Canna 'Cleopatra'
Lush and Leafy in the Jungle...
The jungle area is looking very lush and leafy now courtesy of all the extra rain we've been having. Two species of Arisaema (A. ringens and A. consanguineum) are doing particularly well whilst the others have been slow and are just sprouting now due to the cooler than normal weather.
Arisaema ringens
And several snaps of Arisaema consanguineum which is proving to be the most reliable of the lot, year in year out.Arisaema consanguineum
Arisaema consanguineum
Arisaema consanguineum
Another plant that is looking good in the jungle is the fern Woodwardia unigemmata. Slower than usual to start this year but it's getting there and it's already rewarding us with its beautiful, large fronds.Woodwardia unigemmata
Deliciously vicious...These plants may be thorny and vicious looking but they're just part of their charm and appeal!
Smilax aspera - a wonderful, very exotic looking climber with vicious stems to help support itself as it climbs or scrambles away. It has glossy, heart shaped, narrow leaves with white blotchings that makes it look like it comes from tropical climates. This plant is evergreen and I find that it remains looking good all through winter. Be careful in handling the plants when training and tidying it up as the spines are sharp and recurved and could easily cause deep scratches with every false move. Keep an eye on where it clings on too as well, and prize unwanted growth off carefully to avoid shredding neighbouring plants. If you're used to maintaining ornamental (and not so ornamental) brambles (Rubus) you should be well prepared in taking care of this one.
Smilax aspera
New growth of Smilax aspera - leaves start off glossy red before turning green with blotchings
Rosa sericea pteracantha 'Red Wing' - I have written about this plant before and this is how it's looking now:Rosa sericea pteracantha 'Red Wing'
Rosa sericea pteracantha 'Red Wing
It has more than lived up to my expectations and I'm really pleased with it!Pretty Miscellany...
I love the new flush of growth from Mahonias, especially the reddish-purple new leaves of Mahonia fortunei.
Mahonia fortunei
The wispy, delicate looking, glaucous foliage of Asphodeline lutea was the main attraction for me although the blooms aren't too bad either. After flowering it sends more off shoots and the clump steadily bulks up. Occasionally it needs tidying up, removing the dead leaves by combing it with your fingers much like a small grass. Left unkempt, it ends up looking like a clump of chives rather than something much more ornamental than that.Asphodeline lutea
Beschorneria septentrionalis - possibly the hardiest Beschorneria around, ours has sailed through fine over the last few winters without any extra protection apart from being under the canopy of a yew tree. It's planting area however receives very little winter sun which indicates toughness and tolerance of shade. A seemingly tough plant that is also very rewarding to grow.Is it a Fuchsia? Nope, it's a Beschorneria!
Beschorneria septentrionalis
Delicate Gems...Euphorbia deflexa - an alpine Euphorbia, this one is barely 6" tall, with sprays of tiny yellow flowers rising above the blue-green foliage.
Euphorbia deflexa
Delosperma sutherlandii 'Peach Star' - Ice plant blooms tend to be bright and intense but I was especially attracted to the subtle shade of this one, as well as the succulent foliage that is almost tempting to burst with your fingers. A new plant for us this year, I hope it thrives and expand out to cover a bigger area so I get a better display of peach, daisy like flowers in the spring.Delosperma sutherlandii 'Peach Star'
Cotula hispida - one for the tactile gardener! This alpine is so soft to the touch and rewards you with little yellow flowers that looks like micro pom poms! Very cute!Cute little yellow pom poms! Cotula hispida
Poetry of a Protea...Lomatia ferruginea - this Chilean protea has been hardy enough in our garden and I love it so much I'm going to plant out a couple more! The fern like foliage is distinctive and very attractive, and the flowers, I'll let the photos speak for itself...
Lomatia ferruginea
Lomatia ferruginea
We might get a bit of a respite from the rains tomorrow but it's set to come back after and it's predicted that this might continue till the end of next week. Still I'm optimistic, I'm sure summer, warmth, and sunny weather will get here eventually!Mark :-)