NINE EAST LAMBROOK PLANTS
1 Geranium pyrenaicum
A self-seeder that will gradually travel through the garden, casting diffuse sprays of small, pale-mauve flowers. Thrives best in light soil and sun. 40-50cm. RHS H6 †.
2 Nectaroscordum siculum
One of Mrs Fish’s favourite plants, described as growing ‘above the eye so that the maroon makings inside the cream and green bells can be enjoyed’. 1.3m. RHS H5.
3 Astrantia major Gill Richardson Group
A good dark form. According to Mrs Fish, ‘Astrantias are good mixers and they will fit in anywhere and go with everything’. 60cm. RHS H7.
4 Papaver orientale (Goliath Group) ‘Beauty of Livermere’
A show-stopper, with large goblet flowers of blood red, produced in June. Does best on rich soils. 1m. RHS H7.
5 Lathyrus aureus
A non-climbing pea making loose mounds of good, green foliage and covered in spikes of modest, ochre pea flowers. 60cm. RHS H6.
6 Geranium pratense
A self-sowing, variable perennial that readily finds its way through borders, paths and dry stone walls. 60cm. RHS H7, USDA 4a-7b.
7 Phuopsis stylosa
A mat-forming perennial, with carpets of vivid green, bedstraw-like foliage topped with tight clusters of small, bright flowers. 15cm. RHS H5.
8 Geranium versicolor
This loose, mound-forming geranium has white flowers with reticulate pink venation. Flowers late spring into early summer. 50cm. RHS H6.
9 Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus
A signature plant at East Lambrook, where it self-sows throughout the garden. Intense magenta flowers. 50cm. RHS H5, USDA 7a-10b. AGM*.