I spend a reasonable amount of time reading plant labels. Well-drained soil, sun or partial shade, good autumn colour, pink flowers in summer, 2-3 ft in height etc, etc. Yes, it is information, but it doesn’t tell me much about the plant’s character and personality.
If only all plant labels “spoke with a gardeners passion “ I am sure it could encourage us all to get planting a little more frequently.
Buying from independent nurseries where you can have a conversation with growers is one way to feel inspired. Additionally plant catalogues with honest, interesting and wry comments are always top of my list. Bob Brown’s Cotswold Garden Flowers website and plant guide is always a great read.
With this in mind, I decided to write some of my own labels.
Aster Lady in Black. Be patient, a myriad of closed buds appears to be held in suspended animation in early autumn. Then… they appear to unfurl en masse overnight. Why not grow it through Miscanthus sinensis Morning Light for a stunning supportive role.
Hostas, as well as superb shade tolerance, autumnal colour can resemble peanut butter and custard yellow. Looks great with purple perennials.
Veronicstrum virginicum Fascination. Summer finds these statuesque perennials blending beautifully with teasels, while in autumn the sturdy stems look resplendent with fallen Cercis foliage. Warning – cutting back their spent sparkler like seed heads will deny months of food for passing birds.
Dahlias – you really ought to try them out from seed. Big deep kitchen windowsills were meant for them. Petal formation also matches with the markings on homegrown crystal lemon cucumbers.
Gunnera mannicata – not really for the small garden ( you could try Gunnera magellanica if you are short on space ). Autumnal light through foliage provides a positively elegant side to these generally considered monstrously huge plants. Seed heads are amazing.
Japanese anemone. Well known for their inquisitive root system that likes to wander off from its initial planting space. ( I like to think of this as countless gifts to gardening friends ). Amorphous green seed heads look almost as fabulous as the exquisite flowers.
And finally ..
Steel toe capped Redback work boots, very tough, very waterproof and unlike certain perennials will last for years – Word of warning – remember to remove before going through customs.
Sally Wicks 