Since I was last SoSing I’ve been on my travels, back to my former stomping ground in North Devon. It was wonderful, it did not disappoint. Well perhaps only once, when due to circumstances and issues far more important than me, I couldn’t see my old pal Hero. There will be other times, I am sure. We were hoping to visit the glorious Marwood Hill Gardens and my plan was to feature it in the next Six. The best laid plans of mice and gardeners …. Back to the drawing board, we will have to make do with Chez Nous. If you would like to learn more about Six on Saturdaying and meet some pretty cool characters, get your party shoes on and pop over to Garden Ruminations!
Now, let’s get on, the eggs are boiling.
This Miscathus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’, a rescue/relocation from my sponsor, seems to be quite happy to remain less than 1m tall. Perhaps it is a short cultivar. Perhaps it is unhappy. Perhaps it just likes being petite.
As mentioned by Jim last week, or was it the week before?, here is the mother ship, Impatiens arguta ‘Alba’. This plant, and all her relations, were extremely happy about the wet summer, unlike most of us.
In our house we are rather fond of Scotch Bonnets. This year I harvested some seed from a Waitrose chilli pepper and this is the result. Of course, other supermarket produce is available.
There is a row of pots against the our house that are destined for the greenhouse and warmer climes. This is Salvia involucrata ‘Hadspen’ which survived the cold winter before last in the ground, but failed in the last mild but wet one. So, Miss Marple, I would suggest it was the rain, in the clay, in the Bed of Anarchy, that done it in! Through more luck than judgement I had a couple of cuttings. One is doing well in one of my gardens, this is the other. Now to get it through the winter.
Why everyone doesn’t grow dahlia from seed is a complete mystery to me. This is a perky little darling from this year, a little nibbled. I rest my case.
Salvia curviflora is quite frankly just showing off now, it started early and seems loathe to stop. No complaints here.
There we have it, Six not from Marwood but from my garden. That will have to wait for another day.
Off The Edge Gardening 
I’m a wimp when it comes to chilli so Scotch Bonnet is definitely not for me but it doesn’t stop me admiring them on the plant! Most of my salvias are looking a mess now so it’s surprising how well curviflora is doing.
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It is the salvia’s best year yet, and such a wet and miserable summer. Work that one out! I’ve got back ups for the greenhouse as it probably won’t make it through the winter. I will mulch it to give it a chance, just in case.
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I just bought 8 scotch bonnets for the chili my husband will make tomorrow. We also use jalapenos and bell peppers, but I have some of those from my garden. The flavor is fruitier than other hot peppers and it adds something nice to the chili. They are very attractive peppers, orange and shapely. The dahlia is lovely! I prefer the simple open forms like that one, that bees can get to. The fancy ones for me are less desirable because they seem to serve no purpose other than to be pretty. I am more demanding – I want pretty and food for me or for critters! This one is such a nice color, like the dawn.
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8 chillis in one dish, that is hardcore! 😀 Yes, I agree, a lovely flavour, not just heat. I’m a fan of the single dahlias too, so lovely to watch the pollinators enjoying them as well. Great mind!
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Okay, you’ve convinced me to try dahlia from seed. Your Salvia curvifolia is lovely!
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Oh, please do, you never quite know what you are going to get, which (to me) is very exciting.
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I have 2 zebrinus; a tall one and a small one and I had to dig up the big one because it was becoming so invasive …..so be happy to have the small one!..Superb clpose up of this Salvia ‘Hadspen’ and are the chillies hot?
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The chillis are hot but fruity, very delicious! They are used in Caribbean cookery a lot, jerk seasoning uses them. You should give them a go.
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Delightfully written, as always! Gorgeous salvia.
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Thanks Lisa, I am a sucker for a salvia. That would make a good book title!
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Yes it would!!
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The Waitrose chilli offspring are impressive and the Salvia curviflora looks splendid in the autumn sunlight.
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I must remember to save seed!
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Your seedling dahlias always delight! That M. zebrina will sneak up on you one day and be huge! I have survived the weather drama and am still picking up sticks.
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Maybe next year?! Glad you got through safely.
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I’ve given up on dahlias and fuchsias..thanks.
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Oh, ‘that’ grass. It became popular along with a few others back when grasses were a fad. If it is any consolation, ‘Zebrinus’ does not look this good for us. Some miscanthus performs well, but not this one. Yet, it is still popular. I am unfamiliar with both of those Salvia. that can not be good. Salvia are popular like grasses here.
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There are so many salvia, it is hard to keep up with all of them. Possibly my favourite genus. Today, anyway.
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That you harvested seed from the chillies from Waitrose hasn’t surprised me, I always thought Scotch bonnet were really hot, but I guess you like hot stuff!
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They are quite hot, but also really tasty. I’m not sure what I am going to do with so many, perhaps pickle them, OH likes a pickled chilli 😀
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Oh, you have reminded me of several garden-visiting holidays to Devon and how we enjoyed Marwood, a great garden.
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One of my favourites. Perhaps we will revisit in the spring, in time for the magnolias.
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It’s always good to have a plan, something to look forward to and that would be a good one. Then, there is The Garden House, Wildside, etc etc.
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Your Sctch bonnets look healthy. And the dalhia reminds me of the sun.
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I am pleased with the Scotch Bonnets, I should think about harvesting them soon. How are things with you?
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