GUNNERA (HARDY)
Family: Gunneraceae
Genus: Gunnera
Holder: Anne Harrap
The genus is the only member of the family Gunneraceae and is native to South America, the Neotropics and Hawaii, several small species are found in New Zealand. The species is named for a Swedish born botanist, Bishop Johann Ernst Gunnerus (1718 -1773) who was a correspondent of Carl Linnaeus and author of Flora Norvegica (1766).
The species ranges from the truly miniscule with leaves 1 to 2 cms long to those which you can easily walk under with a leaf spread of over 1.5 m. One of the smallest is the delightful bronze leaved Gunnera hamiltonii which exists in only five natural populations and is one of the rarest plants in its native New Zealand. There is a gunnera for most gardens as long as they can be given some moisture.
Opening Times: 10.30am - 5.00pm, Including Bank Holiday Mondays.
Natural Surroundings,
Bayfield,
Holt,
Norfolk,
NR25 7JN
Telephone: 01263 711091
Website: www.naturalsurroundings.info
G. mag. 'Osoma'
G. perpensa
G. perpensa
Lavandula sect. Lavandula, DentatA & Pterostoechas
Family: Lamiaceae
Subfamily: Nepetoideae
Tribe: Lavanduleae
Genus: Lavandula
Holder: Norfolk Lavender Trading Ltd
Most species are native to the Old World and are found from Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, southern Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to southeast India.
Lavandula is a genus of 39 species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae.
Opening Times: 9.00am - 5.00pm, Monday - Sunday except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.
Norfolk Lavender Trading Ltd,
Caley Mill,
Heacham,
Kings Lynn,
Norfolk PE31 7JE
Telephone: 01485 570384
Website: www.norfolk-lavender.co.uk
MESPILUS GERMANICA cvs.
Family: Rosaceae
Sub-Family: Amygdaloideae
Tribe: Maleae
Genus: Mespilus
Holder: Jane Steward
Five discrete orchard areas in 6 acres, including veteran Bramley's from this former fruit farm. Now an ornamental collection, the fruit is used to make medlar jelly, spicy chutney and Norfolk Medlar Gin Liqueur. Guided tours & refreshments available. Preserves and gin sales available.
Best time to view: Mid May to Mid June and October
Opening Times: By appointment
Eastgate House
Easton Way
Eastgate
Norfolk
NR10 4HF
Telephone: 01603 871109
Website: www.eastgatelarder.co.uk
Directions: From B1149, Holt road, Eastgate House is the last house on the right before Rodwell Corner.
From Reepham/Booton, house is first on left after Rodwell Corner.
M. germanica 'Iranian'
M. germanica flower
M. germanica 'Iranian' in autumn
MOLINA
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Nepetoideae
Genus: Molinia
Holder: Tim Fuller
Molinia (moor grass) is a genus of two species of herbaceous perennial grasses in the family Poaceae, native to damp moorland in Europe and north and south-west Asia, of which there are many cultivars. The genus is named after Juan Ignacio Molina, a 19th century Chilean naturalist.
The collection contains 30 different taxa (species and cultivars) situated in a display garden at the nursery. Molinia fall into two groups in the garden - the tall varieties (M.caerulea ssp.arundinacea) which grow to around 2 metres and the shorter ones (M.caerulea ssp. caerulea) which grow to about 1 metre. All are happy in most soils preferring those that are moist, in some sun, to emulate conditions in the wild. They will grow in part shade, but beware that they will tend to arch more or even flop. They are very adaptable and generally drought tolerant as they are quite deep rooted when established (in dry summers they just grow a little shorter). They grow in neutral to acid soils, but M. caerulea ssp.arundinacea is more tolerant of higher pH levels.
They all make clumps of grassy green foliage from their woody bases in spring and produce slender but strong stems during early-mid summer bearing the flowers from June. Many of the flowers start deep green, often tinted purple hence the common name of ‘Purple Moor Grass’, and fade to lovely straw tones in autumn. Also in the autumn excellent foliage and stem colour is seen, ranging from pale yellow to deep orange.
There are currently three variegated forms of M.caerulea ssp. caerulea which tend to be smaller than the green parents. There are no variegated forms of M.caerulea ssp.arundinacea known at present, although if you know of one please let the collection holder know.
Opening Times: 9.30am - 5.00pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March to end of October.
The Plantman’s Preference,
Church Road
South Lopham,
Diss
Norfolk
IP22 2LW
Telephone: 01379 719810
Website: www.plantpref.co.uk
Directions: Driveway just outside 30mph limit on north edge of the village.