Friday, August 17, 2007

ROSCOEAS



Last year the shadier areas of the garden were parched, this year they have been drowned. Neither season diminished the slugs and snails hearty appetites. By August, whatever the weather, these areas tend to look a mess!
The Roscoas come into growth late and cheer up any shady corner with fresh green foliage and showy flowers in late summer.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

DREGEA SINENSIS


This easy summer flowering climber seems to have a mistaken reputation for tenderness. It is at its best on a sunny wall and can be cut hard back during the winter. It begins to flower in late June or early July, producing panicles of white flowers with a hint of pink.
The flowers have a curious and evocative scent. Each time I sniff I am strongly reminded of the smell of a child’s swimming bag, opened after spending a couple of days under the bed, – of damp towels and soggy rubber.