Alison
Foot and John Shipton, Y Felin, Henllan Amgoed, Whitland, Carmarthenshire
, SA34 0SL
Tel: 01994 240125
BLUEBELL Hyacinthoides
non-scripta Clychau'r Glas Known
as Jacinth in Elizabethan times, this is the native British bluebell with
nodding slender, fragrant
flowers, unlike the scentless Spanish bluebell, or the rampant hybrids
between the two which are also scentless. Familiar and found in many of
our woodlands, it is easy to naturalise in open or shady ground. Grown
from our pure Welsh stock it flowers in May reaching its glorious peak
in the middle of the month. Despatched freshly lifted in autumn. Price
20/£4 100 /£15.50 500/£70 1000/£125
DAFFODIL Narcissus
pseudonarcissus Blodyn Mis Mawrth The
main daffodil species of Britain, the one that impressed Wordsworth
and known as the Lent Lily.
A short plant of 8"-12" with pale petals and deep yellow corona,
it is found in damp woods and grassland, where it naturalises readily. Flowering
in March as this Welsh name implies. AGM Price 10/£3
50/£12.50
500/£95
TENBY DAFFODIL Narcissus obvallaris The other
native daffodil and now considered a sub-species of N.pseudonarcissus,
this is excellent for naturalising.
Found locally and uniquely near Tenby in Dyfed, it is an attractive little
golden daffodil and emblem of Wales. Easy to grow and undemanding it reaches
only 8"-12" and flowers in March. AGM Price
10/£3 50 /£12.50 £500/£95
SNOWDROP Galanthus
nivalis Liliwen fach
(Eirlys) Native to Wales and the West, this snowdrop has naturalised
in most parts of Britain. It is found
in damp woods and can be grown in most soils and grass. It is one of the
earliest of flowers, Jan.-March, ht. 6". Despatched freshly lifted Aug.
- Oct. so that bulbs are not allowed to dry out. This gives as good, if not
better, results than transplanting 'in the green' in spring. AGM
Price 10 /£3 50 /£12.50 500 /£110
(Bulbs can be sent 'in the green' in March, just after flowering please add £1.50
per 100 for extra postage.)
DOUBLE SNOWDROP Galanthus
nivalis flore pleno This naturally occurring double form of our native
snowdrop is just as easy to grow often flowering a little
earlier than the singles. Again despatched freshly lifted in Aug-Oct or 'in
the green' in March. AGM Price 10 /£3 50 /£14.50
(If wanted 'in the green' please add £1.50 per 50 extra for p.p.)
SNAKES HEAD FRITILLARY
Fritillaria meleagris Britheg This
is the fascinating native fritillary, with red-purple to cream flowers,
chequered dark and light.
It occurs naturally in damp meadows in Southern England, but is now rare
in the wild. Planted in soil that does not dry out, and in full sun, it flowers
in April. Ht.10". Plant at least 4" deep to avoid depredations
by mice, but planting under turf is a good way to avoid the rodents as well.
Price 20 /£4 100 /£15.50 500/£70 1000 /£125
Fritillaria meleagris alba As with the white bluebell this pure white flowered form is frequent in wild populations, and has been selected for cultivation. The slender form of a white Snakeshead in a moist corner of a lawn is a delightful sight in April. AGM Price 10/£3 50/£12.50
STAR OF BETHLEHEM Ornithogalum umbellatum Seren Bethlehem A white star like flower April to May following early foliage. Wild in grassy places from Northern Europe to the Holy Land where the bulbs were used as food by pilgrims, and known as Dogs Onions until the more wholesome name arrived in the 15th Century; this is native in Britain only in Eastern England. It naturalises well in open sites in most soils and is especially suited to growing through grass. Price 20/£3.50 100/£13
BATH ASPARAGUS Ornithogalum
pyrenaicum Seren Bethlehem Hir The other Ornithogalum
native in Britain, and found particularly in woods near Bath. Its tall flowering
spikes have been eaten for centuries as an asparagus like delicacy. It flowers
in June some time after its grey green foliage dies back.
Price 5/£9.50
WILD TULIP Tulipa sylvestris The only relative of the garden tulip found
wild in Britain, although it was probably introduced and has naturalised
in meadows in the centre and east of the country. It flowers in April with
rich yellow blooms and the added bonus of a delicious scent. Ht. 12".
Price 10 /£4 50 /£15.50
SPRING SNOWFLAKE Leucojum vernum This resembles a snowdrop, but the flower
is more open and bell like, with distinct green tips. It is found in damp
scrub and hedgerows in many parts of Europe, but in Britain is native only
in Dorset or Somerset. It prefers moist semi-shade and flowers March-April.
Ht. 6"-8".
As with Snowdrops, freshly lifted on despatch Aug-Oct. AGM Price 5/£8.50
10/£14.50
(If wanted they can be sent 'in the green’ in March - add £1
for extra p.p.)
SUMMER SNOWFLAKE Leucojum
aestivum Eiriaidd Gravetye Giant Actually
more spring flowering (April-May) with 18” foliage and white flowers
like large snowdrops, this thrives in moist or even boggy conditions, sun
or partial
shade. Also called the Loddon Lily as it was found along the banks of the
Loddon a tributary of the Thames its native status is as hotly disputed as
the Snakeshead Fritillary. We now just supply this form as it proves much
the best performer, originally selected by W. Robinson from his Sussex Estate.
AGM Price 5/£5.50 10/£9.50
(This also can be despatched in March “in the green” before flowering – add £1
for extra p.p)
SPRING SQUILL Scilla verna Seren y Gwanwyn This little squill is a wonderful feature in May along the cliffs of our Pembrokeshire coast path, and elsewhere on the coasts of the British Isles. 2-4" high with starry bright blue flowers, it needs an open well-drained site in the garden. Price 5 / £4.50 10 /£8.50
AUTUMN SQUILL Scilla
autumnalis Seren yr Hydref This
is similar to spring squill and again occurs in grassy places near the
sea, but is found naturally
in the British Isles only in the South of England. It flowers much later
as its name implies July-September. Price 5/£8.50
GRAPE HYACINTH Muscari neglectum Until recently a form of this was known
as M.atlanticum and considered native to Eastern England. Now, however,
this is synonymous with M.neglectum and believed to have been introduced.
With spikes of blackish blue flowers, it prefers open well-drained soil.
Flowers in April.
See later section for other Grape Hyacinths for naturalising. Price 10
/ £3 50 / £13.50
RAMSONS Allium ursinum Craf y Geifr Ramsons or wild garlic occurs widely
in the British Isles in damp woods and hedgerows. Its brilliant white flowers
in April and May are very beautiful. Some cooks do use the cigar shaped
bulbs, although we stick to A.sativum, the usual culinary species, but
the leaves are used in salads. Ramsons grow and spread in most soils. Ht.
9". Price 20 / £3.00 100 / £12.50 500 / £60
ROUND-HEADED LEEK Allium
sphaerocephalon This produces and attractive and
striking umbel of purple flowers like a drumstick, June-July. Native, though
rare in the wild in Britain, it is a good subject for the garden, planted
in meadow conditions and in borders. The flowers dry well for winter arrangement.
Ht. 2ft.
Price 20 /£3 100 /£8.50
CHIVES Allium schoenoprasm var anglicum Seifys A form of the common kitchen herb, native to places in Britain including our part of Wales. It is much smaller than the ordinary chives, and has delightful curly or flexuous leaves. So different in form that it used to be lumped in with another species, A.sibiricum. Price 5 clumps / £7.50
WILD LEEK Allium ampeloprasum var babinigtonii Garlleg Mawr Pengrwn This the ancestor of A.porrum, the leek. In the wild in the British Isles it occurs on some rocky coasts of Cornwall, the Scillies and of course here in S.Wales. As tall as the cultivated vegetable, with similar purple umbels of flowers, it grows from a cloved bulb. The form we grow here is also called Babington’s Leek and produces bulbils on its flower heads from which it can be propagated. Price 5/£7.50
WOOD ANEMONE Anemone nemorosa Blodyn Gwynt Called the Windflower, this is one of our loveliest woodland flowers, with its delicate white blossoms and ferny foliage. It prefers damp soil and light shade, so it is suited to hedgerows and areas, under deciduous shrubs and trees, where it will spread happily. Plant twig like rhizomes horizontally, up to 1" below a surface of soil or leaf-mould. AGM Price 20/£3.50 100/£14.00
Other forms of Wood Anemone have
been selected and cultived in Britain for centuries. The following are
a few examples.. Price for all these forms of Anemone nemorosa 5 / £5.50
10 / £9.50
Anemone nemorosa Robinsoniana A form of our native Wood Anemone, but with
glorious blue flowers held
AGM
Anemone nemorosa Allenii This vigorous Windflower was a form grown on by the
19th Century Somerset gardener James Allen. Its large flowers are a wonderful
silvery blue. AGM
Anemone nemorosa Vestal A pure white form of the Wood Anemone with a ring of
petals surrounding a closely doubled centre. Flowers later than the species and
other cultivars. AGM
Anemone nemorosa Virescens A curious version of the Wood Anemone where instead
of petals the flower is made of a cluster of green leaflets giving the plant
an attractive mop head. AGM
Anemone nemorosa Bracteata Pleniflora Another old variety where leafy green bracts
mingle with pure white petals, giving the flowers the effect of wearing a green
ruff.
Anemone nemorosa Pat’s Pink Starting as white, the flowers of this form
develop into a rich pink. This form was selected by ourselves from a friend’s
population of Wood Anemone, and named after his wife.
LESSER CELANDINE Ranunculus
ficaria Llygad Ebrill With its early golden star like flowers, March to
April, and attractive mottled leaves, this is
a welcome sight in early spring. It often forms a carpet of flowers in woodland
or grass under shrubs. Now sent as freshly lifted clumps of bulbils August –October.
Price 10 clumps /£2.50 50 clumps /£11
WINTER ACONITE Eranthis
hyemalis Bleidd-dag
y Gaeaf A harbinger of spring with its golden flowers
and ruff of light green bracts, this is native to
Europe, but is a common sight throughout the British Isles, where it is naturalised
in woods and plantations all over the country. The tuberous rhizomes are
freshly lifted prior to despatch (Aug-Oct) to give the best results. Plant
about 3" deep. AGM Price 20 / £3.50 100 / £14
( If wanted "in the green" in March, after flowering, please add £1.50
for extra postage.)
MONK'S HOOD Aconitum napellus Cwcwll y Mynach Found naturally on shady stream banks in parts of South Wales and SW England. This has handsome spires of hooded light indigo flowers in summer. In the 13th century it was an important medicinal herb used by the Physicians of Myddfai, but highly poisonous. Also good in borders, it can reach 5ft. Despatched late autumn. Price 5 / £4.75 10 / £9.00
TURK'S CAP LILY Lilium
martagon Llysiau Martagon A base rooting lily which is naturalised in woods
and hedgerows in Southern Britain. It has numerous,
scented, nodding 'Turk's cap' flowers in shades of pink and purple with darker
spots. Flowers in mid-summer. AGM Price £3.50 each
Lilium martagon album The white flowered form of the Turks Cap Lily AGM Price £3.50
each
PYRENEAN LILY Lilium pyrenaicum Cap y Twrc Melyn Another lily that has gained home 'naturalised' status in Britain, particularly in hedgerows of SW Wales and SW England. Its blooms with a 2 ft stem in June-July, with a yellow turk's cap flower freckled with black dots and prominent red anthers. Price £4 each.
LILY OF THE VALLEY Convallaria majalis Clych Enid This well loved plant is native to Britain where it is found locally in woods. Sending up oval leaves and richly fragrant, nodding white flowers in May, it is popular with both gardeners and bees. Growing in a variety of situations where they're happy, they can be fickle, so try them in different places to give them a choice. Plant thong like rhizomes firmly 1" deep laid horizontally. Delivered late autumn or spring. AGM Price 10/£4.50 50/£15.50
Convallaria majalis var rosea This dainty form
of Lily of the Valley, with its soft pink flowers has been know to gardeners
for centuries. Price £2.50
each 5/£9.50
SOLOMON'S SEAL Polygonatum
x multiflorum Sel Solomon This close relative
of Lily of the Valley enjoys the same growing conditions. The rhizome produces
long stems (2-3ft), which bend gracefully at the top, with the leaves all
on one side, and the white waxy flowers dangling in little clusters below.
It gained its curious name from the belief that the leaf scars on the rhizome
resembled Hebrew characters.
Delivered late autumn or early spring Price 5 / £7.50 10 / £13.50
SWEET SCENTED SOLOMON’S SEAL Polygonatum odoratum So called for its vanilla scented flowers borne singly or in pairs. This species is lower growing, (max 12”) inhabiting woods and rocky places, scattered over mainland Europe and England and Wales. AGM Price 5/£9.50
LORDS AND LADIES Arum maculatum Pidyn y Gog Familiar in the wild in woods and hedgerows, this can be a valuable asset in a woodland garden or between shrubs. Its handsome often spotted leaves, and flowers with hooded spathes in May, are followed by eye-catching berries in late summer. Rootstocks delivered in the autumn best planted 4-6” deep in shade or partial shade. Price 5/£7.50 10/£13.50
HERB PARIS Paris quadrifolia Cwlwm cariad. The associations with Homer’s amorous hero and the Welsh lover's knot, hint at the aphrodisiac potential of this plant. Related to the Trilliums, this also is a woodland plant with a rhizome producing its 4 leaves and single yellow flower in early summer shade. Price £2.50 each
MEADOW SAFFRON or AUTUMN CROCUS Colchicum
autumnale Saffrwm y Gweunydd
This is the species that includes meadows in Southern Britain in its natural range.
Don't be fooled by the common names, which are very misleading, since this
is certainly not a crocus and far from being anything to do with Saffron,
it is actually poisonous, and used to be vigorously discouraged where it
occurred in grazing meadows. (Nowadays a naturally occurring stand would
be something to treasure, of course.) It flowers September - October, with
beautiful pale purple blooms. The lush foliage follows in the spring, and
for this reason it is also called "Naked Ladies".
Delivered July to September before flowering. Price 5 / £9.50
Colchicum autmnale var album The white form of Meadow Saffron is beautiful on its own or mixed with the straight pink in grass. Delivered June - September just before flowering Price £5/£9.50
Native bulbs