Tom keeps the interest going in the autumn borders, with a dazzling, late-blooming, orange kniphofia, a vibrant ginger lily and shades of blue from salvia and scabious
WORDS TOM COWARD PHOTOGRAPHS JASON INGRAM
VERNONIA ARKANSANA ‘MAMMUTH’
This improved form of the Arkansas ironweed is a tough perennial with stiff, upright stems that are feathered with lance-shaped, grey-green leaves. It blooms in late summer offering clusters of fluffy, rosy-mauve flowers. These develop into fluffy, rust-coloured seedheads – hence its common name ironweed. These elegant stems look good throughout the winter and should be cut down at the beginning of spring. Works well with tall grasses such as Miscanthus sinensis that also keep good structure through winter. AGM*.
Height and spread 2m x 1m.
Origin Garden (species east central USA).
Conditions Rich and fertile soil; full sun or partial shade.
Hardiness RHS H7, USDA 5a-8b†.
Season of interest August – October.
AUSTRODERIA RICHARDII
Formerly in the genus Cortaderia, the toetoe is closely related to South American pampas grass, albeit far more graceful. I once had the privilege of seeing a large population of this plant in New Zealand on a steep hillside on the shores of the Southern Ocean, where I fell in love with it immediately. Tall, elegantly arching flowerheads wave above tough, evergreen foliage and seem to catch the light in a very particular way. At Gravetye it is a well-behaved, trouble-free plant that simply needs a tidy each spring. Flowers much earlier than other pampas grasses. AGM.
Height and spread 2.5m x 2.5m.
Origin South Island, New Zealand.
Conditions Alkaline to neutral soil; full sun. Tolerant of sea winds.
Hardiness RHS H5, USDA 5a-9b.
Season of interest June – February.
CLERODENDRUM BUNGEI
An excellent, late-flowering shrub with large, rounded clusters of scented, rose-pink flowers that show off against its dark-coloured stems. The large, heart-shaped leaves are also very attractive and smell of Marmite when crushed. It will sucker moderately vigorously, although these are easily controlled by chopping them out with a spade where they’re not wanted. We tend to prune ours back hard in winter, shaping the clump from hip height to shoulder height. A good performer for dry shade.
Height and spread 2.5m x 2.5m, depending on pruning and suckering.
Origin China.
Conditions Moist, but well-drained soil, an
