TOUCHWOOD

Plants and seedlings by post 

Winter/Spring  2011/12

 

There are always plants for sale at Touchwood Garden, Swansea, especially Aquilegias during the flowering season, however if you live at a distance you may wish to use my mail order system.  Firstly I send out bare-rooted plants during dormancy over the winter period (Nov-March).  Secondly in April to June I send out seedlings...put the date in your diary now!.  Finally, I send bare-rooted Aquilegia plants at end May,until early July. these plants have flowered and can be cut back at that time to give strong new foliar growth. Here are the current lists. NB,Plants are usually only posted to the UK, please contact Carrie regarding shipping prices to other countries.

TESTIMONIALS:  "The plants I had last year are all doing well, in spite of my neglect!"  "When the border has matured I will send you photos so you can judge how well the novice has done with the expert's plants!"  "I just thought I'd drop you a line and express my sincere thanks for your time, courtesy and great products! I received them today, excellently wrapped, obviously taken good care of at 'your end' and they arrived in superb condition."    "Buy with confidence from this seller. First class all the way."

"Have bought from you before, will buy from you again."  "Excellent packing, good strong plants, recommended to all. Thanks for the chocolate!.".   "Very quick delivery and thoughtfully packaged. Thank you."  "Another lovely healthy looking plant. Thank you." "SUPER FAST DELIVERY & TOP QUALITY GOODS, WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT!" 
Fantastic! All the hardy geraniums have turned up today safe & sound! Thank you so much ... they all look strong & healthy and not a bit worse for their journey. I am sure that they are going to love their new home!  I would like to thank you for taking all the time and trouble to make this such a fast, friendly & successful sale ... it has been a pleasure and I hope to buy some more of your lovely plants again soon!  Val  "Excellent service, plants arrived next day and well packaged." Hi Carrie - Just to let you know along with all the other testimonials you appear to have received I would like to add mine.  I am delighted with the plants I have purchased from you and following your instructions they are all growing away really well.  It doesn't take a minute to let someone know how pleased you are and you readily deserve it!  Please add me to your mailing list.  Mrs. Doreen Newton, Hampshire.  Hi Carrie, I would just like to thank you for speedy delivery of Aquilegias, they arrived 10am the morning after you posted them I left them soak for an hour and they were potted up by 12noon and put in shade as it was very sunny here, I am really pleased with plants thank you very much. Judy Westwood
 

 E-MAIL LIST If you would like to receive details about the updates to the seed-list or seedling-list each year by e-mail, please e-mail me and I'll be happy to add you to my mailing list.

 

Plants by post

I promise to lift, bare-root, and pack everything one afternoon, and post them first class so that you should receive it the next morning.  You must promise to pot up that morning……….and let me know any days you WON’T be available to receive the postal packet. Is there anywhere in particular the postman should leave the parcel if you’re not there? With less than 24 hours out of their pots, the plants shouldn’t even feel it!  Everything comes either from my cold (unheated) greenhouse, or outside. Very occasionally I may need to substitute plants if what you ordered isn't found on the day(!). I will phone you if you give your telephone number, and you are in, otherwise I reserve the right to send what I consider to be suitable substitutes (rather than the rest of your order being delayed in its bare-rooted state).

 Seedlings by Post - Available April until about June.

Each year I germinate 100s of different types of seeds, but only grow on about 6-12 of each type, and so often have spare seedlings, usually in March-June. These are SMALL seedlings, sometimes only at seed-leaf-stage...so no true leaves yet.  If such small seedlings are beyond your dexterity to handle...then go for the larger sized ones. That way you won't be disappointed, and the seedlings will survive! 

Please note, that as these are just 'spare' seedlings, I may only have a few for sale. With Aquilegias IT'S MY CHOICE on what to send...just depends what I happen to have spare at the time! Though you can ask for, eg 'singles', 'doubles', 'bicolours', stellatas' etc. It is best to contact me by phone or email to check and reserve your order.  The seed is named as what I receive it as....thus I cannot guarantee that plant names are exactly correct.

Each 'lot' is at least 10 seedlings...and costs just £2. That works out at 20p or less each! Special seedlings, eg from red and yellow doubles will only have about 5 to a 'lot'.

Larger seedlings

I may also have larger seedlings with 2 or 3 true leaves, which are about 5 -6 to a 'lot', depending on size.

 Prices All seedlings cost £2 for a 'lot', sent bare-rooted and £3 postage for however many 'lots' of these  seedlings you buy. 

Mimimum order 3 lots, most people go for 10, 15 or 20 lots and really save on postage costs!

I will have many types of aquilegias, also other plants ...do email and ask what's in.

Seedlings arrived this morning, all are potted up and ready  to rock! (well next year). Excellently packaged! Cant believe the amount and variety best £20 I've spent in ages!  Many thanks Martin Davies, Stoke-on-Trent

TO ORDER PLANTS AND SEEDLINGS

E-mail me or ring me on 01792 522443

                to check availability before paying by cheque; or card via the secure Paypal site                      

Post & packing (UK) £3.50 for up to 5 items, then 50p/item to a maximum £5.50

                Please make cheques payable to Touchwood        Thank you.   ~ Carrie ~

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   email me your wish list to check availability

 

       Small and/or young plants at £1.50, or ‘double helpings’ (counts as 1 item) at £2.50:

Aquilegias Smallish, usually self-sown seedling, unlikely to flower this year, pot luck!  Sorry, none left

Follow this link for full sized plants

SORRY NO FULL SIZED PLANTS THIS YEAR
Ajuga reptans

variagated leaf form.

 Decorative ground cover. Do excuse the photo, I always forget to snap this plant when it's looking good. These are the resting, over-wintering buds, but hopefully they give you some idea.
Alchemilla mollis Lady's Mantle. Beautiful foliage that catches the rain, chartreuse foamy flowers, great for flower arranging.

Briza maxima

 

Giant quaking grass
Campanula poscharskyana Unpronouncable yet indispensable bellfower, covered in purpley-blue starry flowers for months. 10-20cms and spreading. I'm writing this a week before Christmas....and still enjoying some flowers around my doorstep!
Corydalis

ophiocarpa

At least I THINK that's what this is, I can't find photos to confirm it. Thanks to Mitch who described this species' attributes to me....before I'd listed it as C. cheilanthifolia.

Dusky, pinky, ferny foliage and creamy flowers.
Chelidonium majus     fl. pl Double form greater celandine,no relation to the small (lesser) celandine. A great mound of good foliage, (about 50-70cms high and wide) with bright flowers over a long period in summer.
Dipsacus fullonum    Teasel ...these are smaller plants, but likely to flower this year.
  Feverfew Aromatic foliage. Masses of yellow-centred daisy flowers in summer. 
Geranium pyrenaicum Self-sown seedlings, so pot luck colours!
Geranium rubescens Like a huge herb Robert!

Or a petite Geranium canariense/maderense type.
Geranium x oxonianum So willing, it will not only clump up, but also self-seed.
Gladiolus papilio

2 corms

 Hardy. Delicate colours and tracery on each flower.
Jerusalem artichoke 'Fuseau'   Very good cultivar for large edible roots  10-15' tall plants, yes! With yellow daisy flowers.  cook by boiling, or steaming. For an even better treat, roast about 45 minutes. Nigel Slater in 'The Garden'magasine suggested roasting in butter with the addition of thyme or a bay leaf, adding that they are also good in salads or as soups . My favourite way: atitichoke crisps!
Lamiastrum galeobdolon  Yellow Archangel   Rampant but beautifully silvered leaves. Yellow flowers.
Melissa Lemon Balm. Rapidly clumps up. Wondrous lemon flavour, my favourite tea is lemon balm tea, take 2-3 top sprigs in a mug, pour over boiling water and drink hot or cold.
Mentha requenii Corsican mint, tiny, tiny creeping mint, wondrous scent!     Purple flowers.
Mentha spicata            good form of spearmint for your lamb!      
Mentha ‘Bowles’ Mint’ Also known as Apple Mint…fantastic!  

Oenothera biennis   

 Evening primrose
Phuopsis stylosa

Spherical pink pinhead flowerheads and evergreen foliage. I'd never be without it. Highly recommended....and not just by me:

 Testimonial: PS: Last years plants are doing very well, especially the Phuopsis, haven't come across it from anywhere else...my little grandson loves saying it too!
Physostegia virginiana,            Obedient plant....because the individual flowers stay where you put them! Pink form           

Oxalis  purple leaved

Just a quick note to say thanks for the non-rooted Oxalis cuttings I got from you at the end of March. The photograph, (above) shows one of the cuttings in a 12in pot. Marvellous! Thanks, Andrew (11th July 2009)  

My star buy in 2008, one plant took over a whole container, cascading all around....everything else died from slugs or the weather!  Too good to loose, I then brought it into the house for the winter! This is 2 unrooted, small, cuttings ...be prepared to mollycoddle them until ready to plant out. Proving hardier that I thought, but I'll wait until all the frosts are over before taking back outside.

2009, a customer sent a photograph to show me the cuttings that he'd had from me, looking incredible early summer!

Persicaria campanulata Prettily marked velvety leaves in spring. Little bell flowers in August-September. Don't let it flop over other plants! I prop mine against a wall or fence.
I just wanted to let you know that the persicaria campanulata you sent me in April is knocking my socks off - whatta plant!   
It has a lovely presence.  Is there any way you could send me more?   Or can I reserve some for next year?   (I put all my stock in a client's garden so I'd rather not take cuttings from it...)  Thanks, Sue Davis
 Thank YOU Sue, it IS good, isn't it? I can send more, and it expands freely so you should have plenty to enjoy!  Carrie
Persicaria nepalensis

syn P. alata

 Well marked foliage, pretty pink flowers, until cut down by frosts (November here). This is a brilliant ground cover plant, rapidly covering the allotted area (and then some more!), However, it dies back underground during the winter. You will receive several shoots...which will clump up.

The lower left photo shows it colouring up well in the autumn.

Persicaria nepalensis is grown mainly for its handsome foliage. Well marked leaves form an attractive bank of foliage to about a foot high. Here's what my friend leslie has done with it to great effect ....underplanted in a tub!
Saxifraga 

'Six Hills'

 Great encrusted saxifrage, small tight rosettes.
Saxifraga 

Possibly 'Southside Seedling'

 Big brother of the above, larger and so more rapidly growing. Occasionally tall flowering stems with red-splashed white flowers.
Photo taken in November.
Sedum alba   Jelly bean plant. Fleshy jelly-bean leaves and white flowers on this happy alpine.
Sedum   spurium Reddy small rosettes, more strongly coloured in winter.

Sedum rupestre

 Fleshy leaves, yellow flower, Creeps and roots controllably!
Sempervivum

Interesting letter		 Houseleek. Or, one old name for it is: 'Welcome home husband however drunk you be' Hmmmmm! I have several sorts, but you'll get pot luck really, though you could ask for, eg, smaller sort, green sort, red sort or cobweb sort...and if you're very lucky I might be able to comply! Photo taken in November. Grow it on your roof...to protect your house from lightening. Wonder if the insurance company will allow a discount....like for burglar alarms?  Do let me know!

Schizostylis coccinea,

 

 Kaffir lily, at least 6 small ones to grow on to flowering stage

Pink form only available as £2.50 sized, see below
Tolmeia Piggy-back plant...so called as tiny new plants grow on the leaves! Also used as a houseplant. Small strange flowers on medium height stems,,, strangely d'Arth Vader-like to my way of thinking!

Great ground cover for shade.
Tellima grandiflora     Fringecups. Scented. Great ground cover in shade.

Larger plants at £2.50:

counts as 1 'item' re p&p
Fern un-named, in variety, pot luck!  
Alchemilla mollis Lady's Mantle. Beautiful foliage that catches the rain, chartreuse foamy flowers, great for flower arranging.
Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’ Decorative variegated 'grass'. Evergreen in green and yellow.
Acorus gramineus  

I think!

cream and green

 Decorative variegated 'grass'. Evergreen in green and cream.
Green and white decorative grass  Photo taken November...as the 2 above are...imagine how much better in the summer!

Much softer than the above, which is more glossy
Allium ampeloprasum 

Elephant Garlic

 I was amazed the first time I saw the HUGE cloves that elephant garlic produces. Yes, those are 3 SINGLE CLOVES on my hand, not whole bulbs containing many cloves! It grows like ordinary garlic, except that I leave mine in the ground all year round.  Also....they produce flowers! Typical, ornamental onion flower-heads, that are also tasty in their own right....harvest only a few of the florets to add to eg egg mayonnaise or stir fries. Only a few, as they are strongly flavoured. You are buying 2 or 3 smaller bulbs, likely to be in active growth: roots & leaf.             
Allium triquetrum (5)    Growing through Persicaria nepalensis 3-cornered leek - edible flowers, and leaves through the winter. and early spring, just when chives is below ground!  One of the early spring bulbs, very delicate looking yet tough as old boots.  Called 3-cornered leek as the flower stems have 3 corners.  It'll multiply and clump up nicely from the bulbs, DON'T let it seed or it can take over....just deadhead and throw the spent flowers in the bin. - supplied in active growth                      
Arisarum proboscideum Mouse plant. Mouse-like flowers, complete with tails!.  'Bulb', flowers in spring. Hardy, easy.
Campanula poscharskyana Unpronouncable yet indispensable bellfower, covered in purpley-blue starry flowers for months. 10-20cms and spreading. I'm writing this a week before Christmas....and still enjoying some flowers around my doorstep!
Corydalis

ophiocarpa

At least I THINK that's what this is, I can't find photos to confirm it. Thanks to Mitch who described this species' attributes to me....before I'd listed it as C. cheilanthifolia. Dusky, pinky, ferny foliage and creamy flowers.
Chelidonium majus fl. pl Double form greater celandine, a great mound of good foliage, with bright flowers over a long period in summer.

Larger sized plants.
Dipsacus fullonum    Teasel Large plant
 Eupatorium cannabinum Hemp agrimony. 5' hardy perennial with flattish topped light pink flowers, loved by butterflies.  
  Feverfew Aromatic foliage. Masses of yellow-centred daisy flowers in summer.
Geranium pyrenaicum Self-sown seedlings, so pot luck colours!
Geranium phaeum Mourning widow. Very early, dusky flowers held well above foliage. Long season, bees will thank you!
Geranium phaeum hybrid Another early flowerer. More purply, more sharper-pointed flowers
Geranium phaeum hybrid ask for 'the one by 428'! Another early flowerer.
Lighter flowers, possibly is 'Lily Lovell', but I think that's darker.
Geranium x oxonianum So willing, it will not only clump up, but also self-seed. Grows to 2-3'

The items you sent previously were perfect. Thank you, yes I have ordered more its not an illusion. member Bluehousedoor, ebay
Geranium rubescens Like a huge herb Robert!

Or petite Geranium maderense/canariense type.
Gladiolus papilio 4 corms Hardy. Delicate colours and tracery on each flower.  
Jerusalem artichoke 'Fuseau'   Very good cultivar for large edible roots  10-15' tall plants, yes! With yellow daisy flowers.  cook by boiling, or steaming. For an even better treat, roast about 45 minutes. Nigel Slater in 'The Garden'magasine suggested roasting in butter with the addition of thyme or a bay leaf, adding that they are also good in salads or as soups . My favourite way: atitichoke crisps!
Luzula sylvatica 'Aurea' Golden wood-rush. Photo taken in winter.
Lysimachia ciliata 'Firecracker' x3 Dark purple dramatic foliage, sprays of yellow flowers. A showstopper. spreads.
Lysimachia punctata x6 Yellow Loosestrife. Super cottage garden perennial. Very quickly forms a large mat with yellow flowers over a long period in summer. Yes, an enthusiastic spreader!
Milleum effuseum aureum             Bowles’ golden grass  
Montbretia   6 corms  Rapidly spreads! Very lovely, well marked orange flowers.  
Oenothera biennis  Evening primrose,  larger plant  
Oxalis  purple leaved

Just a quick note to say thanks for the non-rooted Oxalis cuttings I got from you at the end of March. The photograph (above) shows one of the cuttings in a 12in pot. Marvellous! Thanks, Andrew (11th July 2009)     

My star buy in 2008, one plant took over a whole container, cascading all around....everything else died from slugs or the weather!  Too good to lose, I then brought it into the house for the winter! These are 4 unrooted, small, cuttings ...be prepared to mollycoddle them until ready to plant out. Proving hardier that I thought, but I'll wait until all the frosts are over before taking back outside.

Persicaria nepalensis

syn P. alata

 Well marked foliage, pretty pink flowers, until cut down by frosts (November here). This is a brilliant ground cover plant, rapidly covering the allotted area (and then some more!), However, it dies back underground during the winter. You will receive several shoots...which will clump up.

The lower left photo shows it colouring up well in the autumn.

Persicaria nepalensis is grown mainly for its handsome foliage. Well marked leaves form an attractive bank of foliage to about a foot high. Here's what my friend leslie has done with it to great effect ....underplanted in a tub!
Persicaria 'Red Dragon' Fantastic chevron-marked purple foliage. Not totally hardy, always gets cut back with late frosts, even here....but still keeps coming. You will receive 3 very small shoots...which will make a decent statement during the first year, and clump up well. Please don't order too early unless you can protect the small plants....March or April will do. Note, counted by shoot not root...some roots have more than 1 shoot!
Persicaria campanulata Prettily marked velvety leaves in spring. Little bell flowers in August-September. Don't let it flop over other plants! I prop mine against a wall or fence.
I just wanted to let you know that the persicaria campanulata you sent me in April is knocking my socks off - whatta plant!   
It has a lovely presence.  Is there any way you could send me more?   Or can I reserve some for next year?   (I put all my stock in a client's garden so I'd rather not take cuttings from it...)  Thanks, Sue Davis
 Thank YOU Sue, it IS good, isn't it? I can send more, and it expands freely so you should have plenty to enjoy!  Carrie

Schizostylis coccinea,

pink or red forms

Kaffir lily, at least 6 small ones to grow on to flowering stage

Pink form also available

Hi Carrie,  Just to let you know the items arrived this morning.  Lightning speed!  Furthermore, they look very very healthy, and already growing well.   I am delighted, as I've been looking to obtain a wad of schizostylus a reasonable price for a couple of years now. Jan Foley, Hamilton 2010
Rubus  ‘Golden Vale’.

Great arching stems with bright yellow leaves. Brightest gold in full sun, nevertheless it brightens up a shady place. Even in the winter when you have the bare white stems arching architecturally.
Rubus  odoratus

Thimbleberry.

Lovely large leaves on canes to about 5' high.

The best bits for me are the sticky buds...they carry an aromatic resin...a woody and rosey fragrance...heavenly, must go back for more!

Larger plants at £3 plus actual postage costs:

  These are so big and heavy, please ring to find out postage cost.  Cost £3 plus actual postage.  
Mirabilis jalapa  …… not quite hardy treat as dahlia tubers.  Enormous roots of Mirabilis jalapa  …… not quite hardy treat as dahlia tubers. 

Red or white, pot luck. Fantastic scent in the evening, if they could bottle it they'd make a fortune!
Rubus  ‘Golden Vale’.

LARGE ROOT

Great arching stems with bright yellow leaves. Brightest gold in full sun, nevertheless it brightens up a shady place. Even in the winter when you have the bare white stems arching architecturally.

Aquilegias, varied prices:

I send out bare-rooted Aquilegia plants Nov-March and June.

In winter they are 1 year old seedlings (ready to flower this season), or 2 year old, already flowered plants.

Prices depend on the size of the plant, whether it has already flowered, and its rarity and desirability, eg a £3 blue, already-flowered plant will be far, far larger than a tiddly red-and yellow unflowered seedling at the same price.

Aquilegia pot luck plants  I  have some  'pot luck' lost-label plants! Or self-sown seedlings. They are £1.50 each. There are also a few larger ones at £2 and £3, and possibly some smaller ones at just £1
SORRY NOTHING LEFT THIS YEAR: WINTER 2011-2012
     ALREADY FLOWERED PLANTS   These flowered last summer so you know what you're getting
Flower Colour  Please email me with your phone number and preferred colours and types, and I will call you with availability. Prices £1-£4.50
  SORRY NOTHING LEFT THIS YEAR: WINTER 2011-2012  Ring me from June to see what I have that has finished flowering and I can cut it back and bare-root it to send at that time. Even better...visit Touchwood when they are flowering and choose what you want! I may have a few of pot luck ones...either lost-labels or self-sown. email or ring me to ask
Blue, single    
Blue, doubles Includes gold leaved indigo double (Roman Bronze type), and variegated leaved indigo doubles (Woodside Blue, Leprechaun Gold etc)
Pink singles, pink doubles

including light pinks.

and rubies.
Pink and white singles and doubles
Black doubles
Black Barlow types
William Guiness And double form
White single    
Seedling FROM:  Price, and number of each available updated Dec 2011

  Follow this link to return to the first table of plants

I just thought I'd drop you a line and express my sincere thanks for your time, courtesy and great products! I received them today, excellently wrapped, obviously taken good care of at 'your end' and they arrived in superb condition. Your voucher was very welcomed (and will indeed be used!) and so too were the instructions. Regards, Stella 

All plants beautifully growing, they have established in their pots very quickly, obviously from good stock, and the Aquilegia seeds are up, a very successful buy!!

TO ORDER PLANTS AND SEEDLINGS

E-mail me or ring me on 01792 522443

I will check availability before you pay, by cheque or by card via the secure Paypal site.

 I promise to lift and pack everything one afternoon, and post them first class so that you should receive it the next morning.  You must promise to pot up that morning……….and let me know any days you WON’T be available to receive the postal packet. Is there anywhere in particular the postman should leave the parcel if you’re not there? With less than 24 hours out of their pots, the plants shouldn’t even feel it!  Everything comes either from my cold (unheated) greenhouse, or (usually) from outside. Very occasionally I may need to substitute plants if what you ordered isn't found (!). I will phone you if you give your telephone number, and you are in, otherwise I reserve the right to send what I consider to be suitable substitutes (or the rest of your order will be delayed in its bare-rooted state)       

                                     Post & packing (UK) £3 for up to 5 items, then 50p/item to a maximum £5

                Please make cheques payable to Touchwood, with your name and address on the back, and any message for the postman if you're not in.      Thank you.   ~ Carrie ~

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   email me your wish list to check availability

 
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