heart-leaved ox eye
Everything about this plant is big and bold and when middle Growbag Laura offered me one several years ago, I took it on with some reservation – it’s not really me I thought. However, I’d like to say thank you today, I have no regrets; far from it, it’s made its mark in an otherwise rather unruly border that lacked focus.
Sun and a good soaking has done wonders, and all our gardens are brimming with confidence and covered in flowers so when my eyes rested on this statuesque plant, I knew my choice was made. Sometimes you need an anchor plant amongst the summer mayhem.
Clearly this is a very robust plant that puts up with a wide variety of soils, aspects and habitats. I remember well when I planted my young ox eye; it was a question of ‘There’s a gap!’ and in it went. Into a border where everything has to fend for itself – so no mollycoddling needed! This tall perennial can attain up to two metres, and there’s no denying that its foliage is a little coarse with big, heart shaped, toothed leaves.
However, one of its major attributes is the large variety of pollinating insects that it attracts. The flowers are huge, with golden yellow, tousled petals surrounding a raised centre – a ray of sunshine for us all.
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One reply on “Telekia speciosa”
It is a great plant and has lovely brown seed tufts into late summer and autumn. It does need space though and once established is a devil to move 😉