or Arizona beggar’s ticks ‘Hannay’s Lemon Drop’
This is a perfect late-season pick-me-up plant; it’s fresh and uncomplicated and able to hold its own amongst its neighbours. As always when one trawls the internet, there are accurate descriptions that have clearly been written by people with first hand knowledge of their subject, but sadly there are also entries which are erroneous through lack of hands-on experience.
For instance, you might read that Hannay’s Lemon Drop is short lived – it’s not! Or that it’s hardy only to H3 whereas I’d say no worries at H4 as long as it’s not waterlogged during the winter.
Enjoying full sun, this gently spreading member of the aster family (H:1-1.5m) is not commonly grown which is a shame as it has a long flowering period showing off its sunny lemon yellow flowers well into October.
These are held well above the delicate but determined foliage, the petals are unusually tipped with white and the centre of the flower is dark. Perfectly suited to a cottage
There will always be winners and losers in a border, but so far none of these is out-competing the others.
NB Louise has published a beautifully produced book of her plant profiles – A Plant for Each Week of the Year. It costs £9.99 and is for sale in our online shop here.
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