Hydrangea Macrophylia ‘Merveille Sanguine’, Hydrangea Macro ‘Zorro’ (blue), Sweet Woodruff, Dryopterris filixmas ‘ Cristata’

A lovely collection of plants at Downside last week –

The Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Merveille Sanguine’

A stunning cultivar with mopheads of intense deep red florests turning to a deep rich plum (or royal purple if on acid soil).  Attractive grteen leaves maroon tinged darkening as the season progresses.  Grows to a medium–sized bush.  Best in sun in any reasonable soil but not too dry. Ideal in any shrub or mixed border or planted as a specimen.

Hydrangea Macro ‘Zorro’ (blue)

Lacecap. Deciduous shrub with dark purple-brown stems. Pretty pink flowers in alkaline soil or blue in acid soil, star-shaped flowers. Any moist soil in sun or shade. Good coastal plant.  Ht 1.5m

Sweet Woodruff,

A low-growing woodland perennial, ideal as a ground cover plant. Dark green leaves are produced in whorls and hwen dried produce a scent of newly mown hay.

Suitable for planting in a shady position and ideal for tubs and pots.  Flowering time is late Spring to early summer and height is up to 23cm (9inches).

?Culinary Uses:  Used dto flavour wines. Leaves and flowers make a delicious tea. Dried leaves can be used amongst clothes and in pot pourri

Traditional Medicinal Uses: used as a tonic herb

(note, not with the majority of herbs, on right as you enter greenhouses; but further down on left hand side)

Dryopterris filixmas ‘ Cristata’

A ‘handsome’ fern forming a shuttlecock of mid green fronds which are crested at their tips and at the ends of the divisions, on long stems, with green midribs. Easy and tolerant of a wide range of conditions including dry shade, once established.