are hardy; plants will happily survive temperatures down as low as -20C (-4F), and probably lower.
Narcissus ‘Bright Jewel’ is a brightly coloured daffodil with yellow petals and a red-orange trumpet. This is a really vibrantly coloured flower that stands out across the garden.
I love scented flowers, so I was happy to discover that Narcissus ‘Bright Jewel’ produces lightly scented flowers with a delicate, yet pleasing fragrance. The scent has a definite hint of aniseed to its perfume – this aniseed character was something I was struck by, each time I encountered Narcissus ‘Bright Jewel’ in the garden.
Maxillaria acutifolia is a small and compact orchid species from: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Leeward Islands, Mexico, Venezula, Trinidad and Tobago. From winter to springtime, mature Maxillaria acutifolia plants produce these very cute yellow-orange coloured flowers, which are fragrant and have a nice scent. The blooms are held low down at the base of the plant, underneath the leaves; however the blooms aren’t completely obscured and the flowers can be easily admired.
Hesperis matronalis is a short lived perennial or biennial that’s often known as Sweet Rocket or Dame’s Violet. These lovely plants are very easy to grow; they really are super plants to grow in your garden. Hesperis matronalis are hardy throughout the UK and they’re also drought tolerant, too. Plants will grow in any soil, apart from waterlogged soils; so avoid sowing these seeds on wet ground.
Hesperis matronalis var. albiflora is a short lived perennial or biennial plant that is often known as Sweet Rocket or Dame’s Violet. These lovely plants are very easy to grow, they’re nice things to have around. Hesperis matronalis var. albiflora plants are hardy throughout the UK and they’re also pretty drought tolerant, too. Plants will grow in any soil, apart from waterlogged soils, so avoid sowing these seed on wet ground.
Tomato ‘Irish Gardener’s Delight’ (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Irish Gardener’s Delight’) is an intermediate (cordon) tomato that produces these wonderfully glossy red fruits. These tomatoes are a bright and cheerful, pillar box red; ‘Irish Gardener’s Delight’ is a proper red tomato!
In the UK, from February to April, ‘Irish Gardener’s Delight’ tomato seeds can be sown inside a warm glasshouse, polytunnel, conservatory, or on a particularly bright and sunny windowsill.
Tomato ‘Flamingo’ (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Flamingo’) is an intermediate (cordon) tomato that produces these rather lovely mini plum tomatoes in a quaint cherry-red colour.
From February to April (in the UK), ‘Flamingo’ tomato seeds can be sown inside a warm glasshouse, polytunnel, conservatory, or on a particularly bright and sunny windowsill. When sowing tomato seeds and growing seedlings on, it’s important to be able to provide your plants with sufficient light (ideally from above), as bright light is needed to produce strong stocky plants and prevent your plants from becoming leggy.
Tomato ‘Rosella’ (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Rosella’) is an intermediate (cordon) tomato that produces these stunning burnished mahogany coloured, cherry tomatoes. Given sufficient warmth and light, ‘Rosella’ tomatoes are easily raised from seed. ‘Rosella’ tomato plants will thrive grown inside a glasshouse, polytunnel, or conservatory.
Once all risk of frost has passed, (from the end of May until the middle of June – in the UK) ‘Rosella’ tomatoes can also be grown outside in gardens or allotments, where they grow happily planted beds and borders, or in raised beds or containers.
Aerangis articulata is a miniature orchid species from Madagascar and the Comoros Islands. These handsome orchids produce very decorative, pendent snow-white flowers.
This orchid species grows as an epiphyte. Epiphytic plants grow upon another plant; these orchids are not parasitic – they don’t take any nutrients or sustenance from the host plant they grow upon. Growing as an epiphyte is a useful strategy for this orchid species; Aerangis articulata plants benefit from the improved growing conditions and better air circulation that their host plants provide them with.
