WHILE loudly singing the praises of one of my favourite perennials ‘Gaura lindheimeri’ the other day, I was gently told I’d got its name wrong. It’s now called Oenethera.
My heart sank at yet another complicated plant label to remember. 'Not again!' I thought. And it's not the only change.
If you’ve grown up with Sedums - they now mostly come under the banner of Hylotelephium.
And the fabulously named Mother in Law’s Tongue - which used to be Sansevieria is now a Dracaena.
Most Calatheas have become Goeppertia, and did you know Rosemary is now classified as a Salvia?
How to de-clutter if you have a beauty stash to last you a lifetime
In truth, it's unlikely anyone is going to strop off in a huff at a garden centre if you use the old terms - and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with calling them by their common names either.
But it’s also worth knowing why things are changing.
Ever since the 1870s - thanks to Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus - each plant has an accepted scientific name, which is universally understood and avoids confusion.
If you speak to any gardener globally, and use the proper name, they’ll totally understand what you’re after.
But use the local name, and you could end up with something completely different.
Even within the UK, a harebell in England is known as a bluebell in Scotland.
Each plant has two main names - the genus and the species.
All the plants in the Genus will have similar characteristics, and share a common ancestor - like Rosa, Acanthus, Clematis or Dahlia. They’ll also all need similar growing conditions.
The second name gives you clues as to what kind of plant it is - alba means white, azurea - blue, and compacta mean - you’ve guessed it - compact.
But recent advances in DNA mean that scientists are looking a lot closer at plants and their history.
I’m a savvy shopper – best time to shop for Xmas 2023 is sooner than you think
And they’ve discovered that some of these plants have been misnamed completely - and belong to a completely different group.
Guy Barter, RHS Chief Horticulturist said: “Plant names are not a static thing, but change as botanists discover, often by DNA analysis, more about the relationships between plants.
“Although inconvenient for gardeners it helps in understanding plants better which helps in growing them.”
Looks like it's time to gen up on our genus and study the species. Best of Luck!
SPACE INVADERS
We've all heard about Japanese Knotweed and the huge problems it can cause.
But a new study by Reading University has uncovered six other surprising plants that in the future could be considered ‘invaders’.
The team created an online survey for gardeners to report ornamental plants that showed ‘invasive behaviour’ in their gardens.
Based on reports from 558 gardeners, 251 different plants were identified as problematic.
And from that, boffins created a shortlist of plants that need their invasive potential assessed.
Published in journal NeoBiota, these included Mexican fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus); cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias); chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata); Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa); and purple top (Verbena bonariensis).
Lead author Tomos Jones said: “This is crucial for focusing research efforts and resources, such as conducting formal risk assessments to explore the invasive potential of those shortlisted.”
SEED FOR THOUGHT
Mr Fothergill's are encouraging gardeners to grow the new ‘Pudsey Wildlife Attracting Flower Mix’ and upload pictures of their progress and final results - tagged with #growforpudsey - to Facebook and Instagram, for a chance to win £100 of gardening goodies.
Each £2.99 packet of the mix contains a selection of hardy and half-hardy annuals and perennials ready for any bed. And it will also raise money for Children in Need.
As well as providing a colourful display, the flowers will encourage beneficial wildlife into the garden.
SPRING IN OUR STEPS
It's officially Spring!!! So Aldi has released their latest gardening range with products starting from just £1.49.
It includes a £29.99 walk-in greenhouse and £8.99 grow bags - with more products landing on March 7.
TOP TIP!
March is your last chance to plant bare-root trees, shrubs and roses, so get them in the ground now.
THIS WEEK'S JOB!
There’s still time for adding a layer of mulch - to keep weeds away and retain moisture in the soil.
Over the next few weeks, it's also worth feeding your border with well-rotted manure and compost.
SAVE!
Prevent wear and tear with this £8 foam-filled Dunelm kneeler
Or, ease yourself onto Agriframe’s £19.99 offering
WIN!
TWO lucky readers can get their hands on a beautiful ‘Container Collection and Pot Pairing’ from our friends at Crocus worth around £100 each.
There are two types of pot to win - the Lucca Terracotta worth £49.99 or the Oval Zinc Dolly worth £54.99
And choose either the Holiday Romance Container Plant Collection worth £22.98
Or the Trusted Friend Container Collection worth £30.97
To enter complete this form, or visit www.thesun.co.uk/CROCUSCOMP
Or write to Sun Crocus competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP.
Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Ends 23.59GMT 16/03/24.
Terms and conditions HERE
LEARN!
Q. My eight-year-old apple tree has gall disease all over its branches. Will it affect the apples and if so do I need to chop down the tree? Tony Cheng, via email.
A. I'm delighted to tell you that this isn't Crown Gall - although it's an easy mistake to make - instead it’s Burr Knots.
Really common on apple trees, it's a way they try and propagate themselves.
Prune it so there's a good airflow - and they can be an entry point for pests and diseases, so keep a close eye.
If there are lots of them it can ultimately weaken the tree - especially in strong winds.
But see how the tree goes in the next year and hopefully, you'll get lots of lovely apples.
