Tag: perennials
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Cordyline australis
Overall not really a success story. I planted this garden center plant in the spring of 2023 in a pot on the very sunny and hot terrace. In the summer Egyptian locusts chomped on the leaves and the plant itself was rather underwhelming with the tips of its leaves constantly brown. Too much water? Not…
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Muehlenbeckia complexa/axillaris
I’ve fallen quite in love with this dainty-looking, but vigorous ground-cover. I’m not quite sure whether I have Muehlenbeckia axillaris or complexa – or both – in my garden. Regular French garden centers sell it cheaply but almost always without naming the species. Given the shape of the flowers and fruit and the growth habit,…
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Aizoacea & Mesembryanthemum
The Aizoaceae family is endemic to South Africa and has brought forth a multitude of mostly low-growing, spreading plants with fleshy leaves and bright flowers that work well as ground cover on dry soils in full sun. Several of its members are know as “ice plant” or “mesembryanthemum”. Interestingly, even “New Zealand Spinach” that grows…
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Plumbago auriculata / capensis
Plumbago auriculata or capensis is a native of South Africa where it is typically part of the undergrowth under larger shrubs and bushes. It has become quite popular as a smallish climber in regions with mild winters. The foliage will be killed off by frost but a well-established plant can withstand up to -8°C, growing…
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Linum
Very lovely little flowers, planted as green manure or as perennials: Linum usitatissimum Sown in the fall of 2022 as green manure it covered wide swathes in the garden in dainty blue flowers during May of 2023. Very pretty but not very long-lasting which is why I switched to other kinds of Linum: Linum perenne…
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Caryopteris clandonensis
Caryopteris is one of my favorite shrubs, but for a long time I thought it was a somewhat misguided beginner’s purchase: Filippi only gives it a mere 2.5 of 6 on the drought-resistance scale. However, in this garden it has turned out to be surprisingly tough and has even survived under less than ideal circumstances.…