Daily Perennials: 1st April to 7th April 2019

Monday 1st April – Pulmonaria ‘Blue Ensign’

Pulmonaria are commonly known as lungwort.

This species has the deepest blue of all Pulmonaria and is my favourite, but you can also get them in blue-pink, pink and white. The leaves are usually green with  spotted grey-white patterns on them.

You can grow Pulmonaria in part or full shade. It grows to c. 30cm high and wide over time, and looks good at the front of the border.

It’s best to cut them hard back after they have finished flowering. This will rejuvenate the leaves, which will otherwise become less attractive. The leaves may remain during milder winters.

Pulmonaria are called lungwort because traditionally they were used medicinally for lung conditions. They are an excellent plant and are very easy to grow.

***bad ME, so missed a few days***

Saturday 6th April – Viola odorata
This is a semi-evergreen perennial and flowers at the end of winter/early spring. Not only does it have pretty lilac-purple flowers, the leaves are pleasingly heart-shaped.

 
I have planted some both in my new Forest Garden Border, but I’ve also inherited a large patch under the beech hedge between us and our neighbour, which catches the midday sun rather nicely.

On top of this, both the flowers and leaves are edible and can be added to salads. And it’s well loved by bees.

Sunday 7th April – Fritillaria Uva Vulpis
This is also known as fox’s grape fritillary.

Flowering in early to mid-Spring, this has an upright habit, and one stem can hold up to seven flowers. It is happy in part-shade as well as sun, but it doesn’t like damp soil when dormant.

I feel it’s an elegant addition to a border.

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