Hardy Tropicals UK

This variegated brug has been in the ground since last year. Last winter it saw -6C and was only protected by a cloche and a layer of fleece at the worst of the Beast from the East.
The thinner bits turned to mush, but the lowest and thickest parts of the stem (a foot or so) survived.

Now it stands 5ft high and is blooming.



In parts of the US with long hot summers but cold winters they cut them back to the ground, mulch heavily and let them sprout back in spring.

But in this country, where there is less summer heat and the winters are milder, I think this is a good alternative to growing brugs (in the milder parts of the UK anyway): at the first frosts, let the thinner stems / branches die back, and if / when more serious cold hits, cut them back to 1ft from the base and put a cloche over it. A bit like wrapping the lowest parts of basjoo p-stems.

Every year, the lower stem will get thicker and the root system more extensive, which will make the plant hardier and more vigorous and grow back quicker. Hopefully it will also start blooming earlier in the season, because September is a bit late.

Brug looking good, and some interesting comments made Oto.

We are growing a few brugs now. We may try one of our mature plants at some point. We have to keep brugs in tubs to be able to see them though. If we put them in the ground we don't really walk past them unless hanging out the washing or going to the veg plot and we can't see them from the house unless stood by the French doors.

I get a similar result with most of my brugs kept dry in large tubs and piling them in an inheated greenhouse. This year most were cut back to about a foot courtesy of the beast from the east and are now nice and tall with promising flower buds. The advantage of this is they are placed in strategic positions around the garden when in full bloom. My favourite site is pidgeonholing them under a canopy of wide spreading Japanese maples, the foliage hiding the tub and the flower display standing above the plant.

I've been thinking about this thread and wondering what to do winter 2019. Last year we cut our brug back but leave the 'y' shapes so it flowers quickly. Last year this meant that it was still over three foot high when pruned back for winter. It was kept frost free in a tiny space in our front porch. I say porch but its two sets of doors on the front of the house so its only the width of two doors and two foot deep, its unheated and facing north north west.

Mine a bit slow this year .I think the hot weather or drought we had

Mine are on a second flush at the moment..........

a few more pics.......

Nice to see you back Arlon.

Jas.

chainsaw kid wrote: ↑Mon Sep 17, 2018 6:51 am Nice to see you ack Arlon.

Thanks Jas

A kwik vid of the Brugs on the patio ............

https://youtu.be/nDOiZPYivfQ

Wow Arlon!

they look great Arlon

Chez2 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 17, 2018 6:47 pmWow Arlon!

tatter wrote: ↑Mon Sep 17, 2018 7:01 pm they look great Arlon

Thanks both

A great collection there Arlon .Hows your garden getting on and do you still have your Phoenix Canariensis ?

Dezmo2 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 18, 2018 5:56 pm and do you still have your Phoenix Canariensis ?

Yep, getting a big lad now too. Its had two trims this year, taken off about 15/20 fronds in total.............