1 Papaver cambricum double-flowered, orange (d) (formerly Meconopsis cambrica aurantiaca flore-pleno
My original plant was purchased from Mrs Sybil Spencer at York Gate. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be grown there currently but I love it.
2 Hebe Hulkeana
I bought this plant many years ago from Mrs Philippa Rakusen who lived near Wetherby and had a strong association with Harlow Carr.
3 Filipendula ‘Red Umbrellas’
Fairly new in my garden but I like its colour combination.
4 Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Burning Hearts’
I like the dark foliage which emphasizes the bright flowers.
5 Helleborus foetidus Wester Flisk group
This is one of my favourites -I enjoy its foliage as much as its flowers.
6 Helleborus orientalis
A good specimen bought at Dove Cottage nursery. It produces good seedlings.
7 Euphorbia griffithii ‘Dixter’
I first saw this at Newby Hall and couldn’t rest until I got one!
8 Crepis rubra
Originally bought from a little nursery near Richmond a long time ago and I found it again at the nursery near Luddenden Foot. Its very difficult to propagate.
9 Euphorbia polychroma
Growing in a crack in my path!
10 Galega officinalis mauve form
This is one of the first plants I remember as a child. I think my Mother acquired it from a family member and it has been around ever since. I do have a white form but this mauve one is special! Unfortunately I don’t have a picture of the mauve form – here is the ‘Alba’ version
All images courtesy of Judith Ladley, except Euphorbia ‘Dixter and Galega ‘Alba’ which are from the HPS Image Library
My mother and her sister (both of them having died many years ago) grew the orange double Welsh Poppy, your number 1 choice.. My aunt seemed to know all the prominent gardeners in Leeds at that time, so possibly also got it from Sybil Spencer. As a child I would go with her to visit all sorts of interesting people and their gardens. On the WYHPS holidays I met our late member, Marguerite, who latterly lived in the Settle area. I still miss our chats but discovered that she used to live next door to my Aunt in Oakwood, Leeds and had many plants in her garden that my aunt had passed on to her.
Great selection Judith, and so many orangey reds, a colour I find very appealing. Lovely also to see Margaret’s comment bringing to mind Marguerite, who was an interesting lady.