1 ECHINACEA PALLIDA This exquisite native of the North American prairies, the most dainty of blooms, displays its balletic elegance with slender, pale-pink ray florets that are held horizontally, then gradually droop groundward and flutter in the breeze. The orange-brown central cone remains through winter, topping the bronze stems. Despite its appearance, it is hardy and attractive to bees and butterflies and is outstanding when planted in a troupe with other prairie-style plants. Full sun and moist, well-drained soil create ideal growing conditions. Cut the stems back to ground level in late winter. Height and spread:
1.25m x 50cm.RHS H5, USDA 3a-10b! .
2 ECHINOPS RITRO ‘VEITCH'S BLUE’ Spiny, deeply cut leaves, which are dark green on top and white below, provide interest from spring until the blooms of this globe thistle appear in late summer, when the spherical heads of buds topping the metallic stems gradually open to dark-blue flowers. At its most impressive in large groups, this is an excellent plant for cutting and drying for flower arrangements, but should be cut before the flowers open. Cut back the stems for a second flush of flowers, or leave the flowerheads for their architectural value. They thrive in an open sunny spot on poor soil, but tolerate anything but deep shade; add grit to heavier soils before planting. The flowers are irresistible to bees, butterflies and other insects during the day, and moths at night. In ideal conditions, they self-seed freely.
90cm x 45cm. RHS H7, USDA 3a-8b.
Denne historien er fra June 2024-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
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Denne historien er fra June 2024-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Field of Dreams - The naturalistic gem Hans Gieszen has created in former meadowlands near Utrecht in the Netherlands is the culmination of a lifelong passion
Ever since his mother gave him seeds as a small boy, gardening has been a passion for Hans Gieszen. He is completely self-taught, relying on garden visits and books for instruction, with one book in particular, Dream Plants for the Natural Garden by Henk Gerritsen and Piet Oudolf, influencing his style. “It was fascinating,” says Hans, remembering his first encounter with the book. “All those photos – pictures with mists and these tall and low plants and grasses. I realised I couldn’t do it in my small garden, but I kept dreaming and reading about it.”
WORLD OF POSSIBILITY
This superb tour of the world's botanical gardens highlights their vital role in saving the planet's flora, says Claire Masset
THE FEMININE TOUCH?
Does your garden have masculine or feminine style, and does it even matter? Head gardener Benjamin Pope unpicks gardening's gender stereotypes
'If you emulate nature, you're on to a winner'
Gardener, television presenter and author Carol Klein talks about her new book, the books she loves, her current challenges and what she's up to next
FRIENDLY ADVICE
When tasked with creating a garden for her friends, designer Neive Tierney found the project came with challenges - not least the need to include a wheelchair ramp and squeeze in a saltwater swimming pool
Passing the baton
The celebrated nursery and garden at Marchants Hardy Plants in East Sussex is now being managed by a new team, who continue to inspire visitors with innovative planting
My sweet gourd
Clark Lawrence, an American living in the heart of Italy's pumpkin province, loves growing different cultivars of pumpkins and ornamental gourds for their sweet flavours and fabulous looks
ANDY JASPER
The new CEO of the Eden Project on his excitement about a new chapter, the legacy he's left at the National Trust and his joy at heading home to Cornwall
Bedding in
In just under nine years, the owners of Arvensis Nursery in Wiltshire have created a mature garden that displays their high-quality perennials
Late summer dreams
From cool pastels and foliage to hot colours, designer Jo Thompson creates three stylish container combinations for autumn