G

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.

GALEOPSIS   HEMP NETTLES

Galeopsis bifida 'Contrast'*

This plant was formerly listed as a form of common hemp nettle (Galeopsis tetrahit), but I now think it is a form of bifid hemp nettle, a very similar member of the dead nettle family flowering in late summer. It is a rather stiff, bushy annual with white two-lipped flowers which are small but beautifully marked.  These make an effective contrast with the calyces and petioles, which turn a very dark maroon colour during the flowering period.  Height around 40 cm. Seed only.  

GERANIUM   CRANESBILLS  

Geranium robertianum.  Herb Robert.  An exuberant and colourful annual with prettily lobed leaves for the least hospitable situations - walls and dry shade a speciality.  Most forms only flower after overwintering..

Geranium robertianum ‘Album’ (?) (S)

Vigorous form of herb Robert with white flowers in reddish calyces.  Stems and stalks also reddish.  It flowers only after overwintering and may be wrongly named. According to Peter Yeo’s book Geraniums, the epithet ‘Album’ applies only to white-flowered, red-tinted plants which do not need to overwinter in order to flower. Good in dry soil. £4.50

Geranium robertianum ‘Celtic White (S)

A form lacking the usual anthocyanins (red pigment). The stems, stalks and calyces are green, and the flowers are pure white with green anthers. Low-growing. £4.50 

Geranium robertianum ssp. celticum (S)

A dainty, low-growing form with pale pink flowers and scarlet anthers.  The plants generally have less red colour in their stems and stalks, although these can redden noticeably in dry situations or in pots.  £4.50

GEUM   AVENS  

Geum x intermedium 'Hofrennydd'* - NEW   

Superb and unusual form of the naturally occurring hybrid between the wood avens (Geum urbanum) and water avens (Geum rivale) found by Phil Clark in North Wales.  It forms clumps of deeply lobed leaves from which arise stems of downward-facing creamy white flowers in pale green calyces.  They have widely spaced petals which open out to resemble helicopter blades (‘Hofrennydd’ means ‘helicopter’ in Welsh).  The flowers eventually turn to face sideways.  I think this is the most lovely plant – it has the kind of cool, understated beauty that will grace any spot, particularly in part shade.  It is also very long flowering – from spring well into summer.  Please note it is unlikely to come true from seed as it will freely hybridise.  £4.50  

GLECHOMA   GROUND IVY  

Glechoma hederacea 'Rosea'*

A typically rampant ground ivy with luscious pink flowers instead of the usual bluish-violet. A nectar source for bees.  £4.50