Autumn Plants

Mandevilla Sundaville Red

Tender, evergreen, woody stemmed, twisting semi climber with depp green elliptical leaves, long trumpet shaped, overlapping petals that are crimson red. Flowers from spring to late summer (first frosts). Plant in a large pot that can be taken indoors, using free draining potting compost and a slow release fertiliser. Over winter in high light levels. Grown here at HOlker with scented pelargoniums. An interesting plant to grow. Trials over the past 5 years show it is suitable for the English summer climate. Named after 18th Century British Diplomat and gardener, H J Mandeville.

Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue'

Within the centre beds of the summer gardens, planting is Pelargonium graveolens, Aloysia triphylla (lemon verbena which has great medicinal qualities) and an old favourite of Holker's S. farinacea 'Victoria Blue' with its deep voilet blue flowers. A tender, upright, clump forming perennial (hardy to -4°C)which flowers until the first frosts. Often used as annual bedding. The green foliage is scented. Plant in a sheltered position in a moist but well drained, humid, rich soil. Sun or light shade.

Rosa Molineux (Ausmol)

This English Rose has so much to offer. It has an upright growth for hedging. In borders, as at Holker, it produces a double/full bloom, which is rich yellow and free flowering all summer long. It has a tea rose fragrance with a musky background. Semi-glossy green deciduous foliage, red when young. Roses will grow in a wide range of soils, needing to be well prepared with well rotted manure or a good garden compost. Height 1 to 1.5 metres. Hardy. Bred by David Austin. Introduced in 1994. The name Molineux has a connection with Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club.

Veronica virginica 'Alba'

A stunning eye-catching, deciduous, upright, clump forming herbaceous perennial with mid green lance shaped leaves. In the summer months it bears narrow spikes of white flower on long, leafy stems up to 1.2 metres in height. Here at Holker it can be seen at the back of the herbaceous border in the summer garden. Plant in acid, alkaline, neutral loamy soil - moderately fertile, moist but well drained. Prefers full sun to part shade in a sheltered position. Hardy to minus 5-10°C.

Alchemilla Mollis 'Thriller'

Has been used in the summer bedding scheme under the clipped oaks this year. This newer cultivar is slightly more compact that A. mollis. Tiny drops of dew glisten on the soft, fuzzy, grey-green, deep lobed foliage complements the long spreading heads of tiny star-like, yellow-green flowers, in multiple clsuters that flower all summer long. Alchemilla is a hardy perennial. Good for ground cover, softening edges of paths. Likes sun/part shade, well drained soil. Some have medicinal qualities and are rich in tannin. There are about 300 species of Alchemilla, the majority native to Europe and Asia.

Eucryphia x intermedia

This evergreen hybrid was raised at Rostrevor, County Down, Northern Ireland about 1930. In August/Sepetmber the fragrant white flowers smother the slender branches and the fragrance drifts around this evergreen, young tree. The simple dark green, glossy, elliptical/oblong leaves stand out well against the flowers. Needs a warm and sheltered site and protection from damaging winds. It's roots benefit from cool, rich, well-drained humus soil. Hardy to -10°. Here at Holker we have a fine collection of both young and mature Eucryphias to be seen.

Hoheria angustifolia

This excellent handsome, elegant, evergreen tree can be seen at the top edge of the woodland garden here at Holker, where it is protected from cold winds. In August and early September the bees, birds and butterflies are attracted to the fragrant, starry-petalled, showy-white flowers. The toothed, lush, medium-green leaves give all round interest. Plant in fertile soil, not too well drained. Feed every 2-3 years. Ideal for a small, sheltered, sunny garden. Native to the forest margins of New Plymouth, New Zealand. The Maoris call Hoheria houhere, houti, houtii, ongaonga, puruhit. This plant has medicinal qualities. Within the Malvaceae family, to which Hibiscus and Abutilons belong.

Kirengeshoma palmata

An unusual woodland plant coming into it's own in September with it's waxy, pale, yellow flowers on upright, long stems; light-green sycamore shaped leaves make a good backdrop for other flowers in the spring and summer. This deciduous, clump forming, herbaceous perennial is grown in deep, moist, humus rich, lime free soil in semi shade/part day sun in a sheltered site. Native to the damp woodlands of Japan, this has been in cultivation in the British Isles for more than a century.

Cyclamen

Flowers in autumn

Rosa Eliole de Hollanda

This fine, deciduous, climbing hybrid tea-rose with medium to dark green, ovate, glossy leaves flowers in June, July and September. The double burgundy flowers are very lightly fragrant and long lasting.

Fully hardy, plant in full sun against a wall or around a pillar. Soil should be fertile, humus rich, moist and well-drained. Prune in late summer/autumn once flowering is finished.

Unfortunately it is quite susceptible to diseases and pests, which can be controlled with good cultivation practices.

It was introduced in 1931 to England and became the Queen of the Reds between the wars.