Plant up drought-tolerant containers that will withstand summer’s heat with ten plant suggestions from Shaun Blower, who works in Great Dixter’s nursery
Great Dixter in East Sussex, is a model of compelling planting schemes. Among the people contributing to this remarkable garden is Shaun Blower, who works in the nursery. Having started as a trainee four years ago, he is now a permanent member of staff dedicating himself to the propagation and cultivation of plants and teaching others. With an eye on summer heat and mindful use of water in the garden, here he selects ten robust and drought-tolerant plants for growing in containers. As with the gardens he helps tend, they’re inventive and will make a statement for this season and many more to come.
Great Dixter, Northiam, Rye, East Sussex TN31 6PH. Tel: 01797 252878; greatdixter.co.uk
1 Convolvulus cneorum
“Growing throughout the central Mediterranean, this shrub is no stranger to low rainfall. It has a compact form with truly silvery foliage and white, trumpet-shaped flowers that open from pink buds. We grow it in an extra gritty soil mix in the nursery to give it the drainage it needs,” Shaun explains.
2 Dianthus knappii
“This is a hardy, mat-forming alpine with grey-green foliage,” notes Shaun. “The pale yellow flowers that appear from May to July have a certain vibrancy: they’re small but occur in profusion on stems 30cm above the foliage.” Dianthus knappii is easily raised from seed: grow it in full sun in light, well-drained soil.
3 Centaurea bella
This plant’s natural distribution is in the southern Caucasus, between the Black and Caspian seas. “After seeing its success in the Delos planting at Sissinghurst, I had to grow it myself,” Shaun explains. “The pink flowers are held above dense silvery foliage and it will flower all summer long if you keep deadheading it.”
4 Eryngium bourgatii
“This is a hardy eryngium species that grows in the rocky ground of the Pyrenees,” says Shaun. Reaching about 70cm in height, this Mediterranean sea holly has rosettes of pointed silvery leaves and pincushion flowers surrounded by a spiny ring of bracts in shades of metallic violet and blue. Its stems are a darker blue.
5 Salvia discolor
Hailing from the Peruvian Andes, this tender perennial reaches between 50cm and 1m in height and spread. “It has a small, almost black flower contrasting with a pistachio-green calyx,” notes Shaun. “Hairs cover the stem and underside of the leaf, making it look white.” Take cuttings to pot up and overwinter indoors.
6 Helianthemum ‘Henfield Brillian
