THE DUNBEATH ESTATE
Something a little different
It would be easy to walk round a garden and enjoy those plants that scream out and demand our attention. Of course, these plants are worthy of such attention. Persicaria alpina for example, quickly fills a space that previously looked like a gap in the border, and looks beautiful at the same time. However, smaller and less 'thuggish' plants can easily be overlooked. With that thought in mind, we would encourage visitors to take their time and enjoy the many 'quieter' plants that we have. Some are unusual, some rare and some that have simply fallen out of favour and deemed 'out of fashion'. We plan to add more of these plants to our gardens and share them with you here also.
Late winter flowering and deliciously scented, this evergreen perennial from China is a wonderful little plant. Clump forming with white flowers which turn pink with age.
Ypsilandra
thibetica
A special plant if only for the fact that it was raised from seed here at Dunbeath. Although labelled as 'Snowflake', this plant is much yellower and very beautiful nonetheless.
Clivia miniata
'Snowflake'
Hacquetia is named after surgeon and botanist Belsazar Hacquet. 'Thor' is a variegated form of the species with variegated leaves and bracts.
Hacquetia
epipactis 'Thor'
Cardiocrinum
giganteum
Reaching heights of up to 2.5m and bearing beautiful, delightfully scented flowers, this plant is a real showstopper. Although monocarpic, the plant produces offsets which will flower sooner than if growing from seed.
Chrysosplenium
macrophyllum
A woodland plant from China, enjoying a shady spot. Flowering towards the end of winter, this plant produces runners that will root and produce new plants, but easily manageable.
A tall perennial introduced to Britain in 1895. Large glossy leaves with white daisy like flowers.
Senecio
smithii
A beautiful woodland perennial from Japan. Produces wax like lilac and white flowers in late summer.
Anemonopsis
macrophylla
Petunia
exserta
Free flowering Petunia from southern Brazil where it is threatened due to the ease of hybridizing with other Petunia species in its habitat. This is the only red flowered Petunia species.
The species is named after botanist Count Blagay. 'Brenda Anderson' is a compact form with large flowers.
Daphne blagayana
'Brenda Anderson'
Ranunculus
lyallii
Native to New Zealand comes this impressive plant with large round leaves and white flowers. It is named after the Scottish botanist David Lyall, who explored the Arctic, Antartica, New Zealand and North America.
Lapageria
rosea
Named after Empress Josephine (maiden name Lapagerie). The national flower of Chile, this vine produces pretty red wax like bell shaped flowers which are pollinated by humming birds in the wild.