Alison
Foot and John Shipton, Y Felin, Henllan Amgoed, Whitland, Carmarthenshire
, SA34 0SL
Tel: 01994 240125
CAMASSIA
All these Camassias spread happily in damp soil growing readily from seed.
Camassia quamash. This grows widely in North
America in damp meadows and along stream banks. The bulbs were even
used by Indian tribes to
make a
kind of bread. This is a valuable plant in grass with 12" spikes of starry
mid blue flowers in May. Price 20 / £3 100 / 12.50
Camassia leichtlinii Caerulea Although this North
American native has a rather cumbersome name it is a beautiful striking
plant. It will grow
happily
in
grass but makes an even more dramatic sight in retentive soil among
shrubs. The flower spikes grow to 3', covered in glorious blue starry
flowers
in May. Price 5 / £6.50
Camassia leichtlinii alba This enjoys
the same situation as its blue relative, but flowers slightly later.
In this case the flower spikes
are rich creamy-white
and most attractive to insects. Price 5 / £6.50
Camassia leichtlini Semiplena Flowering later again than the other
two tall Camassias, this superb plant has a much fuller flower
spike due to its double
florets. These are densely packed star shaped, and soft cream in
colour.
Price 5 / £9.50
TRILLIUM
Trilliums are another N.American
genus related to our woodland Paris, and are ideal for growing in woodlands
here.
The plants grow
8- 12" high,
with trifoliate leaves, bearing curious three-petalled, flowers in spring (Apr-June).
The rootstocks are best planted fairly deep 4-6”, in rich
leafy soil in shade.
Price all species 5 / £8.50
Trillium grandiflorum 'Wake Robin'. The best known Trillium from
the woods of Eastern N America, this has pure white flowers. AGM
Trillium sessile The 'Toad Trillium'. Wild in woods in Eastern
N America, this can make an impressive feature. But this one has
deep
maroon flowers
on mottled
foliage. It likes growing in rich leafy soil in shade, and reaches
8-12" in
Trillium luteum As the Latin suggests this has yellow flowers and
has very similar mottled foliage to T.sessile.
Trillium erectum This has the clear green leaves of T.grandiflorum
but striking scarlet flowers.
BLOODROOT
Sanguinaria canadensis This lovely spring
flower is known as Bloodroot in its native North America because of the
red sap in the rhizomes. North
American Indians used this as a dye for skin and clothes, but we do not
advise this! The delicate white flowers are borne singly with the flower
buds protected by the furled downy leaves. Lovely, grown in leaf-mouldy
soil in partial shade. Price 5/ £8.50 10/£15
ARISAEMA
Arisaema triphyllum Arisaemas are always a fascinating feature in moist shade. We have found this North American species easy to establish here. The trifoliate leaves in spring are followed by flowers in May/June with spathes green with purple stripes. Female plants produce shiny red berries. Price 5/£8.50
North American Bulbs