We are currently enjoying a spell of good weather here in Gloucestershire and the plants have appreciated it. As per usual, the sturdy little Aster ageratoides ‘Stardust’ is already in flower and pushing its way to the front to be admired.
The ever-increasing clump of Helianthus ‘Miss Mellish’ is reaching new heights, no doubt thanks to the spring rain and mild temperatures. However, even a ‘Chelsea Chop’ in May doesn’t seem to hold it back for long, the side shoots sending up even more cheery bright yellow ‘suns’. Fascinating to glance over every hour or so during the day to see the flowers turning to face the sun!
A friend asked me for advice last week, and you can probably see why! She has, or rather had, a beautiful collection of neatly clipped Box balls, Buxus sempervirens, which have all been ravaged by the Box Moth Caterpillar. I gave her the name of the recommended treatment with XenTari, but I think the damage is done. So sad when years of work and dedication are ruined, but that is just nature at work.
Of the many echinacea I have tried over the years, these Echinacea pallida have been the best and most long lived. Perhaps because they are a species rather than one of the many cultivars now available, I’m not sure. I do also have a small clump of Echinacea purpurea which comes back every year, but I fear that is dwindling.
Looking down the front border the other way, A newcomer this year is Leucanthemum superbum ‘Edgebrook Giant’. a big, showy, Shasta daisy which I acquired from the Plant Heritage Plant Exchange last year as a tiny rooted cutting. Now in its second year, it is dominating this part of the border with it’s huge white daisy flowers with bright yellow centres.
The star of the roses this year has been ‘Let’s Celebrate’ which has flowered non-stop since early June and is showing no signs of letting up. Not a strongly scented rose but the clusters of fluffy pink and white flowers are much admired by visitors which is usually the sign of a good rose!
Finally, it’s going to be a very good year for the rowan, Sorbus hupehensis ‘Pink Pagoda’, which seems to produce fruit every other year. I love watching the antics of the wood pigeons as they edge out gingerly to the tips of flimsy branches to pick the berries. Amazingly, they never fall off!
Have a great weekend
David
Davids Garden Diary 
Echinacea pallida is native here and it is a beauty. I really like the Shasta daisies.
love your herbaceous perennials David. I also have the tall helianthus & despite Chelsea chop in May it’s as tall as me ! But wouldn’t be without it . Thanks for your Saturday posts 😊
Unfortunately the true ‘Edgebrook Giant’ should have very large flowers on short stems. It may well have died out. The plant circulating in the UK under that name is a fine tall plant but it’s not the true ‘Edgebrook Giant’
Hi Alan. Thanks for your comment, I apologise for the delay in replying. What you say about ‘Edgebrook Giant’ is interesting. I took the plant at face value having obtained it from someone in another group of Plant Heritage in the annual Plant Exchange, and I therefore assumed it was the real deal. Can you provide me with a bit more info please. For instance, how do you know about this plant?
I researched the history of this plant in 2023. As best as I can tell, although it originated in the USA, throughout this century it has has only been offered for sale anywhere in the world in the UK. All the UK stock appears to be the same and it all fails to match the original description, as given here for example: https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/296759#page/6/mode/1up