The deciduous shrub Lavatera is ideally suited for growing in our Scottish gardens. All the plants which I list will be known to grow well in the Aberdeen area. Well having said that there is a number of them which I have been caught out with, I will always give detailed information on this when it arises.
In a sheltered spot Barnsley may have a semi evergreen habit. This Lavatera will flower throughout the Summer, the leaves are a grey/green, the three inch funnel shaped flowers are white ageing to a soft pink the centre of which is red.
All in all a very eye catching plant, look out for suckers which carry deep pink flowers, cut these off at the base otherwise the plant will quickly revert.
:Height- 2mtrs/6ft if cut back hard each Spring
:Hardiness- Fully hardy to minus 15 degrees
Position- Full sun in light moderately fertile soil
Pruning – Hard prune in Spring when buds start to swell, alternatively allow the plant to make a canopy, perhaps three feet tall and cut it back to this spot each Spring. This will give you a taller shrub more suitable for the back of the border.
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Lavatera Mont Blanc
Lavatera Mont Blancmore often used as a hardy annual, I find that best results can be obtained if treated as a half hardy. To prevent the need for pricking out, sow just three seeds in individual small plant pots. Do this in early April and place them in the greenhouse, preferably unheated. The seeds will soon germinate and by mid May they should be ready to plant out in the garden border.
This very hardy plant will give an amazing show late June through till September. Although the foliage is nothing to speak of this is no problem as the pure white blooms smother the plant. Seeds can be collected in Autumn before disposing of the plants.
Hardiness – Fully hardy
Height – 100cm
Position – Full sun
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My youngest daughter, her husband and our eldest grandson lives, what I may describe as the good life in a most quaint village in Fife on the East coast of Scotland.
The people of this picturesque area of Scotland are affectionately known as Fifers. The City of Dunfermline in the The Kingdom of Fife was once the ancient capital of Scotland and was indeed the birthplace of seven Kings and one Queen. The busy town of St Andrews is home to the oldest university in Scotland founded in 1413. The Royal and ancient golf club of St Andrews is of course very well known throughout the world.
My daughter in recent years has been making quite a name for herself as a maker of fine hand crafted jewellery. She travels the country setting up her displays in stores, at fairs and markets. She specialises in sea glass jewellery. Broadband arrived in the area at the beginning of last year, giving her another platform to show her work. This glass, which she makes use of is found on sea shores and has been tumbled and smoothed by the waves and sand, over the centuries, resulting in smooth frosted shards of glass. The Kingdom of Fife has many beautiful beaches where this glass is found, it is said to bring good fortune to the wearer.
If you have a mind to, please take a look at her very pretty affordable jewellery and see what you think of it.
A 10% discount for any buyer who informs that they reached me through Aberdeen Gardening.
Links below and also on the side bar.
(Lucky Sea Glass Jewellery Link)
(Lucky Sea Glass Jewellery Link)
© 2011, Alistair. All rights reserved.
You inquired about whether Cornus florida — our white dogwood might grow in your garden. It grows in the USA from Maine south to central Florida. I expect that it would grow for you.
Nell Jean recently posted..A Cloud of White Dogwoods Moves Northward
Thank you Nell Jean, I will keep a look out for it.
Hi! I came here to admire the flowers that I cannot grow.
Your daughter is very good at what she makes. They are all very detailed and beautiful.
One recently posted..Looking for Snowdrops
Thank you One, she will be very pleased that you like her jewellery.
what a lovely flower and what a wonderful father promoting your daughter’s incredible work/art….I love this type of jewelry and will definbitely check it out…a bit of Scotland is a great thing to have!
Donna recently posted..Native Borders
Thank you Donna, I was concerned that doing this may possibly not go down so very well.
Gorgeous pink blooms Alistairs, looking a bit like hibiscus and holyhocks but maybe its a totally different plant. I love your daughter’s jewellery, so delicate and fine work of art.
p3chandan recently posted..Why is mine pink
Not quite as exotic as Hibiscus, but nevertheless a plant ideal for our climate.
A beautiful picture of lavatera. I liked your daughter’s jewelry, very imaginative and I like the materials she uses.
Masha recently posted..Mail-Order Roses
Thanks Masha, so very kind.
Wonderful pictures! Love your plants, especially the pink one. I have two shrubs, very tall. After 3 or 4 years, they don’t look good now. Honestly, they look dead. Although it’s early yet. I pruned them very low recently and hope they survived the winter!
Your daughter’s jewelry is unique! The middle piece in the right side is my favorite.
Tatyana recently posted..Water- Daffodils and Geese My Pictures of the Day
Even if your Lavatera is showing tiny shoots they should come away fine, if not I guess they have not survived the Winter. Thank you for your kind comments on my daughters jewellery.
I like the different shades of pink & white in the first picture, but then I also like the pure white of the second. I am trying again with giant hollyhock seeds this year, last year’s seedlings are still no bigger than my big toe, but maybe I should have picked lavatera instead – they look better!
I think it’s a clever idea to use the sea glass and I wish your daughter the best of luck with her business.
b-a-g recently posted..Daffodils 21 MAR 2011
Hollyhock is very often best treated as a biennial sow in Summer to flower the following year, I would expect yours from last year to flower this Summer. Annual Lavatera just sow seeds in Spring for flowering in the same year. Mont Blanc is ideal for this.
The lavatera and jewelry are both quite lovely Alistair! I did what I assumed was annual lavatera one year and it was very beautiful in the gardens… it looked similar to yours but as I said, it was not winter hardy by any means. I see your children are very talented too! Larry
Larry recently posted..Why Im mediocre in the woodshop
Thanks Larry, many of the Lavatera are treated as annual, Barnsley is relatively hardy as a perennial. I don’t think it would survive constant Winter temp of below minus 10c.
Your daughter is indeed talented. Her jewelry is beautiful.
Donna recently posted..Garden with Class Pt 2
Thank you Donna, she will be pleased with your kind comment
Love, love, love Lavatera!
And wild mallows, too;-)
Alice
aka
Bay Area Tendrils
Alice Joyce recently posted..Urban Light at LACMA
Hi Alice, I may be wrong, but I am going to stick my neck out, I think you like Lavatera.
You must be very proud of our daughter.
The lavetera is pretty. I have seen only deeper pink varieties. It can be an unruly and flappy plant but I expect you have yours under control!
Esther
P.S. I used to live in St Andrews.
Esther Montgomery recently posted..BELOVED ENEMIES
Esther, it is true, Lavatera can look ungainly. Ah you lived in St Andrews, I guess that may have been in your university days.
Yup.
Esther
Esther Montgomery recently posted..BELOVED ENEMIES