Gardening columnist JACKIE WARBURTON highlights a tough Mediterranean plant from the mint family that grows well in our region.
Called Phlomis fruticosa, its sage-like leathery leaves tick all the boxes for a drought-tolerant xerophytic plant that needs very little water and survives in my garden on neglect.
A long-lived shrub, it is unfazed by hot summers and flowers for many months of the year. Its bright yellow flowers are a magnet for bees.
There are new varieties that have colours such as pinks, whites and even one called Lemon Blush. All these species are drought tolerant and are more compact than its counterpart.
To encourage growth and to keep compact, they require tip pruning after flowering. If the stems are brown/green in colour, they can be propagated to make new plants by putting them into a sandy potting mix, kept moist and in the shade until roots have formed.
Phlomis will grow well with other drought-tolerant plants such as succulents, blue fescue or even rosemary and once it is established, it should be set-and-forget to survive and fill a hot space in the garden at the same time.
NOW the spring bulbs have died down there’s space for the bigger spring flowers such as Russell lupins, foxgloves and, for a splash of blue, add delphiniums.
Must-haves for any cottage garden, Russell lupins are unaffected by cold weather, which is when they do most of their growing, but need protection from the wind. They can be staked if need be.
They like to be mulched and moist when flowering, and are delightful to see in a large garden en masse putting on a display for several weeks through to the end of spring.
Unfortunately, they are short-lived plants, around four years at best, but small tips can be removed when they’re young that can be propagated to make free plants to add to the garden and have flowering next season.
The colour varieties are huge and they also come in bi-colours. They can add height and interest in a garden where they take up vertical space and grow well against a small wall or path.
While the plants are young, they need protection from snails and slugs. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the base of the seedling to keep them at bay.
They grow well alongside other plants such as foxgloves and delphiniums as they like the same conditions and complement the same planting theme in a cottage garden.
Foxgloves (Digitalis sp) are biennial plants, meaning they have a two-year growth cycle and the first year is roots and shoots, the second is power to flower, then they die.
If the seed head is chopped early enough, it may increase the longevity of the plant, but the flower display will never be as good as its first year. So, a continual planting will get them blooming every year.
Jottings
- Trim box hedges before the weather gets too hot.
- Fertiliser succulents with tomato fertiliser.
- Continue to pick sweet peas to extend their season.
- Pull out weeds that are setting seed.
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