Chillies are deliciously fascinating - their forms, colours and flavours tantalise the senses; their names alone are enough to make your tongue tingle in anticipation. I've been growing far more chillies over the past few years than sanity should dictate. I'm drawn in by the evocative colour and spice of names like 'Bolivian Rainbow', 'Numex … Continue reading What’s In A Name? Capsicum Annuum
Centaurea montana is a useful plant for the late spring/early summer border. It has pollinator-friendly, delicate flowers with feather-like petals and was traditionally used to make a bitter tea to treat dyspepsia and as a diuretic. Originating in sub-alpine woods and meadows, the perennial cornflower has been naturalised in the UK since as early as 1597 when the herbalist … Continue reading What’s In A Name? Centaurea montana ‘Amethyst In Snow’
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens', also known as black lilyturf, black mondo or black dragon, is an evergreen perennial native to Japan. Despite having a grass-like appearance, it is a member of the Asparagacaea family, as is the similar grass-like Liriope muscari. 'Ophiopogon' comes from the Greek 'ophis' meaning 'serpent' and 'pogon' meaning 'beard'. The name presumably alludes to the … Continue reading What’s In A Name? Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’