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Posted by linda (U1797657) on Monday, 24th October 2011
There's hardly an ep of GW that doesn't show Verbena bonariensis in lots of shots and yet I can't recall it ever being mentioned. The presenters are usually stood in the middle of it talking about other plants. A recent episode on the RHS gardens had Carol and a member of staff from Wisley surrounded by it and yet they mentioned just about every other plant in the border.
As it's my favourite plant I'd like to make a plea for a mention. It's stunningly attractive - which is why it's obviously the camera favourite, it gives height to any border, and is a top bistro for insects. Although it's not fully hardy it self-seeds and despite the minus12 degrees we had in my area last winter it survived.
Funny how opinions vary I don't like v.b. and feel it is done to death on gardening programmes and in magazines.It's always being hailed as the ultimate "see through" plant and "tall at the front of a border " plant. I can't wait for the v.b. fad to be over
I'm a fan. It self seeds here too despite prolonged cold spells of -20C and more. It also looks great in a friend's garden where it's started self seeding its way through a border of ornamental grasses and really lifts them. I'll be pleased when the fad for beds of assorted or, even worse, just one variety of grass goes over.
I'm with you on that one Obs
One of my favourites too!
Once went to a lecture by ???? Spencer chairlady of the Open Gardens Scheme (?)and she so rightly described these sorts of plants as the 'volunteers', always popping up where they know they'll excell. Gardening for nothing.
Best wishes,
Tulipmania
It is so common now it's lost any cachet as a 'designer plant' (as Joe would say). Just like this year you can't move for Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens'
, in reply to message 6.
Posted by the cycling gardener (U2350416) on Friday, 28th October 2011
Just like this year you can't move for Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens'Ìý
This was a "must have" plant about 15 years ago. I haven't seen a proliferation of it for a long time.
>This was a "must have" plant about 15 years ago.
Well, it's come back into fashion then. I have grown it this year, along with Agave Americana, Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' etc. which are 'must haves' in the garden.
AT got all lyrical about cerinthe on one of his shows. i bought some seedlings once because I liked the spotted leaves but I find the flowers uninspiring. Fortunately, unlike VB, it has not self seeded in my garden though a friend spends half the summer pulliong up seedlings in hers.
Just like this year you can't move for Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens'Ìý
This was a "must have" plant about 15 years ago. I haven't seen a proliferation of it for a long time.
Ìý
I agree, I haven't seen it around since the late 1990s.I actually like it and have just planted some seeds, which have germinated.I think it's a good gap filler
I grew some VB from seeds this year and have enjoyed so am going to grow even more next year and yes I am going to grow it will some grasses
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