August plants
From palmate foliage to eye-catching perennials, Jimi’s August selection favours architectural specimens and plants that flower late into the season
ACTAEA CORDIFOLIA ‘BLICKFANG’
I first saw this Actaea growing in the stock beds in a field at De Hessenhof nursery in the Netherlands. I brought a few plants back to Hunting Brook where they have grown into large clumps; it is now one of my absolute favourite perennials. Its foliage is neat, with buds starting green and opening up to ivory-green over at least six weeks. I have it planted with purple fennel and a mixture of tropical foliage plants, which creates a spectacular display for the late summer and early autumn. I propagate it by division in spring.
Height 2.4m.
Origin Garden (species North America). Conditions Rich, moisture-retentive soil; full sun.
Hardiness RHS H7.
Season of interest July to September.
BRASSAIOPSIS MITIS
Brassiopsis mitis is the absolute queen of foliage at Hunting Brook, and, with its spectacular, palmate leaves and vicious, spiny stems, it is the plant visitors ask about most often. It is native to areas of Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal and northern
India where it grows in areas up to 2,200m in elevation. Shelter from wind is key as it can damage the leaves. I bring it into an unheated tunnel in early winter and move it into the house when it gets really cold. Once I manage to propagate it from cuttings, I will experiment leaving some outside over the winter, as I am told it’s much hardier than I realise.
Height 1.8m.
Origin Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal. Conditions Sheltered area in full sun or dappled shade and well-drained soil. Hardiness RHS H3.
Season of interest Year round for foliage.
SALVIA BUCHANANII
This is one of my favourite salvias. It was first discovered in a garden in
Mexico City in the 1950s but has never been seen growing in the wild. It has large, velvety, bright-pink, pendulous flowers throughout the summer and shiny, dark-green foliage. It is low-growing, so plant it at the edge of a border or in a pot. I cut back the previous year’s growth in spring to keep it looking tidy. I grew it in my sand garden last year where it was happy with no competition from other plants, but it looks best in pots displayed on one of our outdoor dining tables where I can see its spectacular flowers. AGM*.
Height 50cm.
Origin Mexico.
Conditions Well-drained soil; full sun. Hardiness RHS H2.
Season of interest June to September for flowers.