June 2011 in the Northern Hemisphere

[Anthony Darby]

I was just trying to scare'm!

[meanie]

A couple more to add;
First one is Penstemon barbatus "Iron Maiden".
The second to be fair is recently bought, so I can't claim full credit for this - Grevilla junipera. I've wanted one for ages and finally gave in to temptation whilst armed with some gift vouchers that I got for my birthday.

[meanie]

Another offering.
I must be very clear that this was down in the "Jungle" at Heligan Gardens, but that is in the Northern hemisphere and it's so nice that it deserves to be seen....
It's Desfontainia spinosa.

[Maggi Young]

There are a number of gardens around Aberdeen with rather good examples of Desfontainia spinosa,though some were hit quite hard by the last two winters. Covered in flowers it is a VERY smart shrub over a long period.


I've only grown Grevillea as a houseplant... will you keep it out in the summer and bring it in for the winter?

[meanie]

There are a number of gardens around Aberdeen with rather good examples of Desfontainia spinosa,though some were hit quite hard by the last two winters. Covered in flowers it is a VERY smart shrub over a long period.


I've only grown Grevillea as a houseplant... will you keep it out in the summer and bring it in for the winter?

Interesting about the Desfontinia - if it does ok up there maybe it's worth a punt.....

As far as the Grevilla goes, I'm building a raised bed that will be fully covered for the winter with a "coldframe roof" where it will have to take its chances - it's supposedly hardy down to minus five.

[Anthony Darby]

I've seen Desfontainia spinosa in the grounds of Dundee University.

[meanie]

I've seen Desfontainia spinosa in the grounds of Dundee University.

By the sounds of it, it should be ok in a sheltered spot then....

[meanie]

Much as I'd love to take credit for raising this, it's a recent purchase.
Lobelia laxiflora.

[Lesley Cox]

That's a very different Lobelia Meanie. How tall is it? It is sort of shrubby or more a perennial for later cutting back?

[Maggi Young]

Much as I'd love to take credit for raising this, it's a recent purchase.
Lobelia laxiflora.

Fantastic......Looks like a hybrid Flamingo that is having a hissy fit.......  I love it! 

[meanie]

Lesley - it's a tender rhizomous perennial. The stock specimen was a good metre high and wide, but mine stands about 40cm in a 2 litre pot. When it gets its new pot, I'll nip a couple of the new shoots out and pot up separately - it's reputed to be a rapid grower.

Maggi - It's an absolute gem isn't it! I wanted one as soon as I saw a photo of one, and even though it's relatively rare I found one at Hill House Nursery in Devon. Which was a result, as we were off to Cornwall anyway, and it is only a couple of miles off our route.
For anyone in the area, or off that way on holiday, I do recommend Hill House Nursery - it's a jewel of a place! And the prices in person are cheaper than tinterweb prices too (as it should be).

http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk/about_us.html

[Maggi Young]

Clicked on  the Hill House Nursery link... how good it not be a great place... look at that adorable Dachshund they have... pictured taking his ease in the foliage.... bless him!

[meanie]

Clicked on  the Hill House Nursery link... how good it not be a great place... look at that adorable Dachshund they have... pictured taking his ease in the foliage.... bless him!

It is a great place!
There were birds buzzing around the greenhouses, with food out for them too! Wonderful stock/specimen plants everywhere. And the prices......I got a one metre Iochroma grandiflora for £5.00. The Lobelia was £4.50.
I had to pass up on a Plectranthus which I really wanted (£5.00) as it was to damn big to go in the car this time!
Brugmansia at one metre plus were £5.00 (cheaper than a bare root plant around here).

[Lesley Cox]

And a jolly good tearoom too by the look of the website.

Meanie have you tried Lobelia tupa? It is hardy here but perhaps not everywhere. I love the red colour which is a sort of smoky shade with big, soft green foliage. I also love it because our bellbirds and tuis drink the nectar and so pollinate it, making masses of seeds. In a wet place it will grow to a good 2 metres but in my dry garden it makes just about a metre. It is spectacular.

[meanie]

And a jolly good tearoom too by the look of the website.

Meanie have you tried Lobelia tupa? It is hardy here but perhaps not everywhere. I love the red colour which is a sort of smoky shade with big, soft green foliage. I also love it because our bellbirds and tuis drink the nectar and so pollinate it, making masses of seeds. In a wet place it will grow to a good 2 metres but in my dry garden it makes just about a metre. It is spectacular.

It does a mean hot chocolate Lesley!
I have some L.tupa seedlings coming along nicely for next year. They have it in the garden at Oxfords botanic gardens. Hit a good two metres despite the "dry" site, which is next to the glass-houses facing south.
I have Queen Victoria seedlings just germinated too - lost the lot last winter. The only one to come through was L.siphilitica......