ARGYRANTHEMUM
(Compositae)
These tender chrysanthemums, which are easy to overwinter from cuttings taken in late summer, grow into attractive shrubby plants that flower prolifically. Ideal as focal points in large pots on a wall or terrace in full sun.
A. foeniculaceum (formerly Chrysanthemum foeniculaceum; marguerite, Paris daisy from the Canary Islands) is an evergreen perennial with deeply divided silvery-grey almost glaucous foliage and white daisy-flowers in summer. A. 'Jamaica Primrose' bears lovely pale yellow single flowers, complemented by deeply cut green leaves.
& s: 60-90cm/24-36in z: 9[9-10]
ARTEMISIA
(Compositae)
Shrubs and perennials grown for grey and silver leaves that make an attractive foil for other plantings. Survive low temperatures in full sun and well-drained soil.
A. absinthium lambrook Silver', a cultivar of the European absinthe or common wormwood, is a semi-evergreen sub-shrub with woody stems bearing silver-grey dissected leaves. Pale yellow flowers appear in summer.
& s: 90cm/36in z: 4[4-10]A. ludoviciana (white sage from N. America) is an herbaceous perennial with silvery-white felty leaves and silvery-grey flowers in summer. Suckers freely and may be invasive.
H: 120cm/48in s: 60cm/24in z: 5[5-10]
A. pontica (south-eastern and central Europe) is a suckering perennial that has smoky-grey feathery foliage and makes good ground cover or pathway edging in sun. -
H: 45-75cm/18-30in s: 45cm/18in z: 5[5-10] A. 'Powis Castle' is an evergreen sub-shrub, making a sturdy pewter-toned cushion of fine-cut leaves.
H: 60cm/24in s: 45cm/18in z: 8[8110]-
A. schmidtiana 'Silver Mound" is a perennial that makes 'low mounds of silvery grass-like silky' foliage.
10cm/4in s: 25cm/lOin z: 4[4-10]
ARUM
(Araceae) south-eastern Europe
A. italicum pictum (correctly A. 1. marmcrratum) has leaves that unfurl in autumn and grow to full lushness in spring - glossy arrow-shapes veined in creamy-white. Spikes of red berries take the place of leaves in late summer. Seeds true. This tuberous perennial makes attractive ground cover in sun or part shade.
H: 38cm/15in s: 30cm/12in z: 6[6-10]
ARUNCUS
(Rosaceae) goatsbeard northern hemisphere A. dioicus is a deciduous perennial that makes an attractive clump of elegant fern-like foliage.
ASARUM
(Aristolochiaceae) wild ginger
A. europaeum (Europe) is an evergreen rhizomatous perennial that makes creeping ground cover in moist shade or part shade. Handsome dark green glossy leaves, shaped like a rounded heart, hide inconspicuous greenish-brown flowers in spring. Attractive to slugs.
H: 12-15cm/5-6in s: 20-30cm/8-12in
z: 4[4.-8]
ASPHODELINE
(Liliaceae/Asphodelaceae) Jacob's rod Mediterranean
A. lutea (king's spear, yellow asphodel) makes architectural perennial clumps of stiff stems clad in semi-evergreen grey-green grassy leaves. Tall racemes of shiny yellow starry flowers in early summer are followed by attractive seed-heads. A. liburnica is a shorter form. Rhizomatous rootstock increases slowly. Sun or part shade and well- drained soil. -
41: 90-120cm/36-48in s: 30cm/12in z: 6[6-10]
ASTER
(Compositae) N: America
'Herbaceous perennials grown for daisy-like flowers. Sun or part shade and rich but well- _drained soil, -
A. divaricatus (white wood aster) has sprawling wiry black stems that bear a profusion of little white starry' frower-heads in late summer to autumn. Tolerate i dry shade.
& s: 45-60cm/18-24in z: 3[3-9]
A. x frikartii is one of the best later-flowering plants, with freely borne yellow-centred lavender- blue flowers from late summer onwards. A. x f. 'Meech' is the best.
H: 60-90cm/24-36in s: 38-45cm115-18in
z: 5[5-10] -
A. lateriflorus 'Horizontal& has compact twiggy stems that bear small dark green leaves with distinctive horizontal habit. Is crowned with a hedge-like mass of tiny palest silvery-lilac flowers with browny-pink centres in autumn.
H: 60-90cm/24-36in s: 30cm/12in z: 3[3-10] A. novae-angliae "Andenken an Alma Potschke' (Michaelmas daisy, New England aster) bears
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