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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2006 14:42:24 GMT
Up to now, I thought there were simply plants one liked or did not like. I did not believe that nature offered plug-ugly plants without any redeeming features. But yesterday I saw one: Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens', or black grass. When I first saw it (in a 'landscaped' garden) I thought it had been burnt, and was about to go 'oh my god, what happened here' - until I realised it's meant to look that way. Sort of the horticultural equivalent of that hairless cat breed. Any other truly breathtakingly ugly plants out there? (I know ugliness is in the eye of the beholder, so am sure there are fans of this black grass around) ... cheers ...
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Post by Plocket on Oct 29, 2006 17:05:57 GMT
I had to laugh at your message I'm afraid Canarycreeper because I love "black lily turf"! Mind you I like most black plants. It just goes to show that we all have different tastes - which I think is a good thing! I should point out though that I don't have swathes of the stuff - I weed it out so it's in little clumps amongst other plants. Now I find mahonia ugly - I guess it's a personal thing!  |
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Post by beanie on Oct 29, 2006 17:17:35 GMT
I can't stand birds nest ferns.It's a shame because they so want to grow in my garden. apologies if any of you are growing them  |
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Oct 29, 2006 18:35:15 GMT
Not keen on mahonias either Plockett....although I don't think that they're particularly ugly. My pitcher plants aren't particularly pretty...
I'm not keen on that grass that looks like it's dried up and died, can't remember what it's called but am always astonished when somebody goes to the tills with one at a GC...(but surely it's dead...) ;D
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Post by Margi on Oct 29, 2006 18:47:09 GMT
That's how I feel about those orangey/yellowy/ browny heucheras, I'm afraid! I want something in my garden that loooks like it's a happy plant rather than on its last legs...
Margi x
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Post by Plocket on Oct 29, 2006 18:57:46 GMT
Erm.... I've got brown grasses and heucheras - they aren't just brown, there are lovely pinky (sorry Margi!!!) tinges to them!!!!! I like them!
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Post by Margi on Oct 29, 2006 18:59:45 GMT
I rest my case, yer honner!
M xxx
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Oct 29, 2006 19:07:57 GMT
I bet you've got a purple heuchera, eh Margi S x |
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Post by Margi on Oct 29, 2006 19:15:52 GMT
Funnily enough, I have!!! It's called Black Beauty, and I've only had it a few weeks, but it was purpling gloriously at me and I just had to have it! How did you know?
Margi x
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Post by Dr Bill on Oct 29, 2006 19:17:12 GMT
I bet you've got a purple heuchera, eh Margi S x I love Heucheras. The purple ones are very impressive. The caramel coloured ones are so interesting. And the greens are bright and vibrant. Great for filling gaps in the front of the border |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2006 20:09:09 GMT
I'm with Plocket - Mahonia is horrible. I also hate hollyhocks. Hideous things
FA x
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Oct 29, 2006 21:20:39 GMT
Funnily enough, I have!!! It's called Black Beauty, and I've only had it a few weeks, but it was purpling gloriously at me and I just had to have it! How did you know? Margi x Just a hunch Margi, just a hunch S xx |
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Post by Margi on Oct 29, 2006 21:32:00 GMT
Boy, you're GOOOOOOOOOOD!!! Do you do palmistry as well as floristry?
M xxx
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Oct 29, 2006 21:44:12 GMT
Now, there's a thought  . I have used palm leaves in arrangements....does that count  S xx |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2006 21:45:22 GMT
Hi - I love grasses - esp. Black Lily Turf and all the coppery , dead looking ones !!!! Suppose it is a matter of taste - OH hates them - not that he goes into garden much so....! Not sure which plants I hate - will have to think about that.
Take care - PA
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 30, 2006 6:07:56 GMT
Not keen on Pampas grass - razor sharp, huge and I do NOT like those fluffy things that are supposed to be the flower - don't like fluff in any shape or form. Why do people always seem to have Pampas in pub gardens, often quite close to the kids play bits? It makes me cringe. I do like the softer smaller grasses though as I like the noises they make. I can't actually think of a plant which is ugly as such though. Brussells sprouts aren't exactly decorative but I like to eat them.
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Post by obelixx on Oct 30, 2006 9:48:27 GMT
The plasticky plants - tropical orchids, begonias and busy lizzies and also coleus and euphorbias.
I do like black lily turf but it has to be planted carefully and not just plonked and I find mahonias look good in a shrubbery but not as specimen plants.
Each to their own.
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Post by bagpuss on Oct 30, 2006 16:14:15 GMT
Not keen on Gladioli or pampas grass myself.
I have to admit, I do rather like the black grass myself, the flowers are beautiful. The most stunning display of it I have seen is at Wakehurst Place where they have it densley planted in a circle under a silver birch tree.
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Post by sleepysunday on Oct 30, 2006 16:27:47 GMT
I agree about the pampas grass. Someone once said that every plant has a location that is right for it, except pampas grass. I disagree. I found the perfect location for pampas grass... outside the gates to a Butlins Holiday Camp.
Dreadful stuff!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2006 17:22:45 GMT
Well, definitely different tastes ... I love mahonias (wish I had space for one), and hollyhocks are go gorgeously blowsy ... unfortunately earlier this year I pulled up several hollyhock seedlings thinking they were weekds  . The trials of a novice gardener .... but that black grass, yeeuck! |
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Post by Plocket on Oct 30, 2006 17:58:09 GMT
Oh that's another one - I don't like pampas grass either!!!
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. The trials of a novice gardener .... but that black grass, yeeuck!