New Plant at Gardening Scotland 2009 (17 March 2009)

A very rare semi-parasitic plant, that was considered ‘impossible’ to raise in cultivation, will go on sale at Gardening Scotland 2009.

Pedicularis superba, which grows in meadows and around woodland edges in south west China, will be launched by Kevock Garden Plants, three times winners of the event’s ‘Best in Show’ award.

Pedicularis belong to the lousewort genus and have colourful, hooded flowers borne on tall stems above attractive dissected foliage.

They have a reputation for being ungrowable because they are semi-parasitic. However, despite not knowing what host plants are necessary, Stella and David Rankin of Kevock Garden Plants near Edinburgh have succeeded in bringing half a dozen species to flower.

Stella Rankin says: “Some are from unidentified plants and others have names that should be regarded as probabilities rather than certainties, however they are all beautiful, colourful plants with very pretty young foliage.”

Gardening Scotland Photos