Autumn is the busiest time in the garden. Not only the general clear-up of untidy plants and perennials that don’t give winter interest but more importantly it is THE time to plant new plants and take cuttings.
I visited a couple of plant fairs one in Rome in September (not very good) and another at Villa Landriana at the beginning of October but the highlight was a visit to Courson just outside Paris. I think it is the best plant show I have ever visited and I bought as much as I could squeeze into a suitcase (but more of this another day).
Plant fair at Courson
I managed to find a few plants that I’ve been searching for. Cytisus battandieri has been on my list for ages; sadly the example I managed to track down is infested with some kind of scale insect (I have picked them off the back of almost every leaf!) The RHS website says that generally they are disease free so I hope that now it is in the ground it will strengthen and be able to fight any new infestations, I will keep a close eye on it and continue removing any new scales.
The other plant I’ve had my eye open for is Leonotis leonurus which I first saw in the Botanic Garden in Phoenix on New Year’s Day this year and which many of you helped me identify as I wrongly surmised it was a Phlomis (from the form of the flowers you can see why I thought this). I now have three as I think they will be drought tolerant and are a bright cheerful orange, a colour I really enjoy when the light is bright in summer. For a strong contrast I’ve also planted some new deep blue Agapanthus nearby; I’m hoping this will give a zinging contrast to the path border at the top of the slope that meets the rest of the garden.
Leonotis leonurus
Thanks to Helen at Patient Gardener for hosting this meme; visit her to see what other gardeners have been up to this month.
Love that vibrant orange – it reminds me of jeruselum sage…a little….only orange. Pretty!
Yes, I thought it was Phlomis when I first saw it but now I know better! Christina
The Leonotis is a South African plant and meant to be quite easy from seed. Thanks for joining in again this month
The plant fair at Courson – ooooooooh lucky you Christina – have always wanted to go. Look forward to reading more about it. The leonitis and agapanthus should strike up a striking partnership.
I have heard that the plant fair at Courson is fantastic, what a treat to visit!
Leonotis leonurus is very easy to grow from seed and i grow it as an annual, although I suspect you will be able to grow it as a shrubby perennial, I love the late colour it adds to the garden.
K
Good to know, thanks for the tip Karen, I’ll save seed and grow more for the slope, hopefully. Christina
I want to wander round that plant fair!
Oh I’ve wanted to go to Courson for a while now. Sounds amazing. Looking forward to hearing about your plant and suitcase exploits.
I promise I’ll post soon about my visit to Courson. Christina
I like your Leonotis, such a lovely shade of burnt orange. I see it can be grown from seed so I will give it a try. Looking forward to hearing about the contents of your suitcase.
I love the vivid orange of that Leonotis, especially as my garden is now mainly grey, brown and green with occasional flashes of pink as the salvias refuse to give in to the grey! Always wanted to go to Courson too.
time to try that one again. I love the tiers of flowers.
PlantZAfrica says – should be well watered in summer, explains why I lose them in our mediterranean summer. Will be interesting to hear of your success!
That’s interesting, in Phoenix it was growing with native plants which obviously it isn’t and with no irrigation; it was hot even on New Year’s Day! My books all say very well drained soil. We will see. Christina
So stunning! I can’t wait to see pictures of the contrasting orange and blue…one of my favorite color combinations!
busy indeed Christina but it sounds like nice busy, I’ve never been to a plant fair I guess it’s the gardeners equivalent to a quilter’s quilt exhibition, I don’t go much on orange but that Leonotis is a beautiful burnt orange shade, with the blue agapanthus they should certainly zing! look forward to seeing them (virtually) next year, Frances
I love agapanthus but cannot grow it here…too cold. I have tried growing it in pots in the warm months, but so far I have not had any luck. So…I will simply enjoy the photos and musings of those who can grow it.
Lucky Christina – Courson… sigh… oh well, I can dream / je peux rever, and it’s probably just as well that a dream is all it is. I don’t think my bank balance would stand it (though it looks fab…. oooooo)
Leonotis is such a beautiful shade of red but unfortunately not hardy here. Winterthur tried to start a US plant fair like the one you mention outside of Paris. It was called GardenFare and lasted about five years but was discontinued. I would love to attend the real thing.
I will be in Phoenix for Thanksgiving to visit family an may have a moment to visit the Botanic Gardens…love going there…what a fabulous plant fair to put on my wish list.