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  • Pancratium
    • maritimum   CAG01666

      (Sea daffodil)
      Pancratium maritimum
      $12.00earn 60 points

      A dramatic bulb, the umbels of pure white, perfumed, daffodil-like flowers appear as if by magic after the first autumn rain, on naked, very glaucous 60cm stems. Such delicate and exuberant beauty seemingly incongruous in the exposed and baking environ it prefers.

      The strappy, glaucous winter leaves die down with the onset of summer drought, if they remain evergreen you are providing too much water and any chance of flowering is likely to be non-existent. In a warm autumn repeat blooms are not uncommon.

      Found on coastal dunes in hotter parts of the Mediterranean it is ideally suited to growing in hot barren sand, though mine do fine in clay, and should be indifferent to salt spray. Self seeds if your lucky, though it will be at least several years before the seedlings are large enough to flower. Newly planted bulbs will usually need a year or two to settle in as well before they will resume flowering.

      Mass plant for best effect, either densely or as scattered individuals.

  • Pelargonium

    (Storksbill)
    Geraniaceae

    Not to be confused with Geranium commonly encountered in temperate gardens. Pelargonium offers a diversity of growth habits, form and foliage for warmer climates and have little tolerance of cold winters.

    Species from winter rainfall southern Africa are mostly drought loving and favour lean sandy soils, prime targets for exploitation in Perth gardens.

    The common "Geraniums" of Australian gardens are typically hybrids involving summer rainfall species, developed for hot house culture elsewhere and are of variable hardiness on the west coast. Many struggle with dry heat and high leaf surface temperatures while some, predominantly older varieties, can be very robust.
    • exstipulatum   CAG02882
      Pelargonium exstipulatum
      $12.00earn 60 points

      A small shrubby species of delicate appearance with tiny grey fimbriated leaves clothing thin twiggy stems, stiff and upright at first then becoming charmingly wayward, studded in spring with small soft pink butterfly-like flowers. Not succulent at all.

      From southern Africa and hardy with minimal summer water and well drained soil. Avoid heavy pruning.

      Durable tiny shrubs like this are a scarce commodity and open up some interesting design possibilities in the garden. They can be stuffed into cracks and crevices in walls, paths or rockeries to combat monotony, make fine persistent container plants and can be creatively paired with small bulbs and perennials, otherwise easily overwhelmed, adding height and structure to steppe and scree plantings.

    • ‘Lara Princess’   CAG02734
      Pelargonium ‘Lara Princess’
      $12.00earn 60 points

      A lovely low growing hybrid between P. cortusifolium and P. echinatum bearing small clusters of sugary pink flowers, each petal of which bears a small dark blotch, over a long period from mid winter until it eventually sheds its silvery, lobed leaves with the onset of summer heat. Does very well in a large pot where its cushion of bare, succulent, spiny looking stems can be shown off to best effect during summer dormancy, when it should be watered sparingly or if established in a sharply drained spot in the garden, not at all.

      Elsewhere it might be a delicate hothouse flower, oh so desirable, here it is just another hardy garden plant well suited to a life on the road verge. Our favourable climate at work.

      Highly recommended.

    • ‘Lara Viking’   CAG02812
      Pelargonium ‘Lara Viking’
      $12.00earn 60 points

      A monstrous hybrid between P. gibbosum and P. echinatum from Cliff Blackman. Long stalked glaucous cabbagey leaves and clusters of soft pink flowers are carried on thick winding stems which become bare over summer to then be admired.

      Equally at home in mediterranean, cottage or succulent gardens. Would make an excellent overplanting for taller geophytes such as Dutch Iris or Chasmanthe for a bit more pop and dynamism.

      Strictly for well drained sunny soil. Summer irrigation is best kept to a minimum.

    • reniforme   CAG01972
      Pelargonium reniforme
      $12.00earn 60 points

      Rosettes of kidney shaped leaves that appear to be cut from grey velvet bear small clusters of brilliant magenta flowers year round.

      Relaxed of habit and gently suckering, a colony lends itself to the company of other smaller plants of gorgeous foliage like succulents and grasses for the making of scrumptious compositions in large containers or tessellated over a greater garden area as hyperboles meadow. Otherwise just use it beside paths or to glam up the feet of shrubs as it's quite happy in partial shade.

      From the Eastern Cape but hardier than many from the region. Easily grown in any well drained soil with some summer moisture.

    • tetragonum   CAG02497
      Pelargonium tetragonum
      $12.00earn 60 points

      A curious species with mostly leafless upright triangular stems that hold aloft large butterfly like pale pink darkly veined blooms.

      Probably of most interest to lovers of succulents or collectors of the genus. I'd find it difficult to use its skeletal appearance in a garden, despite its hardiness, without something around its feet. A steppe with massed Oxalis or other low plants that resent overshadowing could see its hidden potential revealed, or sprawled amongst rocks, or in that hanging basket prone to desiccation.

      Easily grown in lean well drained soil, it likes dry conditions with occasional water, reflecting it's inland habitat of southern Africa, constant moisture will probably see it fail after a year. Stems are replaced annually, in winter here, from the base and like to layer themselves as they collapse.

    • tomentosum   CAG02449

      (Peppermint geranium)
      Pelargonium tomentosum
      $12.00earn 60 points

      Perhaps the loveliest of groundcovers for warm mediterranean climates, robust and weed suppressing, it carpets spaces in the plushest of fresh green crumpled velvet, that passes as its foliage, and is then decorated in spring with a haze of tiny white flowers. Allow it to spill over a path or surround a bench and be greeted by its refreshing peppermint fragrance whenever brushed.

      Suitably rambunctious, as good groundcover needs be, with relatively few trailing stems to be removed or pruned as necessary. At its best in partial shade so ideal beneath trees or larger shrubs/roses, the larger the space and more of it there is the greater the appeal.

      From moist sheltered sites in winter rainfall South Africa and easily grown in any uncompacted soil, adores sand, with some summer moisture. Pretty good at coping with dryness by first folding then shedding foliage to fall back on its almost succulent stems, beyond which point it will need watering to avoid significant loss.

  • Peperomia
  • Pinellia
  • Potentilla
    • recta ‘Warrenii’   CAG01557

      (Sulphur cinquefoil)
      $12.00earn 60 points

      A charming species that makes a verdant slowly spreading mound of serrated, five lobed, palmate leaves, studded with small citric yellow, five petalled, saucer shaped blooms.
      For edges or even the middle of paths, where it will tolerate the occasionally stray footfall, or a simulated European meadow with a couple of Cranesbills (Geranium pratense and G. sanguineum), Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and some Spiked speedwell (Veronica spicata ‘Blue Sensation’) to round out the palette.

      More moisture loving than most but also more amenable in our climate, often self sowing in any brightly lit soil.

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