Category: Plants
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Aloysia/Lippia citriodora/triphylla
I was very surprised to discover an Aloysia citriodora shrub of 2 meters height when we first cleaned out the garden. Having always had to keep this plant in a pot in Switzerland I wasn’t aware it grew that big. Aloysia citriodora is also known as Aloysia triphylla, Lippia citriodora, Lippia triphylla or simply Lemon…
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Lilium
One of my very favorite flowers – I was so happy to discover, that – despite their elegant looks – lilies will work in my garden! Lilium Regale Lilium regale is reputed to be an easy-to-grow lily because it is very robust and tolerates most soils, as long as they are well-draining. In June/July each bulb…
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Bryonia: Nice name, bad plant.
Discovered totally by chance while cleaning up near the fig tree patch, Bryonia cretica (?) had already formed a thicket of long vines up to four meters long. I filled up a whole big leaf bag with it, tearing out whatever I could see and get to. Bryonia looks pretty but is very toxic when…
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Nigella damascena
One of my absolute favorites because it is sooo easy to grow and because it is sooo pretty. In late summer or early spring I just toss the seeds wherever I want to fill up an empty spot and throughout May and June I fill up my camera with pictures of these lovely lacy flowers……
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Convolvulus
Convolvulus cneorum One of those absolute specialists for poor, dry, alcaline, clay, sandy or gravelly soil and full sun exposure. The evergreen plant makes a little bush of about 50cm high and 70cm wide. It is hardy up to -10°C, when well established and in well-drained soil. Olivier Filippi gives it a drought resistance rating…
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Phlomis
Phlomis is another one of those plants I always found a bit boring – before I had a Mediterranean garden. Now I’ve grown quite fond of them although they do not bloom particularly long, mostly in May. Their foliage and spent flowers are quite attractive and they are allelopathic plants, meaning that they discourage the…