Lullymore Originals

It is said that one would be lucky to find one really good new garden plant in a lifetime. I must be very lucky because a number of exceptional new plants have arisen at Lullymore. Some no doubt will not stand the test of time but others have already become standards. I have no idea why this happens at Lullymore but we tend to select at least three plants for unusual foliage breaks each year. Just recently we found a variegated Willowherb - well maybe not a great garden idea but we will propagate it anyway and see what people think of it. Most of course come to nothing but some are worth consideration.

Carex "Milk Chocolate" We selected this form of Carex from a batch of seedlings some years ago and exhibited it on our stand at the Kildare Growers Show. Initial interest in the plant led us to believe that we should test market the plant and see how it behaved in the landscape. It has featured in a number of magazine articles since then and we subsequently were granted plant breeders rights for the plant in Europe. It should replace the commonly grown Carex "Bronze Form" as it is larger in every respect and has a greatly improved impact in the garden.

Vinca minor ‘Goldsplash Blue’ and Vinca minor ‘Goldsplash White’ Both of these plants arose at Lullymore around the same time as sports on stock on the nursery. The colour of both is best when the plants are flushing into growth in the spring. ‘Goldsplash Blue’ has a distinctive yellow central area on the leaf. The gold is pronounced when the leaf is young and fades to yellow-lime as the leaf matures. The flowers are blue. ‘Goldsplash White’ has almost totally yellow leaves when they are young and this fades to lime-green as the foliage matures. The effect is particularly striking in spring and early summer. The flowers are white.

Pieris “Flaming Silver” We had two sources of Pieris “Forest Flame” over the years. One came from Donnchadh McCarthaigh”s father at Kenmare and the source of the other is unknown. Two variegated sports arose and I suspect that one which had cream-yellow margins was from one batch while the silver margined leaves of “Flaming Silver” arose from the other. Both plants “escaped” from Lullymore and were introduced on the continent. The plant with cream yellow variegation is useful only in shade as the margins of the leaf burns in sunlight. P. “Flaming Silver” is of course a standard cultivar in the trade

Primula “Sunshine” Primula “Sunshine” is one of our most popular spring flowers. It begins in late March with flowers arising from the rosette of leaves. Later the flowers arise on umbels like a cowslip. The flowers continue until June and the effect as the plant matures is of a pyramid of rich yellow. It grows well in sunshine or shade and associates well with spring bulbs such as bluebells.

Azalea "Sheila" This is a sport of "Mothers Day" which arose at Lullymore and shares with that plant many fine attributes. The leaves of "Sheila" have a cream margin and mottled central area. Occasional reversions to green should be removed. "Sheila" forces well and makes a neat mounded plant which is attractive both in and out of flower. It grows well in containers and performs well as a patio or tub plant.

Buddleia davidii "Lochdu" Buddleia davidii "Lochdu" has rich dark lilac flowers. The leaves are gray-green. It was introduced in 2000.

Melica altissima atropurpurea "Candy Stripe" I found this plant some time ago and feel it has a great deal to offer. Purple Siberian Melic is a fine garden plant in it's own right. It is non invasive and forms clumps growing from 60 to 80cm. The flower spikes are dark purple as they open in June. 'Candy Stripe' also has creamy white stripes on the light green leaves. 'Candy Stripe' promises to be a useful addition to grasses for the middle of the border. We hope to offer this plant in 2004.