a l t e r n a t i v e s  Plant List 2002

S

# denotes name of plant which, to the best of our knowledge, is new to cultivation in the period 2001/2002 or which has not been offered before commercially under any other valid name.  

*  means that seed may be available.

+  denotes species beneficial to butterflies and/or moths.  Please note double-flowered forms are of little or no benefit as they lack nectar.

A large number of the plants listed are of native provenance and many are local.

 

SEDUM   STONECROPS

S. rupestre.  Reflexed Stonecrop. (formerly S. reflexum).  An introduced plant of walls, rocks and stony banks with fleshy, grey-green leaves and yellow flowers.   

S. rupestre ‘Monstrosum Cristatum’  A curious form with many of the shoots exhibiting the most bizarre coral-like fasciation.  Great fun!  £3.00

 

SILENE   CAMPIONS

S. dioica.  Red Campion.  + The plants can flower again, sometimes into autumn, if cut back.

S. dioica 'Inane' - An exotic (for a native) combination of rich purple leaves (in sun) and reddish-pink flowers.  A wonderful sprawler. £2.50   

S. dioica 'Minikin' - A compact, non-sprawling form which smothers itself in cheerful, reddish-pink flowers from spring and well into summer. £2.50  

S. dioica 'Pembrokeshire Pastel' - Sophisticated form with pale pink flowers.  The leaves have a transient variegation of very fine, pale streaking that is brightest in spring. £2.50     

 

SOLIDAGO   GOLDENRODS

S. vigaurea.  Goldenrod.

S. vigaurea 'Variegata'* - Attractively yellow-splashed/speckled leaves and tall spikes of yellow flowers in late summer. True from seed.  £2.50

 

SONCHUS   SOWTHISTLES

S. oleraceus ‘Custard ‘n’ Green’ - a lovely variegated form of smooth sow thistle from Ian Warden.  The light green leaves are splashed with yellow fading to cream, sometimes with pink tints.  SEED ONLY available of this annual with pale yellow composite flowers and snowy white seedheads.  A percentage of variegated seedlings will be obtained but they can sometimes damp off, so several sowings may be necessary.  Otherwise incredibly easy.  Looked beautiful growing in my salad plot last year. Seed only at £1.50/pack.

 

STACHYS   WOUNDWORTS/BETONY

S. officinalis. Betony.  Weedproof mats of deep green leaves with scalloped edges and stiff spikes of rosy purple flowers in summer.  Tough and adaptable. 

S. officinalis alba -  Spikes of pure white flowers. £2.50 

S.  sylvatica. Hedge Woundwort. Blame the horrible smell released by the hairy leaves when crushed on a volatile oil with antiseptic properties.  Grows virtually anywhere and flowers for months.  Bees love it.

S. sylvatica 'Hoskin's Variegated' - The leaves are finely mottled or occasionally splashed with cream.  Lovely with the claret-coloured flowers. Seedlings are mostly all-green. £2.50 

S. sylvatica 'Shade of Pale' -  Uncommon form with flowers of good size that are much paler than usual, being a dull pink instead of the usual claret colour. True from seed and rather nice actually. £2.50

 

SUCCISA   DEVIL’S BIT SCABIOUS

S. pratensis.  Devil’s-bit scabious.+ 

S. pratensis ‘Peddar’s Pink’ – The long curving stems bear pink pincushions instead of the usual blue.  A pretty form, valuable for insects and easily grown on damper soils.   Few. £3.00