Plant of the Week - Haloragis erecta 'Wellington Bronze'

   If you've been reading our emails, you may remember that we had problems with our irrigation system during our early (and only?) hot spell in June. We wrote that our plant of the week (Haloragis erecta) was hard hit and probably was toast.   We said: "So the Haloragis have been amply watered and moved to the shade section but we'll have to see if they come back. It'll be a true test of how hardy they really are." Well guess who passed the test. So here is the email about our survivor who looks better than ever.

Haloragis erecta 'Wellington Bronze'. 

from: www.robsplants.com

   This perennial is a most unusual foliaged plant hailing from New Zealand.   Grown primarily for foliage, it does have light pinkish mauve flowers in late summer. But its serrated leaves in shades of bronze, purple and brown are the stars of this plant. It grows to a dense mound about 2 feet high and wide. Easy to grow, it likes a sunny location. Useful as an accent plant in mixed containers.  

  I got this plant as a 4" freebie at a local nursery along with a purchase. It had a couple little shoots and was looking pretty pathetic. I took it home and put it in a gallon where it immediately responded with some growth.   Then it went into the garden and it's looking good surrounded by a lime foliaged, yellow flowered Ranunculus repens pleniflorus (creeping buttercup). Although I like the combination, it might look even better in some other groupings.   For instance, Digging Dog Nursery suggests combining it with lavender, grasses and euphorbia ('Black Pearls' specifically) for an interesting combination of texture and color. And Annie's Annuals likes it with the "chartreusy-leaved Aquilegia 'Woodside Blue'". Our Haloragis are very full and healthy - ready for a spot in the unusual garden.

Ruth Bancroft Garden Plant Sale &
Free Garden Entry with Docent-led Tours,
Saturday, August 6th, Walnut Creek

While Markham has a small collection of cactus and succulents on display and for sale in the Nursery, the premier use of cactus and succulents in the Garden is the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek (map). They are celebrating the refurbishing of their pathways and beds, and having a special sale with significant discounts this Saturday (planting time for cacti and succulents) as well as free admission and special docent-led tours through the Gardens during the day.

Members Only Preview Sale: 9 - 10 am

(Memberships Available for purchase at the Garden Entrance) 

Public Sale: 10 am - 1 pm

Cashier available until 4 pm for plant sales. 

More information: http://ruthbancroftgarden.org/rbgarden/pages/events.html

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