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61. DICTAMNUS FRAXINELLA Burning Bush Bastard Dittany
This was another Elizabethan introduction from Europe; it was known to Gerard, who describes it as a 'verie rare and galant plant'. It was among the plants recommended for London gardens by Thomas Fairchild in 1722. In hot dry weather, from their resinous glands, the leaves give off an exhalation which is inflammable and can be set alight, without harming the plant; hence the name of Burning Bush. This peculiarity was observed and described as early as 1756, by 'Sir' John Hill. The name fraxinella was given because of the similarity of its leaves to those of a 'small young Ashe tree' (Fraxinus); Dictamnus and Dittany are derived from Dicte, chief mountain of Candia or Crete. White flowers Sun
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62. DIGITALIS LUTEA Small Yellow Foxglove
Introduced in 1597. Spikes of yellow flowers above neat clumps of narrow, glossy leaves H3ft Sun/shade Poisonous
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63. DIGITALIS PARVIFLORA Small Leaved Foxglove
From S. Europe in 1798. Densely packed spikes of small brown-purple flowers in July H2ft Sun/shade Poisonous
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64. DIGITALIS PURPUREA Foxglove Fairy Thimble
Native plant, with pink or white tubular flowers. Moist soil in light shade. This poisonous plant contains a potent drug, digitalin, still used medicinally.
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65. DORONICUM Leopard's Bane
Bright yellow flowers in April H1ft Sun/shade
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66. DORYCNIUM HIRSUTUM Lotus Hirsutus
From S. Europe in 1683, this sub-shrub has silvery hairy foliage and creamy flowers in June and July. The tawny sheed pods are very attractive in autumn and remain on the plant all winter. Perfectlyhardy. H2ft Sun
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67. DRYOPTERIS FILIX-MAS Male Fern
Semi-evergreen H4ft. Will tolerate sun, though more appropriate to shade.
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68. ECHINACEA PURPUREA Purple Coneflower Purple Samson
Brought to Britain from North America in 1620. Large single rose-pink daisies with characteristic drooping petals and dark eyes in July/August. H4ft Sun
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69. ECHINOPS RITRO Small Globe Thistle
Has been grown in England since 1570. Globular steely-blue flower heads loved by bees. H3ft Sun
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70. ERIGERON KARVINSKIANUS Bony-Tip Fleabane
Introduced in 1780, this low growing plant forms a mound covered with pink and white flowers all summer. H6" Sun
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71 ERYNGIUM PLANUM Sea Holly
From E. Europe in 1596. Metallic blue teasel-like flowers surrounded with holly-like bracts in late summer. H3ft Sun
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72. EUONYMUS EUROPAEUS European Spindleberry Tree
Attractive pink and orange hanging fruits in the autumn. H5ft Sun/shade
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73. EUPATORIUM CANNABINUM Hemp Agrimony
A native wildflower and old herbal remedy. Large dusky pink frothy flower heads up to 5" across on 3ft stems in late summer Sun/shade
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74 FOENICULUM VULGARE Green Fennel
Introduced by the Romans, and used by the Anglo-Saxons for medical purposes. The filigree foliage and seeds are edible and taste of aniseed. H5ft Sun
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75. FRITILLARIA IMPERIALIS Crown Imperial
Three foot high spring flowering bulb with pendula yellow flowers, happy in sun or shade, though unfortunately smelling of foxes! Parkinson wrote of the plant c1629:
'The Crown Imperial for his stately beautifulness
Deservest the first place in our garden of delight'.
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76. FRITILLARIA MELEAGRIS Snake's Head Fritillary
Believed native, though Gerard says it was introduced in 1575 by his friend Jean Robin. Called the Chequered Daffodil by Gerard because the flowere are "like the board at which men play at chesse".Also known as the Ginny Hen Flower because the markings are like those of a Guinea Fowl. Another name is Leopard Lily, a corruption of leper lily, because the bell-shaped flowers were reminiscent of lepers' bells. The plant is naturalised from Britain to the Balkans, preferring moist soil. H9" Sun or shade
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77. GALANTHUS Snowdrop
When the snowdrops appear in the museum garden, I think Spring cannot be far behind. There are single and double forms, which have been in the garden for years. Cowper wrote of them in the Olney Hymns. No 83 reads:
'Winter has a joy for me, while the Saviour's charms I read
Lowly, Meek, from Blemish free, in the Snowdrop's pensive head.'
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78. GALEGA OFFICINALIS Goat's Rue
Introduced by the Romans as a tonic for animals and fowl, since it was believedto improve yields of milk and eggs. Lilac vetch-type flowers throughout summer. H4ft Sun
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79. GENISTA TINCTORIA Flore Pleno Dyer's Broom Dyers Greenweed
Deciduous, golden yellow flowers in upright racemes. Pefers light fertile, well drained soil. Spring and early summer H2-4ft Sun
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80. GERANIUM PHAEUM The Mourning Widow Dusky Cranesbill
A fine Geranium,known in Britain since Tudor times. Plummy-black flowers on 2ft stems. Sun or shade
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