Blue Iberian plant identification
 

I would very much appreciate help in identifying this plant please.
Although it is in Portugal I am sure UK rec gardeners will have a
better idea than myself.

These plants bloom in late March and April in the Natural Park of Serra
da Sao Mamede in Portugal and no doubt grow in other parts of Portugal
and Spain.

They grow along the side of roads and on hills on poor soil in the same
location as plants like gum cystus, gorse and heather.

I have posted the pictures at www.azenhadoramalho.com/plantid.htm

Many thanks.

Chris

Blue Iberian plant identification
 

"Chris Jones (Alentejo)" wrote in message
oups.com...
I would very much appreciate help in identifying this plant please.
Although it is in Portugal I am sure UK rec gardeners will have a
better idea than myself.

These plants bloom in late March and April in the Natural Park of Serra
da Sao Mamede in Portugal and no doubt grow in other parts of Portugal
and Spain.

They grow along the side of roads and on hills on poor soil in the same
location as plants like gum cystus, gorse and heather.

I have posted the pictures at www.azenhadoramalho.com/plantid.htm

wild (ho ho ho; sorry) guess: some kind of Polygala (milkwort).
That is a long shot so please do not bet your house on it.



Many thanks.

Chris

Blue Iberian plant identification
 

Chris Jones (Alentejo) wrote:
I would very much appreciate help in identifying this plant please.
Although it is in Portugal I am sure UK rec gardeners will have a
better idea than myself.

These plants bloom in late March and April in the Natural Park of Serra
da Sao Mamede in Portugal and no doubt grow in other parts of Portugal
and Spain.

They grow along the side of roads and on hills on poor soil in the same
location as plants like gum cystus, gorse and heather.

I have posted the pictures at www.azenhadoramalho.com/plantid.htm

I asked David Poole to have a look and here's his answer:
"It's a particularly fine, richly coloured form of Erinacea anthyllis
(hedgehog broom) that is mainly warmer meditterranean countries,
northern Africa and as far east as Afghanistan. The species is highly
variable with flowers ranging from white through to purplish blue.
I've grown the commoner, pale mauve form in the past, which is highly
drought tolerant and needs extremely sharp drainage in full sun for
best results. It can make a good, albeit very slow growing garden
plant in the south, but is best under cold glass in wetter, more
northern counties."

I just knew David would have the answer. ;-)
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon

Blue Iberian plant identification
 

Sorry, I meant to give the link for some pics of the Erinacea
http://tinyurl.com/hon66

Blue Iberian plant identification
 

"Sacha" wrote in message
ups.com...

Chris Jones (Alentejo) wrote:
I would very much appreciate help in identifying this plant please.
Although it is in Portugal I am sure UK rec gardeners will have a
better idea than myself.

These plants bloom in late March and April in the Natural Park of Serra
da Sao Mamede in Portugal and no doubt grow in other parts of Portugal
and Spain.

They grow along the side of roads and on hills on poor soil in the same
location as plants like gum cystus, gorse and heather.

I have posted the pictures at www.azenhadoramalho.com/plantid.htm

I asked David Poole to have a look and here's his answer:
"It's a particularly fine, richly coloured form of Erinacea anthyllis
(hedgehog broom) that is mainly warmer meditterranean countries,
northern Africa and as far east as Afghanistan. The species is highly
variable with flowers ranging from white through to purplish blue.
I've grown the commoner, pale mauve form in the past, which is highly
drought tolerant and needs extremely sharp drainage in full sun for
best results. It can make a good, albeit very slow growing garden
plant in the south, but is best under cold glass in wetter, more
northern counties."

I just knew David would have the answer. ;-)

beats my attempt anyway; nice plant and nice name :-).


--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon

Blue Iberian plant identification
 

Thank you Sacha and David that looks very similar. The blooms in my
photos are not fully open so I will have another look at them tomorrow.

It is interesting that they are called hedgehog broom because not
knowing what the plant was I gave it the nickname "blue broom". In my
photos they look a bit more purple than in reality. To the naked eye
they are more blue than purple and very attractive.

They seem to be thriving at the moment even though we have had plenty
of rain this winter and early spring (the end of the drought in
Portugal maybe). They all seem to be in very well drained locations
though on fairly steep banks.

Blue Iberian plant identification
 

Chris Jones (Alentejo) wrote:
Thank you Sacha and David that looks very similar. The blooms in my
photos are not fully open so I will have another look at them tomorrow.

It is interesting that they are called hedgehog broom because not
knowing what the plant was I gave it the nickname "blue broom". In my
photos they look a bit more purple than in reality. To the naked eye
they are more blue than purple and very attractive.

They seem to be thriving at the moment even though we have had plenty
of rain this winter and early spring (the end of the drought in
Portugal maybe). They all seem to be in very well drained locations
though on fairly steep banks.

I thought the colour was outstandingly lovely - truly spectacular. And
the steep banks would assist the drainage they need, which explains
David's remark about that. What lovely plants.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon