Three picturesque Polemoniums chosen by plant hunter Lark Hanham
Polemonium is a relatively small genus of fewer than 30 different varieties, most of which are fully hardy herbaceous perennials originating from the fertile lands of central Europe, Asia and America. They thrive in shady locations with rich, slightly moist soil. Nicknamed Jacob’s ladder for their striking leaves, which instantly add variety to any border or pot, they are equally eye-catching on their own. However, their flowers act as the crowning jewel. Flowering from May to September, their impressive terminal clusters of showy, cup-shaped flowers decorate each slender stem and service many passing insects. Although they display a delicate look, they are easy to grow and are remarkably robust once established. Height 45-60cm and spread 30-50cm.
caeruleum ‘Bressingham Purple’
This striking and compact variety is ideal for breaking up the boarder with some colour differentiation. They were first spotted by Adrian Bloom among a large batch of the seed-raised variety, ‘Purple Rain’. Bressingham Purple stood out for it exceptional vigour and its magnificent foliage. Its deep-purple almost onyx-black vegetation rises from neat rounded clumps that will eventually create a tantalising thicket demanding prime position in any shady border.
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caeruleum Brise d'Anjou 'Blanjou' (PBR)
Discovered by chance growing in a nursery in France, Brise d’Anjou offers some of the most stunning foliage from the genus. Its dramatic contrast between the bright-green leaves, each one edged with a bold creamy-yellow edge, make it perfect for brightening a shady spot and great for drawing the eye. Its heads of lavender-blue blooms rise above the foliage on strong stems, attracting passing butterflies.
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reptans ‘Touch of Class’ (PBR)
Unlike most Polemoniums, this unusual form produces a glorious low-growing structure that scrambles instead of growing upright. Perfect for adding a relaxed and informal charm to the garden, it screams untamed woodland or wildlife-friendly garden. It produces 30cm feathery leaves, with each fringed with a pure-white edge. It is different from Brise d‘Anjou, which has a more vibrant variegation and not as glaucous blue leaves. From May, flurries of pink buds emerge, from which subtle light-blue blooms appear above tumbling mounds of foliage to produce a fresh fragrance.
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How to buy
Buy Lark’s formidable foliaged plants
- Buy three young plants for £12 or nine (three of each) for £22.50 (save £13.50). Plus p&p at £4.95
- Supplied as young plants in June
- Order at gardenshop.telegraph.co.uk/pole or call 03337720325. Contract for supply of goods is with Hayloft Plants Ltd
- *Offers subject to availability
Offer closing date May 14, 2017
Paeonias lactiflora Eden's Perfume
Why
Supplied at the optimum time to plant, this is the fittingly named Eden’s Perfume. It’s by far the most fragrant Peony I've ever sniffed and it’s mostly admired for its voluptuous, blousy blooms, which waft sensual, heady rose scents through the air in late spring and early summer.
Where
It prefers a sheltered but sunny location in fertile soils. Its thick stems support enormous long-lived blossoms, which can last for more than a week when cut for the spring bouquet or vase.
How
Forming neat herbaceous clumps of deeply divided leaves, Eden’s Perfume is extremely hardy and robust. Wire frames and hoops should be used to support the gigantic goblet-shaped flowers. Apply a two-inch mulch of leaf mould and well-rotted manure in spring.
Works well with…
Noted as an essential cottage __garden ingredient, a striking pairing would be with Fritillaria persica. Height and spread: 1m.
How to buy
- Buy one 2/3 nose mature bare root for £12, three for £18 (half price), or six for only £30 (£5 each) and save £42. Plus £4.95 p&p.
- Supplied as 2/3 nose mature bare roots in 14 days*
- Order at gardenshop.telegraph.co.uk/paeo or call 03337720325. Contract for supply of goods is with Hayloft Plants Ltd.
- *Offers subject to availability
Offer closing date May 14, 2017
