By Beatrice Hawkins
Every now and then I torment myself by looking at an American seed catalogue and admiring things I know I’ll never be able to grow because I will not import seeds.
Some of the varieties they have there, that I have never seen here, are quite amazing. The wide variety of colours and forms of sunflowers have been bewitching me for a good few years now. How I wish I had the expertise and ground to be able to import and grow them. They would be a spectacular addition to our cut flower market! We do see some regular varieties for sale here now, but nothing like the vast array of bi-colours, blues, reds, almost black/burgundy, greens, doubles and spectacular snow-white ones. I did find some seed and grew some different ones in my front garden this year but unfortunately had to be away when many of them were in flower.
This morning it was there again, tempting me, on my email. Today’s offering was all cut flowers but even the names enticed me. I’m not big on botanical names so have no idea what Craspedia might be commonly known as out here.. but the “sun ball” variety looks stunning and raspberry cream Gomphrena looks equally appealing as does Gomphrena Audray purple-red.
On investigation, I have found that Craspedia is a member of the daisy family. It is native to every area of Australia from the sea to the Alps, with the exception of the Northern Territory, and is commonly known here as billy buttons or woolly heads! I certainly know this flower by those names, but our native variety is extremely tiny compared to the ones shown as grown for the American flower trade.
The range of colours and different shades within a colour of Yarrow is amazing and the huge white fluted cupcakes of the Cosmos cupcake variety offered are so delicate and beautiful. Sunday Bright, a vibrant pink Celosia, would look great teamed with the cupcakes in an arrangement as would Sunday Wine or Selway Red. At least Cosmos, Celosia and Yarrow are familiar plants to me but so many of the others I have never seen.
Carthamus Zanzibar looks wonderful for flowers and foliage, similarly Asclepias Appollo Orange would work so well with many of our wonderful natives. Asclepias Soulmate has purple balls of flowers and long green leaves that appear similar to gum leaves. Now it just goes to show how deceptive good photography can be. I have just looked up this last flower only to find that it is regarded as an environmental weed in Queensland and Western Australia!! Doubtless, it has been bred for bigger and better things in the USA where it is grown commercially for the cut flower trade. It is a variety of milkweed and although native to South America as far north as Mexico, it is not native to the USA or Canada. Is very easy to grow and is commonly available in American nurseries.
Now I’ve just looked up what Carthamus is and am astounded! It is a variety of safflower! We grew acres of it in 1971 for the oilseed trade. I don’t remember it looking as spectacular as what is being advocated for the cut flower trade.
Another one that intrigues me is Daucus “Dara” and it tells me that while it is an outstanding cut flower, it is actually a carrot. The dainty purple, pink and mauve flowers look similar to our Queen Ann’s Lace. There are about 25 species of Daucus and the oldest carrot fossil was found on the island of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean. Yes, I was right, it is also known as Queen Ann’s lace and is naturalised in Australia and America… It certainly looks beautiful in the pastel range of colours shown in the catalogue.
What they’ve achieved with strawflowers, our native everlastings, in size and colour is amazing.
Emerald tassles Amaranthus look wonderful as do the tassles on Hopi red dye.. more a deep purple than red.
I hope this has entertained you as much as it has me and been informative.
I have always said since I started doing this column five years ago now, that I was no great gardener but that I enjoyed it. I also enjoy learning and writing and know how to use “Google”!
Don’t forget to plan to come to the Garden Extravaganza in St Mary’s Hall in Wood Street during Jumpers and Jazz in July. You can be guaranteed a great time with many things to look at and good food to enjoy. Scones, jam and cream or other sweet treats for morning or afternoon tea or hearty soups and fresh bread for lunch. Add us to your “must-see” list!!
