Coming out of my cold frame for some exercise especially for GBBD is saxifraga cortusifolia 'Silver Velvet'. This was a purchase from a plant fair held at Abbeywood Gardens in Cheshire this August. It should have course been planted by now but I think that it may well now reside in the cold frame overwinter. Although the dark foliage is what initially caught my attention its delicate starry late autumn flowers have been its selling point over the last couple of months. It is admittedly going over now but I was not around in October much to take photos.
There was little information on the plant label when I bought it so a delve into Google pointed me in the direction of a post on the very same plant from Helen over at 'The Patient Gardener'. Here you can see the plant in more close up detail. Getting a decent photograph has been a struggle with the poor light and blustery wind that have been assailing this neck of the woods. Helen kindly provided me with some more information about 'Silver Velvet' reassuring me about its hardiness. Like Helen I'm debating about where and what to plant it with but am presently leaning towards planting it in the company of some ferny goodness. Being a woodland plant it prefers some shade but not dry shade.
A special thanks to Carol over May Dreams Gardens, who so generously provides us with a monthly platform to share the flowers and foliage that are giving us pleasure, as well as a brilliant opportunity to add to our wish lists! Now where's my notebook and pen?
Oooh Anna, that is lovely. Blooms and foliage.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just Jessica? The total package :)
DeleteThat is a very pretty looking thing. Of course I'm jealous because they don't do well here. I'm sure you'll find the perfect spot for this beauty eventually Anna.
ReplyDeleteThanks Angie. What a shame that they do not fare well in your neck of the woods. I'm still looking for the right spot - will no doubt get there eventually.
DeleteI'm a big fan of plants with dark foliage and the pretty flowers really compliment it.
ReplyDeleteMe too Jo and in this case the flowers especially their lateness in appearing is the icing on the cake.
DeleteThat is a beautiful plant - flowers and foliage!
ReplyDeleteHappy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
Lea
Thanks for your visit and comment Lea :)
DeleteWhat fun little petals! I really like the color.
ReplyDeleteWelcome and thanks for your comment Bettyl. Will be over to visit you soon.
DeleteAnna:
ReplyDeleteIt survived here in Z5 for three years for me, and with -20C winters, I think it will do fine for you. Mine got 'lost' among some of its more robust neighbours, and eventually was relocated where I think it was too damp. I hope you get years of enjoyment out of this one. I too was enamoured of its fabulous pewter, velvety foliage, but those masses of flowers...... divine!
Good to hear from you Barry. That's encouraging news then regarding its hardiness. What a shame that yours petered out. I hope that you get a replacement one of these days. It's a really magical plant :)
DeleteA stunning plant!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your visit and comment :)
DeleteHello again, Anna :-) I agree with everyone above - what a beauty! I too would pick a plant like this for foliage colour and shape.Like you, the flower would be a bonus but what bonus prize this one is - result!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shirley. The foliage was the initial attraction but the flowers bring that additional wow factor. I am positively purring with joy.
DeleteLovely delicate little flowers, and the foliage is stunning. I hope you find just the right place for it!
ReplyDeleteHopefully the thought that I'm putting into the dilemma will produce the right outcome Rose. Just wish that I had come up with the solution earlier in the autumn.
DeleteIt is gorgeous Anna. I have Saxifraga rubrifolia, which is pretty, with similar starry flowers, but this is much more special. It looks so delicate to be hardy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Chloris. I have another saxifraga with bright reddy pink flowers but this is way and above superior in both foliage and flowers.
DeleteIt looks a bit like a heuchera with more interesting flowers.
ReplyDeleteYes there are indeed some similarities in foliage Sue with this plant and that of a heuchera but as you say the flowers are more interesting. I will have to do some research to see if they are related in any way.
DeleteA cheerful plant for this time of year, Anna. The perennial gardeners problem, where to position a new plant!
ReplyDeleteAnything that flowers so late is rather special in my books Brian. The positioning of new plants is certainly a perennial problem for me but I wonder if that's because I often make impulse purchases :)
DeleteYour saxifrage is gorgeous, with beautiful foliage as well as pretty flowers!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't help but notice that you are reading The Essence of the Garden, I bought it on holiday in Toronto about 10 yrs ago on holiday, at a greatly reduced price. It was a good read!
It is indeed a good read Pauline but somebody who loves her plants and excellent for dipping into. Glad to read that the book made it across the pond. It deserves a wide audience.
DeleteThis looks a lovely plant Anna - the pink flowers are beautiful against the dark foliage. Several bloggers seem to have been featuring saxifrages recently, don't they?
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed lovely Cathy. I'm not surprised if they have been featuring on other blogs recently as they are certainly late autumn stars.
DeleteI love dark foliage plants and this is very special with those pink starry flowers, it wouldn't grow here so you'll just have to keep sharing it so I can enjoy it too.
ReplyDeleteOh I will no doubt return to it in the future Christina and maybe next time try to get a better close up photo of the foliage which is most intriguing.
DeleteThe flowers are pretty, but the foliage is even more stunning. I can imagine this next to an asparagus fern or something similar, with contrasting pale green foliage...? Hope you find a nice spot and it comes through the winter well.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely going to have a fern as a companion Cathy and your suggestion of pale green foliage sounds just what I'm looking for.
DeleteWhat a glorious plant, Anna! Not yet sure what I love most - the foliage or the delicate, campanula-like flowers, both are just stunning. Read a feature about saxifraga recently and it seems it's a genus worth exploring.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if we read the same feature Annette in a fairly recent edition of 'Gardens Illustrated' :) I added a couple more to my wish list after reading it.
DeleteAnna this will be beautiful in a woodland garden with ferns....I love the flowers and foliage of 'Silver Velvet'...seems a perfect plant.
ReplyDeleteI've got got great hopes for it Donna but as with all new plants it's a case of the test of time :)
DeleteAn unusual Saxifrage for sure, love the foliage colour :)
ReplyDeleteThanks and so do I Rona :)
DeleteAnna, I give you my thanks! This plant is gorgeous, I'd never come across it before and I need a beautiful plant for a slightly shaded corner of a friend's garden. I think this may be it, or certainly will fit in with some evergreen plants around it. I'd quite like one of these for my own shady corner! Now to track it down ….
ReplyDeleteYou're more than welcome Caro. I think that I purchased it from a stall run by Edrom Nurseries but I will check the label when I venture out. Good luck with the hunt!
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, me again! I'm not sure that I have your address for achocha seeds. I have lots to spare so could you email me via the Contact Me form at the top of my blog? Cheers! Caro xx
ReplyDeleteOoo! I like that. I have Saxifrage ' Blackberry and Apple Pie' which flowers in autumn too. It has the most gorgeous ivory flowers and foliage. Think I'll have to add yours to the new planting list.
ReplyDeleteSorry Anna if my last comment made it through. Blogger and wordpress don't seem to like me. If not then I was just saying I love that plant. I have Saxifrage 'Blackberry and Apple Pie' which flowers in autumn. It has lovely ivory flowers and gorgeous foliage. I think I'll have to add yours to my plant list. :)
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