take a closer look
Plant Portraits
Here you will find posts about plants – in particular and in detail.
A plant’s name, its family, its structure, and where it grows are just some of the features I study to find something interesting, unusual, or surprising.
If you’d like to see why I find plants so interesting, go to Plants in Detail.
Or carry on and browse Plant Portraits below.
there are lots to choose from
Plant Portraits
Sarcococca – a glorious winter perfume
We grow sarcococca for its perfume but let’s take a closer look. Perhaps we can find the source of the wonderful scent and discover a fascinating plant.
Garrya elliptica – silk tassels
A beautiful evergreen shrub with long, dangling catkins all winter. But take a closer look to find the hidden details within. You’ll be amazed!
Ipomoea purpurea – Common morning glory
Read all about this beautiful summer climber. Maybe you’d like to grow it next year.
Galanthus reginae-olgae
Galanthus reginae-olgae is an autumn-flowering snowdrop and, for a budding galanthophile, the early blooms are a cause for great excitement.
Agave schidigera
All the way from Mexico to the UK and after fifteen years it flowers for the one and only time in its life. Read the full story of my Agave schidigera.
Lamium orvala – a plant for dry shade
I think Lamium orvala is a fabulous plant. Every plant has its moment in the sun, or, in this case, shade, and now is that time for Lamium orvala. But I don’t remember seeing it in gardens very often or reading about it in gardening or botanical literature. I got to wondering why.
Ipheion uniflorum and some cultivars
Having found out about Ipheion ‘Alberto Castillo’ I decided to see what other garden-worthy plants the genus had to offer.
Ipheion 'Alberto Castillo'
Although I have had this plant for a long time, I have never found out much about it. I set about putting this right to discover how it got its name and a lot more besides.