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The House Borders: South contd.

Plants have to be extremely tough to survive in these conditions and so Mediterranean plants are used extensively. Anything with grey leaves copes very well and heavy use is made of several varieties of Nepeta and Sedum or true herbs like Rosemary and Marjoram. In one of the borders, a large white cistus echoes the flowers of the wild rambling rose, Rosa Multiflora. It is a short lived plant so cuttings are taken to provide replacements on a regular basis. The multi-coloured perennial wallflower (erysimum "Jacob's Jacket") is another short lived plant that is worth propagating for its long flowering season alone. An ornamental grape vine positively enjoys the harsh conditions and although a crop of grapes is produced, it is primarily grown for its decorative red foliage. It combines beautifully with the nodding, reflexed flowers of a newly planted clematis Texensis, "Etoile Rose".  

 Iris stylosa thrives in a tiny bit of rubble at the base of a wall. It will start to flower as early as the end of October if conditions are right. 2003/2004 was a particularly good year and at its peak it had 42 flowers blooming at one time.

The perennial wallflower, erysimum "Jacobs jacket" can flower for up to 7 months.

(L) 1997. Clematis "Comptesse de Bouchard" covers the porch at the back door. (C) Now 2004, the clematis struggles to fend off a perennial pea, Lathyrus grandiflora. The delphiniums have long since been smothered. (R) Close up.

Another climber growing in these harsh conditions is the perennial pea, Lathyrus grandiflora. Given to me as a two inch cutting several years ago, it now runs amok, smothering everything in sight before dying back, hideously, in a sea of bright, straw coloured, stems. It has to be ruthlessly cut back if anything is to survive underneath it and once its flowering season is over, it is cut to the ground and the border hastily filled with cheerful annuals like Sunflowers, nasturtians and marigolds. With the benefit of the wall providing some heat during the winter, this pea will remain completely evergreen and be four feet high by February. If cut back early enough, a second flush in October is possible.

 (L) Once a favourite with children and disparaged for being "easy", sunflowers have now become extremely trendy. (C & R) Ipomea is a difficult annual to grow successfully without heat. Both are indispensable when it comes to filling the gap left by the spent sweet pea.

The perennial sunflower, helianthus salicifolia, can get a bit out of hand if not divided regularly. It survives in these dry borders thanks to a thorough soaking every time it rains. 

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