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L KEY *
Plants with nectar- and/or pollen-rich
flowers for insects. (S) Plants of which seed is either currently available or expected in 2009 (@ £2.70/pack)
Click on plant names in green for photos. All photos are the copyright of Rosemary Castle. Prices include first class postage and packing within the UK as at 1 January 2009.
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LAMIUM DEADNETTLES
A form of white deadnettle with leaves variegated in a beautiful combination of dark, pale and lime green. Its hooded white flowers are loved by bees. Long in flower and repeating if cut down. £4.50
Lamium galeobdolon*. A fairly typical (but
very handsome) form of yellow archangel in which the leaves show silvery blotches
and a central streak of purple in winter and spring. The blotching starts
to show in early autumn. Usual yellow/brown hooded
flowers. £4.50
Lamium galeobdolon 'Dark Angel'* This
form of yellow archangel has dark green leaves, the centres having a spreading
mark of dark purple in winter and spring. No silvery blotches in
this form. Usual yellow/brown
hooded flowers. £4.50
Lamium maculatum*. Spotted Deadnettle. Spotted deadnettle is a European plant, not a British native, but the two forms below are favourites of mine, probably because they are 'unspotted' (i.e. lack the typical silver stripe to the leaf) and the flowers are not the usual pinky purple. They can flower on and off all year round, especially if cut back, and are terrific bee plants.
This vigorous cultivar has pure white flowers and jagged, greyish-green leaves without a silver stripe. Very ‘wild’-looking, simple and lovely, and very long flowering (may begin flowering in late winter in sheltered places). A good bee plant and easy in sun or shade. Found by Kathleen Inman in France. £4.50
Lamium maculatum 'Brightstone Pearl'* This
cultivar has light green leaves without the silver stripe and warm pink, not
purple flowers. Best in sun.
Found by Jill Butcher. The
young flower tops are edible in salads and taste a bit like raw mushrooms. £4.50
LYCHNIS CATCHFLIES
Lychnis flos-cuculi*. Ragged Robin. Tall perennial with narrow leaves, reddish stems and rose-pink flowers. The deeply lobed petals have an attractively 'ragged' look. Native of marshy and damp ground. I have the typical form as well as the following:
Lychnis flos-cuculi, pale pink* - NEW A
lovely form of Ragged Robin with pale pink flowers instead of the usual rose
pink. From Bryan Winslade in Devon. Not for dry soils. £4.50
Lychnis flos-cuculi var. albiflora* - NEW Aslo
from Bryan Winslade, this beautiful pure white flowered form of Ragged Robin
with dark pink tints to the calyx. Not for dry soils.
£4.50
LYSIMACHIA LOOSESTRIFES
Lysimachia nemorum*. Yellow Pimpernel. Yellow pimpernel, a relative of creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia), deserves to be better known. In the wild it is a woodland carpeter producing small starry yellow flowers on slender stalks from May to August or later. The flowers have no nectar but are visited by flies and bees for pollen. In the garden I find it less rampant and longer flowering than creeping Jenny and just as useful in shade, even relatively dry shade. Two forms are available:
Lysimachia nemorum 'Little Sun'* A showy form of yellow pimpernel with larger than usual flowers up to 2 cm across. The petals are more rounded than usual, often with a slightly feathered edge, and the leaves are broadly ovate. May be a rotund form. Good in sun or shade. Flowers for months. £4.50
Lysimachia nemorum 'Pale Star''* A lovely form of yellow pimpernel with pale yellow flowers. Ovate, pointed leaves. Looks great growing with blue-flowered bugle. Will light up shady places beautifully for several months with its flowers. A gem. True from seed. £4.50
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