Hardy Tropicals UK

Hi all,

Just realised I haven't posted any pics of my garden. I have been into exotics for about four years but until this year I have mainly concentrated on cannas, dahlias and the odd banana. The only permenant feature in my garden has been the tree ferns. This winter I've picked up a few palms that I intend to keep in pots until I move in about 3/4 years. Really been inspired by the pics on this forum, especially before and after shots to show growth rates of palms, agave bananas etc. As I;m still youngish I hope to take all the palms with me when I eventually move and create my own piece of paradise.

Great looking garden Kris!

Very colourful.

I can understand why you would want to keep any new palms in pots if you are wanting to move in the medium term.

wow,those fronds on the Dicksonia antarctica are enormous

I bulit the arid bed last summer and left the Agaves out this winter. They are now dead but the opuntia sem fine as does the dysrolion (sp) and the Aeonium (these are in greenhouse)

By the way how much does mushy Agave stink!!! I chopped off all the remains of mine this week and they reaked like nothing I've ever smelt!

Cheers. The Dicksonia antarctica was £90 three years ago. Its about 5 foot tall (was over 6 foot before I planted it) The fronds are also about 5 foot long

That's a great looking garden, Kris
I agree with Adam it's very colourful. I like to have some bright colour in my patch too - it gives a seasonal lift to what could otherwise be a bit static and green. I really like the bright Coleus (Solenostemon) and the Lobelia cardinalis. Do you have to water that a lot? Years ago I grew it as a marginal plant in the pond but think there are now forms more adaptable to planting in the border and less moisture demanding.
Pete

The Cardinalis grows everywhere! in most borders and in lots of pots. It divides so easily. Started with 2 plants 4 years ago and now have at least 30 -40 in pots ready to go out into the garden. It needs no more water the the other bedding plants and grow up to 4/5 foot in the ground with minimal feeding.

Very nice Kris, agree with the others about the cheery colours, (which I keep failing to achieve) red & yellow combos look good in this setting.

I've tried Lob cardinalis a couple of times but the have not survived winter, but am encouraged by your success to try them again.

very nice healthy plants kris


cheers

lee

really like some of the panting kris the coleous, with the euconomis!! is it?? looks great..plus my lob cardinalis been good and hardy here even stayed red this winter the little crowns!!

loving the Dicksonia antarctica's it's making me want to get more which i might do.

Well organised & colourful

Very nice Kris,

Them Cardinalis, I bought one last year, no idea if it survived the snow blanket.

I have to walk accross the lawn to get to the border and at the minute its sodden wet through, no chance to look if its still there.

Really inspirational photos!

Love the colours and shapes, have ordered some Coleus seeds and Eucomis bicolor bulbs, I hadn't heard of the Lobelia cardinalis before now but it looks incredible! It is definately something I want to try this year, I thought about Lobelia tupa but the cardinalis would be better as it doesnt grow as tall.

Nick

Great garden & pics

Really colourful & lovely to see pics like this at this time of the year, I can't wait until summer!