NORFOLK PLANT HERITAGE

COLLECTIONS - 3

Lavandula sect. Lavandula, DentatA & Pterostoechas

Family: Lamiaceae

Subfamily: Nepetoideae

Tribe: Lavanduleae

Genus: Lavandula

Holder: Norfolk Lavender Trading Ltd

Most species are native to the Old World and are found from Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, southern Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to southeast India.

Lavandula is a genus of 39 species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae.

Opening Times: 9.00am - 5.00pm, Monday - Sunday except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

Norfolk Lavender Trading Ltd,

Caley Mill,

Heacham,

Kings Lynn,

Norfolk PE31 7JE

Telephone: 01485 570384

e-mail:

Website: www.norfolk-lavender.co.uk

Directions: SATNAV NR28 9EF

MESPILUS GERMANICA cvs.

Family: Rosaceae

Sub-Family: Amygdaloideae

Tribe: Maleae

Genus: Mespilus

Holder: Jane Steward

Five discrete orchard areas in 6 acres, including veteran Bramley's from this former fruit farm. Now an ornamental collection, the fruit is used to make medlar jelly, spicy chutney and Norfolk Medlar Gin Liqueur. Guided tours & refreshments available. Preserves and gin sales available.

Best time to view: Mid May to Mid June and October

Opening Times: By appointment

Eastgate House

Easton Way

Eastgate

Norfolk

NR10 4HF

Telephone: 01603 871109

e-mail:

Website: www.eastgatelarder.co.uk

Directions: From B1149, Holt road, Eastgate House is the last house on the right before Rodwell Corner.

From Reepham/Booton, house is first on left after Rodwell Corner.

M. germanica 'Iranian'

M. germanica flower

M. germanica 'Iranian' in autumn

MOLINA

Family: Poaceae

Subfamily: Nepetoideae

Genus: Molinia

Holder: Tim Fuller

Molinia (moor grass) is a genus of two species of herbaceous perennial grasses in the family Poaceae, native to damp moorland in Europe and north and south-west Asia, of which there are many cultivars. The genus is named after Juan Ignacio Molina, a 19th century Chilean naturalist.

The collection contains 30 different taxa (species and cultivars) situated in a display garden at the nursery. Molinia fall into two groups in the garden - the tall varieties (M.caerulea ssp.arundinacea) which grow to around 2 metres and the shorter ones (M.caerulea ssp. caerulea) which grow to about 1 metre. All are happy in most soils preferring those that are moist, in some sun, to emulate conditions in the wild. They will grow in part shade, but beware that they will tend to arch more or even flop. They are very adaptable and generally drought tolerant as they are quite deep rooted when established (in dry summers they just grow a little shorter). They grow in neutral to acid soils, but M. caerulea ssp.arundinacea is more tolerant of higher pH levels.

They all make clumps of grassy green foliage from their woody bases in spring and produce slender but strong stems during early-mid summer bearing the flowers from June. Many of the flowers start deep green, often tinted purple hence the common name of ‘Purple Moor Grass’, and fade to lovely straw tones in autumn. Also in the autumn excellent foliage and stem colour is seen, ranging from pale yellow to deep orange.

There are currently three variegated forms of M.caerulea ssp. caerulea which tend to be smaller than the green parents. There are no variegated forms of M.caerulea ssp.arundinacea known at present, although if you know of one please let the collection holder know.

Opening Times: 9.30am - 5.00pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March to end of October.

The Plantman’s Preference,

Church Road

South Lopham,

Diss

Norfolk

IP22 2LW

Telephone: 01379 719810

e-mail:

Website: www.plantpref.co.uk

Directions: Driveway just outside 30mph limit on north edge of the village.