Here is an orchid that many will recognise, Paphiopedilum maudiae has been around for over 100 years! It is a cross hybrid between Paphiopedilum callosum and Paphiopedilum lawrenceanum.

It’s individual flowers are held up on singular peduncles that can reach up to 30cm tall. These large white and green flowers can measure 10-12cm in diameter. The lateral sepals are hairy, green and have small evenly spaced protuberances adding structure to the flower. Hanging below is the lighter green labellum which serves to attract insects, which pollinate the flower, and acts as a landing platform for them.

This specimen was seen in the Orchidarium in Estepona, however it is a commonly seen house plant with reliable long lasting flowers. They may last for as long as 2 months if the conditions are right.

This hybrid species is known for its intensely pigmented pink flowers. These flowers seem to beam with colour! They have a velvet-like texture and appearance, held up by an erect inflorescence bearing 2 - 3 scented flowers.

Comparettia speciosa is an epiphytic species of orchid. That means it grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water or from debris accumulating around it. It is native to Ecuador and Peru, However this specimen is from the Moyobamba cloud forests.

These orange summer blooms are suspended from a pseudobulbs on a delicate racemose inflorescence (A type of flowering shoot in which the growing region at the tip of the flower stalk continues to produce new flower buds during growth. As a result, the oldest flowers are at the base of the stalk.) 12" or longer with up to 8 flowers that can branch out and reflower.

Gunnera manicata is a large herbaceous perennial from the Gunneraceae family. Originating from Brazil, this plant is sometimes referred to as ‘Dinosaur food’ or ‘Giant rhubarb’ (even though not related to rhubarb) due to its enormously sized leaves. It takes a lot of energy to create such huge foliage making Gunnera a heavy feeder.

Considering this plants tropical origins, I love that it still grows so well in the UK. It is a spreading, clump forming plant with lobed, round leaves reaching 1-2m in width that are held up by spiky stems. Tiny red-brown flowers on erect panicles reach up to 1m in height. They consume a considerable amount of energy to produce so if you favour the foliage, you can maximize the leaf size by removing the flowers, then the energy will go into leaf production instead.

Gunnera is a hardy plant, but it can be damaged by winter frost. We cut the leaves down toward the end of October/ beginning of November and piled them, inverted, on top of the crown to protect the buds from frost damage through out the winter. This is not a necessity as Gunnera will survive -12°C, However, it is a common practice and I would highly recommend. We plan to remove the dead leaves in early spring to allow new growth to emerge (if it has not completely rotted down into mulch). After winter, the leaves start to emerge in February and reach up to 2m across by June. In April to May, Gunnera can be divided and replanted 10 feet away. Grow in permanently moist, humus-rich soil in full sun to partial shade and shelter from strong winds. This plant is a bog plant and will not grow when fully submerged in water. Ideal locations for Gunerra are margins of ponds, streams or in low ground where water regularly collects. If you do not have the right moisture requirements in your garden yet really want a Gunnera you can place a sprinkler next to the plant.

Hebe x franciscana 'Silver Queen', commonly known as the Shruby veronica, is from the Plantaginaceae family. It is a rounded compact variegated cultivar with heavy-flowering. The thick evergreen leaves are glossy with blotched edges of cream and silver. It has purple bottle brush-shaped flower spikes which appear from spring until autumn fading to lilac or white.

Originating from New Zealand, in the UK this Hebe needs a warm sheltered garden to thrive, however, is it frost hardy yet may need winter protection such as fleece. If frost damaged occurs just remove individual branches in late spring. This plant is loved by many due to its beauty, versatility and minimum care requirements.

From my understanding Hebe x francisana 'Waireka', Hebe x franciscana ‘Variegata’ and Hebe x franciscana 'Silver Queen' are in fact the same plant as each has claimed to be the Hybrid of H. speciosa and H. elliptica. Which was under revision to be renamed Hebe x franciscana 'Silver Queen'.
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Commonly known as the Cutleaf teasel, Dipsacus laciniatus is an herbaceous perennial from the Caprifoliaceae family. It has striking erect stems that can reach up to 2 metres high. These stems are hollow and prickly supporting pinnatisect leaves which are oppositely arranged, each leaf pair joined.

This species lives for many years before flowering. It is Monocarpic meaning once it sets flower and seed it will then die. The inflorescence is a spikey egg-shaped head supported by long bracts. Each head may contain up to 1500 flowers with individual flower’s lasting just one day. These flowers are present from July to September.

The fruit is an achene which is a type of simple dry fruit containing a single seed. A single plant can produce up to 2,000 seeds and can remain viable in the soil for at least two years as this plant only reproduces only by seed.

This teasel may be distinguished from its relative, common teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) by flower color and leaf shape. Cutleaf teasel has white flowers and deeply cut leaves, while the common teasel has purple flowers and toothed or wavy-edged leaves.
See what I was up to when these photo's were taken on my Instagram!

Impatiens glandulifera is a non-native invasive plant from the Balsaminaceae family. Commonly known as ‘Himalayan Balsam’ or my preference ‘Kiss-me-on-the-mountain’! Both names are due to the plant originating in the Himalayan mountains. It is commonly found along riverbanks, streams and wetland habitats. This is why Jimmy’s farm was a perfect spot as it is surrounded by water sources.

It has large lanceolate serrated leaves (teeth pointing forward) with reddish stems and flowers from July through to October. The genus name Impatiens, means "impatient", and refers to its method of seed dispersal.

Just like Impatiens capensis this species seeds explode out of the capsule up to four metres. Enabling the plant to spread both up and downstream. Each plant can produce up to 1500 seeds a year, which is impressive, however, This species is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act in England and Wales, therefore, it is also an offence to plant or otherwise cause to grow these species in the wild.

Introduced to Ireland in the mid 19th Century mainly by Victorian gardeners, it has since spread across the UK. Removal should take place before it sets seed and the shallow-roots pulled out and destroyed. The reason it is such a treat to the UK is due it altering the ecological balance of wetland habitats. With concerns that its success and approval from the bees could decreased pollination for other native UK plants.

Aruncus dioicus, from the Rosaceae family, is a dioecious plant meaning that individuals produce either male staminate flowers or female pistillate flowers. The summer plumes consists of tiny creamy-white flowers in large terminal panicles (cut back the spent flower heads as required).

This plant has broad bipinnate leaves forming large clumps up to 2m in height and underground rhizomes which can be divided in spring to create new plants.

It is a hardy plant preferring full sun to partial shade in poorly drained, clay-loam soil making it an ideal marginal plant as seen at Beth Chatto's Gardens.