Acers must rate as one of the most ornamental plants grown in the Lothians. This plant rates as my favourite tree for a small garden and must be,pound for pound, one of the most beautiful trees. However I know of one local nurseryman who does not rate this plant at all. The secret with this plant is patience as the tree in my parents’ front garden,that I planted over twenty years ago,would testify if it could speak. Hardly a week goes by without a complimentary comment being made by passersby. The famous plantsman Roy Lancaster confirms this as he states that ‘few ornamental trees arouse so much interest’.

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I wonder how many people this Christmas will purchase a potted Christmas tree with the intention of being environmentally friendly and intend to plant it in their garden after the festive season. Let’s consider what options there will be in the garden centre?

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I first got to know this plant as Cimicifuga the old name originating for the cimex meaning bug, fuga meaning to drive away, these relate to it’s common name of Bugbane however the botanists gave it the new name of Actaea. The greek translation of aktea is of little help meaning elder tree but we should not let this confusion put you off the wonderful herbaceous perennial described in one catalogue as a truly striking plant.

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Nepeta is a genus of approximately 250 species of perennial and annual herbaceous plants. The 2 cultivars I have selected are herbaceous perennials that provide me with the longest flowering period of any of my herbaceous perennials in my own garden.

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