Wendy posted a lot about our visit, this is something that caught my attention 1.Boehmeria platanifolia, also known as sycamore-leaf false nettle, but non-stinging herbaceous perennial with large, serrated, sycamore-like leaves and late-summer white flowers. Native to Japan, Korea, and China, its unique foliage and late-season blooms make it a standout in any garden. The large, broadly ovate to heart-shaped leaves (5-20 cm long) have a serrated margin and resemble sycamore leaves. Unlike its stinging nettle relatives, Boehmeria platanifolia does not have the stinging hairs that cause irritation. The leaves are connected to the stems by red petioles. The plant produces small, inconspicuous, creamy-white flowers in late summer and early fall, often in drooping tassels. Plants have either male or female flowers, so both male and female plants are needed for seed production. 2. Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Black knight',also known as Black Knight pincushion flower. The flowers are a deep, dark maroon, almost black, with contrasting white stamens, creating a dramatic effect.'Black Knight' attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it a valuable addition to a pollinator-friendly garden,it blooms from mid-summer into fall, providing a long season of color. 3. Galium verum, known as lady's bedstraw or yellow bedstraw, is a fascinating plant with a rich history and various interesting uses. It's known for its fragrant, yellow flowers, its ability to curdle milk for cheese making, and its historical use in bedding and as a dye source. The plant's flowers contain enzymes that act as a natural rennet, allowing them to curdle milk. This property was famously used in the past to produce cheese, particularly in Gloucestershire, where it was used to color Double Gloucester cheese. Galium verum's dried stems and leaves were used to stuff mattresses and pillows. This practice is linked to its ability to repel fleas and impart a pleasant, hay-like scent. When dried, the plant emits a strong, sweet scent of freshly cut hay, due to the presence of coumarin. It is said that the plant was used to soften the baby Jesus's crib, and its name is linked to the Virgin Mary, who supposedly used it to soften the baby Jesus's bed. Galium verum can produce both yellow and red dyes. The roots yield a red dye, while the flowers can produce a yellow dye. The roasted seeds of Galium verum have been used as a coffee substitute. The leaves of Galium verum are edible and can be added to salads or cooked. 4.Brunsvigia radulosa, a South African bulbous plant, known for its large, bright pink, umbrella-shaped flower clusters that bloom in late summer to autumn, often before the foliage emerges. The clusters of pink, light pink or coral red flowers can reach up to 60cm(24 inches) in height. The flowers are followed by large, leathery, rough-textured leaves that lie flat on the ground. A unique feature is the way the dried flower heads detach from the plant and tumble across the ground in the wind. This tumbling motion helps scatter the seeds, aiding in the plant's reproduction and spread. The plant has 4-6 large, elliptical, tongue-like leaves that are thick, tough, and rough-textured. These leaves lie flat on the ground and are often present through the winter. Brunsvigia radulosa thrives in arid conditions, with its deep bulb helping it survive periods of drought.It is native to the high-altitude grasslands of eastern South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland. 5.Escobaria vivipara, a spinystar or ball cactus is found across a vast area of North America from Mexico to Canada.It is notable for its ability to thrive in diverse habitats, from grasslands to woodlands, and it can tolerate a range of soil types and conditions, including limestone and granite. It's also one of the most widespread,and one of the hardiest cacti in the US and with some varieties even found in cooler regions of Canada. The small, sweet fruits of the spinystar cactus are edible and have been traditionally consumed by Indigenous peoples, who also used the seeds to make flour. The juicy flesh of the cactus has been used medicinally to treat burns, cuts, and insect bites, and its moisture can be a valuable resource in survival situations. This cactus forms low-growing, spiny clumps or cylinders, resembling a cluster of whitish tennis balls covered in spines. Escobaria vivipara produces bright pink, star-shaped flowers, some varieties may have yellow flowers.
