Thymus × citriodorus ‘Lime’, commonly known as Lime Thyme, is a fragrant evergreen perennial herb prized for its distinctive citrus aroma and vibrant foliage. A hybrid within the mint family (Lamiaceae), it’s thought to have originated from crosses between common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and lemon thyme (Thymus pulegioides), combining the culinary versatility of thyme with a refreshing lime scent. Its compact growth habit and ornamental appeal make it equally at home in herb gardens, ornamental borders, or container displays.

This variety typically forms a low, spreading mat of small, oval, lime-green leaves, reaching around 6-12″ (15–30 cm) in height with a spread of 9-12″ (25–30 cm). In summer, it produces clusters of tiny pink flowers that attract bees and other pollinators, adding ecological value to its aesthetic charm. The foliage releases its citrusy fragrance when brushed or crushed, making it a delightful choice for planting near paths, patios, or seating areas.

Cultivation is straightforward, provided its Mediterranean origins are respected. Lime Thyme thrives in full sun, ideally with at least six hours of direct light daily, and prefers light, well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. It tolerates poor soils, heat, and drought once established, but suffers in waterlogged conditions, so amending heavy clay with grit or sand is recommended. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry between watering, and avoid over-fertilising, which can reduce flavour intensity. Regular pruning in spring and after flowering helps maintain a dense, bushy habit and prolongs the plant’s productive life.

In the kitchen, Thymus × citriodorus ‘Lime’ offers a zesty twist on traditional thyme, pairing beautifully with fish, poultry, salads, and herbal teas. Harvest sprigs as needed, ideally just before flowering for peak flavour, and dry or freeze for later use.

Suffolk Plant Heritage gives away a free plant, bulb or seeds at our plant fairs as part of its active conservation work. Anyone in Suffolk can grow little known but worthwhile garden plants and help secure their survival for the future. Wide distribution of a plant is the best form of conservation.Suffolk Plant Heritage runs plant propagation workshops and sells unusual plants at various events.

Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ is a popular montbretia variety known for its vibrant red flowers and attractive, arching foliage. It’s a show-stopping perennial that blooms from late summer into autumn, offering a bold display of colour and attracting pollinators.

A cormous, herbaceous perennial with a robust and very upright growing habit up to 5′ (1.6m) tall when in flower. It has mid-green, pleated blade-like leaves and arching deep red flower stems bearing glowing orange, tubular flowers that have a paler orange throat, from mid to late summer. It is an impactful and reliable flowerer that can grow in shade or dry conditions.

Corms should be planted in moderately fertile, humus rich soil approximately 4″ (10cm) deep and 3-4″ (7.5–10cm) apart in groups to form clumps. Water if it is a dry season as a lack of water reduces flowering.

Propagate by division in early spring when clumps become congested or by seed sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe.

Planting locations include: cottage and informal garden, coastal, flower borders and beds.

Suffolk Plant Heritage gives away a free plant, bulb or seeds at our plant fairs as part of its active conservation work. Anyone in Suffolk can grow little known but worthwhile garden plants and help secure their survival for the future. Wide distribution of a plant is the best form of conservation.Suffolk Plant Heritage runs plant propagation workshops and sells unusual plants at various events.

Native to western North America in large areas of southern Canada and the northwestern United States, Camissia quamash is Ideally suited to naturalised planting schemes including wildflower meadows or grassland where the soils are reliably moist (but not waterlogged).  It will also make a handsome addition to the herbaceous border, where its bright blue flowers and greyish green leaves will add colour and structure in late spring and early summer.

Position in full sun or partial shade in moist but well-drained, fertile, humus-rich soil.

This little known geranium was discovered in the garden of Rod Leeds in Suffolk by Elizabeth Strangman and Graham Gough during a visit in 1986. The geranium was a self sown seedling. By 1996 it was in the Washfield catalogue. It was given the following description:

‘Geranium ‘Rod Leeds’ is an excellent plant of rather upright habit. Magenta pink flowers over a particularly long season.’

Propagate by cuttings from new growth in early spring.

Suffolk Plant Heritage gives away a free plant, bulb or seeds at our plant fairs as part of its active conservation work. Anyone in Suffolk can grow little known but worthwhile garden plants and help secure their survival for the future. Wide distribution of a plant is the best form of conservation.Suffolk Plant Heritage runs plant propagation workshops and sells unusual plants at various events.

A dwarf bulbous perennial, to 30cm tall, with lance-shaped grey-green leaves. Flowers are multi-flowering, bronze-yellow with orange flares, and appear in mid spring.  Plant 10 to 15cm deep in fertile, well-drained soil, with protection from excessive wet and shelter from strong winds.

A graceful summer flowering perennial with erect grass like leaves and flower stems up to a 3′ / 100cm, with several nodding funnel-shaped white flowers with purple throats. Attractive to a range of pollinators.

Grow in pots or in the ground. Plant corms at 6″ / 15cm deep in moist,  well-drained potting medium. Dead head after flowering.

Lift when foliage dies back, discard old corms and store new corms in a dry frost-free place until planting in the spring. In milder areas a thick dry winter mulch may suffice.

Propagate by separating cormlets when dormant

Phlox stolonifera ‘Violet Vere’

Phlox stolonifera is a native of wooded areas and stream banks in the Appalachian Mountains in the SE USA. It is a creeping Phlox, forming a spreading ‘mat’ about 3 inches in height with flowers appearing above the leaves from April to July. Not a favourite of rabbits or deer it is also tolerant of drought and air pollution.

Phlox stolonifera ‘Violet Vere’ was named at Sissinghurst in the 1990s by the then head gardeners – Sibylle Kreutzberger and Pam Schwerdt. Sibylle tells us that ‘The Phlox in question was picked up by us in a London florist and, having failed to get it identified, was finally named after Pam Schwerdt’s mother who was at that time, president of The Wild Flower Society.’  In fact, Violet Vere (Schwerdt) MBE remained as president of the WFS for 28 years continuing the legacy from her sister and before them, their mother who founded the society in the 1890s.

The plant appears in ‘Extracts of Proceedings of the RHS (Vol 117) 1993 when it was exhibited to the Joint Rock Garden Committee: ‘Award of Merit: To Phlox stolonifera ‘Violet Vere’ as a hardy plant for flower on the rock garden (votes 12 for, 0 against), exhibited by the National Trust, Sissinghurst Castle, Cranbrook, Kent’

The RHS Herbarium holds a Standard Specimen of the plant.

Sibylle Kreutzberger and Pam Schwerdt worked as head gardeners for Vita Sackville-West from 1959 and after she died in 1962, remained in post for a further 31 years with the NT. In 2006, they were both awarded the highest honour by the RHS – the Victoria Medal of Honour, for their work at Sissinghurst.

Sarah Cook registered ‘Violet Vere’ early on in the Plant Guardian scheme and has also offered it in the Plant Heritage, Plant Exchange continuously, so although there are no listed nurseries selling it (last listed in RHS Plant Finder in 2012) it is hopefully doing well in gardens around the country.

Sarah grows it successfully in Suffolk, but suggests that it could probably do better in a region with higher rainfall. She tells us ‘Phlox stolonifera are excellent low growing plants, which we used to use at Sissinghurst to fill the spaces just under the shrub roses.  Not deep shade and plenty of light at this time of year when the roses are only just coming into leaf. They are woodlanders and are recommended for moist, humus rich soils.

Sarah also has Phlox stolonifera ‘Mary Belle Frey’ in the Plant Guardian scheme. We now know that Mary Belle Frey (1907-1940) was born in Indiana. It hasn’t been listed in RHS Plant Finder since 2011.

There isn’t currently a National Plant Collection of Phlox stolonifera and although a few are sent to the Plant Exchange, of the 18 cultivars listed in the Plant Finder, only 2 have more than one supplier.

Sarah Cook is National Collection Holder of Iris (Sir Cedric Morris introductions).

Autumn 2021 we are giving away packets of  seed from Tulipa sprengeri, a small scarlet tulip, that’s fast disappearing in its native habitat in Turkey.  It’s one of the last tulips to flower and makes a wonderful sight in any garden. Best sown right away in a well marked spot in your garden or in a labelled pot as it appears like grass in its first spring and can easily be weeded by mistake.  Try not to handle to seed too much. Tip it from the packet into where it is to grow. Leave it alone and each year the leaves will thicken and be more tulip-like. The bulb will gradually pull itself down to about 6” and should flower after a few years.

The seed we are giving is from this year’s flowers, all of which are grown in Suffolk. You will be taking part in a conservation project by growing the seed – “conservation by cultivation”.

Good luck!

Tulipa clusiana, commonly known as lady tulip, is a species tulip  that grows to 9-12” tall. ‘Cynthia’ is pale yellow with outer tepals of rose-red edged with pale yellow on the exterior. Flower interior is a solid pale yellow. It blooms April-May and is good for naturalising.

If we can find some more pictures, we’ll make a special page for them on the web site. If you’ve got a good photo of one of the free plants, however old, please send it to IT.Admin@SuffolkPlantHertitage.com .

Here’s one to start us off:

Tulipa linifolia (Batalinii Group) ‘Bright Gem’ – Autumn 2019 – grown by Maggie Thorpe