Jun 6, 2018
Plant of the Day
Wednesday 6 June 2018
Outside the front door to Myddelton House, Enfield, near London, were the billowing flowers of Crambe cordifolia (flowering sea kale, heart-leaved colewort, greater sea kale). This giant of herbaceous perennials grows up to 1.8m in height, with these branched sprays small, scented white flowers. The plant thrives in deep, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate poorer soils. The large flower stems do best with shelter from strong winds. Edward Augustus Bowles was a self-taught gardeners, artists and expert botanist who lived in Myddelton House from 1865 to 1954 and spent much time developing the gardens which have been lovingly restored.
Jill Raggett