Favourite plants ...

Thought I'd start a thread to cheer us all up cos Spring seems so far away.

What are your three favourite plants in the garden (pics please if poss)?

Mine are ...

1. Rhododendron Firelight. Just love the shape of the flowers and the colours



2. Rhododendron Van. Although a very girly colour, the big pink flowers make me smile every time I look at them :D



3. I was going to put Rhododendron Marcel Menard but I'd best choose something different so I'll go for the Wisteria, which is beautifully fragrant ...



I've planted loads of new shrubs this year (including a couple of Rhododendrons which may well make the top three if they make it through the winter), so can't wait to see how they do. Looking back through the pics has made me look forward to spring even more, although having said that I do have daffs coming up in the front garden already so at least those will cheer me up.

 

good thread!

I have loads .... but here are 3 that I always try and include in new or existing gardens (cheating on the last one, as it is a combination of 2 different huechera, planted in mass)

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (perennial plant of the year 2009) .... my all time favourite ....even now in winter when the leaves have browned, it still looks stunning! .... in spring when new growth starts is the time to remove the dead brown leaves .... better pics on the following link:
http://www.perennialplant.org/ppy/2009_POY.pdf




star jasmine .... very versatile, evergreen, smells good in summer and I find it hardy (planted several small ones and have not lost one (even through last years winter):


3rd favourite is a combination of 2 heuchera planted together .... Huechera georgia peach and huechera electra planted side by side





always brightens up a garden and becomes a focal point ... evergreen and leaves change colour through the seasons

 

My favourite 3 tropical/exotic stlye plants which I always include in a tropical style landscape :

Trachycarpus fortunei/Chusan palm



several evergreen ferns (Dryopteris affinis) planted together (amonst large leaved hostas)


and a t-rex for the large leaves

 

Probably a class of Chilean plants such as Lapageria rosea, Eccremocarpus scaber, Desfontainia spinosa, Tropaeolum speciosum, Crinodendron hookerianum to Luma apiculata.

 

Lovely choice Stephen!

Mine also includes one Chilean, Lobelia laxiflora...........


Clerodendrum ugandense in full bloom is the plant that seems to have the biggest "Wow!" factor amongst those unfamiliar with it...........


Sollya heterophylla is an Australian native that blooms for ever - my white one is still producing flowers outdoors today!




To make us choose just three is a bit mean though!!!!

 

Lobelia laxiflora is one of the most amazing plants to ever grace this planet.

here's a picture from our local gardens:



I like the Sollya heterophylla, is that evergreen, it stands out pretty nicely for blue flowered plant! Blue flowers can often be quite tame in their appearance but I like it, it reminds me of a Ceanothus, the way its colour really grabs you

 

Stephen - the Sollya was evergreen last winter in my garage. If this winter is no worse than the frosts that we've had they will remain outdoors this year.
I have a couple of other Lobelia that have just started to germinate; L.polyphylla.................
http://bit.ly/vKKXhO
...........and L.excelsa............
http://bit.ly/soDNZY
If you remind me in the spring when it starts back into growth I could send you a small division.

 

They look fantastic LK, I'll take you up on that offer, that is of course only providing I can give you a swap too!

 

Remind me in the spring...............