Postage : Seeds only $4 / Plants $20
A truly remarkable biennial, grown as much for it's unique form as it's flowers.
Rosettes of wax-like, dark green, 2cm wide, lance shaped leaves form mounds that appear completely at home in the otherwise exposed locations they prefer to inhabit.
Large heads of small, five petalled, blue pink flowers cover the plant from late spring, only after your garden has been graced by the foliage for a full year.
Found growing on cliffs by the sea in Japan, it has proved extremely tolerant of excessive exposure and reflected heat, as well as sea spray. Ideal for gravel gardens, on the edge (or in the cracks) of paving or on barren sand. Self seeds nicely in any seemingly inhospitable place, the delightful little seedings are easily removed as they grow larger. Extremely tough. Likes good drainage.
An unusual, annual Verbascum, from the island of Crete, as the specific epithet implies. The plant initially consists of a quick growing rosette, upto 40cm across, of somewhat glaucous, wavy margined, highly textured, arrow shape leaves. At any time, from spring through to autumn, tall spires, bearing five petalled flowers, the largest we have seen on any Verbascum, are produced. Each flower is neatly divided in half, the top being custard yellow, the bottom half paler cream, the upper petals in addition, carry a pair of large burgundy eyes, that appear to be stenciled on.
Should self seed in well drained soil.
Very tough.