Plant Information

Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria)

about

Kidney Vetch is a widespread Perennial most commonly found growing locally on calcareous grassland, dry banks, sand dunes and coastal cliffs.

The bright yellow flowers are kidney shaped woolly and quite distinctive and borne in pairs on leafy stems. They are a rich source of nectar for many insects from May to September. The leaves are pairs of leaflets with a silky-hairy underside

Kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria) is the sole food plant for the Larvae of Britain’s smallest butterfly, the aptly named Small Blue (Cupido minimus) found in southern and central counties

In the garden

When introducing Kidney vetch from plugs or pots, ensure good drainage if needed, by adding sharp sand to the soil in the planting hole and around the area of the base of the plant.

Plant Information

Name: Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria)
Group: Fabaceae (pea family)
Type: Perennial
Similar appearance to:
Flowering: May to September
Position: Sun, calcareous grassland,
Height: around 30-40cm
Larval food plant: Small Blue (Cupido minimus)
Nectar plant: Common Blue,Bees
Photograph: 26th May 2015
Location: Growing in my Garden

Oxlip (primula elatior)

about

Oxlip (primula elatior) is a spring wildflower of shady sites. It is not to dissimilar in appearance to another Primula the Cowslip (primula veris) but with paler yellow flowers similar shaped to the Primrose (Primula vulgaris).

Modern agricultural practices and the lack of woodland coppicing have all played their part in restricting the range of where the oxlip can be found growing in the wild. They are now mostly found locally on a small number of sites in East Anglia where they can often seen in large numbers.

habitat

However despite their decline in the wild, Oxlips will grow happily in most gardens that have alkaline soil, preferring a similar shady habitat to the wild Primrose (Primula vulgaris) they can be sown from seed or bought as plug plants

The importance of early spring flowers

Whether growing wild or planted in the garden early wildflowers such as Oxlips and other Primulas which bloom from March to late May, can provide a rich nectar source for early spring Butterflies, Bees and other insects

Oxlip (primula elatior) similar to Cowslips

Oxlip (primula elatior) in the garden March

Plant Information

Name: Oxlip (primula elatior)
Species: Primula
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Also Known As: True Oxlip, Great Cowslip
Where in the wild: locally Suffolk & Cambridgeshire
Habitat: Ancient Woodlands, Shady sites
Soil type: Moist Chalk, Clay, Sand, Loam
When does it flower? March to May.
Height around: 10- 25cm.
Similar to: Cowslip (primula veris), False oxlip (Primula x polyantha)
Larval Food Plant: unknown
Location: Growing in my Garden March 2017

Sweet Williams in a Wildlife Garden

Easy to grow and low maintenance Sweet William is a colourful garden favourite. Often used as a border plant or as annual bedding, it can brighten up any dull patch with fabulous shades of red, pink and white. The attractive blue green leaves also make useful winter ground cover.

Wildlife Garden

Sweet Williams make great plants for a Wildlife garden, planted in full sun they will often flower from May through to August, the bright colours and sweet scented flowers are attractive to a variety of Summer Butterflies, Moths and Bees.

Planting and Growing Sweet William

Sweet William should be planted on a site with full sun and grows best if planted in fairly dry lime or chalky Soils. They are usually grown as an annual or biennial and can be planted singular or as a mass planting of mixed colours and varieties to create a striking display. They are so undemanding that they need no extra feed and will tolerate salty sea spray in coastal areas.

You actually can grow Sweet William as a short lived perennial for 2 or 3 years. Cutting back the old flower stems at the end of each year, will keep the plants strong. It is well worth remembering when cutting back, to leave on just a few of the old flower-heads for the plant to self seed itself. The new seedlings can be thinned out and grown on, to replace older flowers.

Grow from seed as an Annual

To grow Sweet William as an Annual (flower in the same year), the seeds should be planted in March and kept between 12-15 C. After germination the young seedlings can be moved to seed-trays and spaced around 10cm apart. After all frost has passed plant out doors late May-early June in their summer flowering positions.

Grow as an Biennial

It is easier to grow Sweet Williams as a Biennials, as the seed can be sown directly into the ground in a prepared seed-bed in early summer or alternatively buy plants late Summer, these can then be planted in their flowering positions in September or October. Water in until well established. The Sweet Williams will flower June or July of the coming year.

Plant Information

Name: Sweet William or (Dianthus barbatus)
Family: caryophyllaceae
Type: Annual, Biennial, Short lived Perennial
Related to: Carnation, Garden pink
Flowering: May-August
Light: Full sun
Height: around 15-60cm
Soil: well drained, lime or chalky but not acid.
Plant Spacing: 20-25cm standard, 10-15cm Dwarf varieties
Ideal plants for: Wildlife gardens, Cottage garden, Borders, Containers.
Nectar Plant to: Swallowtail, Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Peacock
Photographed: 30th June 2013.

Visit and See the range of Sweet William plants and seeds here at Thompson & Morgan

Snowdrops – Winter Flowering Garden Plants

About

The appearance of the first snowdrops is a sign that spring is not to far away, naturally growing in some areas of Britain they are probably one of the finest sights in late winter, the flowers sometimes even peaking out though a covering of snow.

The most common species of snowdrop, is galanthus nivalis, flowering January to February it can sometimes be found growing wild in woodland in its natural habitat, as well as in many gardens and Parks.

Snowdrop Varieties

Most Snowdrop species and varieties flower from January to March varieties like, Galanthus nivalis, G. caucasicus, G. elwesii, but G. reginae-olgae is different and flowers in October.

Preparation and Planting

All Snowdrops will grow well in just about any type of soil with a little preparation, even if it is heavy or chalky, by digging in plenty of organic matter like well rotted compost or leaf-mould. Add some course sand to improve drainage on particularly heavy soils.

When planting, the depth of the bulbs, depends on the type of soil. In heavy soils the bulbs should be 5cm deep and in lighter sandy soils 8cm deep. Plant in groups or clumps for the best effect.

Close up of a flowering Snowdrop in Spring

Close up of a Snowdrop in flower

Snowdrops galanthus. sp growing under trees in garden

Snowdrops galanthus. sp growing in garden

Snowdrop Care

Snowdrops require little attention once established, left undisturbed, they will spread quite rapidly, although after several years they may need some thinning out when they become overcrowded.

To give snowdrops a head start and establish them quickly buy bulbs “in the green” they are available from most good garden centres and nurseries. Dried bulbs are a little cheaper but can take far longer to become established, than those already growing in the green.

Plant Information

Name: Snowdrop (galanthus Ssp.)
Colour: White
Type: Native Hardy Bulb
Popular Varieties: G. nivalis, G. elwesii, G. caucasicus, G. plicatus, G. S Arnott, G. reginae-olgae.
Height: 15-30cm
Flowering: January to March
Position: Plant in partial shade under deciduous trees and shrubs.
When to Plant bulbs: October onwards – bulbs In the green February (early Spring)
Soil Type: Most moist well drained soils, enrich with compost when planting
Other early Spring flowers: Wild Primrose (Primula vulgaris)

For more information and availability of Snowdrops ‘in the green’ Visit Thompson & Morgan Here

Wild Marjoram for a Wildflower or Butterfly Garden

about

Wild Marjoram or Oregano is an attractive aromatic herb, with clusters of purple/pink flowers that appear June to September. The leaves are oval shaped and in pairs on upright stems they can grow up to 40 cm high.

Wild Marjoram (Origarnum vulgare) may be found growing in meadows, along woodland rides, roadside verges and other sunny places mainly on dry calcareous soils in Southern Britain.

Planting Marjoram

Planting Wild Marjoram can make a great addition to any Wildflower or Butterfly Garden, the nectar rich blooms are attractive to many species of Butterfly, as well as Moths, Bees, Hoverflies and many other pollinating insects.

It is also a Caterpillar food plant for the rare British butterfly the Large Blue

Wild Marjoram Flower Head pink and white petals

Close-up of Wild Marjoram Flower Head

Wild Marjoram a wild flower with many small pink and white flowers in July

Wild Marjoram flowering in July

Plant Information

Name: Wild Marjoram (Origarnum vulgare)
Family: Lamiaceae, inc Mint, Deadnettle
Type: Perennial
Also Known As: Oregano, Pot Marjoram
Where: Common and widespread through-out Southern Britain.
Habitat: Often found in – Meadows, woodland rides, Roadside verges and Gardens.
When does it flower? June to September.
Height around: 40cm.
Nectar Plant: Small White (Pieris rapae), Common Blue, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, White-letter Hairstreak (Satyrium w-album), Brown Argus, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, and others, plus Moths and Bees
Caterpillar Food Plant: Large Blue Butterfly (Maculinea arion), Mint Moth (Pyrausta aurata)
Photographed: 1st July 2012

Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor) in Wild Flower Meadows.

about

A yellow flowering annual plant, with thin leaves with round toothed edges, often used in the creation of wildflower meadows.The leaves grow up the stem in pairs, the small tube like yellow flowers point out from the seed casings, which sit in the base of the leaves on the upper part of stem.

The plants name Yellow Rattle is taken from the noise produced by the dry mature seeds, inside the thin papery seed casing, often found around the end of July.

Yellow Rattle is a Hemi-parasitic plant, taking some of the nutrients it needs, by growing into the roots of the grasses that surround it, this weakens and restricts the competing grass growth helping more of its seeds to reach the soil year after year, this restricted growth also helps many other species of wild meadow flowers to become established.

Yellow Rattle in Meadow

Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor) wildflower closeup

Plant Information

Name: Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor)
Group: Orobanchaceae, Broomrape family
Also Known As: Cockscomb, Hay Rattle.
Where: Commonly found through-out Britain
Habitat: Well drained undisturbed areas – Meadows, Road side verges, woodland rides and tracks.
When does it flower? May to September.
Height around: 45cm.
Larval Food Plant: Unknown
Butterfly Nectar Plant for: Common Blue, Brown Argus, Brimstone, Orange tip also very beneficial for Bees and many other insects.
Other parasitic wildflowers: Knapweed Broomrape (orobanche elatior)
Photographed: Castor Hanglands Nature Reserve 21st May 11

Gorse (ulex europaeus)

about

A spiny evergreen shrub, Gorse with its show of strikingly bright yellow flowers, begins to bloom late February, through until late May and sometimes longer, making it stand out in the early months of spring.

Gorse Ulex. spp are widespread throughout Britain and Ireland, usually growing in acid soils on heathland, it can often found on woodland tracks in conifer or fir tree forests, being able to tolerate the dry poor quality soil conditions.

Due to its tolerance of poor quality soils, and spectacular blooms Gorse (ulex europaeus) is often planted and used as hedging in sandy coastal areas to create barriers or windbreaks.

Gorse(ulex spp.) close up

Common Gorse (Ulex europaeus)

Plant Information

Name: Common Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
Family: fabaceae (pea family)
Height: up to 2 meters
flowering: February to May
Similar varieties: Western Gorse (Ulex gallii), Dwarf Gorse (ulex minor).
Larval food plant: Holly Blue butterfly (Celastrina argiolus), Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus).
Photographed: 27th March 2010

Snowberry Bush (Symphoricarpos spp)

Introduction

(Symphoricarpos x chenaulti ‘Hancock’)

A fairly common low growing garden shrub with long thin branches and small oval blue/green coloured leaves, it is also fast growing, reaching a maximum height of around 1- 1.5m. The small delicate white or light pink flowers of the Snowberry Hancock, appear late June – July, along the thin branches, these provide an attractive nectar source many insects.

After flowering the decorative berries begin to appear they are a light pink at first, turning white or purple when mature, in early to late Autumn.

Often used for hedging, Snowberry Hancock is easy to grow, requires little maintenance, and tolerates poor soil types and shady places.

Snowberry bush leaves and Pink and white flowers

Plant Information

Also known as– Waxberry or Coralberry.
Height – 1 to a Maximum of 1.5m
Position – Full sun partial shade
Caterpillar food plant – Holly Blue Butterfly (celastrina-argiolus).

Popular Snowberry Varieties

Symphoricarpos albus ‘Common Snowberry’
Symphoricarpos x Chenaultii ‘Hancock’
Symphoricarpos mollis ‘Creeping Snowberry’

Important Note

All Berries of the deciduous Snowberry bush (Symphoricarpos spp) are poisonous, and should not be confused with a similar evergreen shrub, Snowberry (Gaultheria depressa), a native shrub of New Zealand which has edible berries.