Source: https://www.marchantshardyplants.co.uk/perennials/V.php
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 16:22:12+00:00

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So at Marchants, the nursery drifts almost imperceptibly into Gough's rich, dramatic sweeps of herbaceous planting: sanguisorbas, daylilies, masses of grasses, achilleas, dark agapanthus etc.
Anna Pavord. The Independent Magazine.
VALERIANA officinalis. Stiff branched stems soar over clumps of pinnate foliage carrying clusters of sweet scented small white flowers. A grand ‘weed’ and in effect a match to the ubiquitous Verbena bonariensis. 1.75m.
*VERBASCUM sp. Thinking this an annual I left this mullein on the Armenian hillside where it was discovered. Not however my inquisitive friend John Coke, and it is to him that we owe the introduction of this plant. The flowers come in an extraordinary range: Moleskin grey, petrol blue, deep jade, khaki, etc. Best of all, it has proved perennial but remains unnamed as a species. 50cm.
*V. blattaria albiflorum. From neatly packaged buds burst large white flowers with rosy stamens. Short lived but seeds freely. 90cms.
V. phoeniceum ‘Pale Form’. A much paler version of the following. Very pleasing when allowed to seed about.
V. p. ‘Violetta’. Airy spikes of large rich purple flowers more than compensate for the lack lustre basal rosettes. Seeds freely when happy. 60cm.
*VERBENA bonariensis. Erect, skeletal Giacometti like stems bear clusters of tiny lavender-purple flowers through summer and autumn. Its transparent structure is beautiful in winter too. 150-180cm.
*V. hastata. Erect stems terminate in a branched candelabra arrangement of tiny purple flowers. 90cm.
*V. h. alba. The less often encountered white form. 75cm.
V. h. rosea. Hopefully, we shall have plants available of this delightful pink form in early summer. 90cms.
V. ‘La France’. The ambitious stems of this bedding type verbena will gladly weave themselves to great effect through neighbours. Domed heads of bright lilac-mauve flowers throughout summer/autumn. 45cm.
*Verbena rigida ‘Polaris’. The clusters of small pale lavender flowers are always much admired here. Pessimists would have us believe it is not hardy.
VERNONIA crinita. Iron Root. So called because of its brutishly tough roots. A late perennial which should be better known. Leafy 1.8m+ stems are topped in Sept/Oct with a display of small crimson-purple aster like flowers.
*V. fasciculata. The differences between this and the above are hair fine. Your choice!
VERONICA exaltata. Stiff stems that need no staking terminate in spikes of tiny, soft lavender-blue. A handsome, trouble free garden plant rarely met. 120cm.
*V. ‘Fantasy’. Slender spikes of palest lavender-grey/blue flowers throughout summer. An arrival from the continent that we have particularly enjoyed. 45cm.
VERONICASTRUM. The following list is arguably one of the best in the country. We adore these classic American Prairie plants. Their bold, erect outline match them perfectly to planting with grasses. What’s more, they are long lived and for the most part, very easy to please.
V. sibiricum. This Asian/Siberian form is a leafier plant than the following with fuller branched spikes of violet blue flowers. 1.5m.
V. v. ‘Kobaltkaars’. New from Dutch nurseryman friend Hans Kramer and described by him as having deep blue flowers. Comes with great credits so let’s wait and see. 1.25m.
*V. v. album. The beautiful white form and difficult to hold a candle to. 1.5m.
V. v. ‘Diane’. A good white form, somewhat shorter than V. v. album above. 120cm.
V. v.‘Erika’. A form which has settled down well with us. The flowers are pale rose pink. Raised by eminent nurseryman, Ernst Pagels. 120cm.
V. v. ‘Fascination’. Whorls of leaves clasp dark stems, topped in summer with attractive spires of tiny lavender-mauve flowers. If vertical accent is required, here’s the plant. 2 m+.
V. v. incarnatum. Soft pink flower spikes followed by persistent warm, coppery seed heads in winter make this a favourite here. 1.5m.
V. v.‘Lavendelturm’. A very vigorous and tall form with large airy tapers of pale lavender–lilac flowers and remarkably good chestnut-brown seed heads in early winter. 2m+.
V. v. ‘Pink Glow’. Not dissimilar to V. V. incarnatum in colour and height. 1.5m.
V. v. ‘Pointed Finger’. For those among you who misbehaved at school, the angle the flower spikes assume will remind you of a long forgotten but all too familiar experience. ‘Gough! – Headmaster!’ Lavender-blue. 100cm.
V. v. ‘Temptation’. One of the first to flower with pale lilac spikes. 120cm.
VIOLA cornuta. A pure cornuta with small, deep purple flowers. A generous gift from a customer who has grown it for over 30 years.
V. ‘Boughton Blue’. A plant with no more concern other than to please us by producing dozens of deep sky-blue flowers the season long. Utterly dependable. 15cm.
V. cornuta ‘ Heaselands’. Such a good strong plant with large scented, pale violet flowers. Very reliable. 20cm.
V. c. ‘Victoria’s Blush’. Chirpy, small flowers in lilac-pink to cheer you through the season. A haircut and good drenching mid-season will encourage a further flush of flowers. 20cm.

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